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A Month Without Makeup - Day 19

Thursday, February 19, 2009 - Comments 7

Can I step away from the bravado for just a moment and tell you that I’m REALLY REALLY looking forward to putting my makeup on again? I’ve got 9 days to go and honestly, I’m ready to feel a little more put together. I’m ready to have mascara on again. To have my skin tone evened out. To see my eyes pop. I just like that sort of thing.

It’s quite the paradox, actually, because while going without makeup has been very good for me on many levels - breaking down my pride, challenging false beliefs, saving me time in the morning and at night - it has also caused me to be more focused on myself in some ways. For me, wearing makeup is a pretty natural part of my life. To go without it every day in every situation is so unnatural that it causes me to think about how I look more than I otherwise would. With that in mind, I’m thinking that I’ll actually be able to just “be” who I am better when I can get up each day and decide to wear it or not wear it based on what I feel like doing, rather than being forced into some routine in order to prove a point to myself.

But I’m also kinda dreading March 1 because I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be some people out there who are going to be disappointed in me when I put it back on. As if I’m giving up somehow on embracing my “true” self.

But what is true?

The truth is, I’m a visual person, and I like to wear makeup. I think I may wear it differently, or wear a different kind (less chemicals), when I put it on again. But I do plan to put it on again. It feels ok to me. As my friend Jenni Schaefer says, it’s a form of “creative expression.”

The main thing I’ve wanted to see through this experiment is if I could take a strong step toward laying down the “idol” of looking good - of representing our culture’s ideals of the “right” look. And here, at day 19, I can honestly say that has been stripped from me quite a bit. Not completely - you can’t undo 37 years of vanity, pride and insecurity in just 19 days of any kind of experiment. But I’ve removed the “mask” of makeup for the world - my world, anyway - to see the true me. And I’ve learned the true me is ok, just the way I am.

So when I put it on again, I hope to move from daily focusing on my appearance, to just getting through each day again according to what it holds. In the meantime, the daily ritual of snapping a photo of myself and posting it for anyone and everyone to see continues to be a pain in the, um, backside. But it is oh, so cool to see how it’s catching on out there. And I love the conversation it sparks.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and submit not again to a yoke of slavery,” Gal. 5:1.

Places I’ve gone the last few days:
1. Costco
2. Walmart
3. Fb Gathering (see pic below)
4. Work

I’ll be going to Community Group again tonight. Also, by the way, will be interviewing Mandisa today for a podcast. Will let you konw when that’s up. I think she’ll totally get this whole challenge - I read her whole book Idol Eyes last night - she is a totally cool, wonderfully sincere, God loving woman of God. Wow.

See you soon…

Andrea wrote:

I am SO glad you said what you did! Because now I don’t feel so bad for NOT wanting to go without makeup! I actually wear pretty minimal amounts as it is, and am fine going without if I’m too lazy or tired or whatever. And for me, it really isn’t any different than coloring my hair to “enhance” my natural color.

I love that you have been so completely honest about your adventure this month - thank you!

posted on 02/19/2009

Becky wrote:

Just wondering if you have gotten used to your new haircut yet? I changed my cut last night and it didn’t look right until I got my make-up on this morning. The style is a little edgier than normal, so ‘au naturale’ doesn’t look quite right with it.

posted on 02/20/2009

David Jacobs wrote:

Maybe I’m one of the few men commenting here, but I love what you’re doing. A bold and fascinating experiment. From the looks of it, you’ve done well. I am the father of a 10yr old girl so it’s not like these issues are not a part of my world as well. Habits and impressions start early, so it’s never too early to begin planting messages about beauty and identity. Thanks for the insight.

posted on 02/20/2009

Tom wrote:

As I scanned over some of the material you wrote on your
no-makeup experiment I couldn’t help be reminded of how I used to
feel when I fasted (pre- faith in The Lord Jesus)
It did me some good, but largely I couldn’t wait to eat a nice big meal. My time was then taken up by trying to keep thoughts of food
from lurking in my mind. It was an overall profitless effort for me
because I didn’t have Christ, not to focus on Him, revolve around Him,
listen to Him, follow Him in my life and in the fasting.
(not that I fasted [or do fast] often mind you).
Even now as a believer this is something I find to be all to easey
to slip into.

Here’s where the analogy breaks down.
Food is necessary for the sustaining of physical life.

There are certain sects which believe that a man shouldn’t shave.
Why? “because” they reply, “man was created in God’s image,
and if we have beards naturally, then we shouldn’t change that”
Well, most of us would ask “Does God have a beard?”
It almost sounds like a joke to us.

It is written that womean are created in God’s image
having been created from the man (one step above dust haha).
Is there an alteration we
can make to His work that can improve on it?
From whom are we seeking acceptance,honor?

Some people might say that simple things, jewlry, bows in the hair
these things are acceptable but makeup is not.
but I can’t think of a place in God’s Word that talks about what is to be expected from all women.

In first Peter chapter 3 and first Timothy chapter 2,
the description of what women should think on these things is women “who profess godliness” (Godliness ultimately being a lifestyle [a life] aimed at pleasing God seeking acceptance and honor from Him)- and, “in this manner also, the holy women of old”
-Holy, and godly; and “holiness, without which no one will see The Lord.
John 5:44

p.s. I thought of whether or not I was sticking my nose where it didn’t belong (having randomly followed a link to get to a site where
only one other guy had posted a comment (much more tactful than my own). my intentions are good!

Tom

posted on 03/05/2009

Constance Rhodes wrote:

I think it’s cool to see you guys (I mean, real guys) posting, in addition to us gals. Thanks for the perspective. Though I’m not really sure how you ended up here, I’m glad you did. If more guys would get involved in the discussion, I’m sure we’d all be much better for it.

posted on 03/05/2009

Tom wrote:

I happened to visit the myspace page of someone I know, and saw this link not knowing what it was.
As much as I like to tell everybody else how to live their lives,
I probably wouldn’t have come here had I known what it was!
If they want more brothers in the faith coming visiting the page,
the more indescript the link the better.

Tom

posted on 03/05/2009

OliviaB. wrote:

That’s very commendable of you to do it. It’s probably more difficult for a woman to do that than giving up eating (that would probably just feed our vanity). God is best heard in the silence. Silence consists of a lack of sound. It’s like a blank page waiting for writing. When you fast, you clear out some of the clutter inside of you because your initial wants and self-interests can get in the way of God’s voice. Clear that up a bit and you allow God to speak to you. Happy fasting!
-------
OliviaB.
San Diego DUI lawyer

posted on 03/31/2009

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A Month Without Makeup - Day 19

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