Shaving, make-up, and hairstyling

[Catholicwoman11]

I am trying to be more pious in my appearance and I have a few questions.

What does the Catholic Church teach when it comes to shaving your legs. Is it a sin or is it a cultural phenomenon?

What about make-up? If I wear just a little blush is that too much?

What about hairstyling? I sometimes flatten my hair because my hair is frizzy, would that be OK?

I am thinking that to be truly pious, I would not worry about any of this, but I am not a nun so I am not sure what is considered going too far.

 

[CEM5]

I am trying to be more pious in my appearance and I have a few questions.

What does the Catholic Church teach when it comes to shaving your legs. Is it a sin or is it a cultural phenomenon?

What about make-up? If I wear just a little blush is that too much?

What about hairstyling? I sometimes flatten my hair because my hair is frizzy, would that be OK?

I am thinking that to be truly pious, I would not worry about any of this, but I am not a nun so I am not sure what is considered going too far.

There is nothing wrong with doing any of the above. Our bodies are a temple, and even God told the Israelites how to adorn and beautify the Temple. The only thing is not to spend an inordinate time on ourselves (hours and hours).

When it comes to make-up, nothing wrong with enhancing ones’ beauty – it is the garish make-up that I would steer clear of so as not to look like a clown or a “lady of the night”

 

[JoArtist]

The key is moderation and motive. As long as you are moderate and your motives are pure, then you are just fine.

 

[Corki]

I think it could be sinful to go for a “pious” look when making grooming decisions. The goal should be modesty, not outward expression of piety. IMHO, piety should come more from your actions than from appearance.

Shaving, wearning reasonable makeup and styling your hair are not immodest nor impious.

 

[Debora123]

I am trying to be more pious in my appearance and I have a few questions.

What does the Catholic Church teach when it comes to shaving your legs. Is it a sin or is it a cultural phenomenon?

What about make-up? If I wear just a little blush is that too much?

What about hairstyling? I sometimes flatten my hair because my hair is frizzy, would that be OK?

I am thinking that to be truly pious, I would not worry about any of this, but I am not a nun so I am not sure what is considered going too far.

The Church has no teaching on any of the above. None are sins.

 

[drafdog]

My wife never wore makeup except on special occasions. My girlfriend doesn’t wear much either.

As to the hair: The simplest and most cost-effective course is to shave it all off and invest in a couple of really high quality wigs. Learn how to properly care for them and you will look good without spending a lot of money on hairdressers. Besides that, you can change hair color just by changing your wig.

Rev Levi

 

[Debora123]

My wife never wore makeup except on special occasions. My girlfriend doesn’t wear much either.

As to the hair: The simplest and most cost-effective course is to shave it all off and invest in a couple of really high quality wigs. Learn how to properly care for them and you will look good without spending a lot of money on hairdressers. Besides that, you can change hair color just by changing your wig.

Rev Levi

 

[1ke]

What does the Catholic Church teach when it comes to

The Church has **no **teaching on any of these things. None of them are sins in any way.

I suggest you seek the counsel of a holy priest or spiritual advisor. Your questions seem very scrupulous.

 

[Lady_Marchmain]

As to the hair: The simplest and most cost-effective course is to shave it all off and invest in a couple of really high quality wigs. Learn how to properly care for them and you will look good without spending a lot of money on hairdressers. Besides that, you can change hair color just by changing your wig.

Rev Levi

This is a very common practice of Jewish ladies, so it seems normal and routine to them. They also are good at it and the wigs look natural. However, most women with healthy natural hair in our culture would feel peculiar shaving it off to wear wigs.

 

[Allegra]

*This is a very common practice of Jewish ladies, so it seems normal and routine to them. * They also are good at it and the wigs look natural. However, most women with healthy natural hair in our culture would feel peculiar shaving it off to wear wigs.

 

[Allegra]

My wife never wore makeup except on special occasions. My girlfriend doesn’t wear much either.

As to the hair: The simplest and most cost-effective course is to shave it all off and invest in a couple of really high quality wigs. Learn how to properly care for them and you will look good without spending a lot of money on hairdressers. Besides that, you can change hair color just by changing your wig.

Rev Levi

There is nothing cost effective about wigs! My sister had to get one when she had chemo and it about floored us when we found out how much it was. Besides, you still have to pay a hair dresser to cut and style the wig properly to the shape of your own face.

 

[Immaculata90]

I am trying to be more pious in my appearance and I have a few questions.

What does the Catholic Church teach when it comes to shaving your legs. Is it a sin or is it a cultural phenomenon?

What about make-up? If I wear just a little blush is that too much?

What about hairstyling? I sometimes flatten my hair because my hair is frizzy, would that be OK?

I am thinking that to be truly pious, I would not worry about any of this, but I am not a nun so I am not sure what is considered going too far.

While none of these are outright sining, I think that you should really take a look at the motives behind WHY you shave, put on makeup or do your hair. If you are doing it because it’s something you like and you could either take it or leave it, all of them are perfectly fine. If, however, you start spending hours and tons of money on make up or doing your hair, it may begin to border being a sin. Just keep examining your motives for things and you should be fine (and the shaving thing is practically a personal hygiene thing…there is definitely nothing wrong with that. My friends that are religious sisters still shave their legs. And they’re 20-something-habit-wearing sisters)

 

[MissRose73]

I have no issues with shaving, makeup, and styling hair.

I would prefer to see women be more modest and natural in terms of make up application as many tend to wear a great deal. I try to be as natural as possible, and play up one area a bit more like my eyes but still not be heavy in application.

I do style my hair, have it cut/trimmed, and color it to hide a few grey hairs. I make sure it is neat, clean and appropriate for the occasion & place. I don’t really wear gaudy hair pieces to work or to Mass. I save those few pieces for going places like parties / gatherings.

Yes, I do shave too. But I do not do it for others, I do it for myself to feel better. I seldom shave my legs in winter as I am pretty much covered up due to the cold weather, and try not to wear dresses or skirts in the very cold weather.

 

[tafan]

Certainly not Catholic, but one of my favorite radio hosts and somewhat moralist is Dennis Prager. He makes the case that it is a virtue to try to look nice for others; not in order to be vain, that would be wrong; but in order to help bring beauty to the world.

Imagine if everyone just decided that looking good was not important or wrong all of the sudden. The world would become a much less pleasant place.

Now, how this is done can vary a great deal. Nuns in full habit normally look very nice and present themselves very well. As do women, dressed modestly, who have nice make-up, etc.

So its ok to try to look good, for others, I agree with Mr Praeger, it is virtuous.

 

[Hopemercy]

I don’t do any of these things and still look fine. These things cost far too much for my resources and that decison was made for that reason.

For me it would be wasteful and selfish to spend money on such things. This way I can give more to those who have not even food.

 

[ReginaCoeli]

don’t do any of these things and still look fine. These things cost far too much for my resources and that decison was made for that reason.

For me it would be wasteful and selfish to spend money on such things. This way I can give more to those who have not even food.

I love what you just said. What a wonderful point. Sometimes I wear makeup & sometimes I don’t; although I find myself wearing it less & less lately. Not because of any reason other than I get a bit lazy sometimes! But I think to take $$ that may have been spent on makeup/hair & use it to give to others is so charitable. I bet those that are hungry & homeless aren’t worrying about makeup/hair or even appearing “pious”. They are worried about survival. I think the OP’s piety could be better demonstrated thru charitable acts & not how much or little makeup one wears or whether or not she shaves her legs. I’m sorry, and I hope I’m not being uncharitable, but if the OP has time to be worrying about such things, then that time could be much better spent helping others, reading scripture, in adoration, or in prayer. I mean really, I don’t think God cares whether or not we shave our legs, wear makeup, or style our hair. God bless.