Hello Bella’s and Welcome back with Beauty Redefined.

Today we continue our Exploring Beauty Series with the Lovely Amanda Grieve. We first collaborated with Amanda for our Navy & Rose Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial and we are so excited that we are working with her again.

Let’s get to know her, Amanda is a makeup artist and artistry educator for Sephora. She is also the creator for District of She magazine. An online women’s magazine rooted in the powerful idea that women can cultivate real raw human relationships among a culture that is socially connected but relationally detached. A breeding ground for passion, community over competition. Amanda has a heart for building community among women and loves to teach women how to use their cosmetics for confidence.

“Beauty Redefined”

Beauty, noun beau·ty \ˈbyü-tē\. Defined by Webster’s dictionary as the “the qualities in a person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind.”

The culturally accepted idea is that beauty exists solely within the appearance of things. We equate physical beauty somehow as a visual representation of what we know as “good,” and women specifically are targeted with idea that their worth is dependent upon their appearance. An oppressive mindset that proves that when we allow society to define what beauty is, then there is no such thing as innate beauty. There is an inability to cling to a definition of beauty because it becomes seasonally, locationally and culturally dictated. But, what if we didn’t allow the media and society to create such a narrow view of beauty within us? What if instead of holding our value solely within the physical appearance of who we are, we cultivated character that was unwavering? What if we focused on restructuring our minds to an “others first” mentality through sacrifice and spent more time diligently building one another up instead of becoming discouraged with comparison? What if we strive to be a generation of women who are proud to be women? A generation who strive for intellect, admire hard work, cultivate authentic relationships, embrace the expanse of our emotions and thirst for change?

That would be a definition of beauty worth fighting for; one that does not have an expiration date and cannot be so easily manipulated. A definition that we can stand firmly on and pass on to our children, empower within our youth and rekindle within the elderly. I believe beauty resides deeper within us, beyond our flawless complexion, luscious lashes and perfect pout. It is the innermost workings of what makes us unique. A servant heart, forgiving spirit and the ability to stand united.

Collectively, our voice as women is growing, and ever expanding but we must stay diligent in speaking the truth to each other. The truth that you, my sister, are valuable. You are beautiful, you are passionate and you have a spirit of greatness within you. Your worth is not measured by your physical appearance and you have the ability to ignite great change.

Let’s redefine beauty, give it a higher purpose, focus its attention on that which is not skin deep. When we begin to define beauty by that which is substance over appearance then we can truly cultivate the beginning steps for change.

If you aren’t already following her you should be and you can find her Magazine Instagram and her Personal Instagram here.

Thanks for continuing this Exploring Beauty Series with us and reading Beauty Redefined. If you missed the last couple posts make sure to check out She is Beautiful, and Love = Beauty.

XOXO

D&M