I feel like one of the good things about the internet is being able to cultivate some degree of this for ourselves! I follow mostly gardening accounts and I've never cared less about my nails. But I mostly really notice it as far as the bodies I follow. When I see diverse bodies in my feed looking beautiful and confident, it goes a long way toward finding the beauty in my own. Sometimes (since I've curated my feed) I'll catch myself out of the blue thinking something nice about my soft lil tummy or hips and be like wow we've come a long way!
I know so many people feel more pressure to look perfect when they live in Paris, but I feel the exact opposite. I feel less pressure to look perfect and more freedom to look like me. There’s a certain sensual beauty here that can only come from authenticity.
I had a similar experience moving from NYC to Maine three years ago! I've never been a big makeup person, but living in a place where people accept a more natural version of everyone has been so liberating. I hadn't noticed it until my father-in-law came to visit (from Florida) for the first time and commented on how the women here were more "natural".
This was fun to read; a good reminder about what true beauty is, and also what is important.
While I live in Vermont too, I work in a corporate setting where I feel like I must look a certain way everyday or someone would think I was sick!
Two weeks ago, my boyfriend and I vacationed in Costa Rica and it was life changing in many ways. Aside from getting engaged, the best thing that happened to me in CR was the realization that simple and minimal was what felt best. No makeup, no blowout, and lots of ocean bathing. It was like a spell had lifted. Sometimes it just takes getting pulled away from your day-to-day "essentials" to see the light.
Sitting at my computer in a comfortable dress, a little less makeup, and natural curls as we speak, l feel the most like "me" that I have in my life. I am happy knowing that we will soon marry in Costa Rica, and likely spend many winters there, then summer on the lake in Vermont.
I had the same experience moving back to Ohio after living in the Bay Area. This was in the aughts so social media has also played a role, but as I pull back from that, I’m feeling the same freedom.
I live in the most beauty centric place in the country, and it is beyond annoying to be quite blunt. However, as my mother used to say, beauty fades, but integrity and intelligence does not. Thus, I spend an awful lot of my time trying to do good works that matter in the world and focus less on unattainable beauty standards. That said I do take pride in my appearance as part of my overall well-being.
Skincare and self-care are so much more than just surface-level routines—they are a reflection of overall health and well-being.
For me, skincare isn’t superficial—it’s an essential part of self-care and overall wellness. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good and supporting the body in a way that promotes long-term health. When we nourish ourselves from the inside out, we create balance, reduce stress, and build habits that lead to real, lasting change. I believe in education and empowerment, helping my clients understand their skin and how to support it naturally. When we take care of ourselves holistically, we don’t just improve our appearance—we enhance our overall quality of life.
I feel like one of the good things about the internet is being able to cultivate some degree of this for ourselves! I follow mostly gardening accounts and I've never cared less about my nails. But I mostly really notice it as far as the bodies I follow. When I see diverse bodies in my feed looking beautiful and confident, it goes a long way toward finding the beauty in my own. Sometimes (since I've curated my feed) I'll catch myself out of the blue thinking something nice about my soft lil tummy or hips and be like wow we've come a long way!
That's really cool. Didn't think about it that way but you make a great point.
I know so many people feel more pressure to look perfect when they live in Paris, but I feel the exact opposite. I feel less pressure to look perfect and more freedom to look like me. There’s a certain sensual beauty here that can only come from authenticity.
Love that.
I had a similar experience moving from NYC to Maine three years ago! I've never been a big makeup person, but living in a place where people accept a more natural version of everyone has been so liberating. I hadn't noticed it until my father-in-law came to visit (from Florida) for the first time and commented on how the women here were more "natural".
This was fun to read; a good reminder about what true beauty is, and also what is important.
While I live in Vermont too, I work in a corporate setting where I feel like I must look a certain way everyday or someone would think I was sick!
Two weeks ago, my boyfriend and I vacationed in Costa Rica and it was life changing in many ways. Aside from getting engaged, the best thing that happened to me in CR was the realization that simple and minimal was what felt best. No makeup, no blowout, and lots of ocean bathing. It was like a spell had lifted. Sometimes it just takes getting pulled away from your day-to-day "essentials" to see the light.
Sitting at my computer in a comfortable dress, a little less makeup, and natural curls as we speak, l feel the most like "me" that I have in my life. I am happy knowing that we will soon marry in Costa Rica, and likely spend many winters there, then summer on the lake in Vermont.
Thanks Jess!
Congrats Abbey! So happy for you. And having been to Costa Rica, I hear you on all of that. It's one of the most relaxing and healing places.
I had the same experience moving back to Ohio after living in the Bay Area. This was in the aughts so social media has also played a role, but as I pull back from that, I’m feeling the same freedom.
Amen
I live in the most beauty centric place in the country, and it is beyond annoying to be quite blunt. However, as my mother used to say, beauty fades, but integrity and intelligence does not. Thus, I spend an awful lot of my time trying to do good works that matter in the world and focus less on unattainable beauty standards. That said I do take pride in my appearance as part of my overall well-being.
Skincare and self-care are so much more than just surface-level routines—they are a reflection of overall health and well-being.
For me, skincare isn’t superficial—it’s an essential part of self-care and overall wellness. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good and supporting the body in a way that promotes long-term health. When we nourish ourselves from the inside out, we create balance, reduce stress, and build habits that lead to real, lasting change. I believe in education and empowerment, helping my clients understand their skin and how to support it naturally. When we take care of ourselves holistically, we don’t just improve our appearance—we enhance our overall quality of life.