Every day, I see these beautiful young women on television, destroying their natural beauty. They get fillers, implants, nips, tucks, stretching and smoothing.
When I look at their “before”, I am in awe of their natural beauty. When I look at them “after”, I see a strange face and a false body…a facade…a severe lack of self-confidence.
They were already beautiful, so why did they feel the need to “improve”?
Society? Demons from their past? Those kids in school who made fun of their big nose? …aka. BULLIES!!

Even though they’ve grown into that big nose, the hurt of those kid’s comments stuck with them for life.
Their reflection comes by way of a broken mirror, a distorted version of what they truly look like.

And they think, “All I need is a nose job, and I’ll finally be confident in myself!”
Then, once the nose job is done, so follows the breast implants, tummy tuck, lip fillers, cheek implants, botox…
It’s never enough
Why can’t they understand that they are beautiful, regardless of who bullied them in the past, or that they don’t look exactly like some celebrity they admire?
SPOILER ALERT!! – Those celebrities are ALWAYS photo shopped. And, when they’re in person, they had a team of stylists, makeup artists, not to mention cinching undergarments, and other tricks to make them appear “perfect”.
NOT REALITY
Trying to aspire to a false reality will never bring you happiness…never.
To be fair, there are certain circumstances that may require a little assistance to get things in order, but that’s not who I am referring to.
I commend those celebrities who chose to Age with Grace. Embrace their wrinkles and wear them with pride!
Emma Thompson immediately comes to mind. She is stunning. Her face speaks of a rich history, and her confidence is evident.

My mom is not a celebrity, but she is my prime example of Aging with Grace. She is undeniably gorgeous! Everyone I know has commented, at one time or another.

She once told me that she loves the lines in her face, because every one started out as a smile.
That stuck with me
Sure, I have my own insecurities, parts of my body I wish were smaller, tighter. I’m nearly 40, and my face is beginning to change. But, I will never alter it.
It is my face. It has seen me through the good and the bad.
The skin around my eyes scrunches when I smile. I’m sure wrinkles are soon to follow, but I will embrace them, for they are authentically me.
I like me.
I’m not perfect, but who is?!
A plastic version of one’s self is nothing more than a mask. Why are you hiding? Surely, surgery won’t resolve what troubles you so.

There are other avenues, ones that target the REAL reason for your lack of self-esteem, your insatiable need for “perfection”.
I encourage you, reach out and find another solution, one that will bring you true resolve.
Creating a mask won’t fix the underlying issues.
You need to go much deeper than where a scalpel can reach.
I totally agree with you! Age with grace. Your mom looks amazing!
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Thank you, Sadje! She is beauty, inside and out!
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Thanks 🙏
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Tears brimming, this truly touched my heart, Sara. ❤️ I read it late last night in bed, and I was enveloped in a cozy blanket of love. Thank you.
You are right. This is a subject we have touched upon over the years. Your words “natural beauty” “distorted version” “it’s never enough” “not reality.” Your last line gave me major goose bumps. When did you become so wise? xx Erica
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Awwwe, thank you! It kinda came out of nowhere. I have to give credit to the post that inspired this piece, https://manicsylph.com/2020/10/19/are-you-worried-about-age-stealing-your-beauty/comment-page-1/#comment-2588
Glad you enjoyed it!
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I got absorbed reading Mona’s posts. Interesting and beautiful. I have bookmarked her site. Thank you.
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Your mother has always been and always will be beautiful; radiating from within.
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Well said! I always wonder too why those already beautiful women tinker with their faces until they become unreal! To me, that is less beautiful. Your words are sure to be an inspiration for many to be happy in their own skin.
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I appreciate your kind words!
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Love this article!
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Thank you so much, Betty!
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Hello Sara, this is beautifully written and I couldn’t agree more. You and your mum are both lovely! Beautiful inside and out. ❤️
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Thank you so much, Miriam 🙂
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I really enjoyed reading your words and thoughts. Your mum is a blogging friend of mine and I agree with you about her beauty, inside and outside!! Well done 🙂
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Thank you so much, Debbie! Always nice to connect with some of her blogging friends as she speaks so highly of her community 🙂
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She’s a real gem!
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As I suggested in your mom’s blog post, your post here should be sent to every girl and woman from the age of 13 to 93. It’s so true. I wish women would realize that their beauty does truly come from inside. And truthfully, when I see these actresses who had “work” done on their chins and lips and eyes I only see an ugly beast. 😖
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That is such a wonderful thing for you to suggest. Very much appreciated! And thank you for the follow 🙂
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A blog title which brings a smile onto every face . that remains as they read it
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So sweet of you to say, Ananda 🙂
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Sharing an older post of mine for you to read when you can
https://anandaonly.in/2017/06/06/the-money-ceiling/
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Your writing is superb.
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I came over from Erica’s blog, Sara. This was so beautifully written, so raw and honest. While we can ‘fix’ how we look on the outside, it doesn’t necessarily fix underlying issues we may be going through. If we start changing how we look, we may never stop and that is such a dangerous thing. As Pam said, beauty does come from within. If we are happy with ourselves, that will radiate on the outside on our faces. The last picture of that ‘perfect’ doll actually looks so creepy…stuff you see in nightmares 😂 Thank for sharing and take care.
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Thank you for your kind comments, Mabel. And I appreciate the visit! It’s funny, the stuff our parents say that stick with us. I’m not even sure if my mom remembers saying it?!
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Hi – i came here from your mother’s blog – and it is nice to meet you.
The encouragement and wisdom here is really practical – and I am not sure if Emma Thompson has “not had any tucks” – and assume she has – and actually I do think that folks behind a camera and on screen might really benefit from having some nip and tucks – but I think what you were getting at what the acceptance, the grace and the confidence of being an aging person that doesn’t reject the beauty of the sarges and decades.
In a world where “agism” does exist – we need more people speaking up as you did here.
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I appreciate that, Yvette! True, Emma Thompson may have had some work, but it didn’t alter her face to point where she is no longer recognized. That says a lot about a person’s confidence. Thank you for your comments 🙂
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good point – there are lifts and “helps” and then times when it just looks weird – and my heart goes out to those who have it look weird
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I watched a movie with her in it last night and I was watching very closely for anything “unnatural” lol. At least she still emotes!
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did I mention that we saw a documentary about an athlete – think it was 30 for 30 and I cannot recall the name – but the mother was interviewed and she was a former professor (maybe UCLA??) anyhow – she had so many wrinkles and it was like “wow – is that what someone looks like naturally at 80-whatever?”
I think we have gotten so far away from what natural looks like – to it can almost be a distraction when we see it – if that makes sense
-n
here is another example
watched groundhog day and the lead actress did not have perfectly white teeth – and maybe we saw other flaws in older movies and shows that is seen less and less. This really hit home when we saw “The Queen’s Gambit” recently – the lead actress (who was awesome in the show and the series was a ten out of ten) but later a few of us were talking about the face and the “plastic” or baby doll vibe. Beautiful but something sort of unnatural –
oh I don’t know – but if you check out the series (or if you have) let me know if you noticed anything like that??
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I’m on maternity leave, and a few weeks ago I literally watched the entire “The Queen’s Gambit” in one day lol.! It was excellent!!! I didn’t think twice about the way she looked as I assume youth is in her favor, and some people do look naturally unique. I do know what you’re saying about Andie MacDowell. And I’ve noticed that with other actors…Tom Cruise is a great example. Watch him in Legend…those teeth! I get minor tweaks like that for sure. But, Courtney Cox, Lara Flynn Boyle, all of the Jackson’s, Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein…omg. They were all such beautiful people exactly the way they were. The pressure of Hollywood, I guess. Hard for me to relate and easy for me to judge…not exactly proud of myself for that, but I still hold strong with the overall message of self acceptance/love 🙂
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Congrats for maternity leave and the baby! Woo hoo
Alis, those celebs you mentioned – I agree! And lead singer of the goo good dolls – yikes
And you know – I wonder if plastic surgery is “you get what you pay for ”
Because why is it so obvious on some folks but then others look like they never went under the knife but you know they did ??? Hmmmmm
Oh and e joyed comment chatting and getting to know you a bit – I really like your momma ! And now I see the likemindedness and wisdom you both seem to share
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I take that as a huge compliment! I can only strive to be as kind as her 🙂 Wonderful getting to know you as well!!
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I am going to sorta post about this topic – and I will link you when I do – you have inspired a post – hmmmm – but still chewing on it – hope the rest of your week is awesome
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Awesome! I love being a source of inspiration 🙂 Thank you!
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right on (or should I say relax, it’s all write) hahah
and I just wrote about agism in a post and wonder if it was fueled by our chatting as well (because you know we get primed here and there) – anyhow good day to ya
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Nice! I’ll take a gander 🙂
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Which post is it?
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I will send you a link – it is the colonel sanders was 65 when he started KFC – posted it earlier and I swear you were whispering in my ear – or our comment chats were there – hmmmm
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I just looked up the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls… good example. He looks like an action figure now
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I know! well said
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Just wanted to share one more little tidbit – last year – there was a lady who stopped by our small group – and one of the ladies in the group later commented on how “old and worn” the lady looked. someone said, “well yeah, she is almost 80” – and then the person said, “yeah, but she looks rough” –
it bothered me for a few reasons – not just the flaw-finding attitude – but the fact that in my opinion that almost 8-year-old did age gracefully (as you wrote about) and that lady had softness to her wrinkled skin and a gleam in her eye. The ironic thing was the lady with the criticism had a mom who had cancer and who was in bed – and was barely 75 – and here this other lady was still driving.
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I am shocked and appalled that anyone would comment on another’s person’s photo in such a rude manor. Unfortunately, there are always going to be bullies. I think the key is self-confidence and to ignore anyone who doesn’t come in with love and light. Thank you for sharing! And I apologize it took me so long to respond. I didn’t receive an alert for some reason?! I try to be diligent in my replies, so again, I apologize, Yvette 🙂
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oh no worries and I sadly have missed comments on some posts that i still need to get back to – but thanks for finding my comments – also they were left late because i visited your mother’s post late and well – no worries
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🙂
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This is a beautiful post, Sara! It takes wisdom to realize that nobody is perfect. Perfect doesn’t mean having no wrinkles. I love your mom’s positive outlook, and I love your message in this post.
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Very much appreciated, Miriam 🙂
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You’re welcome, Sara! 🙂
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