Makeup: It’s Not About You Part 2

I received an email in my inbox after last week’s post, Makeup: It’s Not About You. She asked such a good question that I decided to make a whole blog post on it! Her question involved several issues I would like to cover.

1. When do I start wearing makeup?

2. How do I wear makeup?

3. What if no one else around me wears makeup/approves?

Along the way, I will share about how I started wearing makeup and how I eased into it.

1. When do I start wearing makeup?

What is a good age to start wearing makeup? First of all, I do not believe there is a set age at which you could or should start wearing makeup. It is relative to maturity and makeup need. For me, I had an acne problem. So my mom gave me coverstick to wear as a twelve year old. I also am a fair-skinned redhead/strawberry blonde, so my eyebrows and eyelashes are blonde. My features wash out easily without makeup. At fourteen, I started wearing eyebrow pencil. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I started wearing mascara, foundation, and blush.

This is not a recipe for when everyone should start wearing makeup. Your needs may be different from mine. My advice is to talk to your mom to decide what is best for you. Depending upon your complexion, you may not even need makeup—in which case I would not advise wearing it. I notice more people wear makeup in junior high now. If you can get away without it in junior high, I would recommend that.

2. How do I wear makeup?

Specifically, the question was, “how to avoid being the overkill type?” Again, my best piece of advise is to ask your mom. She will have her definition of makeup overkill, and as the authority in your life, you should respect her definition over mine.

Second, what I would say is to always remember that a little makeup goes a long way. My goal has always been for people to have a conversation with me without thinking about my makeup. I want it to be discreet and natural. I do not want it to be distracting. I accomplish this by wearing very minimal makeup. Just foundation, eyebrow pencil, mascara, coverstick, and occasionally blush. I think you can tastefully wear more makeup than me, but I think you should be careful—especially with eye makeup—since it can quickly become overkill. 

3. What if no one else around me wears makeup/approves?

This was where I was when I started wearing makeup. My friends made comments about it. A lot of people made a big deal about my eyebrow pencil. I hated it being pointed out, as I was pretty self conscious, since most of my friends did not believe in makeup.

First of all, since my mom and I had talked about it and decided makeup was the right choice for me, I kept wearing it despite the “peer pressure.” I learned to not get as annoyed or embarrassed if someone mentioned my makeup.

However, makeup is definitely not worth losing friends over. I would advise you to explain the situation to your mom and ask for her advice. Also, your friends may not be upset with you wearing makeup, but the amount you put on. Your friends could be a great tool in determining in your are an Overkill type.

On the other hand, if it is your family that disapproves, I would definitely advise you to obey your parents and listen to your family.

In summary, my main piece of advice is to take these questions to your mom. She knows you and your situation better than I do and can give you better advice.

What are your thoughts on these issues? How would you answer these questions? When/How did you start wearing makeup? Do you have any other questions or thoughts? Share in the comments!

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Makeup: It’s Not About You

A lot of people have many different views about makeup. Some feel like all makeup is sinful and vain, some don’t care, and others really cake it on.

I do not think makeup in of itself is sinful, but I think it can be used in sinful ways. I think it can be a tool to feed our vanity. But I also think it can be a tool to serve others. We just have to constantly remember that makeup isn’t about us.

One thing I want to say, if you have a conviction against makeup, or are too young to wear it, or your parents have said no, then I am not trying to tell you that is wrong and you need to wear makeup. I just want to talk about some ways we can make our looks be about others, whether or not that involves makeup.

We’re going to talk about two extremes: no effort and overkill.

1.     No effort

This is especially for when you’re married. Do you think it’s considerate to doll yourself up whenever you see him before marriage, but then afterwards—when he’s committed his life to you—you stop caring about how you look and don’t do anything? Is that loving him? No, it’s laziness. It’s putting your comfort above somebody else.

There IS a way to wear makeup and put effort into your appearance without being vain. It’s not about you. It’s about presenting yourself well for the sake of the people who have to be around you all day, and for the sake of Christ. If all Christians were frumpy and ugly, what would the world’s opinion be of Christ?

It is worth it in the morning to put a little extra effort into your appearance.

2.     Overkill

I’ve seen some people recently who did overkill. You look at them and think, “WOW, makeup!” I always imagine them using a chisel to get it off. I was talking to a friend recently who was complaining about someone who wore loads of makeup. She said, “It’s so hard to have a conversation with her because all I’m thinking about is her makeup!”

Ladies, you don’t want to be a distraction. Makeup isn’t about you. If your makeup is so distracting people can’t have a conversation with you, then how do you think you will be able to minister to people? To be an effective witness?

Also, too much makeup can send the wrong signals about your character. The kind of guys who love pure, Christ-like beauty will see you as a sketchy girl. I have always found loads of makeup to be trashy, and in poor taste. The godly guys I’ve talked to very much prefer less makeup. My brother hates the fake look, both in makeup and dyed hair. He much prefers the natural look, as do other guys I know.

Finally, it takes so much time to put on all that makeup! A little extra effort in the morning does not mean and hour, hour and a half, to two hours. That’s vanity, and it’s a waste of your time.

I believe makeup is a tool God gave us to bring out our natural beauty, to serve others, and to take the focus off of ourselves. Makeup shouldn’t be about you. I challenge you to evaluate your heart in this area.

What is your approach to makeup? Are you for it, or against it? Do you fall in one of these categories, or find yourself drifting in one of those directions? Any makeup tips? Share in the comments!

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