What is beauty? When we think of the word beauty, many concepts and ideas come to mind. A plethora of images, various objects and people. Beauty to many is a mere physical attribute, a superficial notion.  For me, I have always found the idea of beauty complex and faceted. Furthermore, as I have aged, I have come to realize that everyone defines beauty differently. For if we look at multicultural notions of beauty, we see a collection of many different ideas. What’s beautiful and revered in one culture, may be rejected in another one. So, in a such a diverse world what could I say about beauty? What is my definition? What would resonate with many people?  Beauty has transformative power, to embrace and covet superficial beauty alone, would be a shallow existence if we do not embrace and love ourselves in that beauty.  Many people today, struggle to feel their best each day, to love who they are and what they see when looking in the mirror. We live in a digitalized, high-pressure society and many of us may feel the urge to embody a mythical notion of beauty. Social media sites and filters have not helped in this area either. Rates of body dysmorphia have never been higher. I dare say the selfie is the enemy of true beauty. For if beauty was an act of self-love and accepting who we are, then why is it so many of us strive to find the perfect filter, one that slims our jaws and hides our pores as if pores were a fairy-tale beast in need of vanquishing? Why is it that aging has become taboo and even distained? So many of us pouring through the retinol aisle at the local drugstore seeking a divine potion to erase the wrinkles that have defined and deepened our beauty. The truth is aging is a beautiful gift not all of us are blessed to experience.

As this is my first official blog, I struggled with what content to post. After all, it is a most auspicious event that requires the best of me. So, I want so desperately to dive into something so much deeper than color correction or foundation matching. To be frank, I too am one of many who have spent my entire life struggling to love the reflection staring back at me. The curvy figure that I once fought so hard to constrain into my own idealized mythical notion of beauty. Many hours of self -loathing and self-deprecation.  No matter how hard I tried I was meant to be who I am.  So little by little, I try each day to remember that each dimple, stretch mark and scar are a part of my journey, and that journey has been beautiful. My body has carried me through trials and tribulations, ran many miles, birthed my children and fed them. My hands have healed many sick patients, and comforted others during their last moments. The same hands have had the pleasure of making brides happy on their wedding day with brushes and sponges. They have helped many women see what I see when I look at them, their own unique beauty. Makeup is an art; it is a transformative tool that helps many people feel confident in their skin. It is fun and lighthearted  but can be just as dark and theatrical.  In all of its capacities,  it is rendered completely purposeless and useless, if not combined with self- love and the beauty of self-acceptance.

So, this time of year, while we all stress over the impending holiday season, I pose a challenge to all my clients and readers. Be kind to yourself. Love who you are and what you see in the mirror. Take time for yourself each day, look in the mirror and be your own biggest admirer vs. your worst inner critic. Embrace all of your features wholly and positively. Put the “beauty” filters away, have makeup free days and love the skin you have, blemishes, wrinkles, dimples included. Allow yourself to have a new kind of glow up. One that fosters a kind of beauty you may feel foreign to you. One that sees the person you are, that allows for mistakes and imperfections, for those are attributes that allow for growth and progress. Live in the moment, eat seconds at Thanksgiving without a care, have dedicated self- care days where your “to do” list takes a pause. If you fuck up, forgive yourself and let it go.  Look at a beautifully lit day, bathe in the sunlight, and get lost in its azure hued sky. Beauty is everywhere. Within us, around us. Lift each other up, and compliment when possible. Celebrate yourself and others around you, live your life without distractions. Wear makeup if you want to, skip it if you don’t.

Each and every one of us is beautiful and in accepting the beauty inside you, you become a complete and transformed person. My hope with this blog is to educate many on the technical concepts of makeup application, but truthfully it goes so much further than that. I hope to inspire you to accept the beauty within you, no more doubts, no more loathing. Let this article be a call to action, a spark that lights your beautiful soul ablaze. You deserve that abandon, we all deserve happiness and to feel our best. Loving who you are will truly set you free. It will change your life. When you love who you are you do not need reassurance or support from anyone. Sure, it may feel odd at first, there may be that inner voice that tugs you backward and tries to sabotage your efforts. But keep going, keep filling your cup and in so changing your life. Beauty is inner strength, beauty is found in the adversity, against all odds, the struggle, the journey. Sure, everyday won’t be perfect, you may not feel your best, and that’s okay. Try again tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. Love a little bit of yourself a little more each day. Love the legs that carry you to wherever you travel, the hands that shape the life you live, the skin you wear and its every “flaw”. Your figure no matter how much it changes and the beautiful face you see each day in the mirror. You are worth it, and maybe you are reading this and thinking otherwise, but sometimes we all need to hear it. “You are beautiful, inside and out, and you are enough.” Happy Holidays darlings!

posted on November 27th, 2022 by Erin
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