Short answer
No. Makeup is permissible, and beautifying yourself for your husband is rewarded. What is not allowed is displaying it to non-mahram men, which the Quran calls tabarruj. Makeup that forms a waterproof layer must be removed for wudu.
Mubah, and recommended for one's husband. Haram to show adornment, including makeup, to non-mahram men. It must be free of impure ingredients, and any layer that stops water reaching the skin must be removed before wudu or ghusl. Makeup does not break the fast.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Adornment is part of being a woman and Islam does not forbid it. The Quran's concern is where it is shown. Women are told not to show their adornment except to their husbands, mahrams and other women, and not to display themselves as in the time of ignorance. The four schools agree on this framework.
In practice:
- At home, for your husband, among women and mahrams: wear what you like.
- Going out: makeup meant to attract attention in front of non-mahram men is not allowed. Many scholars allow light, natural care that does not draw attention, such as lip balm or concealer for a blemish, but avoid makeup that is clearly for display.
- Ingredients: avoid products made with impure animal ingredients where you can. Check labels or ask the brand.
- Tattoos and permanent changes are a different issue: see plucking eyebrows.
Makeup and wudu: water must reach the skin. Waterproof foundation, long-wear lipstick and similar products that form a film should be removed before wudu. Powder and products that wash off easily under water are less of a concern, but if in doubt, take it off. Kohl (surma) does not stop wudu.
Makeup in Ramadan: it does not break the fast, including kohl. Be careful not to swallow lipstick. See what breaks your fast. For more on modesty see haya in Islam.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Noor 24:31
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣١﴾
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.
Limits who may see a woman's adornment.
Quran, Surah Al-Ahzaab 33:33
وَقَرْنَ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ ٱلْجَٰهِلِيَّةِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَأَقِمْنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتِينَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِعْنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ ٱلرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًۭا ﴿٣٣﴾
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.
Forbids tabarruj, displaying beauty to strangers.
Sahih Muslim 2128
Sahih... نساء كاسيات عاريات مميلات مائلات ...
"Women who are clothed yet naked, who lead others astray and are led astray."
Warns against dress and display meant to attract strangers.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on adornment. A woman's adornment for her husband is permitted and recommended.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Taharah, the fard acts of wudu. A layer that blocks water must be removed.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.