SOUL&STORY ft. Caitlin Taylor
What do you think beauty is and how did you come to this conclusion?
T
o me, beauty is a form of light. The ocean shimmers, and it’s beautiful. The sun shines, and it’s beautiful. The moon glows and the stars twinkle, and they’re beautiful. And beautiful people also have a sort of sparkle within them. It’s a reflection – of God, of light, of other beauty. The moon is beautiful because it reflects the sun. The ocean is that beautiful blue because it reflects the sky. A groom’s face when he looks at his bride for the first time on their wedding day – it’s a beautiful moment because he’s in awe of how beautiful she is. When we are in awe of our beautiful God and choose to reflect Him in our lives – that’s beauty.
H
ow I came to this conclusion … umm, with my eyes? Seeing light, how lovely and warm it is, and how it makes things beautiful, and learning about God as the Father of Lights, who gives the world good things, such as beauty and eyes to see that beauty.
Who has been your biggest influence in deciding to wear/not wear makeup?
M
y parents – they named me Caitlin Rose, which means “pure beauty”. I grew up with a deeply rooted heartknowledge that I am naturally beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. I am a creation of God, and He makes all things beautiful.
A
fter I outgrew playing with Barbies (which wasn’t until middle school, let’s be honest), my new favorite toy was makeup, but it was just that – a toy. And my daddy didn’t like it when I covered up my natural beauty. I learned to appreciate the makeupless me from a very young age.
I
How did it feel to not wear makeup during the shoot?
can count all the times I’ve worn makeup on my fingers. And several of those times were for photo shoots. I was always told I HAD to wear makeup during photo shoots for the photos to turn out well, so I would look beautiful. So it was odd getting ready for the photo shoot and not having to think about makeup. During the shoot though, it felt so natural. I didn’t have to think for a minute about whether or not I had accidentally smudged something. It was definitely much more fun, because it felt more real, like more of who I truly am was being captured.
Best compliment you've ever received?
S
omeone told me recently that I am a walking ray of sunshine (and I was wearing these exact fantastically yellow pants). Few things are more beautiful to me than sunshine, so I really liked that.
When was a time that you felt beautiful?
W
hen I worship God through sign language and song – when my eyes are closed and I can’t stop smiling and feeling hugged by God. Or really just whenever something takes my breath away – I feel like I’m truly living then, and that’s what makes me feel beautiful. The first time God’s beauty took my breath away was during a sunset hike in Badlands National Park in South Dakota – shadow-dancing with my silly wonderful family, and then sitting in silence, wind whipping through my hair, as I watched the sun set the hills on fire. I remember just being completely in awe at His splendor, and realizing that He made this world beautiful, and He made me too.
What is your favorite part of your body?
M
y hair is currently my favorite part of me. It’s not really wavy or curly or straight, and it’s not really blond or red or brunette. It’s a little bit of all of the above, but also kind of its very own thing. I feel like it fits me well that way. I don’t really fit into the boxes we put ourselves in sometimes, and my hair reminds me that’s a wonderful thing.
What is a piece of advice you want to leave?
Look up, see beauty, smile, repeat.