Every single person on earth has a different definition of beauty. The Oxford Dictionary defines beauty as 'a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.' This vague definition in itself proves how much a person's definition of beauty can vary depending on environmental backgrounds and what appeals to them. As a beauty blogger, fashion advocate and all round moody teenager I've seen and heard the lengths people go to for beauty. We pluck, tweeze, shave and squeeze all parts of our body and scrutinize every glossy magazine we see and wondering, 'why can't I be them?' But let's face it, even that girl in the magazine doesn't look like that. Society tricks us into believing a bit of touching up on photoshop, fancy clothes and 'miracle working teatox' can make us better people, but is that really the case? I don't think so.
Beauty is a bit of an odd thing to me. I'm someone who loves trying and testing a range of products and doing my make up more than the average human, but this is for my own self enjoyment. I wear make up because it's a form of self expression and I find it amazing how I can transform myself in so many different ways depending how I do it that day. It's my personal preference, and it gives me a slight boost of confidence and the ability to walk slightly taller if I'm feeling crap (in the metaphorical sense of course, as I am 5'2.) The beauty community is also a wonderful thing to be a part of as everyone is so supportive, lovely and willing to make suggestions of products to recommend and how to improve our writing abilities. But, Even in the beauty/fashion community I feel there's a slight pressure. Pressure to try out that new £30 Tom Ford lipstick everyone bangs on about even though you can't afford it. Pressure to gain more followers. Pressure to wear that outfit better than the other person. It's very underlying, but it's definitely there especially when it's just something you do as a hobby. But, do these material things really define you as a person?
We all wear make up and 'beautify' ourselves to oblivion for different reasons, but I know it can be partly due to society's expectations. We've all done it, picked up that magazine and became little green eyed monsters at the sight of Cara Delevingne and the likes looking flawless as always. This jealousy can spark people to create crazy aspirations and work ourselves as much just to look like them, even though we don't really know this person, as a person other than that model on all the front covers. Realistically, these expectations can't be lived up to and we as a society need to begin teaching that displaying beauty through kindness, confidence, love and intellect is much more important how we aesthetically look. I know a lot of people in the beauty/fashion community feel this way as well, and I've seen a lot of 'confident boosting' tips and ways to 'be proud of who you are' and really does make a difference to people's lives. I'll link some good posts and videos by a range of amazing people below.
In my opinion, every single person in this planet is beautiful as we are all unique and are born individually with different qualities. Every person has something different to offer to the world and I find that completely fascinating that not everybody is the same. As long as you're happy with the decisions you make that's all that matters. We are humans, we are free to make our own choices and we don't need to be confined to the expectations by other people. You don't want to shave? That's fine. You do want to shave? Also fine. You enjoy mainstream music and following trends? Wonderful. As long as you're happy, healthy and making decisions that please you, you are beautiful. As cliche as it sounds, humans really are like flowers. Some of us are smaller, some of us are a bit taller, some have shorter petals. But every single one of us are different and beautiful for it. You wouldn't look at a flower and think 'wow, that's an ugly flower' so why do that to yourself? You shouldn't. You're worth so much more than that. Love yourself. Be happy. Embrace life, because you are beautiful. No matter what anyone else says.
I will leave this discussion with my favourite quote by JK Rowling about using the word 'fat', which can be applied to all insults involving physical apperanance. It's insightful and made me think a hell of a lot. Tell me you're take on this whole discussion in the comments, I'd love to hear opinions. Katie x
