Defining Beauty

I want to write about on something I've really been seeking God on lately.  I think it's definitely something you can relate to as well. It is this:
As a girl, I want to be beautiful. I want to look pretty, and my very best at all times. I care about how others think I look. Do you or have you ever felt that way? You probably have at some point. I really think God has put that desire(no matter how small) in each and every girl. Yeah, I think some care less than others about what they look like, but it's still there.
I don't think it's wrong to care about wanting to be beautiful. I don't think it's wrong to put on some makeup to enhance the features God's given you or to dress up, and put heels on- as long as it's not distracting.
I know God doesn't desire us to be constantly caught up in how we look and constantly looking in the mirror to see if our eyeliner's on point, but  I do think He's given us an awareness, and a little longing inside each of us to be "beautiful". I think it's apart of who girls are. Keep in mind though that we shouldn't have our identity in that.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  

 1 Peter 3:3

Society has put "beauty" on such a pedestal. The importance of it has really increased as time has gone on, and what strikes me even more is that the definition of beauty has changed over time. It's like, what even is beauty anymore?! And even more, why does it matter so much to us if we're beautiful or not? I think it's because we do find our identity in our outward appearance. Ouch.
So, back to what I was saying before. It's okay to want to look beautiful. If you feel like putting a new color eyeshadow then go for it! If you want to wear some lipstick that day, then girl, put it on! - with the end goal that you want to be a light for Jesus. Let your desire be to further his kingdom in every single thing you do. Yes, even in the way you dress, and how you put on your makeup. If that is your desire, God will automatically shine through you.

 Instead, 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. 

Peter 3:4

Don't feel like it's wrong to dress up or wear makeup, but also realize that your identity and your true beauty doesn't come from what you're wearing or what you look like. Okay, if you know me at all, I love experimenting with makeup and being stylish with my clothing and accessories. My favorite thing in the world to do is shop and pick out new beauty products and clothing pieces. I love picking out different colors, and styles. Is this wrong? It's what I do with that passion, and how I use it that determines that. Again, what is my goal in it?
I know people who are absolutely beautiful! But unlike the barbie doll face you're picturing right now,they have the Lord flowing in and through them and they literally glow. I've found that I'm naturally drawn to people who are so full of the Lord. I immediately want to get to know  and be with people like that all the time. Their eyes hold the joy and fullness that no other made up eyes could possess.
Find what beauty means to you. Define the beauty you see in others. Is it that their face has the perfect everything or their eyes sparkle with the absolute fullness of joy. Then, go after what you want your beauty to consist of.