Tuesday, April 06, 2010

What is Beauty?

I've been thinking about beauty a lot lately. As the weight has come off, I've noticed a lot more appreciative glances coming my way. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't flattering. I know--I don't like the impossible standard, but I know--that as I lose weight, I become more attractive in the eyes of much of the world.

But what makes a person attractive, or beautiful? The answers are as varied as the faces we see every day on this planet. What is beautiful to me won't be beautiful to everyone else. I thought it might be fun to show some of what I find beautiful, and ask others what they think. Here goes:

Beauty is a smile that makes me smile back, no matter what kind of mood I'm in.
Richard Hughes from Keane--seriously, I think this is a beautiful man.

Beauty is a real woman with curves.
Kate Winslet? HOT. I have a girl crush on her.

Beauty is STRENGTH.
This woman--a competetor at the Woodland Scottish Games, was FIERCE. Look at those shoulders!

Beauty is crow's feet.
My mom tells the story of how she loved--immediately--how my dad's crow's feet showed when he smiled. I have them, too. I think they're gorgeous on anyone.
I love Sandra Oh.

Beauty is a strong face.

Carlos Acosta, ballet dancer of Afro-Cuban descent.

Beauty is NOT being a cookie-cutter blonde.

Lady Gaga is not a "traditional" beauty, but she is a beauty.

Beauty is a jaw line that would cut through leather.
Robert Pattinson--the jaw that launced a thousand (nay, MILLIONS!) of teen hearts a-fluttering.

Beauty is knowing your dress is the "money shot."
Confidence--a la Gabby Sidibe--is attractive.

Beauty is sometimes androgenous.
Rachel Maddow--who I once saw quoted as saying, "I look like a man!"--is gorgeous.

Beauty is not defined by ones skin (or hair!) color...only enhanced.
Mika--of Lebanese descent.
Damian Lewis, "ginger" actor from Britain.
Adam Beach--Native American descent
Chiwetel Ejiofor--my only problem posting him was choosing JUST ONE picture.

Beauty is a widow's peak.
Well, whaddaya know...Yours Truly.

Beauty is ageless.
Morgan Freeman has one of the most compelling faces I've ever seen.
Helen Mirren--glorious.
My parents...I think they're beautiful.


So readers, what about you? What makes someone beautiful to you?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

As it's past 2 a.m. for me, I can't quite put together what I define as beautiful, but I'd like to say I loved this post and that you're both beautiful and inspiring <3

alana said...

Great post! For me beauty is authenticity. People being who they are without apology. Size, color, and age don't really matter to me if a person is comfortable with him/herself.

Oh and I almost never think someone is hitting on me. (I have like screwed up wiring or something I swear.) On the few occasions I do, for some reason I feel quilty about thinking so. Isn't that weird? I think it's because I don't flirt with anyone so I naturally don't think people ever flirt with me.

The Not-so-Spotless Mind said...

What a great post! It has got me thinking... I am unsure as to what beauty is but only because it is so vast and full of variety.

At the end of the day it is a good thing that people all look different and attract different people; not everyone will agree that the same people are equally attractive to them (but then it is always good that we have people that people mutually love i.e. Rob Pattinson is lusciousness on two legs!)

I think beauty really does come from within the the end *as cheesy as that sounds* - the crows feet because you are a naturally smiling person, for a mean person it will show on the face, cosmetic surgery won't disguise the inner you; kindness will always show through.

The eyes are the windows to your soul, and your life shows in your face.

Thanks for an amazing blog!

Meg said...

Authenticity is huge, Alana. I think that's why I find so many different people beautiful. It's one reason I find Richard from Keane so attractive. Everything about him is real and down-to-earth. Fans speak of him being friendly to everyone after a concert, signing, laughing and talking and smiling for pictures.

Not-So-Spotless--Not cheesy at all, but very, very true! I know a woman who is a former beauty pageant contestant and NFL cheerleader. She is pretty, I guess, but her personality and way of working with people is so nasty and mean-spirited that I think she's ugly on the outside. Nothing about her speaks of warmth or caring for others.

Unknown said...

Beauty... Well, the physical part has to do with symmetry and the frame of a person being proportioned well. The way a person carries their body and attitude show through all of it, and can add or detract from the beauty. A true smile, honest and truly caring...
Part of what everyone seems to hone in on is truth and love being manifest in what a person does, which is exactly what Jesus told us to do with our lives, so it makes perfect sense that we would see it as beautiful when we come across it...
That's all I have to say about that.

Britni TheVadgeWig said...

Well, hello Adam Beach!

You look like your dad!

HubbleSpacePaws said...

Awesome post Meg! One of your very best.

Sorry, I'm behind on my reading... again!

And on going dark... I say try it. You can always go back if you don't like it.

I was a natural blond kid, started getting darker in 30s, resorted to more and more highlights in 40s.... and so on. When I told my hairdresser I wanted to go really short she said, "Then you can't be a blond any more - you'll wash out." So she made me a coppery brunette and I love it. Everyone else, too!

Anonymous said...

Anyone who makes me smile, laugh, feel better about myself or just helps me lose myself in a moment is someone who is beautiful.

You are beautiful, as are your parents, Meg.