A new take on beauty

I want to first and foremost start this column with an apology. In a recent issue, I freely criticized the physical attributes of some of our readers, a phrase that was written to be lighthearted came across as judgmental and mean. It was never my intention to make any of Out Front’s readers uncomfortable about their body or insecure about any part of their appearance.

I ended my very first column here with the statement: “You are beautiful just the way you are.” Reading this encouragement after I wrote those troubling words, I wondered what happened in those few short months that turned me into this judgmental mess—doling out beauty tips from my pedestal of all–things–beauty wisdom.

I think the first setback came when I began to browse the web looking for inspiration before writing some of my pieces. Looking at beauty magazines, Pinterest, and even to my own friends for guidance, I discovered that 90 percent of all beauty writing preaches transformative care—how to pluck, moisturize, shampoo, and color your way to a better you. Instead of dolling out accolades for the natural beauty we have in all of us, many seem to want us to conform into a popular preconceived model of beauty.

This conversation isn’t new. For years (decades even) there has been talk about how the media has been confining the public to harsher and harsher unobtainable standards of beauty. I’ve heard it all before, but I never thought that I would be contributing to this barrage of status–quo peer pressure.

In the fear of slipping even further into this black hole of beauty judgment, my editors and I have decided to do an about-face, reassessing our goals for the column and what form of beauty service we are offering our readers. What we developed is a refreshing and innovative vision, one that reflects Out Front’s core values of diversity and acceptance. I admit that once or twice I had strayed from these principles in my writing, but I believe this new direction is an encouraging inspiration to produce content not only uplifting for my readers, but also for myself.

Rather than appear twice a month as a self–help fix–it guide, this column will challenge society’s preconceived notions of beauty, celebrating the good found in every person, not just a select few. We hope to bring a new voice into the world of fashion and beauty, one that is steeped in praise rather than judgment. Most of all we hope to help you all honor and love yourselves, both by reading our publication and living your beautifully fabulous lives.