blogger profile

Nancy V.

Owner of NAMV; Project Manager/Diversity & Events Specialist

Hmm…about me, well, I am always and never the same, which makes for my own interesting world where I constantly recruit individuals to join my planet. Take myself very seriously, but prefer not to, so I dress in outfits that often do not match and say things that I shouldn’t under the guise of �...

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Beauty is as beauty does

Nancy Vaughn

Years ago I remember telling my cousin I was going to get my post graduate degree in aesthetics. Less to do with fine art, and more to do with the impact of beauty, one’s outward appearance and sheer vanity. She laughed at me because she figured I just wanted to look at hot people all day. I suppose that would have been part of my studies, but that wasn’t my focus...I just wanted to be around beautiful things, understand people’s ideas of beauty, why people care about beauty, etc.

I’ve always believed that “beauty” is a strange issue, and in the eye of the beholder. What works for one, doesn’t always work for another – although I do think there are a few individuals whose outward beauty is universal. This goes the same for internal things that are beautiful as well – like a smile.

While beauty is fleeting, it helps to try and look good, but it’s all so worthless if you’re a mean bitch in the end. Although I remember being in college and approaching a girl named, Renee, who was well-liked by everyone and I distinctly recall my girlfriend mumbling, “Ugh! Pretty and sweet?! I hate her,” and then calling out, “Hi Renee!” Makes me giggle thinking about it. Pretty and nice might not win fans all the time, but you can guarantee a loss with pretty and mean.  

In the past year I have noticed more and more individuals who announce their physical beauty and I’ve become quite enchanted by that. It’s weird and refreshing at the same time. Weird because it seems kind of conceited to go around touting one’s beauty, but refreshing because these women have the confidence to do so. I suppose for me it’s a little disturbing as well if the “beauty” one is announcing is strictly related to outer appearance, and not the beauty glow that comes from within.

I think desiring to want to look as good as one possibly can is normal for a woman. Does that mean one should in engage in plastic surgery? I think that’s a personal choice, and another blog entry...digress. I’ve had women tell me how beautiful they are, as in, “I am smart and I’m beautiful, so…” Not just one woman, a few – ranging from young in age to about 40. It’s like this new phenomenon. Did Oprah make an announcement and I missed it? Actually turns out she did – not a bad pledge to take after all, but I’m off track again...

I’ve talked to my girlfriends about this “I am beautiful” announcement, and they found it strange and inappropriate. Apparently, pretty girls shouldn’t announce their attractiveness, that’s rude and in poor taste. And unattractive girls should know better. Tsk tsk. Plus, announcing one’s beauty doesn’t mean your belief is accepted by anyone else. Ouch.

I heard a receptionist tell a man that she was the pretty face he got to see when he came by to get his hair cut. I thought that was tacky, and perhaps was less conceited and more flirtatious. At the store I listened to a woman tell her girlfriend, “The things we do to look beautiful,” as she held on to all the various new face creams and products she was about to purchase. Then I think about the moments I’ve witnessed where someone hears how beautiful they are for the first time. It’s quite fascinating.

Last year at a conference with women engineers, I told a group of female engineers that they were talented, smart and beautiful. While I could tell some women were uncomfortable that I used the word “beautiful” in a work setting, I could also tell that some women had never been told that they were beautiful before. That was very sad to me.

In the book, Do You Think I’m Beautiful? The Question Every Woman Asks by Angela Thomas, the desire to be beautiful is further explored. While you may not agree with everything outlined in the book, this is a woman who truly confesses her quest to be and feel beautiful. I also think about the Temptations song, Beauty is Only Skin Deep, and the beauty dilemma starts all over again.

For me, beauty is as beauty does – and the “does” has to do with serving others, making a positive difference, and being true to one’s self.

What can I say, I’m still intrigued by the beautiful in life – places, things and people. What are your thoughts on beauty? The beauty industry? Is beauty only skin deep?

Enjoy your day and make it a beautiful one!