¶ The $90 Billion Beauty Industry
Annual cosmetic industry sales in the United States are about $89.5 billion , that's nearly $90 billion with a B spent on makeup and personal care items , including skin care , hair care , perfumes , toiletries , deodorants and oral cosmetics .
For perspective , of 148 nations tracked in 2019 by theglobaleconomycom , 126 of them had annual national expenditures of less than $90 billion , including Israel , switzerland and South Africa . We spend more in this country on lotions , potions and creams to make ourselves look better than the entire annual budget of most countries .
That's even more eye-opening than the latest greatest mascara . Joshua 24 15 says choose this day whom you will serve . As for me and my house , we will serve the Lord . For women and men both . The search for meaning can easily become entangled with the world's obsession with outer beauty and perfection in our faces and bodies .
We seek to control and improve the impression others have of us with hairstyles and cosmetics , hours spent at the gym achieving the perfect body and teeth whitening services that guarantee a gleaming smile . We may achieve worldly admiration in these vain pursuits , but temporary glamour won't bring us closer to God .
1 Peter 3 , 3-4 says 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 . Let's pray Lord . Make us beautiful in your sight .
Remind us to follow you rather than traipsing down the rabbit trails of fleeting outer beauty that the world offers . Let us serve you first and always , in Jesus' name amen .