I always like to start with something personal, so please bear it with me!
It was during my friend’s wedding. I was in the full process of hairstyling and makeup application, when I realized that I didn’t pack my mascara. I felt so sulky and irrational that I started ransacking the hotel room trying to find it. I was so worked up that I didn’t realize I had spoken rudely to my mother. That day was an idol litmus test for me. I was so obsessed with my appearance that I treated the one I loved badly.
Am I pretty enough? Am I skinny enough? Am I curvy enough? Is my skin smooth? Do I look young?
These questions are the reasons why the cosmetic industry is going richer and richer and self-love and self-confidence are going poorer and poorer. The world has prioritized beauty and skincare for women but what about the Bible? Can we Christian women take care of our skin and make our faces more beautiful as unbelievers do?
I’m sure there must have been a time in your life when you felt torn between the desire to focus on your physical appearance and your inner conviction that said true beauty comes from the heart’s faithfulness towards God?
As a Christian, we often wonder if it’s a sin to wear makeup and take care of our outward appearance. The answer to your question is NO. But, there is a big BUT! The Bible says we live in this world but we do not belong to it. God is the one who created you, so obviously, He wants you to look beautiful, but He doesn’t want you to be obsessed or spend tons of money on adoring yourselves.
There are simple ways you can take care of your physical appearance without going extreme.
Stay Positive
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
– From Philippians 4: 8
“…let us rejoice today and be glad”
– From Psalms 118: 24
Modern studies have shown that negative emotions and feelings can leave their mark on your skin. For each negative feeling, we have the statements of professors of dermatology.
Anger:
“Anger can make your facial muscles tense and with time, give you lines. It can also affect how the skin heals and rejuvenates. Moreover, we have found that anger can impede the production of collagen (an essential element that can slow down wrinkling).”
So, next time, think twice before arguing with your spouse!
Fear
Whether the cause of your fear is real or imagined – especially after watching The Exorcist – the repercussions would be seen on your skin.
“When you are frightened, the brain’s reaction is to signal epinephrine, which will contract the blood vessels in the skin. The fear chemicals will then cause your face to look dull and pale, just as if you’ve seen a headless nun.”
Stress
Out of all the negative emotions, stress is beauty’s biggest enemy.
“Compared to any other elements, stress is the one thing that can age a face far more quickly than the natural passage of time. It will make your fine lines and wrinkles look more pronounced and your skin will appear more fragile.”
Why do you think people always say that you look the most beautiful when you are in love?
Research has shown that there is a strong connection between positive emotions like happiness, peace and satisfaction and rich, beautiful skin. In fact, you’ll be surprised at the successful results produced by these positive feelings compared to expensive skin care products.
