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

The Pretty Perspective Series: Brian's Story

My friend Brian is an accomplished author of Not All Men are Monsters, an autobiographical book about sex, travel, food, and life. He has spent much of the last few years travelling and blogging around the world, developing his culinary skills from different cultural experiences. You can read his amazing blogs at: http://sextravelfoodlife.wordpress.com/

What do men consider beautiful? This is Brian's perspective.

W.L



The Pretty Perspective Series: Brian's Story

I’d like to start by distinguishing what the difference for me is between pretty and beautiful. There are a couple circumstances when I’d be most likely to use the word pretty to describe something: the first would be an adolescent girl who is dolled up, and the second would be for objects that create an attractive focal point, such as a pretty dress, pretty shoes, a pretty necklace, and so on. So when I think of ‘Pretty’ as a cosmetics line, I think of products that move the attention off of objects, and back to the woman, by rejuvenating the natural, youthful glow found in unadultered skin.

The word Beautiful and the concept of beauty is something that continues to expand for me, as I’m exposed to more and more people around the world through my travels. I’ve appreciated women with features in all shapes, sizes, and colours, and to be completely honest, it is a woman’s attention to the most fundamental of details that I find most beautiful. Some of the first things I will notice and compliment a woman on are her natural nails, hair that looks soft without any split ends, and healthy skin (in Africa, I often find myself looking down at women’s heels, to see if the skin is soft or cracked). When a woman takes care of these very feminine features without having to colour or doll them up, it gives me the impression that she knows how to take care of and appreciate herself, and doesn’t feel the need to hide behind makeup or expensive trips to the salon to look and feel beautiful. The ultimate for me is when I take a woman out, and she only needs a few minutes to fix her hair in whatever way suits her mood, and a few minutes more to put on a dress that is flattered by her confidence to go out without any makeup on.

When it comes to defining what physical part of the female body is most beautiful, I feel that this is something unique in every woman, and finding and cherishing that special feature is a great way to nurture our bond.

So my recommendation is to pay attention to the most natural features that make you feel like a woman, feel comfortable in your own skin, and allow your confidence to radiate and reflect the beauty inherent in every one of you.

B.J
http://sextravelfoodlife.wordpress.com/

The Pretty Perspective Series: Denise's Story

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. The Pretty Perspective Series is a tribute to women celebrating their unique perspectives on beauty. Each story is written from the heart by women in different life stages, sharing what the word Pretty means to them, and when they consider themselves most beautiful. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I do, and I encourage you to share your story with us in the celebration of feeling beautiful.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics



Denise's Story

A few short months after my boyfriend had proposed to me, I finally gave in and thought I would do the most traditional and exciting thing for a newly-engaged woman. Wedding Dress Shopping.

So, with my best friend in tow, and latte in hand, I trekked my way through to a series of bridal gown appointments with visions of the two of us crying when ‘THE dress’ finally draped itself on my body.


Oh, who am I kidding? As a ‘mature’ bride-to-be in her mid thirties, I found myself barricaded by a never-ending sea of ivory and diamond white dresses and in the company of other bride-to-be’s but of the other variety: younger, slimmer and very beautiful. I couldn’t help but notice the accompanying stretch marks everytime I stripped down a gown to put another one on; then walk out to see an ‘older’ image of me in the mirror. Sure, the girl next to me could have passed for half my age, but I couldn’t help but think of the series of ‘bridal bootcamps’ I’d have to attend to slim myself down to her size.

I thought back to when I was a daydreaming 6 year old girl envisioning the Perfect day; my Ken-doll groom in a tuxedo, and slim Asian-barbie version of myself in a bridal gown. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind while standing before the full-length mirror in a tight charmeuse gown. (Might I add that charmeuse, will show every single curve, dimple and panty-line known to woman-kind.).

I made my way home and changed into my pajama pants and my Fiancé’s oversized hoodie, washed my face, and put my hair up in a ponytail.

“How did wedding dress shopping go?” mused my Fiancé. “Was it everything that you thought it would be?”
“I work in Marketing, honey. I think I just fooled myself,” was my reply.


He draped me in a big hug and kissed me, and proceeded to tell me how cute I looked in his old high school sweatshirt. Tackled me onto the couch and snuggled with me while watching one of my obsessively girly TV shows.


How is it that I felt more beautiful in his arms than in the prettiest wedding gown worth 5 figures?


I guess what I’m saying is it’s not the dress that you wear, nor what the fairy tales and what youth promise you that make you feel Beautiful. It’s those special people in your life and around you that bring out the best in you, no matter what.

D.P.