My View on Makeup

Among Christian women makeup can be a somewhat controversial topic with some thinking that it shouldn't be worn at all and others wearing it almost constantly.

In my family makeup isn't important and really isn't used. Believe me, it's not that I think I am just so beautiful that I don't need makeup, but I choose not to use it on a regular basis for a number of reasons.

Time management:
Makeup takes time; time I could be devoting to other things that are more important. Even if you keep your makeup simple and are able to put in on quickly it is still another step in your "routine," and for me that's (an addition to my "routine") not something I need. Time is, especially in the USA,  something that everyone is always wanting more of, so choosing carefully what time is spent on is essential. So for me, eliminating makeup is easy because I did not grow up wearing it, I don't want to become "attached" to the way I look with it, and I already have enough other things that I allow to take up my time.
We make time for what is important to us. If we pay attention to where we spend the most time we will see just where our priorities fall. As Christians we should certainly be concerned with our appearance because we represent the Lord Christ and going around unkempt is not a good testimony for Him, but on the flip side of that, spending large amounts of time making sure our appearance is "perfect" can also easily distract from our testimony. 

Contentment:
God made you the way you are. Yes, we live in sin-cursed bodies in a sin-cursed world, but you don't have to wear makeup to be attractive. A smile is The Best makeup you can wear. If you are a Christian and you're walking with the Lord, His joy should flow through you and give a beauty that no makeup can match. I know some people have birth marks, burns, scars, and the like on their faces, and I understand wearing enough makeup to either even skin tones or lessen the distraction of a mark, but if we are just putting on makeup so that we can be "beautiful" we ought to reconsider our priorities and motives. (Outward beauty doesn't last)

One day at work a lady came through and I have a picture of her in my mind still. She was dressed in a business dress outfit, was wearing lots of jewelry, makeup, and the works, but the look on her face.....such unhappiness. If her life was as happy as the look on her face (and I mean more than just expression) then I don't envy her. All her "outward beauty" was lost when there was no joy (beauty) from within. The experience wasn't what made me feel the way I do, but it did reinforce the feelings I already had on the matter.

In short, I personally don't think wearing makeup is sin--in fact I imagine I might end up wearing just a little on my wedding day ;), but I do think we need to make sure our focus, priorities, and motives are pure.

Remember to keep your smile more than ready, keep it in use. Not only is a smile great makeup, it might just brighten someone elses' day.