BEAUTY

(n.): the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit

Beauty is subjective. What you may see as a weed, I might treasure as a wildflower or vice-versa. And thank goodness for that! What a dull place this planet would be if we could keep beauty neatly contained in one box. Unfortunately however, society has us thinking otherwise and therein begins our little problem.

We can never truly experience, appreciate and embrace beauty while we are trying to conform to somebody else’s idea of it. Instead we face the possibility of spending a lifetime striving and struggling towards it, whilst always falling just short. Sound like fun? No thank you.

TRUE BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN.

Real beauty is felt. It can’t be bought and it will not fade with age or time. But the best part? When you connect to this beauty, it will be reflected back to you tenfold. And no, I’m not just talking about in the mirror (although there’s a good chance you’ll start to see it there too).

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” – Sophia Loren

So how do we reach this place of beauty? In theory, it’s simple. We bring it back to the baseline. It’s all about simplifying so we can reconnect with the things in life that make us radiate.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD AT THE DEEPEST LEVEL?

You see each of us has a unique baseline, a special set of beliefs, practices and connections that balance us. They are the non-negotiables (or least they should be) that fill us up and allow us to expand outward. When we are living from this place of balance we are in our element and this is where our true beauty shines.

My baseline looks a little something like this: 8 hours sleep a night, nourishing home cooked food, meaningful conversations, laughter, salt water, sunset runs, mexican food, stargazing, conversations with animals (mostly other people’s dogs in the street), clean hair, reading time, me time and the occasional vino.

The list goes on. Sometimes I add, sometimes subtract. A perfect day would include all of these things, a good day, maybe three or four. But here, at my baseline, is where I find and feel my beauty. No makeup, no mirrors, just me.

Bringing it back to the baseline isn’t always easy. We get busy. We get distracted. Life happens! But it is there. It’s waiting for you. And even though some days the path back to it feels like an uphill battle, I promise you it’s worth it. Because unless you can make room for what lights you up beneath the surface, there are no amount of beauty products that will make you feel beautiful.

Words by Rachel Banks for Depths Of Beauty.

Emmily Banks is a natural makeup-artist, eco beauty advocate and founder of Depths of Beauty (www.depthsofbeauty.com.au).  Emmily is passionate about sharing the importance of non-toxic beauty products for the health of our planet and its people.  She is on a mission to help others discover true wellbeing-conscious radiance.

Website: Depths Of Beauty

Instagram: @depthsofbeauty