Make-Up: To Wear or Not To Wear?
Make up. I LOVE make up. I have all sorts of it. Eye shadows, mascara, eye liner, lip gloss…. Make up brushes! Oh the fun! I think the application of make up is an art.
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net
However, despite my love for make up and the quantities in which I have it, I rarely wear it. Part of it is because I don’t really want to make time to put it on. If Greg and I are going out for a date night, I will wear it. Occasionally I will make time to put some on for church.
With that said, I don’t have a problem with make-up, at least when it is done right. I think make up worn with taste looks great. As my Dad has always said, “Sometimes the barn needs a coat of paint” or something like that! For me, I have rosacea. So, when I wear make up it gives my skin a more even, less blotchy and red look. If I’m going to get pictures taken, yes, I will probably throw on some cover up, foundation, and mascara.
I remember a lady from my teenage years. She wore some serious make up. I mean, serious. I can say that because one Saturday morning, her daughter and I were at the gym at our school shooting some hoops. I was walking out of the bathroom, and she said hi to me, I said hi back, and I had NO IDEA who she was! Why? She didn’t have make up on. None. I didn’t even recognize her. I’m sure you have all met someone like that.
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net
So, to wear make up or not to wear make up? I think it’s all about how you wear it. Proverbs 6 warns the young man to not lust after the beauty of the harlot or her alluring eyelids. In Proverbs 7 he is advised to stay away from the woman who looks like a harlot. Maybe the question should be “How does your make up make you look?”
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3.3-4
I think we have to take a look at ourselves and see if the way we wear our make up draws unnecessary attention to ourselves. What is our attitude, our heart behind wearing make up? Do we just want to look hot so everyone will tell us how good we look? Do we want to look fresh? Do I want to mask the tiredness that you can see?
What do you think? Are you a make-up wearer? Do you not wear any at all? What are your reasons behind it? I’d love to hear what you do!
Blessings,
15 Responses to Make-Up: To Wear or Not To Wear?
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Hi! Thank you for this post. It’s been SO LONG since I’ve gotten online to read articles, and this one was refreshing.
As far as I go, I have not worn make-up for a couple years now. I have enjoyed much freedom in no longer having to pay for it, take the time to wear it, and worry that if it gets wet/smudged/etc., how I would look. Plus, my husband loves me w/out it, so that helps a bunch!
The main reason I let go of the make-up in my life is that I saw just as you said about a lady you knew, many folks (including myself), do not appear the same w/it on/off. When I researched a little bit about make-up’s history, I further was burdened about wearing it. When I researched a little bit about it’s affect, physiologically, on men, I was burdened about wearing it. Thus, I took it off, and see the beauty in God’s simple creation of my face.
I’m excited for you, with whatever your decision may be. Our God is an awesome God, and I know He only leads down righteousness’ path. May this decision for you give Him glory!
I, too, enjoy putting on make-up from time to time, although I don’t wear it daily. I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I need no need to put it on for my three year old to look at.
However, if I worked outside the home and/or saw other people {adult people…}, I’d probably put it on to freshen up my face.
As far as whether it’s right or wrong to wear it, I don’t think it’s either. I believe make-up itself is amoral… like money, it’s “morality” is found in your motives rather than whether or not you use eye shadow, blush, etc. Women are no more righteous for NOT wearing it and others are not necessarily vain for putting on a little bit.
1 Peter 3:3-4 tells us that we should concern ourselves with our hearts FIRST… then, if we want to put on some make-up, then it’s okay. Of course, as you’ve stated, putting so much on that you look like you should be standing on a street corner isn’t appropriate either. It’s all about moderation…
Very good post. I do like wearing it but in a way that it enhances my beauty not creating a new me. Our hearts attitude is more important than anything. No matter how wonderful the makeup will make us look if our heart isn’t right its a turn off.
-Iris♥
I stopped wearing make-up daily about 2 years ago when we decided for me to be at home. Most of that decision came from the expense of wearing it. And similar to what Alana stated, I don’t need to waste time I could spend with my kids to put it on for only them to see! I will wear it to church or if I’m out with my family, but I’ve found that the days I do wear it, my face feels very dirty and I don’t really like the feeling. I also notice that I break-out less when I don’t wear it (and I also seem to break-out the day after I wear it!)!
As others have stated, I don’t think you’re more righteous for not wearing it or vain for wearing it. It is a matter of the heart (and in my case, not feeling like I’m covered in dirt!)
Hi Gail,
I wear mascara and a little bit of eyeliner, and occasionally, lip gloss. I would wear more, but my hubby thinks I don’t need any at all. He tells me, “Dear, some barns need more paint than others. And yours doesn’t need any.” :’)
Many blessings!
I wear makeup occasionally…it makes me feel pretty and boosts my confidence. I try not to wear enough that I stand out, but sometimes I like to play with colors.
I knew a lady that used to say, “Sometimes you have to put a little paint on the building!” LOL I think that wearing make-up modestly is fine and it should be in line with a proper heart’s attitude. The Scripture you posted here (IPeter 3:3-4) is SO appropriate for make-up wearers.
I wear it sometimes; I would wear it more often if I had more time (hubby + 4 kids = not alot of time to apply!). I think it is a fun addition to the “wardrobe” but it doesn’t “consume,” meaning that I don’t look at it as necessary.
Fun post!!
Wonderful Post Gail! I stopped wearing make-up many years ago, when my Very sweet and Always complimentary Husband said, I don’t know why you put it on, it hides your beauty :O wow…okay! Well as a busy mother of many, that was okay!
One other thing I would like to share, when I was younger our older daughter saw me dressed up with heels and make up and she longed all her years to dress like me but I didn’t allow her to. I will just add this made her have rebellion to me later in her teen years. So beware of what you do and whether you are making an impact that you might someday regret.
I wear a little bit of powder, mascara and clear lip gloss. I prefer to keep it looking as though I’m not wearing it at all. I agree with you…I think it’s in how it’s worn. Great post, as always, Gail!
For me, I grew up with a mom who very rarely wore make-up and I don’t have any sisters, so it was a habit I never picked up on. Now as an adult I occasionally wish I knew how to wear make-up for special occasions or when looking extra tired, but in general I’m glad that I never started wearing make-up. I remember several years ago being with a friend who wore make-up everyday, but on this day hadn’t put any on. Someone commented on how tired she looked. This friend is naturally vey pretty and wears her make-up very tastefully, but even in moderation people get used to seeing you a certain way and then when your eyes don’t “pop” because of mascara or your cheeks aren’t rosy with powder, people think something is wrong with you, that you are tired or sick.
Great article… I have been a skirt-wearing, makeup-free lady for a few years now, and I have been SO blessed by these choices. God has made us beautiful, why think we can improve on what He has done? The motives are what is important… the thoughts of the heart… and when I go out in my long skirt without any makeup on, I know that the people around me are seeing the REAL me, not the “me” I am trying to pretend to be… and I am glad to show the world the light of Christ in this simple way! Thanks again for these great posts. Please keep up the good work!
Hello,
I wear make up nearly every day, I still suffer from poor skin so use it to smooth and cover the blemishes on my skin and lessen circles under my eyes. It makes me look more professional when I go to work rather than like I haven’t bothered to make an effort. It’s the same with my outfits, mostly trousers and jeans because they’re so much comfier and practical.
I also will wear some cover up and foundation to help even out my read tone. I don’t think wearing make up is wrong. I really think it’s about how we wear it! We need to wear it tastefully.
If someone wears so much you would not recognize them without, it may well be too much. As a Southerner, I can’t go out in public without my face on, but it’s minimal. The idea is supposed to be look great but also look like you’re not wearing any.
I agree! I have never been much for make up, but I do occasionally wear it. I’m comfortable without it as well.