The idea of beauty is different for every woman. Some define it as exterior looks, where as others define it as a person’s personality. All women go through many stages throughout their lives where their idea of what true beauty is changes. These changes are not only influenced by their age and current trends, but also by people’s personal opinions of them.
No makeup stage (0-3 years old)
Everyone enters this world naked. No shirt, pants or socks cover our bodies. Of course this changes rather quickly but one thing that doesn’t is our face. At this stage you do not care if you cover up your birthmarks and freckles, you just are happy being whom you entered this world as.
Monkey see, monkey do (4-6 years old)
At this stage many girls around the world began to comprehend what beauty is. This is the age of Disney princesses and fairly godmothers. You began to form your own identity of beauty and of course the most beautiful person to you, in the world is your mom. You began to copy her moves when she gets ready. From brushing your hair the same, to putting on shiny lip-gloss, you want to look just like mom.
Tomboy stage (7-9 years old)
This is the age where first crushes began. Unfortunately for you at the time, love is not in the air for your male counter parts. This means you have to step away from the Smuckers lip-gloss and began to play dirty with the boys. Say good bye to your little plastic dress up heals and hello to grass stains on your favorite shirt.
Purple eye shadow (10-13 years old)
Entering middle school is a confusing time for any girl. At this time your body is changing in weird ways and you began to fill out in places you didn’t even know you had. Add in the pressure to began to wear makeup and all hell breaks loose. The make up aisle is already scary with the endless options of shades and tints to choose from. You grab the first thing that catches your eye; brightly colored, sparkly eye shadow and you are determine to make it look good. (But it never does)
Mermaid hair and eye liner (14 years old)
Entering high school is eye opening to any girl. The awkward years of middle school are now behind you and fully developed seniors are ruling the school. In the matter of trying to fit, you try every hairstyle and make trend that is gracing the magazines. Little do you know at the time that you are two trends behind everyone else.
Curves. Bad or good? (15-17 years old)
Someone just made a comment about your weight. You don’t know how to react. Your body’s newly found curves taunt you when you stare into the mirror at night. You began pick and poke out every flaw and hide it before someone else points it out for you. The pressure of the world’s idea of beauty overtakes your own and you strive to fit into theirs.
Freshman 15 (18-19 years old)
Breaking free of the only world you know is liberating and extremely stressful. You no longer care what people think of you when you drag yourself out of bed for your 8am. No make up and a messy bun always make for the best study attire. You began treat yourself to the soft serve machine in the dinning hall because you deserve it after a stressful day. Before you know it your freshman year has ended and your summer clothes just aren’t fitting the way they used to.
Entering adulthood (20 somethings)
Turning 20 is a wake up call. You began to notice what truly matters in your life and your goals shift from being a size two to just being happy. You began to take care of your body. Even through running feels like death sometimes and carrot sticks got nothing on ice cream, you began to make better choices. You do this not because you want to please others for once, but because you want to please yourself.
The struggle with personal beauty does not end at any certain age, it continues through out a woman’s life. This struggle with personal beauty may be difficult at times and each woman’s journey is different. But there is one thing for sure; when women find beauty within themselves instead of others they will become the most beautiful self they can be.
