Eddie Parsons| BellaMagazine.com
Beauty is a subjective topic that, with the rise of social media, has been under review for the past several years. In the past, youth, race and body type were prioritized over strength, wisdom and courage — but, times have changed. Stereotypes and standards are shifting away from the perceived perfection to a more inclusive society. Social media has created the opportunity for everyone to have a voice and those voices are shaping the way we see beauty.
Every generation struggles with striving for an ideal. From the full-figured hourglass shape to the waif look to the lean, athletic look — what the “ideal” is seems to always change. The list of attributes one can fixate on can be endless, but there are some that never go away.
AGE
People are talking more about how they feel than how they look. More and more, age is becoming a state of mind — even the fashion world has taken notice.
At 73, Lauren Hutton is starring in Calvin Klein’s new underwear campaign and 85-year-old Carmen Dell’Orefice is walking runways for all the major fashion weeks. Grey hair and wrinkles are now being acknowledged as a badge of honor where in the past these traits were viewed as a sign of deterioration. Aging gracefully has become an art form that reflects each woman’s personal journey.
SIZE
American socialite Wallis Simpson was quoted as saying, “You can never be too rich or too thin.” This way of thinking has been left in the 1900s and even the phrase “plus size model” is antiquated.
The average size of an American woman is 14 and women are learning to embrace their curves. Women like Melissa McCarthy have proven that they can be successful and beautiful without having to bow down to someone else’s standards.
McCarthy, who is often asked about her weight as it has fluctuated up and down, said in an interview with Refinery29, “I know I am not the ‘norm.’ It never occurs to me in terms of being a role model, though, because I don’t know any perfect women. If I, off the top of my head, name 20 of the most amazing women in my life, it’s all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, jobs.”
Even Sports Illustrated has opened its pages to body types that might not have made the cut in the '80s.
Ashley Graham, who graced the publication in 2016, was quoted as saying in a public statement, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a size 2 or 22, you can be healthy as long as you’re taking care of your body, working out, and telling yourself ‘I love you’ instead of taking in the negativity of beauty standards.”
DISABILITY
People with perceived disabilities are now making it in mainstream society as these differences are what make each person uniquely beautiful. Advertising campaigns have become more inclusive and seeing a model in a wheel chair or with Down syndrome is no longer shocking. The old adage “never judge a book by its cover” still holds true as the focus has been turned away from one’s disability and redirected to who they are and what they can do.
SPIRITUALITY
Finding an inner peace, being present and knowing your true self creates true beauty. Taking time to understand and love your true nature, and not focusing on other people’s appearance and possessions, allows you to experience and radiate beauty.
Ashley Pennewill of A Clean Mind Coaching & Counseling says that everyone is actually a soul that is unbelievably beautiful and magnificent, and that is where true beauty comes from.
“Inner beauty is built-in, that is a fact,” states Pennewill. “It just gets covered up by our thoughts and beliefs from when we are very young until now. My job is to help people uncover it, and it’s just amazing to witness! When you focus first on owning your inner beauty, the outer will take care of itself naturally.”
Many people work hard on changing and reshaping their bodies, but often don’t take time to work on the inside, which is where true happiness can be unlocked. Instead, they get frustrated that their bodies do not fit a size, shape or color that is deemed beautiful.
"When you focus first on owning your inner beauty, the outer will take care of itself naturally.”— Ashley Pennewill
It is amazing how one person thinks their body is too big while another person thinks their body is too small. They then hate their bodies for not fitting a mold.
“If you resist your body, I invite you to consider giving that up,” says Pennewill, “because it’s the only one you have! The miracle is that when we stop resisting it and we love it instead, people often notice a shift. So it’s a win-win. The irony is, others think a person looks more beautiful on the outside when it’s really beauty that comes from the inside.”
CONFIDENCEAND STRENGTH
Confidence is always your best accessory. As you begin accepting and loving yourself, your strength grows and you radiate confidence.
Laticia “Action” Jackson shares in this month’s profile that while being a bodybuilder gives her the appearance of strength, her true strength has come from within.
“I, like many women, was hurting on the inside as the result of my childhood,” says Jackson, “but I concealed hurt behind my careers and success.”
Jackson has become an author and speaker, encouraging women to truly look within.
“So often women approach me and tell me they’d love to have my body and that they would feel better about themselves, I knew this illusion and perception needed to change,” Jackson says.
"So often women approach me and tell me they’d love to have my body and that they would feel better about themselves, I knew this illusion and perception needed to change.” — Laticia “Action” Jackson
DEFINE YOUROWN BEAUTY
There is beauty in everyone and taking the time to look a little deeper will also unlock your beauty within. Find what it means to you and live it.
Ashley Mooneyham of AshWood Finishes says, “I think you find as you get older that beauty is inside. Beauty is a feeling — to feel peaceful and happy and want someone else to feel that feeling — that itself is beautiful.”
