Growing Into Beauty

Today I wanted to talk about my journey of growing into beauty. Believe it or not, I have never considered myself photogenic. Sure. I have an entire blog with over 900 posts dedicated to photos of myself (along with photos of products I love and my travel adventures) but I never started this blog with a “look at me attitude.” I started this blog to say “Look at this outfit!! Isn’t it amazing!?” And it’s just so much easier to style myself since I know my own body. Am I photogenic sometimes? Absolutely, good lighting and makeup can make anyone look good for the camera! But I am definitely one that grew into her beauty. Let me explain…

I was an adorable child. Like really freaking cute (see photo proof here.) But somewhere into my pre-teen – teenage years things just went downhill. I’m not saying I was an ugly child. No, but I didn’t have modeling agent running after me. (I liked my McDonald’s and had braces for 4 years.)

Looking back at my middle school, high school, and even college years, I wish I would have known all the beauty, fashion, and confidence tricks I know now. It would have saved me so much heartache wanting to be like “those other girls” who came to school with perfect hair and makeup. But at the same time, I think to myself, “my god, how early did those girls have to get up to look like that every day? Give me my sleep!” I wonder where they are now, and if they still put that much time and effort into their looks.

When I think about it, I appreciate my looks so much more now because I had to grow into them. This body and this skin were not just handed to me off the bat. I have to exercise and eat healthy to look good. (McDonald’s is now a treat and I only get the Happy Meal when I go.) I spend hours testing out different beauty products to get my makeup just how I like it. Bold lip, please!!

I believe this is where a huge part of my self-confidence comes from. I am not trying to live in the past to “better younger days.” Sure, I may not be as thin as I once was as a teenager, but I have more money now that I did then to dress the way I want to and that makes my freaking day. So remember this: Appreciate what you have and what you look like now, because years from now you’ll look at a picture and say to yourself “my goodness I was so thin/ pretty/ flexible/ in-shape back then. Why didn’t I appreciate it more!?”

xoxo,
Laura

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