Pretty Ugly

As a magazine editor, I often get asked for my definition of beauty. It’s a hard question to answer. The response most people like to hear is that Photoshop is beauty’s favorite tool. In other words, nobody’s perfect. But there’s only so much technology can do to tweak a person’s physical appearance. You can brighten hair, make eyes pop, nip and tuck, erase wrinkles, tighten pores and even morph proportions. But if you do all that, no one will recognize you in person. Many would agree that a person’s physique and facial structure is just one part of the equation when it comes to defining true beauty. To me, the key to beauty isn’t whether you’re tall or short, fat or skinny, witty or dim-witted, bald or lucky enough to have hair. I believe that true beauty is born through a positive attitude and an unfaltering commitment to be the best person you can be to yourself and to all those around you. It’s rare for a woman to think of herself as the most beautiful woman she knows or for a man to think he’s the most handsome. But it’s easy for both sexes to dish on who’s hot and who’s not. In the end, there’s one thing we can all agree on: Even the most physically perfect people can become really ugly if their attitude stinks. So next time you’re getting ready to turn ugly with your words or actions, remember that true beauty excudes from a positive attitude. Once you make optimism a lifelong habit, you will be truly beautiful. Just don’t stop exercising, eating healthy and dressing like you’re on a runway 24/7. Those things help you look good, too.Jorge Arauz | Editor-in-Chief