I Had Christian Friends Telling Me That Always Wearing Makeup Was Being Insecure
Anonymous comments on the posting ‘What Do You See When You Look In The Mirror?’
I think a lot of stuff in this article is really great and I love all the verses. But, there is one thing that’s in here that I just don’t think is entirely true: Feeling the need to wear makeup is fine. There really isn’t anything wrong with wearing makeup. I understand there being a such thing as distorted self-image, and that’s not good, and should be corrected. But, the reason is that it can lead to damaging actions. If a girl doesn’t like her appearance and wearing makeup makes her look better, that’s fine. For me, unless I’m completely by myself, I have to wear makeup. Makeup is there for girls who want to improve their appearance and can actually really help people feel better about themselves and be more confident. Obviously, it shouldn’t be an obsession, because our focus should be God’s focus, and He is definately not as focused on our physical imperfections as we are. But, I had Christian friends telling me that always wearing makeup was being insecure. Honestly, it’s a helpful, totally acceptable solution to insecurities reguarding your looks. I’m not trying to be critical or anything, I just know from excperience that people saying this isn’t an ok option can stress people out needlesly. Thank you all so much for all the time you put into giving prayer and advice to people. You really show God’s love through this ministry.
Beloved By Him replies…
Dear Sister,
Thanks for your comments; and you are right when you say that our focus should be God’s focus. I think that’s what the writer’s point is: it’s not wearing makeup that’s wrong—but feeling the need to wear makeup to help with certain insecurities is more the issue. We need to ask ourselves why we are feeling insecure about our features, and see if there’s something in our thinking that needs to be renewed on the inside, instead of being covered over on the outside.
I know the perfect example of someone who had a serious makeup dependency: me! For years, I actually carried my makeup around in a box like a tool kit, and I took great pride in the way I could use makeup to get the most out of my face. I thought I was something else, but in reality I was making myself into someone else—someone who thought she would be more accepted, more liked, and more desirable just because she could make herself “prettier” with makeup. I believe I did a lot more damage to my spirit in the way I used makeup than if I had been brave and confident enough to depend on it far less, if at all.
I know that’s just my story, and not everyone has those kinds of insecurities. Still, it’s important for us to know what God says about how we should carry ourselves, and what kind of image we should portray to the world. Here are a few scriptures that help us see His perspective:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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.” (I Peter 3:3-4, NIV)
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Cor. 6:19-20, NKJV)
This one’s great:
“And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.” (I Tim. 2:9-10, The Message)
“So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect.” (Rom. 12:1-2, NCV)
Again, makeup itself is not bad (I Cor. 6:12, 10:23). It’s how and why we use it that needs to be submitted to God, as we ask Him to reveal our hearts, change our thinking, and make us more like Him. I still wear makeup (especially when my dark circles are starting to look like carry-on bags, and my eyebrows are almost invisible), but I need to be sure that I am properly decorating my temple, not making myself an idol. I pray that God will keep all our hearts pure before Him, so that we can accurately reflect on our faces the intents and purposes of His heart.
Much love,
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