An Argument Against Makeup

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Here’s a dilemma: make strange man on internet happy or make husband happy?

Think, think!
 
If you’re referring to me, then you should actually read what I wrote.
 
Arkansan said:
If you’re referring to me, then you should actually read what I wrote.
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I wasn’t talking about you specifically. I’ll revise that:

"Here’s a dilemma: make strange men on internet happy or make husband happy?

Think, think!"
 
I agree that makeup can be sinful. It’s always important to look at the motive of an action…why is it necessary to put eyeshadow on, or mascara, or blush, bronzer, etc.? For me, when I used to wear makeup, it was to make myself look better. I felt I “needed it” because I didn’t look good enough without it. That is the point being made here, the thought that arises that is harmful, to think that we can do better than God. It is a vanity of the mind in that sense, and it can further the vain thought when we go out and about “feeling beautiful” with it. What’s even the point of that?

St. Catherine of Siena’s mother would urge her to pay more attention to her appearance, having her dress in bright gowns and jewels that were fashionable for young girls. She repented of this “vanity” (as its worded) and even cut off her beautiful hair. St. Gemma would wake up, look in the mirror and part her hair quickly into a zig zag pattern and walk out the door to go to church to visit Jesus. She also often wore the same old dress, to the embarrassment of her family.

I do think it’s important to look presentable, but makeup is not essential to that at all. Many people don’t wear makeup and still look professional and ready to go about their day.
 
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I like light makeup. It makes me feel better. Personal preference.

I also brush my hair and style it. And take care of my fingernails and paint my toenails. It all makes me happy.

Ask that person if brushing your hair first thing in the morning is a sin. After all, I’m sure it improves my appearance.
 
Nah man, I’m wearing about a pound of makeup in that pic. That picture is probably about 2 or 3 years old actually. I definitely don’t feel great not wearing makeup, it’s taken some getting used to but it’s a relief to not have to constantly worry if my own face is acceptable enough to be shown in public. Sad how society is, isn’t it?
 
Arkansan said:
Reply to Objection 2. Cyprian is speaking of women painting themselves: this is a kind of falsification, which cannot be devoid of sin.
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Here Aquinas is stating Cyprian’s position.
Arkansan said:
Wherefore Augustine says (Ep. ccxlv ad Possid.): “To dye oneself with paints in order to have a rosier or a paler complexion is a lying counterfeit.
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Here he is stating Augustine’s position.
Arkansan said:
I doubt whether even their husbands are willing to be deceived by it, by whom alone” (i.e. the husbands) “are they to be permitted, but not ordered, to adorn themselves.” However, such painting does not always involve a mortal sin, but only when it is done for the sake of sensuous pleasure or in contempt of God, and it is to like cases that Cyprian refers.
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This is Aquinas’s answer to both. Take note of the bold and he mentions that it is the intention that makes it sinful “when it is done for the sake of sensuous pleasure.”

This lines up with what he says in “I answer that” “But those women who have no husband nor wish to have one, or who are in a state of life inconsistent with marriage, cannot without sin desire to give lustful pleasure to those men who see them, because this is to incite them to sin. And if indeed they adorn themselves with this intention of provoking others to lust, they sin mortally; whereas if they do so from frivolity, or from vanity for the sake of ostentation, it is not always mortal, but sometimes venial.”
 
I never claimed that it is a mortal sin to use make-up, nor that it’s sinful for unmarried women to adorn themselves otherwise.
 
Yes, quoting Augustine, Aquinas holds that the use of make-up by unmarried women is sinful, though he adds that it is only mortally sinful in specific conditions, and is justifiable to disguise an injury. This all being distinguished from adornments in general.

I’m not sure what you’re not understanding?
 
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misstherese said:
St. Catherine of Siena’s mother would urge her to pay more attention to her appearance, having her dress in bright gowns and jewels that were fashionable for young girls. She repented of this “vanity” (as its worded) and even cut off her beautiful hair. St. Gemma would wake up, look in the mirror and part her hair quickly into a zig zag pattern and walk out the door to go to church to visit Jesus. She also often wore the same old dress, to the embarrassment of her family.
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Both of those ladies never married and did not wish to get married, right?
 
Make up makes women look beautiful, if properly applied. Just like hair gel can make men’s hair look great.

Nothing sinful about that
 
bethcoe said:
believe it was Johnette Benkovich who said (and I am para phrasing here) for some wearing makeup is an act of charity.
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Haha. I never thought of it like that before, but I agree.
I’ve been wearing makeup since I was 13 or 14.

For many, many years I wore concealer (ive always had dark circles around my eyes), liquid makeup, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush and lipstick.

For about a year now, I’ve just started applying liquid makeup under my eyes, and face, plus blush and occasional see through lipstick/gloss.
I put on the whole shebang for special occasions.
 
I don’t think that makes a difference if they wanted to get married or not.

St. Thomas Aquinas says makeup for married women would be permitted. He says those who are single would be committing venial sin if done so from frivolity, or from vanity for the sake of ostentation. They would be committing mortal sin by desiring men to lust after them.
 
misstherese said:
St. Thomas Aquinas says makeup for married women would be permitted. He says those who are single would be committing venial sin if done so from frivolity, or from vanity for the sake of ostentation. They would be committing mortal sin by desiring men to lust after them.
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I feel like that doesn’t cover all of the possible motivations (desire to look professional, desire to dress similarly to peers, desire to avoid age discrimination at work, desire to disguise ill health, acne, scars, etc.). You’re kind of assuming that the motivations have to be culpable, which is begging the question.

Also, consider that Aquinas may have imagined a much heavier hand with the cosmetics than, say, Christie Brinkley.

http://pages.adsbydee.com/11382/PictPage/1922610078.html

I’m not convinced that Aquinas would have even realized that Christie Brinkley was wearing makeup.
 
Edited because I misread a response.

Doesn’t matter what the reasons are. I think it’s fine. I somehow doubt makeup is a sin - unless the purpose is to entice.

Most folks are a bit vain. Or want a confidence boost. We’re human.

And I doubt your wearing it is actually a public service. 💕💕💕 I’m sure you’re just fine without it. As all of us likely are.
 
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I can understand the other reasons for putting it on, I suppose, but more often than not it’s the opposite that I hear. Or a mix. There’s also the vanity that can arise when wearing it, not just the motivation for putting it on.

In St. Thomas Aquinas’s time it was scandalous to wear even a small amount of makeup. Most were bare faced.

St. Augustine does mention that in instances of deformities, it would be acceptable.
 
Given what was in makeup back then I’m glad I’m from the modern era. Some of it actually gave you aforementioned deformities!

Lead, anyone? 😲
 
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