The Pretty Perspective Series: Lisa's Story

This story is near and dear to my heart, written by someone who I think is incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics


Lisa's Story

This is going to sound characteristically unfeminist for me but I'm not sure if I have ever thought of myself as pretty. While I never remember a time in my life where I was called ugly or plain, I'm not sure 'pretty' was ever anything I aspired to or thought of myself as. Early in my life, my mom discouraged me from wearing make up and shaving my legs like my classmates (luckily I'm Chinese) and while I was fairly spoiled, I never wanted 'pretty' clothes either as I have always been very much a tomboy. Being pretty was just never a priority for me.

For someone who considers herself a feminist and socially and politically aware, I don't know if I have ever head on dealt with feelings about being pretty or if I should have some affirmation for myself. One of my best friends in the whole world is gorgeous (inside and out) and through my early 20's, I came to recognize that in the presence of someone significantly prettier than me, I could get 'lost' or become invisible. I'm lucky it didn't bother me much because I realized that as soon as I conversed with guys or girls, some kind of 'pretty' shone through because I was no longer invisible. The older I got and the more I grew into the woman I am now (with many mistakes and lessons along the way), the more I have come to know this to be true. The older I get, the 'prettier' I have become. I'm no prettier physically than I was when I was 19, but I must wear confidence and maturity well because I no longer am that invisible girl I was over 10 years ago.

My sense of pretty has always revolved around character and how a woman shares who she is through self expression, whether in dress, mannerisms or personality. For some women, that involves wearing make up, nice clothes, or whatever helps them show the world who they are, but to me, pretty is that delicate balance of expressing yourself without having your exterior overshadow who you are on the inside. Cliche, but at the end of the day, looks fade and a pretty face is just another pretty face without someone who knows that what matters most is inside.

L.L