What is beauty to you?

How can I answer this question wholly without writing a novel? I could talk about how beauty is far deeper than the skin, or about sunsets and waves and the glories of nature. I could dive into art and composition, form and color palettes. I could even talk about how confidence and laughter are more attractive than layers of makeup… or how beauty is found in the spirit rather than appearances. 

Though there are compelling points to make for each of these, I don’t find them to be comprehensive because none of them discuss why beauty is beautiful in the first place: God. 

Beauty, to me, is an aim at viewing all things through His eyes– both in the realm of the spiritual and the physical. To have the perspective that all beauty is created by God is to see the intentionality and mastery behind every work of His hands. 

We know from 1 Peter 3:3-4 that, “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.” Yet, we also know that our bodies are temples of the living God and should not be neglected, and that we serve a Lord who loves to win our hearts over with sights that make us gasp (just look at the world He made!). 

Beauty, even physical/visual beauty, is not vapid or pointless with a proper perspective of thanksgiving. You see, when looks don’t terminate on the subject before our eyes, but rather point us toward a deeply personal and artistic Creator, suddenly the allure of a flower is not lost as it withers, nor is the captivation of youth lost as we age. Instead, the appreciation of that fleeting beauty points us toward an eternal hope of union with the Inventor of beauty itself. 

When did you start embracing this kind of beautiful and why?

I went through a phase where tending to my physical beauty seemed entirely futile, arrogant, and even dangerous. My idea of beauty was so warped that I actually felt ashamed for possessing it. There are many reasons for this, ranging from a history of abuse to the acceptance of a somewhat gnostic ideology (where the physical world was, in my mind, much less real than the spiritual). I was highly disintegrated and struggling to find any worth in my body at all, let alone accept its beautiful design. 

It wasn’t until the end of 2022 that things started to shift for me. I sought counsel, and I sought God’s perspective. Slowly but surely, the lies started to be changed out with truth: I am fearfully and wonderfully made; I am not built to be used by men, but to glorify God; my body is God’s temple and ought to be taken care of. In short, I began to realize that my beauty says a lot more about my Creator than it does about me– and why wouldn’t I want to embrace that?

What makes you feel the most beautiful?

Okay, so I got a little deep with my previous answers– but all of that truly has been a necessary foundation for me to start tending to my health and beauty with appreciation rather than conceit, and with love rather than disdain. 

I feel the most beautiful when I am:

• Showered
• Having a good hair day (as a mom, any day with clean hair is a good hair day)
• Moisturized (I have naturally very dry skin, so I crave that dewy look/feel)
• Expressing creativity physically (i.e. putting together a fashionable outfit, playing with makeup, or editing classy self-portraits)
• Eating something green or aesthetic (call it placebo if you want, but I feel immediately more beautiful when I’m making healthy choices… or holding a pretty coffee)
• Exercising (though I can’t say this happens often these days, the feeling of strength cues a positive self-image for me)
• Experiencing my husband’s compliments and closeness 
• Above all, grounded in God’s word and truths (otherwise all of the above feel futile)

Beauty products you love?

I love the Ordinary brand because it’s affordable and it feels good on my skin. The hyaluronic acid and rose oil are two particular favorites. I’ll let you in on a couple other beauty tips that I do, but keep in mind that I have very dry skin and live in the desert: l let pure cocoa butter sink into my skin after cleansing and applying my serums, then put a thin layer of Aquaphor on before applying makeup. I’ve found these two things to elevate the look of hydration and dew exponentially!

Beauty philosophy?

With a heart grounded in Jesus, beauty is good and meant for God’s glory. Take care of yourself and tend to your beauty– inside and outside– because all of it is a gift to be enjoyed.

Thank you so much Kauri for taking the time to share your philosophy and perspective on beauty with us!