Audrey Hepburn has been said to be one of the most beautiful fashion icons and actresses to ever step foot in Hollywood.
The poem “Time-Tested Beauty Tips” became one of her favorites, used by Hepburn on occasion when she was asked for beauty tips.
It describes what Hepburn wanted to embody -the sort of beauty that doesn’t come from fashionable clothes, makeup, or money, but from the inner character within the heart of a woman.
Time Tested Beauty Tips was written by the late educator-humorist Sam Levinson for his granddaughter and read by Audrey Hepburn on Christmas Eve, 1992. [From Audrey Hepburn by Barry Paris, 1996, Putnam]
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.
True Beauty
God’s Word also teaches us about a woman’s true beauty ~ that her beauty comes from her qualities of heart, mind, and soul and does not fade with time.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 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. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” ~1 Peter 3: 3-5
We are not forbidden from braiding our hair or wearing jewelry here. What he is saying is that our real and true beauty doesn’t come from externals. Every bit of our effort towards becoming truly beautiful should be developed by cultivating a spirit that is full of integrity, wisdom, joy, and kindness.
My daughter and I were greatly encouraged (twice) by listening to Carolyn Mahaney’s free Mp3 download entitled, “Beauty.” To see the video mentioned in the message, you can view it on Carolyn’s blog “Girl Talk”, here. Listening to this together would be a meaningful mother/daughter date.
Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” We are living in a harsh, unforgiving world. Most people don’t have time for a kind word, but a gracious woman is kind and is genuinely concerned for other people’s needs, even more than her own. It also has a lot to do with being courageous and confident in our standing in Christ. This is the sort of beauty that is the essence of aging gracefully.
Before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I didn’t cultivate an inner beauty or give much thought to growing my heart in the lasting beauty of gentleness, kindness, patience, joy, goodness, or unselfish love. I still almost daily have to fight the old pride and opinionated attitude of my old self!
Now as I grow older year by year, I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to earnestly cultivate my heart and mind and to throw off all the worldly hopes I once had and often still cling to. There is no help in money, things, appearance, or position. Even the blessed gifts of family and home from the Lord can be lost in an instant. Our hope is in the Lord alone.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” ~Psalm 39: 7
When my husband and children (and possibly their children) gather around me as the years roll on, and I am increasingly wrinkled, white-haired, gnarly-handed, stoop-shouldered, and frail with faded eyes, will they see the overcoming servant heart of a saint seasoned in love, joy, thankfulness, and compassion speaking blessing to those around me? Or will they see a wrinkled, grey-haired, inward-focused cynical and critical old woman?
I do not know whether Audrey Hepburn ever accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I can’t judge her life. Hepburn did live her later years altruistically for others, and in that she was beautiful. Put faith together with that love for others and you will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The greatest physical asset we can have as women is unassuming joy and a genuine, heartfelt smile. More than dewy youth, a knockout figure, glamorous eyes, or voluminous hair – which will all fade with time- a genuine joyful smile that comes from the Lord will be the number one thing that will make you beautiful. It isn’t wrong to take care of your body, desire to be trim, stylish, and look your best, just don’t get caught up in it.
“Joy and a smile are the most attractive accessories any woman can have.” ~unknown
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” ~Proverbs 31: 30
PS Comparison is deadly~ avoid the comparison trap!
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Thanks for reading!
Karen says
Excellent post (as always!), Jaque Line! I needed to hear this today. It is so easy as I am getting older to struggle with my appearance and focus too much on it. I love the verses in 1 Peter about the “gentle and quiet spirit”. We display this when we aren’t fretting and panicked but when we are trusting and resting. Thanks for sharing.. <3
Jacqueline says
Karen,
I was really speaking to myself. I hope that no one feels judged by my words here :-/ Love and blessings to you today <3
Robin says
What a great post and so encouraging! You, my friend, are a beautiful example of this lived out.
Rachel Peck says
Appearance is a struggle for me in this time of my life…almost 40, 40lbs overweight, in the turmoil of raising children dealing with significant trauma and fighting off the turmoil from invading the rest of the family. It is a season of pouring out and this reminder that true beauty does not fade is a blessing.
Toni says
True! The TTBTs you shared here should be considered required memory work for girls of all ages! A lot of the concern for our looks as we age (I’m turning 60 in two weeks. O.O) was birthed in our dysfunctional, commercially oriented society, but I love reminders that commercial beauty is not a tie-post for anyone. I know I grew up with Twiggy and Miss America as role models and struggled with the fact that I was neither before I was saved and realized other standards were what God requires. Thank you for another thought-provoking post!
Shannon says
This is super encouraging! My husband and I were working in the yard on Saturday and I got something on my face that gave me a rash on my forehead and down one side of my face. I felt really unattractive every time I saw myself in the mirror yesterday. I’m sure that’s all people could see when they looked at me! By the end of the day, when my husband and I prayed together, I was convinced he thought I looked awful, too. He wasn’t thinking that, of course, but it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters.
Thanks for the reminder that sinful things like anger, gossip, and judgment can do much more to mar a woman’s appearance than a rash.
Annette Wolf says
This is so good for all ages. You come up with the most amazing and important topics. I just sent a link to the girls…I know they will benefit by reading it too.
hsmominmo says
I love this post. This is the message I want my daughters and granddaughter(s) to hear.
Sometimes I fear I’m becoming that dried up, bitter old woman. Thank you for your words today. They’ve encouraged me greatly!
Cheryl Nicholl says
I met her once. In Chicago. We almost shared a cab! She was the Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef, at the time I think. She was sooo beautiful and so gracious asking about me and MY life. Wow!
Roxy says
This was so wonderful to see the pictures and have the links available. This post is the truth! I loved reading it so much, Did you write that poem?
May you be blessed! Roxy
Roxy says
Ok I am getting tired, I went back and re-read the poem and saw who had written it.
But I think it could of come from your heart 🙂
Roxy
Jacqueline says
*BIG grin*~~ I would love to have written it, but alas, I did not 🙂 You are so sweet!!!!
Blessings and a hug!
Penny Lane says
I’d never heard that poem before. I’m so glad you shared it. It sounds like something we should hang in our girls’ rooms!
Kay says
Thank you for this post. I had my 54th birthday a couple of weeks ago and every day I’m reminded of how quickly I’m ageing. I’m struggling with far too much extra weight, my teeth are always causing problems (and dental care is very limited and very expensive here in England!), the perimenopause is causing all sorts of problems and my skin is looking tired. Oh what a catalogue of complaints! Yet, when I look around me I see other women my age who are also having the same outward-appearance problems. And yes I know in my head that outward beauty is fleeting (not that I’ve ever been a ‘beauty’), but my heart feels sad that decay is so evident. Why do I feel so sad about this? Is it because of the media relentlessly promoting youth and beauty? Is it because I’ve been married for only five years to my wonderful husband and I want to look good for him? However, this post has inspired me to pray for growth in my inward beauty – with God’s help such growth would be achievable.
I truly appreciate blog posts that relate to women of ‘a certain age’.
Thank you again.
Jacqueline says
Dear Kay,
Do not be downcast, dearie! I just had a marvelous thing happen to me! This verse (Ps. 43: 5) came to me, but usually I would pick the NIV. I have read it for so many years! BUT, something (Someone) urged me to look at the KJV (usually more challenging grammatically)! I am so glad I paid attention! Here it is, and it just fits perfectly!!! : “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Wow! ‘The health of my countenance’!! I will be praising the Lord Jesus Christ more!!!
So glad to get to know a little about you and your heart!
Allison says
Wonderful post! This was so encouraging to me. Thank you.
Charlotte Moore says
Such a good post!!! It is so easy to look in the mirror and wish you did not have all the wrinkles and gray hair. Oh how I wish I was 15 pounds lighter too.
What is in the heart is much more important.
BLESSINGS!!
Jacqueline says
Yes, Charlotte, and do you find you think you are still 25 in your mind as I do? The incongruity between 25 and what I’m seeing is shocking!…haha!! :0)
Jackie says
Jacqueline, this precious post brought tears to my eyes. And I could relate to your feelings about aging so much! Thank you for reminding us what true beauty really looks like.
Lori @ Encourage Your Spouse says
Thank you for sharing that poem – and all the links.
I’m headed toward 50 and it’s funny what odd thoughts poke through… I’ll share this post with my adult daughter also.
patsy says
A great reminder! Thank you! I hope you have a nice weekend! Patsy
Kristen says
Love this! 🙂
Annie Kate says
Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing that poem!
johanna says
Thank you for your tips Jacqueline, but I’m afraid I can’t look to Audrey Hepburn as an inspiration for anything considering defied the Lord’s words on marriage and got a divorce, and committed adultery with other men. She was also known to wear very exposing and immodest dresses at awards ceremonies and on camera. Certainly not someone I want my daughters to emulate.
Best Wishes.
Jacqueline says
You are right, Johanna.
Her example of infidelity and immodesty in her later life are not worthy of emulating. I didn’t mean it to be a shallow post or promote her. The poem is a segway to the content that follows. I don’t know if you read it all, but I acknowledge that she most likely was not a believer and so would not hear “Well done”…. I am glad that you left your comment however, since others might have felt I was endorsing her lifestyle (which I am not!) Blessings~