I have had the same work clothes on for the last three days. There has been showering each day, just not a new set of clothes. I found myself in the grocery store tonight picking up a few items. I heard my girlfriend call out, "Who is that pretty girl in the red shirt?". Compliment aside, she was looking at my back because if she had seen me from the front she would have laughed. My hair was a mess, with paint in it. My clothes, dirty with paint all over them. The exposed skin was well, dirty with paint all over it. No make-up and flip flops. It wasn't a pretty site. There are days like that, when you are just working as hard as you can and forget the beauty part of it. While I was washing the grime off tonight, I decided I needed to give myself a home mani/pedi. My husband wants to take the boat out on Saturday. No self respecting girl can go boating without a good mani/pedi!
I was thinking about how many things we girls do to just maintain a respectable appearance. If it is a special occasion, the beauty regime can sometimes double. My Pastor's wife, always looks good. We have been working side by side for over three years and I have never seen her without makeup. She can probably count on both hands the number of times she has seen me fully "made up". It is hard to keep up with the regular stuff, let alone the full deal. The plucking, waxing, and shaving alone are almost a daily event. My hair is long enough, I can get away with washing every couple of days. I wear it down the first day, half up, all up and possibly all up again before I go through the ordeal of washing, conditioning, blow drying and flat ironing. I typically wear foundation, blush and lipstick. It has to be a "date" or pretty important to put on eye shadow, mascara, liner and whatever else falls out of the bag. Even perfume use is inconsistent.
Women have been putting themselves through various rituals since time began. My particular love affair started when we moved to the Philippines. Mom would take me to the beauty parlor and for $20 (this was the early 80's), you could have your hair done, get a manicure, pedicure, facial and massage. We went every week! The beauty ritual today can be cost prohibitive. Who has that kind of money in this economy. Not me. That's why I do my own color, wax and nails. There is also a lot of skill involved in the beauty ritual. My cousin used to do her own acrylic nails. She would even come home at lunch and change her polish in 15 minutes flat. I watched her in amazement. Several of my friends have the best looking eye makeup, a technique I have to this day never perfected.
As media has saturated our daily lives, the average woman has found herself constantly evaluating her looks. I know I wish I was thinner, not having to dye my premature grey (started turning when I was 24) and seeing less wrinkles in the mirror. I tried for the longest time to allow the grey to show through. Finally about 2 years ago, I just caved and started coloring. It has now become a regular part of the ritual. The decision to do manicures started this Valentine's Day. I painted my nails just for a punch of color and got so many compliments it became a regular part of the ritual. I have recently tried to add accessories to my ritual. Shoes, handbags and jewelry. It is quite easy to dress up a basic pair of jeans and black shirt with the right accessories.
I know hair, makeup, clothing and jewelry don't have a single thing to do with Jesus. I know that when Christ looks at me, He is looking at my inside and it is important to me He is happy with what he sees. I have recently noticed several articles from women who made a decision to try "all natural" for 30 days - no makeup, no perfume, no fuss. I really admire their effort. There are so many naturally beautiful women out there. My niece, Julie is one of those people. She looks perfect without a lick of makeup. Admittedly, I am jealous of that quality. Something Christ doesn't want from me either - covetousness. It is hard to look past the magazines, movies and advertisements and see yourself as beautiful just the way you are. The bible tells us, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Prov 31:30)
That being said, I will continue with my ritual. I don't think there is anything wrong with making yourself look nice, unless it is all consuming in some way. Let the Lord be your guide. Ask him to show you the beauty within and perhaps your ritual and mine will gradually fade in importance.
In His service
Mally
 |
| Before fingers! |
 |
| Before toes! |
I was thinking about how many things we girls do to just maintain a respectable appearance. If it is a special occasion, the beauty regime can sometimes double. My Pastor's wife, always looks good. We have been working side by side for over three years and I have never seen her without makeup. She can probably count on both hands the number of times she has seen me fully "made up". It is hard to keep up with the regular stuff, let alone the full deal. The plucking, waxing, and shaving alone are almost a daily event. My hair is long enough, I can get away with washing every couple of days. I wear it down the first day, half up, all up and possibly all up again before I go through the ordeal of washing, conditioning, blow drying and flat ironing. I typically wear foundation, blush and lipstick. It has to be a "date" or pretty important to put on eye shadow, mascara, liner and whatever else falls out of the bag. Even perfume use is inconsistent.
Women have been putting themselves through various rituals since time began. My particular love affair started when we moved to the Philippines. Mom would take me to the beauty parlor and for $20 (this was the early 80's), you could have your hair done, get a manicure, pedicure, facial and massage. We went every week! The beauty ritual today can be cost prohibitive. Who has that kind of money in this economy. Not me. That's why I do my own color, wax and nails. There is also a lot of skill involved in the beauty ritual. My cousin used to do her own acrylic nails. She would even come home at lunch and change her polish in 15 minutes flat. I watched her in amazement. Several of my friends have the best looking eye makeup, a technique I have to this day never perfected.
As media has saturated our daily lives, the average woman has found herself constantly evaluating her looks. I know I wish I was thinner, not having to dye my premature grey (started turning when I was 24) and seeing less wrinkles in the mirror. I tried for the longest time to allow the grey to show through. Finally about 2 years ago, I just caved and started coloring. It has now become a regular part of the ritual. The decision to do manicures started this Valentine's Day. I painted my nails just for a punch of color and got so many compliments it became a regular part of the ritual. I have recently tried to add accessories to my ritual. Shoes, handbags and jewelry. It is quite easy to dress up a basic pair of jeans and black shirt with the right accessories.
I know hair, makeup, clothing and jewelry don't have a single thing to do with Jesus. I know that when Christ looks at me, He is looking at my inside and it is important to me He is happy with what he sees. I have recently noticed several articles from women who made a decision to try "all natural" for 30 days - no makeup, no perfume, no fuss. I really admire their effort. There are so many naturally beautiful women out there. My niece, Julie is one of those people. She looks perfect without a lick of makeup. Admittedly, I am jealous of that quality. Something Christ doesn't want from me either - covetousness. It is hard to look past the magazines, movies and advertisements and see yourself as beautiful just the way you are. The bible tells us, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Prov 31:30)
That being said, I will continue with my ritual. I don't think there is anything wrong with making yourself look nice, unless it is all consuming in some way. Let the Lord be your guide. Ask him to show you the beauty within and perhaps your ritual and mine will gradually fade in importance.
 |
| After fingers! |
 |
| After toes! |
In His service
Mally
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