Makeup, Modesty & the Mirror
Call it judging if you want. But let's be real, this culture has normalized indecency, defilement, and the glorification of self, and it's diabolical. I used to think it was harmless, even empowering… until the Holy Spirit convicted me. I didn't need another compliment, I needed correction. Oh, how I prayed for someone to tell me the truth. And now that I know it, I can't stay silent.
Beauty vs. Vanity: Finding the Line
As a licensed esthetician and makeup artist, I've spent years helping people enhance their natural beauty. But there's a profound difference between appreciating the beauty God gave you and becoming obsessed with your appearance.
The Bible doesn't condemn beauty, Queen Esther underwent 12 months of beauty treatments before meeting the king (Esther 2:12) What God warns against is vanity and placing our worth in external appearance.
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." — 1 Peter 3:3-4
The Heart Behind the Makeup Brush
It's not about whether you wear makeup, but why you wear it. Ask yourself:
Am I doing this to honor God?
Is my identity wrapped up in how I look?
Am I trying to imitate worldly standards?
When I apply makeup for clients, I now see it as an act of service, helping them feel confident while respecting their God-given features.
My Personal Journey
I remember the day everything changed for me. I was preparing for a night out, carefully applying layers of makeup, when I felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit. "Who are you trying to please?" The question stopped me in my tracks. I realized I had been seeking validation through compliments, through likes on social media, through turning heads. My heart posture was all wrong, my beauty routine had become an idol. This doesn't mean I threw away all my makeup! Instead, I changed my approach. Now I see beauty care as stewardship of what God has given me, not as a way to glorify myself.
Finding Freedom in God's Standards
Our culture tells us that true freedom comes from rejecting all standards and "doing you." But I've found the opposite to be true. Real freedom comes from embracing God's standards, which are always for our protection and flourishing.
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Practical Steps for God-Honoring Beauty
Start with prayer: Before your beauty routine, invite God into the process
Check your heart: Regularly examine your motivations
Embrace simplicity: Sometimes less truly is more
Focus on health: Care for your skin and body as a gift from God
Celebrate others: Compliment the character of others, not just their appearance
A New Definition of Beauty
True beauty radiates from a heart that loves Jesus. It's found in kindness, in serving others, in speaking truth with love. It's timeless and it changes how we see ourselves in the mirror.
-Your esti bestie, Zee
