Let me just first say, that I know exactly how you feel. When I was younger I wouldn’t go to the mailbox without putting on mascara. Every summer I spent a week at a camp where I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup. I called it my “ugly week.” I hated being around people (not to mention boys!) without makeup. I would purposely not look people in the eye, because I was so self-conscious.
On the last night of camp we had a dance, and we were allowed to wear makeup. The funny thing is that while all the girls made a huge deal about it, the boys didn’t even notice a difference! I promise- we actually asked them. They probably thought we were ridiculous for bringing it up, but I’m so glad that I heard their answer. In their eyes I was really not any different with or without makeup. Why then did I feel like such a different person with makeup? Why did it make me feel so much more confident?
When we feel insecure about things like not wearing makeup, we believe the lie that our beauty comes only from our outward appearance. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b) How great that we can rest in the fact that whether we go plain jane or put our fresh face to the world, God still looks at us the same? While God wants us to take care of the bodies He has given us, He is much more concerned with our hearts and the inner beauty He created inside of us. Although it is not bad to wear makeup, it should never be the source of our confidence.
Pray about this issue specifically and ask God to help you feel beautiful without makeup. Every time you feel insecure, say a quick prayer. Also, try taking baby steps towards not always wearing makeup. For example, decide on one day a week that you are not going to wear makeup. Not because it’s bad to wear makeup on Tuesdays, but to prove to yourself that who you are does not change when you are not wearing mascara or lip-gloss. Even if the people around you notice your lack of eye shadow, they will still see the beauty that God created in you.
Comments (11)
God doesn't care what you look like. If people say bad things about you god will punish them for being mean.
Posted by jesse | November 25, 2007 12:25 PM
You were fearfully and wonderfully made by the Alpha and Omega himself!
Take that in your heart and let that fix the beauty issue our world has today. It is ridiculous how so many people let what others think about the way they look completely ruin their lives.
Posted by Alex | November 26, 2007 8:10 PM
Wow! I know that I hate what I look like without makeup! It seems like thats just satan trying to hurt you. Well, all I can say is to read Psalm 45:10-11.
"Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord."
Posted by Katie | November 30, 2007 3:23 PM
God loves you period! "You have stolen His heart" (Song of Solomon). Makeup's fun to play with, and to use to highlight what God gave you. Remember that God loves you just the way you are!
Posted by Ashlyn | January 3, 2008 2:23 PM
i noticed that since i started wearing makeup, i have been increasingly reliant on it. if i don't wear it, i feel sooo self conscious. thank you so much for this article.
Posted by Jamie | February 27, 2008 8:35 PM
✞ Everytime i got too school, i feel that i have to wear makeup but i look at other girls and some of them put so much on that they look NOTHING like themselves. So, this article really made me think, and i love it! I wish some girls weren't so self concious like that. Thanks :) ✞
Posted by haley | May 4, 2008 11:00 AM
You know what is really strange? Is that, no one really notices the difference of you with and without makeup. Unless you wear way too much, that is. But, you know your own face so well, you can tell if you are slightly tanner, if you got a new freckle (lOl) or anthing. No one else really notices. And it's OK to wear some makeup, in my opinion. I'm not a heavy makeup wearer. I just think the idea of makeup is fun, but in reality, no one even knows that I wear any. =D Just my advice... God bless!
Posted by BallerinaGirl | May 12, 2008 7:05 PM
We usally have 2 have eyeliner and eyeshadow i dont think we could live without it!We are not big on powder and foundation,i mean we wear it but we could live without it!we have 2 have mascara it makes your eyes look pretty!Lip gloss!OMG we cannot live without lip gloss we have 2 have it but we do not always have 2 wear it god loves us just the way we are!
Posted by rachel and johannah | May 14, 2008 11:28 AM
Ever sence I started to wear makeup,which was like 3 years ago when I was 12,I can't go a day without it,I feel naked,and I don't feel pretty I have tiny eyes so I have to wear eyeliner to make them look like they exist,thanks sooooooo much for this article!! I love the teen virtue articles and I just found out there is this web site that I didn't know about I love it !~!
Posted by TIffany | May 29, 2008 9:51 PM
Hey Hey girl! Let me just say that I am RIGHT there with ya! I have always been what other people call "pretty"....But when I hit 8th grade I started getting really bad acne. I was so devistated because I felt like who i was, was my looks. I never left the house without makeup. I used to put on make up to mow the yard in 95 degree weather. If I didnot have enough time to do my makeup before I went somewhere I would try to hide my face and dodge glances. But slowly I quite wearing so much. . . And people didn't even care! I actually got compliments on how lovely of a young woman I am growing up to be!
I will be a junior, and my whole experience of middle school and high school was spent worrying about my hair body and makeup! I was so misserable when my make up wasn't perfect. I was no fun to be with anymore, I pushed my friends away by hiding myself!
You gals out there are so beautifull, and I just know once you free yourself from makeup and realize how little that has to do with people viewing you, you will be sooooo much better of! I promise!!!!
Posted by Chelsie | July 23, 2008 10:16 AM
Makeup ruins your skin don't wear it all i ever wear is mascara and lipstick
Posted by Kellie | August 26, 2008 3:43 PM