A Month without Makeup
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When Constance Rhodes viewed America the Beautiful, a documentary about America's obsession with beauty, she felt convicted to test her personal dependence on cosmetics by pledging to go without makeup for one month. The recovering bulimic and co-founder of The True Campaign documented her experience on her blog at www.truecampaign.org. Intrigued by her "bold-faced" move, TCW asked Constance to tell us what she learned through this experiment.
You gave up wearing makeup. That's huge in our culture!
I know! Last year I watched America the Beautiful, which asked the question: Do we have an unhealthy obsession with beauty? This was right where I've lived much of my life since I struggled for years with an eating disorder. When I first became involved in The True Campaign, which has the mission to "challenge cultural views of beauty and identity," I knew God was going to use my role to strip away some of my own false beliefs in these areas. While not a Christian film, America the Beautiful reinforces God's truth that our value doesn't rest in looking a particular way, as dictated by our culture.
What did you hope to accomplish?
I wanted to challenge my human desire to be noticed for my appearance. Looking "perfect" has been a god to me. But I was also interested in propelling a Christ-centered message about beauty to others by removing my "mask."
Was it just a ban of makeup, or did you include perfume and hair products as well?
I only did makeup. Honestly, though, I'm as obsessed about my hair as I am about makeup, so there's probably another experiment coming. But I can only take one step at a time!
What was the most challenging part?
The first day. Daily I posted a photo on my Facebook page of me without makeup. It felt incredibly vulnerable. I was terrified that people who knew me—especially men—would reject me.
And how did people respond?
Really positively. They affirmed me and told me how beautiful I was. At first I was like, "Yeah, whatever." But when you hear often enough that you don't look freakishly ugly, you reach a point where you've got to choose to believe the truth or continue holding onto the lies.
Why do you think women develop such a dependency on makeup?
We're products of our culture. Only after going without makeup for a month did I realize how silly it can be to think we've got to have all these colors and dark lashes and perfect lips. Going deeper, I'm learning that we focus on beauty (or whatever else becomes our god) to avoid contending with disappointment. If I can make my appearance the reason people do or don't like me, then I have an easy way of avoiding the fact that some people simply aren't going to respond to me the way I wish they would.
Is that what you learned about yourself?
Yes. I learned that the world won't end if I don't look a particular way, and I'm not as ugly as I thought I was. I also learned that underneath it all, on some deep, seemingly untouchable level, I still believe parts of me are too "ugly" to be loved. So during that month I read and reread Proverbs 29:25, which in The message reads, "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that."
Related Topics:
Acceptance, Beauty
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JT
Ladies, I know I'll get angry responses for this but please pay attention, men give lots of validation to women in terms of "you look fine" or "no you don't look fat in that" to avoid arguments. If you really care then keep wearing your makeup. Trust me your boyfriend or husband will really appreciate it even if he says its no big deal. I'm not saying that you need to obsess about your beauty but a little goes a long way.
Charlotte
I have worn minimal makeup for the past few years now, and go without regularly. Reading this article (and visiting Constance's site) reminded me of this struggle that we women face. The whole beauty conundrum is unfortunate. I recently began wearing glasses to work, and the way men treat me, especially, is noticeable. Without glasses, I feel much prettier; with them on, I feel smarter. I wish our appearance didn't matter so much, but such is life. I take comfort knowing God isn't interested in the superficial, only what's inside :)
Anonymous
I think the most imporatnt person is the innerman, much as i agree that clenliness is next to Godliness, how i appeal should come less than the glory reflected on me as present myself, i wear make up very seldomly, thats ehn i am naturally down and do not want people to look down on my God, i carry a positive face around always, always i am asked whats the secret? and i know is my God but when the aerth is faling me i fake it with make up, otehgrwise i am comfortable as natural as i look
Lisa
I had to give up eye makeup when even the "hypoallergenic" stuff didn't fix my allergic reactions to it. It IS tough to face the world without makeup -- people were not as open and friendly. What I have realized, though, is that not only was I judging myself based on how I looked, but I was judging others (women) based on whether or not they were "fixed up." I still wear foundation to work (have to, thanks to my rosacea), but I've gotten over the rest, and I no longer use makeup as a litmus test for a woman's professionalism. I can't believe I harbored those opinions in the first place! I never would have admitted in consciously, but it was there. A woman's ability doesn't depend on whether or not she puts on eyeliner in the morning -- or any other form of makeup! I thank God for my freedom from those misconceptions! And as far as other people go -- I just smile and go about my day, no matter how they react.
TK
Thanks for the article. What struck me most was the last sentence... God does not care if i wear make up or not... he cares that I am not in bondage to it. Many people are in bondage to different things... your message has hit home in so many different ways.. May the Lord help us all to be able to turn away from the things that keep us enslaved to sin and free us to focus on Him alone.
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