As I mentioned earlier, for some reason I thought the 16th was a Monday when I made the September Blogging Challenge (hence the “makeupless Monday”).
So for the sake of maintaining my fancy alliteration I’m posting this a day early. Cool? Cool.
makeup-less Monday / what beauty means to me.
So here’s me. Makeup-less, filter-less, and making a not-so-attractive attempt at an “I woke up like this” expression. HA.
I must admit that I’m getting a bit more emotional than I thought I would as I prepare to write this post.
You see, I was the kindergartner always decked out in plastic jewelry.
The first-grader with the crimped hair.
The girl who wanted to start wearing makeup in the third grade.
The first of her friends to shave her legs, dye her hair, get a *gasp* nose piercing.
I’ve always been on this hunt for beauty, in whatever form I thought it was at a given time.
But as I got older – probably around my late high school/college years – I realized something about striving to be beautiful.
It was boring.
Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s pretty obvious that I LOVE wearing makeup, getting dressed up, and being feminine. But now those things are more about self expression and less about trying to impress other people.
When I came to the realization the I was focusing way too much on beauty and vanity, I was able to open myself up more to things of real importance – like my relationship with God, relationships with other people, and becoming the best version of myself *from the inside out.*
I do want to say, though, that beauty in and of itself is not a bad thing, despite all of the societal/media backlash against it lately.
How we choose to define beauty and/or let it control our lives is what is key.
So to me…
Beauty is confidence.
But it’s also humility. Meekness.
Beauty is embracing your best qualities AND your flaws.
Beauty is putting others before yourself.
Beauty is being fully and unapologetically yourself.
True beauty is found in the condition of your heart.
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What does beauty mean to you?
Love this post. You are beautiful inside and out girl! <3
Beauty to me is a mixture of compassion and kindness. I’ve never seen those qualities in someone who was not truly beautiful. Gracie, you are gorgeous inside and out girl! P.S. Next time I’m in NYC, I’m gonna need you to give me a make-up and hair tutorial lol.
ah, thanks girl! YES, let me know when you’re here!
Beauty, to me, is more about the innermost aspects of a human being. Strength, love, passion, confidence, kindness. They are much more valuable than what is external.
I’ve met people that are gorgeous on the outside, but are hideous inside.
I’ve also met people that don’t meet the “standard” of beauty, but their soul is gorgeous.
Love this post!! I actually just included a make-up free picture in my last post but I admit, I did use a filter to brighten it up a bit! I think what you are saying is so spot on, that beauty can be a wonderful thing, but focusing on it too much can be wrong too. I think that yes beauty is often an outward expression, but once you get to know people, whether they are beautiful on the inside is what matters the most!
I am enjoying your blogging challenge so much! I held off on reading this post until after I posted mine because I wanted to be as honest with myself (and everyone else since it’s a blog) about what I really think beauty is. Your last sentence really sums it up…it is found in the condition of your heart. Thank you for making this one of the topics
I absolutely loove this post! I can relate as I was also the girl with wayy too much makeup and flashy jewelry on in high school but I have grown up and think less about those things and more about the important things. This post was just reassurance that there is so much more in life than how one looks. Thank you for always expressing yourself and supporting beauty from the inside!
I think it’s easy for you because you are pretty already, in the “society’s standard” way of pretty .. for other people without those features, it’s hard to embrace no make up.