Lightworkers on letting go of labels, saying yes to self-celebrations, and more.
-KEYS SOULCARE
What does it mean to be beautiful? This community — and so many of the vital convos within it — revolves around this single topic. It’s a concept that’s traditionally perplexed, constrained, and motivated so many of us to strive for unrealistic ideals. One that — thankfully — is evolving to encompass qualities mere eyes can’t see, but are soul-striking all the same.
As our community expands, so do our chances to connect with more people and perspectives around seeking, feeling, and embracing a sense of beauty in our lives. Our recent body care photo shoot — featuring models of myriad identities, interests, and points of view — felt like the perfect time to do just that. Here’s what four of them had to say:
Danusia Garrison, writer | @beingsilver on Instagram
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty is an immutable presence that radiates outward. It’s breathing deep after the long exhale when I can’t do anything but smile. There is no disconnect between who, what, and where I want to be and who I am. I am here, fully present and whole.
The definition of beauty is getting more evolved, inclusive, and deeper. How does it feel?
It feels like an intellectual leap for humankind.
Describe inner beauty in a sentence or less.
Inner beauty is the unity between who you believe yourself to be and who you are.
How has your relationship with your body changed over time?
I have a strong body. For someone who loves an adrenaline rush, it was my body that took care of me in all of the wild and reckless things I did. As I grow in age, I’m more gentle with my body and repeat affirmations to it as if I’m talking to an old friend. It’s my turn to take care of it.
What does beauty inclusivity mean to you?
Inclusivity in beauty means training my eye and my mind to feel awe in the beauty of all women. The only way to do this is for everyone to see more women proudly owning their power as they represent the social brands and ideals who create the norms we follow. When we stop saying, “she is beautiful ‘for a certain type of woman,’ and just see the beauty of a woman with no qualifiers, we [will] have evolved. (I loved chatting more about that with you guys, here.)
Janeal Suquilanda, full-time student | @vibewjaneal on Instagram
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me is loving yourself, dressing however you want, [and] putting your makeup on the way you feel like it. Feeling empowered to be yourself and have a bad biddie confidence that radiates.
What’s your first memory of feeling beautiful?
My first memory of feeling beautiful was my dad dressing me up and my sisters doing my hair when I didn’t know how to take care of myself yet. I just felt so cute to pose for the pictures as a child.
When do you feel most beautiful?
I feel beautiful when I listen to music. My favorite song, “Telapatía” by Kali Uchis, transports me to a place [when] I’m sitting under the sun soaking up the energy. It makes me feel like I can levitate with overwhelming feelings of peace and love.
What does beauty inclusivity mean to you?
Inclusivity in beauty means accepting everybody for the way they are created and the way they change. Giving a place where everyone can belong.
Aaron Turner, model and actor | @aaronbryceturner on Instagram
What does beauty mean to you?
It means to walk in your own skin and feel completely free from anything holding you back.
What does beauty inclusivity mean to you?
It means that no one is left out… [and that] those who have always been left out are given more opportunities equal to or greater than the majority that has always benefited as a society.
How does it feel to see definitions of beauty evolve and deepen?
It feels like we as a people are growing and learning new ways to define ourselves from the standard view of what beauty is. Rather, we are transforming the word and the stigmas attached to what the word means.
When do you feel most beautiful?
I feel most beautiful after I get a fresh haircut in the morning on the weekend, then come home, take another shower, and get dressed for the day.
Yamell Rodriguez | @yo_itsyaya on Instagram
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty is embracing every part of what makes me who I am.
The definition of beauty is getting more evolved, inclusive, and deeper. How does it feel?
I love that conversations are being had about how we systemically have always viewed beauty. Representation holds huge value in how people view themselves. The beauty, fashion, and media [industries] have the responsibility to continue to challenge the conventional idea of [how] beauty has been portrayed.
How has your relationship with your body changed over time?
My relationship with my body has changed drastically over time. There were phases of my life where I was extremely cruel to my body, both physically and emotionally. I was consumed by the standard of what I should look like and how I should dress to hide what I looked like at those moments. Now I adore the parts of me that I thought were flaws and once tried so hard to hide.
What does inclusivity in beauty inclusivity mean to you?
Inclusivity in beauty means true representation of what real bodies and real people look like. It’s promoting self-love at every phase and for every part of your body.
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