Ladies only survey: Do you wear makeup and if not why?

[Cracker_Mom]

I don’t wear makeup because my eyesight is so poor that I can’t put it on.

Also I am gifted with flawless skin, so I don’t need it.

And finally, I am over 60 and nobody is looking at me anyway.

I’m not 60 but I’ve kind of had the same thought. Still put on the make up though-just in case.

 

[armywife]

Amen sister!

My husband is sitting here at the table across from me as I’m reading this thread. And you need to know that every day before I leave the house I put on: tinted moisturizer, blush, eye liner, mascara and a light lip color. Everyday. So I look up from the thread and say to my dear husband of 18 years… would you care if I decided I no longer wanted to wear makeup?

And he says with all seriousness, “You wear make up?”

That’s a riot!!! I love it.

And I totally agree about know HOW to wear make-up.

 

[doggiemom2]

I wear makeup every day. The times that I haven’t worn it I was asked if I was sick. Apparently I don’t look good without makeup on.

 

[dakotagirl]

This is a fascinating thread.

The husband of 18 years who didn’t know his wife was wearing about 5 products cracks me up. You gotta love men…they are so helpless and clueless (in a nice way, of course, of course) Because if they looked at beautiful women the way I do, it would not be pretty, no pun intended. I live where everybody wears makeup, and I don’t see pretty women anymore. All I see is women who wear a lot of products and I find myself scrutinizing them to see what kind of brushes they used, and how many different products and wondering how much practice at it they have had, and critiqueing whether it matches their fake highlights. I really don’t know anymore what is pretty.

 

[Cat]

I don’t agree that makeup hides the truth.

I think it hides what is false.

When Adam and Eve sinned, corruption entered the world. Blemishes, age spots, sun damage, spider veins, dark circles–these are not “truth,” but are the results of living in a sinful, FALLEN world. Our bodies are constantly decaying because our world is fallen. Even if we ourselves strive to be sinless, the sin of others has far-reaching effects that hurt even the most innocent among us. That’s why little babies and children die of cancer–not because of their personal sin (heaven forbid), but because of the sin of all mankind. That demonstrates how powerful sin is.

We all know that when we see a friend ravaged by the effects of breast cancer, that the flawed body we are seeing is NOT the body that God intended for her to have. We all know that someday, she will be given a new body, with no flaws. We SEE this with our spiritual eyes.

When we are baptized, the process begins by which we are restored to our former status as perfect human beings. We have the hope that one day, we will be like Jesus.

In the meantime, we attempt to bring God’s Kingdom to this earth. (I know I’m phrasing that badly.) We build beautiful churches (usually) and write/sing beautiful music that lifts us out of earthly life and reminds us of our heavenly home. We try to surround ourselves with goodness and loveliness. Would anyone say that this is “covering up the truth?” Well, yes, it is, because we are NOT good and lovely in our souls…yet. But why not work to look that way and act that way until we ARE that way?!

Why shouldn’t we cover the “false” part of our faces, the part that is there only because of the sin and resulting corruption of humans, and strive instead to show to the world a glowing, shining face with no flaws, perfect, the way God originally created all humans? Does this not glorify God? The world cannot always see with “spiritual eyes.” All they can see is the OUTSIDE, and if the OUTSIDE somehow makes them think of God and His Beauty, well, that is a good thing. That’s why we spend the money and time to build beautiful church buildings instead of just holding Mass in a gymnasium somewhere.

And if we do use a gymnasium for some reason, e.g., a children’s Mass, we strive to make it pretty, perhaps with a lovely chair for the priest, or a backdrop with a royal color. Is THAT covering up the truth, that it’s just a gymnasium? Yes, it is, but I’m glad! Aren’t you?

Certainly if you believe that your face is perfect now, go right ahead and display it and glorify God. But many of us are attempting to glorify God not by hiding our real selves, but rather, by displaying ourselves the way we REALLY look if people could see the REAL us, the way God meant for us to look before sin and death entered the world.

 

[Appleby]

I am sure they ARE looking at you and thinking, "I wish I had her flawless skin! I hope I look that good when I’m 50. "

I owe it to good genetics – and big hats (in the days before sunscreen, that was pretty much the only option). Staying out of the sun takes at least ten years off your age when you reach 45 or so. My sister is five years younger than I am and she looks 10 years older because she tanned when she was young.

 

[sarahraegraham]

I don’t agree that makeup hides the truth.

I think it hides what is false.

When Adam and Eve sinned, corruption entered the world. Blemishes, age spots, sun damage, spider veins, dark circles–these are not “truth,” but are the results of living in a sinful, FALLEN world. Our bodies are constantly decaying because our world is fallen. Even if we ourselves strive to be sinless, the sin of others has far-reaching effects that hurt even the most innocent among us. That’s why little babies and children die of cancer–not because of their personal sin (heaven forbid), but because of the sin of all mankind. That demonstrates how powerful sin is.

We all know that when we see a friend ravaged by the effects of breast cancer, that the flawed body we are seeing is NOT the body that God intended for her to have. We all know that someday, she will be given a new body, with no flaws. We SEE this with our spiritual eyes.

When we are baptized, the process begins by which we are restored to our former status as perfect human beings. We have the hope that one day, we will be like Jesus.

In the meantime, we attempt to bring God’s Kingdom to this earth. (I know I’m phrasing that badly.) We build beautiful churches (usually) and write/sing beautiful music that lifts us out of earthly life and reminds us of our heavenly home. We try to surround ourselves with goodness and loveliness. Would anyone say that this is “covering up the truth?” Well, yes, it is, because we are NOT good and lovely in our souls…yet. But why not work to look that way and act that way until we ARE that way?!

Why shouldn’t we cover the “false” part of our faces, the part that is there only because of the sin and resulting corruption of humans, and strive instead to show to the world a glowing, shining face with no flaws, perfect, the way God originally created all humans? Does this not glorify God? The world cannot always see with “spiritual eyes.” All they can see is the OUTSIDE, and if the OUTSIDE somehow makes them think of God and His Beauty, well, that is a good thing. That’s why we spend the money and time to build beautiful church buildings instead of just holding Mass in a gymnasium somewhere.

And if we do use a gymnasium for some reason, e.g., a children’s Mass, we strive to make it pretty, perhaps with a lovely chair for the priest, or a backdrop with a royal color. Is THAT covering up the truth, that it’s just a gymnasium? Yes, it is, but I’m glad! Aren’t you?

Certainly if you believe that your face is perfect now, go right ahead and display it and glorify God. But many of us are attempting to glorify God not by hiding our real selves, but rather, by displaying ourselves the way we REALLY look if people could see the REAL us, the way God meant for us to look before sin and death entered the world.

I think your post was well thought out and nicely explained, and also yet another way of thinking about this subject. I have to disagree, though. The argrument sounds good, and I agree that someone who is very ill is not reflecting the perfection of God when their body is sick. But when we die and meet God our bodies will be glorified, and we will have no makeup on. I will not be meeting my Savior with blush and mascara on, but exactly as he made me. When sin entered the world I’m sure that there was some extent to which the body would become “uglier” sotospeak than before it, but God created this body and we can’t really argue for sure that wrinkles, age spots, blemishes and whatnot are a result of sin. I mean, when we do die and meet God and our bodies are glorified, will I look like I do if I die at 80? Will I look like my 40 year old body? What about my infant body? I was the same person all throughout my life, and yet I don’t know how I will be for eternity. We can’t argue that the aging up of our bodies is the result of sin anymore than we can argue that our growing from infant to adult is the result of sin. My opinion is that God gave us these bodies, flaws and all (whether or not the flaws are the result of sin) and that we should embrace them, flaws and all (whether or not the flaws are the result of sin). The world tries to cover up the bad and pretend that it’s good; that’s what I see makeup doing for the body as well. “Yes, I am a sinner! Look at all my flaws, go on, look at 'em! But you know what, Jesus will take them away in heaven.” It’s a witness.

I certainly will not stop to judge others who do wear makeup, especially not those with skin conditions. However, I think it’s one of those things that can be an opportunity for growth spiritually. We’re meant to have a singleness of purpose in live: to love and serve God. Our priorities should revolve around that. I can think of a million other ways to use our time, resources and energy (even though some may say it’s not much, everything we have is God’s, not ours, and we must be careful to be good stewards). Again, not judging, just hoping to provoke further thoughts, as I believe the poster I quoted did as well.

 

[monicatholic]

These can all be concealed by makeup. But then, when you saw me you wouldn’t see ‘me’ the way I truely am.

We’re meant to have a singleness of purpose in live: to love and serve God. Our priorities should revolve around that. I can think of a million other ways to use our time, resources and energy (even though some may say it’s not much, everything we have is God’s, not ours, and we must be careful to be good stewards).

Sara, the way I truely am is stretched all out of shape by twelve pregnancies, veins on my legs, age spots under my eye brows, dark circles under my eyes-- no matter how much sleep i get. the way i truely am is joy-filled, in love with my husband, often obedient to God but contrite over my many sins, hard-working, responsible, kind to my children, generous, cranky and a host of other things-- some contradictions. (God’s not done with me yet.) when i don’t wear make-up, all people see is hard-working and worn-out.

when i don’t wear make-up, people only see what’s partly true about me and conclude there is little else. the impressions are already formed.

as per you suggestion that the ‘honest, sallow me’ might elicit generosity or help: that was never my experience. the dark-circled me only elicited shallow advice, pity and negative judgment.

i dress to look as best as i can (on a very tight budget.) dressing neatly and in a way that minimizes my thick waist or hides my leg veins is not dishonest. using make up to appear as if i don’t have circles and spots is not dishoneset. this, sarah, is good stewardship of my body.

Yes, I am a sinner! Look at all my flaws, go on, look at 'em! But you know what, Jesus will take them away in heaven." It’s a witness.

Sarah, then we should be naked. but we’re not. and the Church should require public confession of sins. and it does not. unbelievers look at the dowdy frump and say, “if that’s your Gospel, you can keep it.”

that my husband appreciates when i look as if i should not be in a TB ward doesn’t mean he doesn’t love me. in fact, all those years i was the frump queen, my husband was as generous, kind, loving, tender, funny as he is today. he simply appreciates that i look better because i do look better.

I certainly will not stop to judge others who do wear makeup, especially not those with skin conditions. However, I think it’s one of those things that can be an opportunity for growth spiritually.

sarah, perhaps consider, this allowance and asserion may be rife with judgment already.

in the end, sarah, make-up is a moral neutral. its usage can be alligned with wrong intent or with good intent. i’m a big fan of Jose Maria Escriva (one of our kids is named after him, who, of course is named after Josepoh and Mary.) I think his advice to wives about their appearance is good advice.

 

[Appleby]

I have a sister who spends two hours a day putting on makeup. She confesses she would not run away from a fire with a bare face. Mama puts on makeup before she leaves the house every day and she is 81.

I have never worn makeup (or makeDOWN as they called it in charm school), first because of my eyesight, and second because I never had any desire to attract a man, which i believe (unless you have scars or skin flaws) is the only reason to wear war paint. This is only my own opinion and applies only to me. My hair went white at the age of 25 and I have it professionally coloured because I like the way it looks…and because Mama got tired of hearing people say Why, I had no idea you had children that old!

It is a matter of individual style and I would never presume to tell another woman how to express her style. Particularly if both she and her husband are happy with that style.

And by the way, those busybodies who bustle up to me in Wal-Mart or Saks and think I will thank them for telling me I would look much better if I would shorten my skirts, lose some weight and paint my face, ought to be ashamed of themselves. There ought to be a special commandment against being a busybody.

 

[whatevergirl]

***This thread is really interesting…

I will say that as I have read through it, I just do what works for me. I really haven’t given much thought to the ‘why’ behind wearing makeup…I feel more put together, although I don’t wear much, it accentuates …brings out features. I don’t think women should feel compelled to wearing makeup…but if it makes you feel feminine or put together…so be it.***

 

[RazzsMom]

I wear eyebrow pencil, foundation, blusher, powder, and eyeshadow with mascara. Why? Because I have very sparse brows and without brow pencil, I look like I have no brows. I also wear pretty thick glasses as I am very near-sighted. The glasses will make your eyes look very small and some makeup helps my eyes to be visible behind the lenses! I also have a typical redhead’s fair skin (without freckles) and as I am over " a certain age" my skin is a little uneven and pale if I go without make-up. The kind I wear also has SPF 25 to help protect that fair skin. It is all a very “natural” look and nothing dramatic.

I also wear perfume most days. I wear “Cinnabar” (Estee Lauder) in the cold weather months. Like it sounds, it has a cinnamon scent that I love! In the summer months, I either wear a light flowery fragrance or none at all.

I only recently began to color my hair. When I looked at the pictures taken of me with my new grandson, I felt shocked! I always have had light auburn hair - almost “strawberry auburn” and I had not realized how dull and greyed it looked. The grey didn’t bother me as much as the dullness. So I had it professionally colored and highlighted to match the color it was when I was younger. I love having “my” hair color again.

Now the real heresy: I also have acrylic nails. I once shut my left hand in the overhead garage door and now 3 of my fingers won’t grow a nail past the skin. Once it starts to get beyond my fingertip, it splits lengthwise. Now my nails are strong and look very nice. They are kept short - no more than 1/2 inch past my fingertips. So everyone thinks they are “real”. I go to a reputable place that uses sterile equipment.

Maybe it all sounds like a lot…I dunno. I can apply the daily make-up in under ten minutes. The nails are every three weeks. The hair about every 3 months. On the weekends I frequently don’t put on make-up and just wear moisturizer to give my skin (and my routine!) a “rest”.

I like my routine. But if someone else doesn’t want to do it, why would I care? And if I like my routine, why would anyone else care? I certainly don’t think God cares if I wear make-up as long as I am mentally healthy, and am not spending the family grocery money!

I hope I haven’t offended anyone — hey, it’s just my :twocents:

 

[whatevergirl]

***I get my nails done, too. I just love how they look with the french…should I feel bad about that? It’s sort of like my one indulgence. I don’t have to ever paint them…they always look nice…If I weren’t working, I don’t think I would get them done, but when I give presentations…they just look ‘done.’ I’m glad I’m not alone on that one, Razz(name removed by moderator)! Don’t you just love how the polish never chips?

I also love cinnabar…i have not worn that in ages. Now in Florida, I don’t think the scent fits, as you say, it is quite perfect for cold winter months up north. I wore it a few years ago back in PA. I wear ‘happy’ now, by clinique…that is light and clean…or light blue, by dolce & gabbana. I secretly wish I owned a perfume store. shhh, don’t tell anyone. ***

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

I only wear eyeliner, mascara, and sometimes eye shadow. According to my mom, I have nice eyes.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[Morwenna]

Sorry - I didn’t mean to be cryptic. What I mean is that it kinda makes it seem like it’s a bonus that a husband accepts her as “pretty enough” without paint whereas IMO that should be a given in a good husband.

I suppose I’m a bit “sensitive” because I’ve been told often I’m “lucky” with respect to a number of my husband’s attitudes, but I wasn’t - I was “choosy” and would not have married a man with different attitudes on showstopper issues. In that sense it is not something I am obligated to be “grateful” for. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate or value it but it’s not a matter of being “lucky” in something I had no control over where I just had to take whatever life handed me and thank my lucky stars it worked out, sort of thing.

I still don’t think I’m explaining myself very well.

You’ve explained very well, and I completely understand, thanks for clarifying.

I didn’t mean to imply that you had no part in the process of choosing (and choosing wisely) but something along the lines of “what a wonderful thing that God created this wonderful guy and allowed you to meet at the right time/place, etc.” Similar to this: I’m grateful to God for the food that I eat, and even though I worked to obtain it, I still realize that God is my creator and sustainer, and that my life, health, and everything else is in His hands … so, even though I may have worked very hard to earn my “daily bread,” I’m still grateful to God for allowing me to be here to earn it, and sustaining my health so that I can earn it, etc. In much the same way, I would consider a good husband to be a blessing. Know what I mean?

I agree completely that we should be choosy in the things that really matter. Obviously you chose very well, indeed, and I’m very glad that you two found each other.

 

[ainjell]

---

I am sitting here, fascinated by what you posted (in a good way lol)…***

I am fascinated that anything I say fascinates anyone! From another angle: What if all the money spent on makeup would be donated to pro-life. We would be a bunch of “ugly” winners!

 

[whatevergirl]

I am fascinated that anything I say fascinates anyone! From another angle: What if all the money spent on makeup would be donated to pro-life. We would be a bunch of “ugly” winners!

---

lol–true! Well, I like to wear it now and again, for work, mainly…I thought you came at it from a very interesting angle, though. ***

 

[Appleby]

I am fascinated that anything I say fascinates anyone! From another angle: What if all the money spent on makeup would be donated to pro-life. We would be a bunch of “ugly” winners!

The world would be perfect if only we would not do what WE wanted to do with our money, but what YOU wanted to do?

Hmmmm.

 

[Appleby]

Sorry if that sounded snarky. Its time for me to be in bed.

 

[ainjell]

Sorry if that sounded snarky. Its time for me to be in bed.

Well, no, not what I wanted but to be concerned about what God considers the best use of my money.

BIG JUMP: My sister told me that they put hormones obtained from abortions, (placentas, cord, etc) into anti ageing makeup products. Has anyone else ever heard of this?
Could be another angle.

 

[whatevergirl]

Well, no, not what I wanted but to be concerned about what God considers the best use of my money.

BIG JUMP: My sister told me that they put hormones obtained from abortions, (placentas, cord, etc) into anti ageing makeup products. Has anyone else ever heard of this?
Could be another angle.

***I have not heard that, I’d have to see an article from a reputable source to believe that. (not that your sister isn’t a reliable source lol) The majority of the cosmetics I buy are organic based…it’s nice for peace of mind. ***