On a daily basis, I consult women who are experiencing skin and hair issues.
As a Holistic Esthetician, I look beyond the thinning hair and the obvious breakouts on the skin to try and sort out what the skin and hair are telling me about my client.
What I find more often than not, is turmoil and struggle under the surface.
Women are constantly bombarded through media, culture, and with expectations of beauty, weight, fashion and identity issues.
Women have been programmed to accept celebrity endorsements and Hollywood stylists as the standard for beauty.
When the hair, weight, skin and fashion budget don't add up, many Women feel less than; self esteem, spiritual, physical and mental health suffer.
As a result you don't feel beautiful, energetic, worthy or perfect enough.
This inner feeling that starts in the mind and permeates to the soul is the set up for hair loss, lackluster complexions, depression, weight and self esteem issues.
So, with that said, how do you transform yourself? How do you begin to unveil your authentic beauty? How do you feel beautiful when your hair is thinning, your skin is dull and dry, and your feet are swollen? The following are what I believe to be the basic five principles of holistic beauty.
First of all, know that you are so much more than what you see in the mirror.
I am reminded of the lyrics to my favorite India Arie song.
"I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations no, I am the soul that lives within.
" Your worth is far greater than any hairstyle or hair color.
Beauty is in discovering the authenticity that lies beneath the surface.
Next, you have to accept and embrace your uniqueness.
Variety is the spice of life.
What a boring world it would be if we all looked alike.
Learn to appreciate you.
Study yourself.
Really get to know the unique, beautiful being that you are.
You have a purpose on the planet so unique that only you can fulfill it.
Do you.
Pursue health.
Your hair, skin, and nails are more than just superficial signs of beauty, they are direct reflection of your overall health.
Beautiful, glowing, skin and hair are signs of a good digestion and metabolism and a healthy diet.
Your skin reflects the quality of your blood.
A healthy diet, one that is suitable for your blood type, is how you create that healthy outer glow.
No matter what your blood type, a healthy diet will be one that is full of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, healthy proteins and whole grains.
Be honest with your self and take inventory of your life and make the necessary changes that will bring you into sync and harmony with nature and those around you.
The serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr is a perfect meditation for this step; "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; and the courage to change the things that I can.
" Tension and stress wreak havoc on your inner health.
It shows on your face.
Nothing is worth disharmony and the disruption it causes to our inner psyche and physiology.
You can heal your life, but you must first be honest about what it is.
True, authentic beauty comes from a mind and heart that are in harmony.
When you have inner harmony there is emotional confusion, lack of confidence, stress and worry disappear.
Last but not least, beauty is a choice.
Make the choice each and every day to become healthier.
Choose a healthy diet, friends, career, thoughts, and lifestyle.
You have the power to transform yourself into the radiantly beautiful woman you are meant to be.
Be good to yourself and expect the same from others.
Look for beauty around and within you.
It's there waiting for your beck and call.
"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your Mind.
" Romans 12:2
As a Holistic Esthetician, I look beyond the thinning hair and the obvious breakouts on the skin to try and sort out what the skin and hair are telling me about my client.
What I find more often than not, is turmoil and struggle under the surface.
Women are constantly bombarded through media, culture, and with expectations of beauty, weight, fashion and identity issues.
Women have been programmed to accept celebrity endorsements and Hollywood stylists as the standard for beauty.
When the hair, weight, skin and fashion budget don't add up, many Women feel less than; self esteem, spiritual, physical and mental health suffer.
As a result you don't feel beautiful, energetic, worthy or perfect enough.
This inner feeling that starts in the mind and permeates to the soul is the set up for hair loss, lackluster complexions, depression, weight and self esteem issues.
So, with that said, how do you transform yourself? How do you begin to unveil your authentic beauty? How do you feel beautiful when your hair is thinning, your skin is dull and dry, and your feet are swollen? The following are what I believe to be the basic five principles of holistic beauty.
First of all, know that you are so much more than what you see in the mirror.
I am reminded of the lyrics to my favorite India Arie song.
"I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations no, I am the soul that lives within.
" Your worth is far greater than any hairstyle or hair color.
Beauty is in discovering the authenticity that lies beneath the surface.
Next, you have to accept and embrace your uniqueness.
Variety is the spice of life.
What a boring world it would be if we all looked alike.
Learn to appreciate you.
Study yourself.
Really get to know the unique, beautiful being that you are.
You have a purpose on the planet so unique that only you can fulfill it.
Do you.
Pursue health.
Your hair, skin, and nails are more than just superficial signs of beauty, they are direct reflection of your overall health.
Beautiful, glowing, skin and hair are signs of a good digestion and metabolism and a healthy diet.
Your skin reflects the quality of your blood.
A healthy diet, one that is suitable for your blood type, is how you create that healthy outer glow.
No matter what your blood type, a healthy diet will be one that is full of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, healthy proteins and whole grains.
Be honest with your self and take inventory of your life and make the necessary changes that will bring you into sync and harmony with nature and those around you.
The serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr is a perfect meditation for this step; "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; and the courage to change the things that I can.
" Tension and stress wreak havoc on your inner health.
It shows on your face.
Nothing is worth disharmony and the disruption it causes to our inner psyche and physiology.
You can heal your life, but you must first be honest about what it is.
True, authentic beauty comes from a mind and heart that are in harmony.
When you have inner harmony there is emotional confusion, lack of confidence, stress and worry disappear.
Last but not least, beauty is a choice.
Make the choice each and every day to become healthier.
Choose a healthy diet, friends, career, thoughts, and lifestyle.
You have the power to transform yourself into the radiantly beautiful woman you are meant to be.
Be good to yourself and expect the same from others.
Look for beauty around and within you.
It's there waiting for your beck and call.
"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your Mind.
" Romans 12:2