True Beauty

 Ever since I was in high school, I enjoyed watching make-up videos. Tutorials of someone doing their make-up step by step. I loved seeing the process, the technique and the 'transformation' of the look.  In our society, its common to associate make up with beauty. If you wear make-up it can highlight, emphasize your natural beauty. Sometimes of course, it can be too much make-up and hide one's natural beauty. 

But what happens when one doesn't wear make-up? Does it make them less beautiful? No. And sometimes even the contrary. I think of St. Mother Teresa, a joyful, selfless, delicate nun who radiates mercy, and is beautiful. No make-up. 

This past week I watched a video of a byzantine nun. She was wearing a simple, all black habit. She was so beautiful, radiant and joyful. She didn't need any make-up because for the love of God and others was not only showing her youthfulness but also her deep peace and evident interior and exterior beauty. 

This somewhat contrasted the week prior when I felt so burnt out mentally, that all I could do was use YouTube to help with mind numbing. It was interesting and therapeutic to watch make-up tutorials from actresses Eva Longoria and Hilary Duff, and how they do their make-up. But of course, they have the means to afford all the 'essentials', and in the end it makes them look quite perfect. 

And then it got me thinking, is that true and authentic beauty? To wear layers of make-up and false eye lashes? No, not at all. I think back to the Byzantine nun, Sister Natalia her name is, and it was so refreshing. It highlighted true beauty in an authentic, spiritual and deeper way.