Natural Beauty: Love the Skin You’re In
Darling, embracing natural beauty is something we’ve been told to avoid our whole lives. We are constantly bombarded by media and society telling us we’re not good enough, that our worth rests on our beauty and young age. I know you’ve felt the pressure to look good at every age, no matter what’s going on in life. I know I have.
Now, let me be clear. Striving to look your best and indulging in nice things is not a betrayal of your natural beauty—it’s an expression of it. If you, like me, enjoy fashion and beauty products, know this: treating yourself to the things that make you feel good enhances your natural beauty, rather than hiding it. Dressing well and practicing self-care are forms of love for the person you already are.
The Nitty Gritty of Natural Beauty
Now we’re getting to the heart of it, darlings: self-love. It’s the root of everything. The more you love and know yourself, the more you allow your natural beauty to shine through. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity.
The way I present myself to the world reflects how I feel on the inside. And this vibrancy? It comes from embracing who I am and following my passions. When we own our essence and share it with the world, we honor our natural beauty in the deepest way possible.
It’s All in the Process
How do we embrace our natural beauty? It may not always be simple, but I promise you, my darlings, the effort is worth it. Loving every part of yourself—scars, wrinkles, and all—allows your inner light to shine. The time you spend searching your soul for your meaning and your passions will benefit your life from this moment forward.
Here are five ways to guide you on your journey to embracing your natural beauty.
1. Shift Your Mindset
Everything begins with the way you think. Start with small mindset shifts toward positivity. Affirmations are a wonderful tool—I adore Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life for this. If you prefer, simply try standing in front of the mirror each morning and saying, “I love you just the way you are.” This daily practice will nurture a positive relationship with yourself and invite your natural beauty to flourish.
2. Reframe and Enhance “Imperfections”
We all have things we call “imperfections,” don’t we? But, darling, these so-called flaws are part of what makes you uniquely you. My stretch marks? I call them love marks. My wrinkles? They’re badges of laughter and a life well lived. I do not hate them; I embrace them. Next time you look in the mirror, I challenge you to reframe your “imperfections.” If you have freckles that bother you, tell yourself: “These are sun kisses, little reminders of the time I’ve spent enjoying nature.”
3. Nourish Your Body
Our bodies are our temples, and we must treat them as such. If we want to live a long and healthy life, we must not only embrace who we are and love who we are but also treat our bodies with love, kindness, respect and gratitude. Keep yourself moving. Create your meals with love and life. Eat greens and fruits. Give thanks for what you have on your plate and in your belly. Love your body as you would your children or grandchild. Treat it like your best girlfriend. It needs just as much love as the person you adore most. Taking care of your body like an old friend will not only make you feel good. It will also help in owning your natural beauty and of loving yourself completely.
4. Live in a Judgment-Free Zone
Always live with the forgiveness and love for both yourself and others. When you feel judgment about either yourself or another person, try to reframe it. If you see someone who carries an “imperfection” you see in yourself, how can you learn to love rather than judge that? Take a moment to pause and place warm love and light over your judgment. How does it change? This practice will lead you to a growing love for both your own natural beauty and of others’. Just try it, darling!
5. Remember That You Are Enough
No matter what, my sweet readers, remember that you are enough. You are so, so enough, you are never not enough! I declare that you are perfect just the way you are no matter what judgments others place on us. No wrinkle, scar, or imperfection can diminish your natural beauty. We were born whole, and it’s up to us to define who we are and how we live. No one else has that power—only you.
Natural Beauty? All You Need Is Love
Like the Beatles sang, darlings, all you need is love—and love is the key to embracing your natural beauty. It starts with self-love: accepting every part of yourself, from smooth skin to smile lines. When you treat yourself with kindness, you radiate a beauty that is authentic and timeless.
Loving others reflects that same beauty outward. A kind word or smile not only lifts others but nurtures your own spirit. And don’t forget to love the world—connect with nature, cherish the environment, and engage with life fully.
When you embrace love in all its forms, your natural beauty blooms effortlessly. You are already perfect just as you are, my darlings—let love help you see it.
Please share in the comments how you embrace your natural beauty—I’d love to hear your stories and cheer you on!
Dear Honey, Your message today was perfect for me. I am in the last stage of recovery from a horrible car accident in January. My natural hair color is growing in and I am embracing the multi-hued hair on my head. The scars on my body remind me of the life-saving operations I had that allow me to write to you, hug my husband, and play with my grandchildren. Life is more vibrant, more beautiful now. Love you, my friend, for being a voice for women of a certain age. XO
I am so glad you are healed and healthy once again. I was in a horrible car accident and thrown out of a car! I know the joy of feeling more grateful, more beautiful and more vibrant, too. I love your name. Warmly, Honey
I never thought of loving my body as I would my children or my grandchildren. Thanks for that analogy!
Wrap yourself around yourself. Love yourself. When you do others will feel your positive power. Warmly, Honey
My biggest fear is getting dark spots and more wrinkles as I get older. The more skin care tips I can get, the better. Thanks for posting this! It is helpful.
Beautifully simple expression of what each one of us can do to enhance our own lives. Embracing these guides will bring much personal fulfillment and self-love. Thank you!
Love, love, love this article!!!
Love, Love, Love that you do!!!! Warmly, Honey
Dear Honey,
I needed this article today. When venturing out in a sleeveless dress to my granddaughters dance recital, I discovered my arms in the restroom mirror. Whoa! Not a pretty sight. Since that evening I’ve tried to work through the sadness of losing my once young arms. I realize now that my arms are not who I am.
Thank you for writing about self love. It was a welcome reminder.
Susan
I noticed the other night at a black tie event many of the older women exposed their arms. I was pleasantly surprised. We are far more than our arms aren’t we, Susan? Let’s smile, walk tall and realize we are not remembered by our arms but for our Moxie after 50!Warmly, Honey
Thank you for the reminder that we are perfect in God’s eyes. And God is Love. If I love me as I do my children and grand children, that makes me happy. We are still alive! Do your best, and accept getting older as a privilege. Love life and your words of inspiration and wisdom.
Love everything you wrote and thank you for enjoying my words of inspiration. Warmly, Honey
Lovely💕 you’re right, we need to love us. We are a treasure.
Thanks.
It is so important to be good to ourselves so we can be good for others. Warmly, Honey
Susan,
Thank you for a great article which I know was written from the heart. Getting older every year isn’t easy but at last we are able to accept who we are and enjoy each day to the fullest. Time and experience has made us who we are today. EMBRACE IT! YSSS, Janice
You are so wise my dear girlfriend from the South. Warmly, Susan