The Unfading Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit

Today was Day 6 of our 15 Minute Decluttering Challenge, and our task was to declutter expired beauty products.

If you know me at all, you'll know that this was almost a complete non-event for me ... I almost never wear makeup, and my beauty routine consists of washing my face and putting on moisturizer, and I genuinely can't remember when last I wore nail polish.

Still, I did look through my meagre cosmetics drawer, and I threw out a nail polish that's so old it's separated, an eyeliner I don't even remember buying, and a nasty essential oil I bought but don't use.

When I read what today's task was, I immediately thought of 1 Peter 3: 3 - 4, which says: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Now, I want to tread carefully here, because I don't believe there's anything wrong with wearing makeup, or having an extensive beauty routine that includes upper eyelid cream (haha - is that even a thing?). But I know for myself, understanding and implementing this verse in my life was a hard-won victory for me!! I was never one for wearing much makeup, but my hair on the other hand - colouring and straightening and styling it was an almost all-consuming thing in my life a couple of years back.

Now, again, no judgement if you colour and style your hair, but I realised that I was spending hours each day fighting my curls and my ever-spreading greys, to the point where it was an unhealthy use (waste) of my time and energy.

But, girls, that beast of culture and social media is hard to defeat! I felt terrible the first time I missed a colour touch up on purpose, and for weeks I was embarrassed every time I went out in public with my hair unstraightened - not because I didn't like the way I looked, but because I was sure I was being judged and found lacking by every woman who saw me!

Now, three years down the line, I'm so happy I made the switch, and chose the freedom to be me, and these verses from 1 Peter ring true in my life, and I'm thankful that I trusted the truth of the Word, rather than the deception of the magazine covers. In fact, I wear my wavy grey hair like a crown - every one of those hairs is evidence of a life lived, challenges faced, and victories fought for - a life the Lord has ordained for me and allowed me to journey through, and why would I want to hide that away, or act like I was ashamed of it??!!

Did anyone else tackle their beauty products today?

Share your cosmetic clean up with us in the comments below 🧀

If you're really brave, post your before and after photos 😉📷