Question:

Sheikh, my teenage cousin has been trying to convince her friend not to wear makeup in public. Alhamdulillah, it seems like she has taken some heed, but she still seems to be wearing some
makeup when out in public.
From your experience, what is the best piece of info.
that my cousin can share with her friend?
————

Answer:

Part of it is naturally related to her age, so we
shouldn’t be too picky on her. She’ll move on as she
gets older inshAllah.

However, it is best to try make some sense to her as
to why it is not permissible for women to wear
makeup and perfume in front of non-Mahram :
It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s): “ any woman
who wears perfume for other than her husband (i.e.
non-Mahram) none of her Salaat (prayers) will be
accepted until she performs a Ghosl (ritual wash) to
remove its smell, as she performs Ghosl
Janabah.” (al-Kaafi, vol. 5 p. 507).

It is also narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s): “ Any
woman who wears some makeup and steps out of
her house (to appear in public) she will be cursed
until she returns home.” (Wasaeul-Shi’a vol. 14
p.112).

The wisdom behind this rule is very obvious. As
much as it is an obligation on men to lower their
gaze, it is also an obligation on women – especially
young girl s- to avoid anything that would provoke
men sexually, whether the style of their clothes, the
tone of their speech, their makeup, etc. In fact,
wearing makeup is the most obvious example of
beautification and attraction, and hence the Imams
of Ahlul Bayt (a.s), as compassionate and caring
guides, loudly and clearly have forbidden women
from this sin.

When a young girl wears makeup in public and in
front of men, she is exposing herself to illegal
relations with impious boys who look at her as an
available prey!

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei