(Photo by Selma Komisky)
Beauty: The Balancing Act
By Darthy McCormick
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
-Proverbs 31:30
The Bible is filled with reminders about the temporary and even dangerous nature of human beauty. Because of these warnings, it is easy to be frightened into thinking that our appearance is almost evil. However, we are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), who is all good. Rather than rejecting our appearances altogether, we must learn to find a balance between taking care of ourselves in this world. At the same time, we prepare for the next one. Sound intimidating? Never fear, here are 3 tips on building healthy beauty habits.
- Love the Skin You’re In
You have likely heard much talk about being “fearfully and wonderfully made,” but how does that transfer into your beauty routines? Taking care of the skin and hair that God gave you is a great place to start! Developing a skincare routine, wearing sunscreen, and sleeping on a silk pillowcase are all great ways to keep your skin healthy. Each of us also has a unique hair texture that can become damaged over time without proper care. This makes having the right products and techniques vital to protecting our hair. If you don’t know where to get started in either of these areas, try out Function of Beauty. You’ll be guided through a step-by-step process to find products that fit how God made you as closely as possible.
2. Complement–Don’t Conceal
When I first started trying out beauty products, a huge question for me was “How do I know what too much makeup is?” I didn’t want my beauty to come from “outward adornment,” as Peter warned (1 Peter 3:3). After much prayerful consideration, I concluded: makeup is for complementing my natural features, not adorning myself until who I really am is gone. If I can’t recognize myself with makeup on, then I’ve gone too far. Finding a beauty line that helps you focus on your natural appearance is highly beneficial. Personally, I love Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez! The products are light and were created to blend with any skin tone. The products are cruelty-free and named to reflect beautiful traits like grace, gratitude, and faith. And if you suffer from chronic pain like me, all the products are arthritis-friendly and easy to open.
3. Be a Good Steward
At the creation of the world, God gave the duty of caring for the earth as a gift to mankind (Genesis 2). This is something we should keep in mind in all aspects of our life! What is really in the products we are using? Is it safe for us and our home? Making steps toward converting to reusable products is another great way to care for the earth as it reduces waste. Here are some product recommendations if you are looking to use cleaner products in your beauty routine.
The Ordinary: Affordable skincare
Above all remember this, God cares more about where your heart lies more than anything else!
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7
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