A letter to my daughters about makeup

I have 5 girls.

FIVE. Girls.

Ages 4 to {almost} 12. Kate will always be the baby but she's no longer a baby. Ashley will always be the oldest but she's not yet a teenager. Which means there are five. kid. girls.

Mostly, we're nicely balanced by Micah and Daddy but some days I feel like we're all going to be washed out the door in a wave of lipgloss, glitter spray and cheap strawberry shortcake scented nail polish.

Its a constant goal of mine to live in the moment but plan for the future. So I enjoy being the one to fix their hair and paint their little nails as long as I can. But there's an awareness in the back of my head that someday I'm going to have five. teenage. girls. Pray for me.

And specifically on the point of makeup, I have several things I want to say to them. My oldest will be in middle school this year and is thrilled at the thought of wearing even a teenie bit of makeup. So I'm printing this letter for her and making copies for each of my girls down the road. We do/will have lots of ongoing conversation on this stuff too but I want them to have this reminder to tuck in their rooms and remember. For you like-minded moms of girls, I hope this helps get you started with your own conversations. And God speed. ;)

"Sweet girl,

Ok, lets talk makeup.

I love makeup. But you already know that. Maybe its the artist in me but I love the colors and the brushes and the creams... Its so much fun!

And you should know that you come from a long line of makeup loving southern women who never left the house "without my face on". ;) I used to sit and watch Nana brush mascara into those long lashes of hers and pay attention when she'd tell me that "eye liner should only go in the outer third of your bottom lashline." Grannie knows every woman at the beauty counter by name and I would always gladly receive the little Clinique freebies she'd give me, even after I was married and having children. It's a given among the women in my family that if a shade you purchased doesn't work for you, you better pass it along for one of the rest of us to try. And if it does work, we want to know it!

And even back to your great great grandmother, Victoria-- there are stories of her religiously taking off her makeup at night and slathering her face in cold cream or vaseline. Legend has it, she never had a wrinkle. ;) 

Makeup is fun. I don't mind for you to try new things and play around with it. Sticking as close as possible to the color palette that God gave you in your own tones will always be prettiest. Some friends might encourage you to wear more makeup. And some might even tell you that its bad to wear makeup.

But here's the deal.

What I always want you to remember is that true beauty comes from your spirit. Being in the Lords presence will make you radiate in a way that no makeup can.

"...let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

Does makeup make you physically prettier? It can, yes, if done right. 

Are you already beautiful on the outside? Of course. 

Do you need makeup? Absolutely not. 

Is it wrong to wear make up? Not if your heart is in the right place.

As with anything, you need to keep your heart in check first. Am I ok with my appearance with no makeup? Is my identity solely in Christ and not how blonde my eyelashes are or how many pimples are on my face?

If those things are in check, by all means, have fun with it. Use it to make those blue eyes pop and to give you more confidence when you've got a huge blemish on your forehead. Shiny up those lips, girly. :)

Just remember that there is no amount of makeup that can cover an ugly heart or a bad attitude. And no amount of blush or shimmer can make you shine like a right spirit with the Lord, who's confidence is in Christ.

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Prov. 31:30

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Phil. 2:14-15

Also, makeup should not, will not (nor should you want it to) change your face. Only accentuate it. Your face is a distinctly beautiful mix of features that are inherited from both sides of our family. Makeup should celebrate those features, not hide them. 

Ads and photos of models and celebrities are photoshopped and fake. Those women aren't real and don't define beauty. The only perfect is you in the mirror. You are perfect the way God made you.

"You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." Song of Sol. 4:7

Lastly, I need to say this. Sometimes makeup can make young girls look older than they really are. And its my job and Daddy's to protect you while you're under our covering. So please respect our opinion if we suggest that something is too dark, to bright, or just too much. We aren't trying to be mean. We want you to slow down and be the age you are. Wearing makeup will be a privilege that grows as we see that you can use it properly. And if you're not sure about something, just come ask me. It won't be long before you'll be the one telling me, "Mom, this mascara is way better, try this one." ;)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I want you to enjoy your pre-teen/teenage years. Have fun, be smart, be responsible and show the world the Christ that's in you. Makeup is great. But its just a thing. Make sure that thing is in its proper place.

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." I Tim. 4:12

Beautiful girl, I love you with all my heart and I am for you, always.

Love,

Mom