I watched her draw a black line on the inside of her bottom lid without a flinch. As she pumped the small bottle and fluttered her lashes across a sludgy brush, I thought nothing more of it than "this is just what she does".
Eventually, the haze of Aqua Net poured out from the bathroom as a sign that her masterpiece was complete.
My mom was always beautiful. She wore dresses and skirts to work; spent what seemed like an eternity on hair and makeup; always wore Sand and Sable perfume and high heels.
Of course, I wanted to be just like her -she was beautiful!
What is our fascination with outward beauty and where did it come from?
According to wikipedia, "the first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage was found in Egypt around 3500 BC during the old kingdom." I didn't find anything explaining why it was used.
Makeup is also referenced in the Bible. 2Kings 4:30 describes Jezebel applying makeup to her eyelids and doing her hair just before she was killed. By the way the chapter reads, it seems like she knew she would be killed -she was an evil chick.
In the book of Esther, cosmetics are used again. Before Esther could be presented to King Xerxes, "beauty treatments" were to be done for 12 months. Six months were oil of myrrh (maybe a skin softener??) and the other six months were cosmetics and perfumes.
That doesn't answer my question, though. It just confirms that makeup has been around since… Cleopatra? (who, as I've learned, was not described as "beautiful" and had very masculine features)
Makeup has had it's ups and downs as far as what is acceptable. There have been times that it has been frowned upon, and times like today where it is embraced. Something else from the article I read on wikipedia summed up a small number of studies on college aged girls as this, "anxious, insecure females are motivated to apply cosmetics more so than females who are emotionally secure, socially confident, and perceive themselves as physically attractive.". Well, that sounds about right, doesn't it?
While I do believe the studies on that age range sound accurate, I believe as women age and mature, the results in some cases are different. Some women like to "look nice" -this means they're not overly worried about their appearance but when going somewhere special, they like to "look nice". Some women chose to not bother with makeup because they're so wounded inside that they adorn themselves with false ego and the need for control. Then, you can go back into the studies of the college girls and still find the same results in grown women.
There are definitely extremes, healthy, and bad habits.
I've learned that insecurity comes from a lack of knowing and trusting God. I, personally, have gained security through my faith in Him and the things I've been insecure about have diminished greatly. I still occasionally hear the enemy tell me I'm not good enough but I'm getting better at not listening to his lies.
A few weeks ago, I was doing my makeup as Curt was driving us to church (I typically only do my makeup Sunday morning during the ride to church). I had just bought my first mineral face powder to "even my skintone" and a super soft face brush applicator. The powder was rather messy and after closing the container, a cloud of powder filled the front of the van. Curt looked at me and asked, "What is that stuff for, anyway?". I replied, "It fixes my face." "Why?" he asked. Quickly, without thinking much about it, I said "Because I don't like my face.". Curt responded with something I never expected. He firmly said, "If anyone else were to say that about you, I'd punch them in the face.". I took that in for moment, thought about what he meant and told him, "I think that may be the most romantic thing you've ever said to me!".
Sometimes I get caught up in the lies Satan tells me. He tells me that I'm not attractive and that even my husband sees no beauty. I'm not perfect by any means! When I am engaging in God's Word, and living to glorify Him, is when the enemy attacks. At the same time, I am growing stronger to identify and deflect the lies.
1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "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."
This morning, I found myself explaining to my daughters what the cosmetic commercial means when they say "Maybe she's born with it… Maybe it's _________" (fill in the blank b/c I don't know squat about copyright laws and if I could get into trouble for using their name)
I think we're all "born with it". It just depends on what we choose to do with it. We can harden our hearts and become strong-willed and stubborn, or we can glorify God with the fruits of the Spirit shining through us.
God, create a pure heart in me.
Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.
Psalm 51:10 NirV
