To paint, or not to paint?

[Tammy]

I've read several posts over time, about decisions to not wear make-up. I hear that testimony a lot - and indeed it is my testimony as well - that when the headcovering is put on, the make-up soon goes out. Why is that? Must be the shame-faced part. How to be shame-faced and paint the face at the same time? lol!

Not long after I had started covering, I was reading in my Bible about King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, and I took note of the spirit of Jezebel. She was far from submissive, and her domineering ways made a whiney, weak man out of her husband, even though he was the leader of a nation. (Who REALLY ran the country?) (Hmmm... makes me think of another couple on the political scene of another nation.... ) It really got my attention when she dressed her hair and painted her face just before the dramatic final scene of her life. I looked it up, and the only other references I found to painting the face (eyes) was in reference to pagans. Neither pagans, nor Jezebel, are good examples to follow!

Then I started thinking about the practical aspects of make-up. What is it for? Covering up the true appearance? (Hypocrisy!) Enhancing the eyes, lips... making them look more... Sensuous? Sounds like the strange woman mentioned in Proverbs, the one we warn our sons about. The first things to go into the garbage were the mascara and the lipstick.

I wore the foundation still because, frankly, my skin was so used to it I would break out if I went without. I'd worn it since I was a young teen! But I gradually weaned myself off of that, too, until I was wearing only moisturizer with sunscreen to protect my skin.

What I have noticed is the following: 1) My morning routine takes up significantly less time. How many hours over the years have I wasted, robbing my family, even making us late for events, because of the time I spent putting on a different face? Now I only cleanse and moisturize my face, put up my hair and cover, and I'm ready to go. And 2) When I look at myself in the mirror now, I realize that the face I show the world is frank, sincere, honest, and just the face God intended for me to have. I can witness to someone, and truly have nothing to hide, and the person listening can see honesty on my face, nothing else.

I've heard it said, in regard to the question of To paint or not to paint, "Well, if the barn needs painting, paint it!" That is fine, if you're a barn, but I have a hard time comparing a real lady to an old barn at all.

So that is my testimony. May my daughters have the testimony of never having tried to cover or enhance the face God gave them.

"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us;" Psalm 90:17

[George]

Sister Tammy, that was extremely well said. There are a whole lot of folks who ought to read this post, not only women but men as well. Since I have been saved and learned to become and extremely conservative Christian (by the standards of men [by the standards of God I have a whole lot lacking]) modestly dressed women who do not paint their faces and such are so much more attractive to me than the women of the world.

I so much wish that women as a whole could come to realize that God gave them a beauty that is unsurpassed in this world for a reason. The "natural" women (for lack of a better word) is wonderful to behold. Although I am a member of a conservative, fundamental Baptist Church we do have women who still dress according to the standards of the world or perhaps even those of their husbands. When I see a modestly dressed woman without all the makeup and jewelry enter Church she stands out to me. God given beauty is not something people should try to make better no matter the method.

In Christ,
George

[prv31wife]

Amen Sister Tammy and Brother George! I used to think I had to wear makeup in order to look pretty because the world told me so but that is a lie from the pit of hell.
My middle daughter is 11 and she wants to wear lipstick and I keep telling her no and that God made her beautiful.
The media makes fun if a woman celebtrity goes out in public without makeup and plasters the photo all over the front cover because they disapprove of her doing such a thing.
A lot of women in our church wear makeup and fancy hairdos etc. I love visiting the Mennonite church because the women don't wear makeup and they are just naturally beautiful. I feel so comfortable amongst these ladies. I had someone tell me that there is no excuse for a woman to not wear makeup. That's a bunch of hogwash!
Anyway, I'm needing to get off my soapbox.

[Tammy]

Yes, women get brainwashed by all sorts of media: billboards, magazine ads, store circulars, etc. I remember one time, back in my make-up wearing days, we left to go somewhere and I nearly panicked when I realized I had forgotten to apply make-up that morning. My sweet husband had not noticed my lack of paint to begin with, and when I expressed my distress, calmly said I was beautiful without it, and we were not returning to the house to get my make-up. (!!) And I had told myself that it was my husband that preferred I wear make-up, lol!

[prv31wife]

You are blessed to have a husband who knows you are beautiful without makeup. It's such a blessing to not have to worry about my face rubbing off on people's clothes. I always got embarrased when my foundation would rub off on a lady's shoulder after I had given them a hug
And to be perfectly honest, I don't think I ever wore the right shade of foundation and I never learned how to choose either. Oh the things we women do to achieve the world's view of beauty.

[brommd]

Thats no small feat (going sans paint).

Knowing how hard others can be on our esteem and of course not forsaking the general publics glare.

But, I am convinced the importance is that we take the focus off ourselves and put it back where it belongs (on God).

My hats off to the faithful women of the board who go without.

[kscarle]

It is also mentioned in Jeremiah 4, when God's people were being rebellious.

Thank you for sharing that testimony...I have heard the same excuse about "painting an old barn with new paint"on different occasions; that must be a popular saying among church women.

I do not wear makeup either.

I had a question also about an old post , you mentioned a pattern shaped like a boat and I tried it, I do like it but it flares out some, I was wanting to know if I could get the measurements. Length down the back, across the top of the head and is there a continual curve or does it go straight on both sides and then curve?
Kristie

[Tammy]

Sis. Kristie,

Sorry it's taken me a while to respond! I will post you a photo of my covering, in the sewing section of the board. I measured my covering, and the dimensions are as follows:

21.5 inches across (from stem to stern of the "boat")
14 inches top to bottom (for my wear-around-the-house version) This covering hangs down just to the nape of my neck. I am going to make one that hangs down lower.

Seam allowances are included. (I fold the edges under 1/4 " and press, then fold under another 1/4 ", press and sew.) Measure around your head to make sure it will work for you. It's easy to adjust where you put the snap, to make it fit just right.

At the top (the part that goes on top of my head) I cut a slight curve, not straight across. I also trace its shape and cut out a 2 1/2 " band to sew, wrong sides together, to the top. This gives the covering a nice, sturdy, finished look on the headband.

The bottom (the part that hangs down the back) is a deeper curve, but be careful not to make it too pointy, as it will look even pointier when you wear it. (Ask me how I know!)

I will post a photo in the sewing section, along with this explanation.

Blessings,
Sis Tammy

[kscarle]

Sis. Tammy,

Thank you so much for the information. Sharing the information is a blessing. I know I could have ordered a pattern from online but it woiuld have cost and my DH would have been upset if I spent money on something I might not like (therefore not use). I also tried making one like you had mentioned and liked it enough that I wear it the most.

I did view the pattern on the sewing board, and it is not exactly like the one I had pictured, but seems much better. Thank you again.

Sis. Kristie

[Pam]

I've heard the paint the barn saying as well. I have to admit, I'm not quite ready to give up on the makeup yet. Oh, I would love to though! I get sick and tired of putting it on everyday. But, my skin is so blotchy that the only way I can even it out is by applying makeup. I don't have blemishes, it's just got blotchy reddish areas (I'm a redhead going gray faster and faster with each day!). If I don't wear eye makeup I look like I don't even have eyes! I know that must sound funny. I see other ladies not wearing makeup and some look terrible and others have a natural beauty that I wish I had. I don't wear makeup to try to be sensuous or to impress someone. I only wear it to make myself look more presentable. I would love to be able to give it up for good though.

Still needing God's gracious help!
Sister Pam