What Is Your Definition of Beauty?

I was recently reading about a photo exhibit called Posing Beauty at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. The exhibit is based on the book of the same name by curator Deborah Willis. The thought-provoking exhibit questions the definition of African beauty and makes you consider how gender, aesthetics and class are represented in art.

Deborah Willis based the book Posing Beauty on 10 years of photos and research from archives, galleries, friends, family and photographers. For the exhibit, Williams gathered a vast spectrum of images representing beauty for over a century. She expresses who beauty is defined, marketed and exploited.

This made me consider the definition of beauty. What does it really mean? Of course we can always turn to our trusty Webster dictionary for a generic definition, so why not consider it:

beauty -

1. the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit: loveliness
2. a beautiful person or thing; especially : a beautiful woman
3. a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
4. a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance

Wow, that was rather eye-opening. We can even consider our mistakes “a beauty”. Our qualities should bring pleasure to the senses and exalt the mind and spirit. Certainly beauty seems to go skin deep when you consider its literal definition.

What do famous women say about beauty? How do women who have been judged by their beauty all their lives feel about this word? I decided to find out:

I'm not ugly, but my beauty is a total creation.

Tyra Banks, Model/talk show host/author

Tyra Banks, host of America's Next Top Model, was a Victoria's Secret model for years. Tyra dares to be fashion and figure forward in her approach to beauty. Viewing beauty as a total creation gives us the ability to work on all the aspects of our inner and outer glow.

It was God who made me so beautiful. If I weren't, then I'd be a teacher.

Linda Evangelista, Supermodel

Alright, it's this kind of thinking we have to erase. Beautiful women can be smart and vice versa. Hiding behind God to make such a shallow and inaccurate statement is a cloud on inner beauty.

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller, Author/educator who was blind and deaf (1880-1968)

The ability to use other senses to know beauty was an asset to Helen Keller. While she could not see or hear, her heart could feel true beauty right away. If we closed our eyes and ears for a moment to shut out the din of the world, we might be able to sense real beauty ourselves.

Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.

Sophia Loren, Actress

Why does that women attract all the attention even though she's not the most “beautiful” one in the room? It's that inner glow that shines through her eyes, skin, hair, smile and overall essence.

Do you dare to challenge your own perceptions of the fundamentals of beauty? Will you let the media and the perceptions of others define your opinion of yourself and others? As singer Christina Aguilera wisely crooned, “We are beautiful, no matter what they say...we are beautiful in every single way.”

What Is Your Self-Perception?

What is your self-perception? My recent exploration into the world of beauty lead me right to inner well-being. While the media may define beauty narrowly, do you have a broader definition? Does that definition apply to you or are you overly critical of yourself?

Curious about my own self-perception, I decided to take a test to find out where I stand right now:


My Self Perception

Investment in Appearance	50
Investment in Body Integrity	42

You are not overly invested in your appearance, but you do like to look good. You are not an overly emotional person, but you do somewhat care about how people see you. If something occurs that makes you feel unattractive it has the potential to make you feel a bit stressed. While your health is important to you, it is not the most important factor in your life. You do not like to get sick, but you have a good attitude towards illness and can cope with sickness ok.

Free Poll earrings jewelry

I was pleased to see I'm not overly emotional about how others see me. For years I was too concerned about the opinions of others. It was great I could handle illness, especially since I have chronic physical conditions.

I was concerned that health was not the most important factor in my life. My quest for knowledge about beauty and health is timely to help me properly priortize personal well-being. How did you do on the self-perception test?

Weighing In On Our Womanly Bodies

Are women still expected to be unrealistically thin to be beautiful? On the other hand, do we make naturally slender women feel guilty for their fat-free physiques? Despite recognition women come in all sizes and shapes, weight wars wage on.

Recently curvaceous Kim Kardashian stuck up for Jessica Simpson after an NFL commercial mocking Simpson's weight. The NFL Fox Sunday cartoon featured Dallas Cowboys characters chuckling about Simpson's shape. Burger King and Fox sponsored the cartoon on October 11 the apologized for it on Wednesday.

The skit shows the Dallas head coach asking Simpson's ex-boyfriend quarterback Tony Romo, “Is Jessica around, we sure could use a defensive tackle.” Jason Witten, Romo pal, adds, “Unlike Tony, at least Jessica comes up big when it counts.”

Kim Kardashian commented to PopEater, “I'm glad they apologized. Fox shouldn't be making fun of Jessica Simpson who has such an amazing body. She's clearly not overweight and laughing about that gives young girls the wrong message.” Kardashian is familiar with sports media scrutiny as the girlfriend of New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush.

While Kim Kardashian defends the rights of full-figured women, Karl Lagerfield defends slim models. After losing 92 pounds in 13 months himself, Lagerfield penned, “The Karl Lagerfield Diet” all about it. Karl spoke to Focus, a German magazine, about best-selling German magazine Brigitte deciding to use “ordinary, realistic” women rather than professional models.

Lagerfield feels Brigitte's plan is absurd, stating women who complain about skinny models, “These are fat mummies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television, saying that thin models are ugly.” He goes on to say the fashion industry is supporting “dream and illusions, and no one wants to see round women.”

Lagerfield also spoke to Guardian to dispel myths that most models have eating disorders, saying, “It is
just as much a cliché as saying that all models take drugs and get drunk at sex orgies. Ninety percent of them are quite normal, properly proportioned girls with less fat and more muscles, who also eat pizzas and burgers.”

The editor of Brigitte, Andreas Lebert, disagrees. He told the Guardian on October 5, the magazine was done fattening up thin models through Photoshop and would work with real women only as of January 2. Lebert said, “Today's models weigh around 23% less than normal women. The whole model industry is anorexic. We will show women who have their own identity, the 18-year-old A-level student, the company chairwomen, the musician, the footballer.”

Women come in all shapes and sizes. As a female consumer, I've been young, thin, heavy, pregnant and older and want to see a little of everything. The runways should accurately reflect the streets. An array of different, beautiful women make anything more alluring.

Just as models are skinny today, in decades gone by it was popular to be curvy. Beauty should never be defined by a single type of woman with so many diverse, delightful feminine faces and bodies. We all want someone to relate to, not a fantasy. As Queen Latifah reminded us, optimum health should be the focus rather than meeting media standards.

As more female consumer veer away from traditional marketing techniques, it seems like a good time for the fashion industry to get real. Let's revere women thin, fat, old, young and every color of the rainbow for their personal, unique brand of beauty. We're sure to see a healthy boost of self-esteem among women.

Designer Discounts Everyday - Invitation For Free Membership To The Club!

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From Vera Bradley to Juicy Couture, you'll find all your favorites for less. Beauty starts with being smart. Save money on looking good when you join Rue La La right now.

What Beauty Items Do YOU Like?

I recently discovered Likaholix, a website where you share your likes and dislikes.  It is a great way to voice your opinion and find out what other people think about beauty products, fashion, music and more.  I am a beauty tastemaker for Likaholix offering updates about an array of beauty items.

Come visit me there to find out the latest, greatest beauty finds.  Join to share your own likes, dislikes and experiences at Likaholix.

Gathering For Beauty

Besides the Venusity blog, I run a group called "Beauty and Makeup" at Gather.  This social networking website takes socialization to a whole new level.  Besides linking with great people and reading valuable content, you earn points for cash and gift cards.  Here is a link to join Gather so you can check out "Beauty and Makeup":

Keep in touch.
And discover something new.
My stuff:
http://mamasaid.gather.com/joinme.action

While you are there, you must read a fantastic article penned by Ed Williams entitled, "Thank God For Full-Figured Women".  His humor and honesty are sure to make you smile and feel better about yourself - just the way you are!  While you are there, make sure to visit me at Beauty and Makeup.  Here's to beautiful Venusity!

Water Is The Essence of Beauty

Water is the basic element of our existence.  Approximately 70 percent of the planet is water.  Ironically, around 70 percent of our total body weight consists of water.  How can we expect to be healthy and beautiful if we don't drink enough water?

The bottom line is we all need to drink six to eight glasses of water daily.  Water flushes the toxins out of your system naturally to help you maintain a better weight.  Drinking water actually helps prevent water retention.  Your hair, skin and body organs are properly hydrated to do their best job when you drink enough water.

The Mayo Clinic discusses the importance of water and how much we should be drinking daily.  The ultimate recipe for inner beauty that shines through your skin is drinking plenty of water everyday!

Welcome To Venusity!

Can anyone else truly fill your shoes?  Have you discovered the Venus within?  Wecome to Venusity, a place to celebrate and enhance your own unique beauty.

The media has defined beauty for decades.  Modern women are empowered to define beauty their own way. A truly beautiful women shines from the inside out.  A wise woman knows how to enhance and direct that shine to uplift herself and those around her.

We will explore ways to beautify ourselves inside and out.  Welcome to Venusity, where we focus on bringing our inner beauty out.