Are You Beautiful

Are you beautiful? How do you know?

Beauty VS Real Beauty

Do you know the difference between real beauty and the idea of beauty we grew up with?

Beauty is a statement. Sure. Try telling that to the person who doesn't feel beautiful and doesn't believe that anybody thinks she is.

We as women have been bombarded by this idea of real beauty since we were little girls.

How many times have you seen toddlers walking around with their own sets of pearls applying lipstick to every doll that they have (in bright red of course)?

As we get older, our ideas of what constitutes as beautiful are getting more and more warped and the sad news is that we are passing this on to the next generation.

With each statement made in the media and each new product that comes out, we are sending the message that being beautiful means adding to who you are instead of embracing it and feeling beautiful.

Real beauty means enhancing what you already have and putting your own twist on things.

Au Natural

Look at the women who live in the islands and along coastal towns.

Brazilian women are considered some of the most beautiful and physically attractive in the world. It's not because they cake themselves in make up, it's because they spend a lot of time at the beach.

They are soft, exfoliated and tanned because of it but this doesn't have to be the standard for everybody. The main point is that this sun kissed kind of beauty comes from nature.

When you couple that with the basics, it makes for a formidable combo. Similarly, the Irish are a very beautiful nation with their typically pale skin and dark curly hair.

Embracing what you have is the best way to connect to the real beauty underneath all the hype.

Are You Beautiful
Updated May 8, 2012
Published July 13, 2011