WOMEN MATTAZ (PART 4): DRESSING II

 

SHOULD WOMEN PUT ON MAKEUP? 💄

Many have been on the opinion that women should not, while some have been on the opinion that women are permitted to wear them. Both may have their valid reasons, but the Word of God remains our final authority and any issue that may arise. 

Let's start with the history of makeup before we can build our stance from the Scripture.

Women Mattaz Part 1: Indictment

For centuries, women have been wearing make up. It has gone through some pretty drastic changes between how make up is worn, what is used for make up, and who wears make up.

The earliest known record of make up being worn comes from the 1st Dynasty (3100-2907 B.C.) of Egypt. Jars of unguent were found in tombs from this time period were scented. Unguent was a substance that was worn by both men and women to help moisturize their skin and to avoid wrinkles. During this era, women would decorate their eyes by applying a dark green color to the under lid and darkening their eyelashes and upper lid with kohl, that was made from soot and antimony.

The Egyptians believed that cleanliness and beauty were pleasing to the gods so they wore perfumed oils, bathed daily in the river or in their homes, and used different dyes to color their skin, body, and hair.

By the middle of the 1st century A.D., most Romans were using cosmetics. To darken eyelashes and eyelids, they would use kohl. Romans used chalk to whiten their complexion, and wore rouge on their cheeks.

Pale skin was a sign of wealth during the European middle ages. Sixth century women would take drastic measure to achieve this look by bleeding themselves, using egg whites on the skin, or using a combination of carbonate hydroxide and lead oxide as face powder.

During the Regency era, white skin signified a life of leisure while tanned skin was a sign of a life of outdoor labor. Women wore bonnets, carried parasols, and covered all of the visible parts of their bodies with whiteners and blemish removers to achieve a pale complexion.

Actresses and prostitutes during the Victorian era were looked down upon because they wore make up. During this time, if one tampered with their natural color they were looked at in disdain. Women would use products around their homes as makeup. They would create face masks out of oatmeal, honey, and egg yolks. Also, they would use rice powder to dust their noses, pluck their eyebrows, and massage castor oil into their eyelashes. Women would pinch or rub red beet juice into their cheeks to give them a healthy look. Full face makeup was still seen as sinful when cosmetics being to resurface but natural tones were accepted to give a healthy look.

In the 1920’s, American women began to show their new found independence by wearing red lipstick and wearing a full face of makeup.

From 1930’s to the 1950’s, movie stars were the models for makeup trends.

Today, makeup tends to be more natural and take different elements from the past and incorporate them into daily looks. Makeup comes in hundreds varieties, both colors and varieties for both men and women. There are options for skin hydrators, chemical skin peels, and Botox.

So from the history of makeup, we can deduce that the use of makeup was not gender specific, but mostly used by women. Also we can see that it was used for beautification, and was a sign of wealth and a life of freedom. 

We can also deduce that makeups were associated with prostitutes, and I believe it was because of the heavy use of it. Because from the history, full face makeup was seen as sinful but natural tones were accepted to give a healthy look. 

And finally, the society was influenced to wear makeup by the movie industry. And it is an option for skin hydrators. 

Women Mattaz Part 2: Dressing I (SHOULD WOMEN WEAR TROUSERS)

So now, we have seen from history that wearing of makeup was not a sin. But our stance is from the Word of God, what does the Word have to say about this? But before we delve into that, we need to understand that wearing of makeup was never gender specific, but there are more reasons why the women wear it than the men. Wearing of makeup overtime has become a societal stereotype, that when a man wears it he is seen as a gay. But whereas before an actor acts a scene in a movie, he is dressed with light makeups. Remember from history that natural tones were accepted to give a healthy look. But of course, it is very abnormal generally speaking to see a man on red lipstick. Though some men use lip gloss to keep the skin from tearing during dry seasons. That aside, what is God's final authority to wearing of makeups?

The Bible first of all never made mention of makeup but there are some references in scriptures that talk about the use of cosmetics. For example in 2 Kings 9, Queen Jezebel painted her face. The Message Bible puts it this way, "put on eyeshadow." (Vs. 30). She did that in order to try to win the favour of Jehu, the newly anointed King of Israel (vv. 1-6). Though her attempt failed miserably (vv. 32-37).

Now because it was used by Queen Jezebel, many then concluded that it was sinful and worldly. But we forgot that Esther beautified herself, though we were not specifically told that she used makeup, but the oil of myrrh was parts of the cosmetics used and makeups are cosmetics. So just like Jezebel, Esther used them to obtain favour in the sight of the king (Esth. 2:12-17). And this is common in our contemporary world, women wear light makeup to look presentable in our society. For instance, a woman well dressed and on a light makeup will be found more acceptable when seeking for a job. Well that's on a societal point of view.

Women Mattaz Part 3: SHOULD WOMEN REMAIN SILENT IN CHURCH?

Also another in Ezekiel 23, people believe from that scripture that wearing of makeup is sinful. If it is sinful then washing yourself and sitting on a couch would be sinful as well, bec they were mentioned together with makeup (vv. 40-42).

Isaiah 3:14-17 and Jeremiah 4:39 have to do with the motives of the heart. If you are wearing makeup to tempt others or draw attention to ourselves then it becomes a sin. Apostle Peter wrote about this.

1Pet. 3:3, 4 AMP

3 Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

He was not speaking against physical adornment, but he was addressing the motives of the heart behind the physical adornment.

Even Apostle Paul wrote on this, and he addressed the modesty of it all.

1Tim. 2:9, 10 AMP 

9 Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,

10 But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.

THE GENERATIONS OF DEBORAHS AND ESTHERS

So the use of makeup is the matter and the motive of the heart. And that's why God looks at the heart; that's what He is more concerned with (1Sam. 16:7). And we should be more concerned about our spiritual beauty rather than our physical beauty. 

We must be very careful. Innocent things such as lipstick can easily become an idol in our lives. Wearing makeup is an idol for many Christian women. Scripture warns us that we must never focus on outer adornment at the cost of neglecting inner adornment. When making become an idol it can easily lead to pride, self-worth issues, and more sin.

1Cor. 6:12 NLT

You may say, "I am allowed to do anything." But I reply, "Not everything is good for you." And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything.

1Cor. 10:14 AMP

Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).

WOMAN, THOU ART LOOSED!

In conclusion, Christian women are free to wear makeup. However, it should be done in modesty, with pure motives, and in moderation. Always remember that God cares about your inner beauty and that should be your main concern. Our confidence should not be rooted in jewelry, hairstyles, or our clothing. These things fade. Our confidence should be rooted in Christ. It is always better to focus on developing godly character.