Should Christian women use make-up? What about jewelry?

There are a few verses on the apparel of women in the Bible.

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. (1 Peter 3:3-5)

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b)

It is well established that Christian women are not to emphasize their looks, but nurture their relationship with Christ. As a Christ-follower, a woman's worth does not come from beauty or wealth (often, the only wealth a woman could own was her jewelry). One passage that is often overlooked, however, is the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple…She is clothed with strength and dignity (verses 21-22, 25a).

The verses do not say that women must dress in fancy clothes. It says that a woman who is respected in her community, and whose husband is respected as well, will dress appropriately to her position. Beauty is fleeting (Proverbs 31:30), and God looks at the heart, but when interacting with the outside world, a God-following woman will dress for the situation. If it is a formal event, she may wear make-up and jewelry as a sign of respect for herself and recognition of her own dignity. If it is a more casual situation, the make-up and jewelry will probably be less ostentatious so that they won't draw attention to her for the wrong reasons. Even if the woman can't afford nice jewelry or is allergic to make-up, she can show dignity in other ways like being clean, having a flattering hair style, or having an open, friendly demeanor.

We are children of the King. We are ambassadors for Christ. As such, we should always be dressed with the dignity and poise that the occasion calls for. Sometimes that may mean make-up and jewelry, sometimes not. In every situation, however, we should present ourselves appropriately.