By It\\\\\\\'s Just Raquel
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I recently overheard a girl say that she felt naked without makeup.  That she never sets foot outside of her house if her makeup isn't done.  Later, I saw her (after she had been 'dared' to not wear makeup for the day), and was surprised at how different she looked.  It was only because I had gotten so used to seeing her with a full face hidden behind makeup and had never seen her for who she really is.  She has beautiful features, but is so different behind all that stuff and fuss so it was a bit shocking to see her face so pure and clean. 

I don't have anything against makeup.  I use it myself.  But we must be careful with how MUCH and how OFTEN we do wear it.  Do you want people to get used to always seeing you with it on so that one day, when you don't wear it, they feel like they're looking at a ghost?  Makeup shouldn't be used to hide behind, or to try to make yourself more beautiful.  It should be used to enhance the beauty that is already there.

The above girl's story inspired me to write the following poem.  And to take the pictures below.  It's a side-by-side (unedited) comparison to how much makeup can change a person's looks.

If you would like to join in on the #InHisOwnImage campaign, copy and paste this poem (by me) into a post of your own and take two pictures of yourself.  One without makeup, and one with.  Include them in your post, then comment with a link to it.

We are beautiful, not because the world says so.  Not because of the makeup we use.  Not because of our body shape.  We are beautiful because God created us in HIS OWN IMAGE.  And in His eyes, we are spotless and without blemish.

I will be posting this on Facebook and Instagram (@itsjustraquel), so feel free to join on there too.

—

Dear girl,

With face against the mirror

Your tears fall fast 

Down your face

The face that isn't like the other girls

The face with blemishes

That cause insecurity and pain

You feel naked

Without the mask

A mask of powder and pencil

Of mascara and blush

These tools can make you feel beautiful

But are they truly what you want?

Do you want to hide behind them

Or be confident in who you are?

You're not defined by the extra skin on your body

Or the imperfections on your face.

They're nothing to be ashamed of

You're not the Potter, you're the clay

Everyone is made differently

Everyone has their own insecurities

What you must do is embrace your own

Live your life not hiding in shame

Remind yourself of the beauty within

Of who you are in His eyes

Not theirs

Your person is much more than your body

It's your heart and soul and might and strength

And the greatest beauty you can have

Is if you love Him with all of that.

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