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Essays About Beauty: Top 5 Examples and 10 Prompts

Writing essays about beauty is complicated because of this topic’s breadth. See our examples and prompts to you write your next essay.

Beauty is short for beautiful and refers to the features that make something pleasant to look at. This includes landscapes like mountain ranges and plains, natural phenomena like sunsets and aurora borealis, and art pieces such as paintings and sculptures. However, beauty is commonly attached to an individual’s appearance,  fashion, or cosmetics style, which appeals to aesthetical concepts. Because people’s views and ideas about beauty constantly change , there are always new things to know and talk about.

Below are five great essays that define beauty differently. Consider these examples as inspiration to come up with a topic to write about.

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1. Essay On Beauty – Promise Of Happiness By Shivi Rawat

2. defining beauty by wilbert houston, 3. long essay on beauty definition by prasanna, 4. creative writing: beauty essay by writer jill, 5. modern idea of beauty by anonymous on papersowl, 1. what is beauty: an argumentative essay, 2. the beauty around us, 3. children and beauty pageants, 4. beauty and social media, 5. beauty products and treatments: pros and cons, 6. men and makeup, 7. beauty and botched cosmetic surgeries, 8. is beauty a necessity, 9. physical and inner beauty, 10. review of books or films about beauty.

“In short, appreciation of beauty is a key factor in the achievement of happiness, adds a zest to living positively and makes the earth a more cheerful place to live in.”

Rawat defines beauty through the words of famous authors, ancient sayings, and historical personalities. He believes that beauty depends on the one who perceives it. What others perceive as beautiful may be different for others. Rawat adds that beauty makes people excited about being alive.

“No one’s definition of beauty is wrong. However, it does exist and can be seen with the eyes and felt with the heart.”

Check out these essays about best friends .

Houston’s essay starts with the author pointing out that some people see beauty and think it’s unattainable and non-existent. Next, he considers how beauty’s definition is ever-changing and versatile. In the next section of his piece, he discusses individuals’ varying opinions on the two forms of beauty: outer and inner. 

At the end of the essay, the author admits that beauty has no exact definition, and people don’t see it the same way. However, he argues that one’s feelings matter regarding discerning beauty. Therefore, no matter what definition you believe in, no one has the right to say you’re wrong if you think and feel beautiful.

“The characteristic held by the objects which are termed “beautiful” must give pleasure to the ones perceiving it. Since pleasure and satisfaction are two very subjective concepts, beauty has one of the vaguest definitions.”

Instead of providing different definitions, Prasanna focuses on how the concept of beauty has changed over time. She further delves into other beauty requirements to show how they evolved. In our current day, she explains that many defy beauty standards, and thinking “everyone is beautiful” is now the new norm.

“…beauty has stolen the eye of today’s youth. Gone are the days where a person’s inner beauty accounted for so much more then his/her outer beauty.”

This short essay discusses how people’s perception of beauty today heavily relies on physical appearance rather than inner beauty. However, Jill believes that beauty is all about acceptance. Sadly, this notion is unpopular because nowadays, something or someone’s beauty depends on how many people agree with its pleasant outer appearance. In the end, she urges people to stop looking at the false beauty seen in magazines and take a deeper look at what true beauty is.

“The modern idea of beauty is taking a sole purpose in everyday life. Achieving beautiful is not surgically fixing yourself to be beautiful, and tattoos may have a strong meaning behind them that makes them beautiful.”

Beauty in modern times has two sides: physical appearance and personality. The author also defines beauty by using famous statements like “a woman’s beauty is seen in her eyes because that’s the door to her heart where love resides” by Audrey Hepburn. The author also tackles the issue of how physical appearance can be the reason for bullying, cosmetic surgeries, and tattoos as a way for people to express their feelings.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about fashion .

10 Helpful Prompts To Use in Writing Essays About Beauty

If you’re still struggling to know where to start, here are ten exciting and easy prompts for your essay writing:

While defining beauty is not easy, it’s a common essay topic. First, share what you think beauty means. Then, explore and gather ideas and facts about the subject and convince your readers by providing evidence to support your argument.

If you’re unfamiliar with this essay type, see our guide on how to write an argumentative essay .

Beauty doesn’t have to be grand. For this prompt, center your essay on small beautiful things everyone can relate to. They can be tangible such as birds singing or flowers lining the street. They can also be the beauty of life itself. Finally, add why you think these things manifest beauty.

Little girls and boys participating in beauty pageants or modeling contests aren’t unusual. But should it be common? Is it beneficial for a child to participate in these competitions and be exposed to cosmetic products or procedures at a young age? Use this prompt to share your opinion about the issue and list the pros and cons of child beauty pageants.

Essays About Beauty: Beauty and social media

Today, social media is the principal dictator of beauty standards. This prompt lets you discuss the unrealistic beauty and body shape promoted by brands and influencers on social networking sites. Next, explain these unrealistic beauty standards and how they are normalized. Finally, include their effects on children and teens.

Countless beauty products and treatments crowd the market today. What products do you use and why? Do you think these products’ marketing is deceitful? Are they selling the idea of beauty no one can attain without surgeries? Choose popular brands and write down their benefits, issues, and adverse effects on users.

Although many countries accept men wearing makeup, some conservative regions such as Asia still see it as taboo. Explain their rationale on why these regions don’t think men should wear makeup. Then, delve into what makeup do for men. Does it work the same way it does for women? Include products that are made specifically for men.

There’s always something we want to improve regarding our physical appearance. One way to achieve such a goal is through surgeries. However, it’s a dangerous procedure with possible lifetime consequences. List known personalities who were pressured to take surgeries because of society’s idea of beauty but whose lives changed because of failed operations. Then, add your thoughts on having procedures yourself to have a “better” physique.

People like beautiful things. This explains why we are easily fascinated by exquisite artworks. But where do these aspirations come from? What is beauty’s role, and how important is it in a person’s life? Answer these questions in your essay for an engaging piece of writing.

Beauty has many definitions but has two major types. Discuss what is outer and inner beauty and give examples. Tell the reader which of these two types people today prefer to achieve and why. Research data and use opinions to back up your points for an interesting essay.

Many literary pieces and movies are about beauty. Pick one that made an impression on you and tell your readers why. One of the most popular books centered around beauty is Dave Hickey’s The Invisible Dragon , first published in 1993. What does the author want to prove and point out in writing this book, and what did you learn? Are the ideas in the book still relevant to today’s beauty standards? Answer these questions in your next essay for an exiting and engaging piece of writing.

Grammar is critical in writing. To ensure your essay is free of grammatical errors, check out our list of best essay checkers .

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Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Women and Beauty Essay

  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment

Beauty has been a subject of discussion for a long time. However, the debate has climaxed in the twentieth and the twenty first century. Although the word has been defined differently, it generally means qualities or sum of qualities that give pleasure to senses. That basically means that any quality or characteristics of an individual which is pleasurable can be defined as beauty. More often than not, beauty is linked to women’s characteristics.

As a result, most women have become obsessed with it and they do all in their power not only to look attractive, but also beautiful. Since it has been mostly linked to outside characteristics, there are lots of beauty products in the market meant to improve the aesthetic value of women.

Sontag is one writer who has written on the issue of women and beauty in one of her essays ‘A woman’s Beauty: Put Down or Power Source?’ She discusses the plight of women in the contemporary society in relation to beauty.

More specifically; Sontag discuses some sensitive issues concerning women and beauty. For instance, on the section of Put Down or Power Source, Sontag explores the responsibility of men on women’s obsession to beauty.

In addition, the author still seeks to explain the extent women are responsible for the same. With that background in mind, this essay shall discuss the summary of Sontag’s essay and argue on the issue of responsibility of men and women towards women’s obsession on beauty.

Although Sontag has generally spoken on beauty, there are numerous themes which have been discussed concerning the same. Sontag majors on explaining on the difference between intrinsic beauty and the outward appearance. The author points out that it is possible to find a beautiful woman walking in the streets but the same woman may lack some important characteristics that can add to her goodness. However, Sontag is not all against beauty especially in women.

She explains that it is the duty of women to maintain their beauty. Nevertheless, Sontag describes a different way of maintaining beauty apart from talking care of the outside appearance. She says that someone can add more to beauty by working hard in career and also in other areas like the business (DiYanni pp. 332).

Sontag compares different perspective of beauty in the contemporary society with the historical perspective. For instance, she considers Greeks who were knowledgeable on various issues and maintained that intrinsic characteristics were more valuable than outward characteristics.

For example, Plato who was a renowned philosopher was not beautiful on the outside but was still attractive due to the knowledge he possessed. In addition, Sontag mentions that early Christians did not value outside beauty compared to the current Christians who condone even some beauty products like use of perfumes.

In the contemporary society, women are faced with a great need to appear beautiful. The condition has lowered their status because compared to men; they are viewed as people who care more about their outside looks other than being concerned about their real identity. According to Sontag, women’s concern about their looks just signifies lack of power.

The fact that the society has made women to view themselves as objects of pleasure makes them to be come anxious about their looks and that is why they are always strive to measure up to the standards of the society. Sontag points out the main difference between men and women in relation to beauty. Although men contribute to the women’s obsession on beauty, they are more confident and sure of themselves.

Most importantly, their beauty does not emanate from outside looks but to their overall characteristics. Sontag ends her essay by a call on women to distance from beauty and instead concentrate more on feminine characteristics like gentleness, and being humble which are equally attractive.

No one can negate the fact that women currently are obsessed with beauty. The availability of wide range of beauty products in the market is a clear indication of the extent of women’s obsession on beauty.

Apart from that, women are even going for plastic surgery to change their outlook, to look more beautiful and to maintain their youthful skin. It is quite unfortunate for women because as Sontag says, the society views them as objects that are valued for how they look rather than for who they are. More often than not, women are treated as objects of pleasure.

For instance, many magazines and movies as well as advertisements use women’s beauty and their body parts to achieve their objectives. Therefore, beauty is trivializing women and there is little they can do about it since society has socialized them to believe the same (DiYanni, 26 & 331).

At this point, the main question is who is to blame for this trap of beauty that women have gotten in to. First and foremost, women have a great need of being appreciated. Therefore, their effort to beautify themselves is for the sole purpose of attracting men’s attention.

Moreover, men are visual beings and are mostly attracted to what they see. As a result, women have no opinion other than to do all in their power to attract the attention of men.

As much as men are to blame to some extent due for women’s obsession on beauty, there is a high probability that the problem is caused by some inborn characteristic of women.

As Sontag has illustrated, there is a difference between women and men. For instance, men are more confident compared to women and they may not need to exaggerate their outside appearance. It is also possible that women and men view beauty differently. Interviews which have been conducted on men indicate that men value characteristic such as being happy and healthy.

Therefore, it is possible that it is women’s outlook on beauty that makes them to spend a lot of time on make ups and fail to work on the inner characteristics. On the other hand, men consider inner beauty more and that is why they are more committed on improving such characteristics. For that reason, it is possible that, the plight of women on beauty in the contemporary society is a problem of their own making and has little or nothing to do with men.

Beauty is defined differently in on different cultures of the world. However, it is important to note that due the emergence of a global culture which has been accelerated by globalization, there are similarities on some ideas concerning beauty. Since the American culture is considered superior to other cultures, it has proliferated to almost all parts of the world. Nevertheless, there are still some notable differences.

In some continents like Africa, plump women are considered to be more beautiful compared to United States where a beautiful woman has to be tall and slender. In most cases, although women have a role to play, men are chief determinants of women’s obsession on beauty since in almost all communities; women are always aimed at pleasing men. Therefore, as it is the case in United States, men have contributed greatly to women obsession on beauty.

Beauty as it is often defined as an attribute that is not only admirable, but also good and pleasurable. It ought to be cultivated by everyone in the society, men and women equally.

Nonetheless, as Sontag has illustrated in her essay, the idea of beauty has become a trap, not only for women but also men. Currently, outside beauty is carrying more weight than intrinsic beauty which is equally important. The issue is accounting to the current issue of women putting on more makeup to change their appearance.

The role of women in the society as wives and mothers contribute greatly to the women’s obsession on beauty as they are only more concerned on how they look rather than on their intrinsic value. Therefore, it will not be an understatement to conclude that the society which includes men and women, has contributed greatly to the plight of women as well as to their obsession on beauty.

Works Cited

DiYanni, Robert. Fifty great essays. New York : Pearson/Longman, 2004.

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IvyPanda. (2018, May 21). Women and Beauty. https://ivypanda.com/essays/women-and-beauty/

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IvyPanda . 2018. "Women and Beauty." May 21, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/women-and-beauty/.

1. IvyPanda . "Women and Beauty." May 21, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/women-and-beauty/.

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How to Describe a Beautiful Woman in a Story

By Isobel Coughlan

how to describe a beautiful woman in a story

Is a female character in your book particularly good-looking ? Do you need some tips to help you write this person? Check out the post on how to describe a beautiful woman in a story!

1. Alluring

Something or someone very attractive .

“The beautiful woman was alluring . Everywhere she went, eyes followed.”

“He watched the alluring woman as she walked through the room. Her beauty was hard to ignore.”

How it Adds Description

“Alluring” emphasizes the extent of your fictional woman’s beauty and implies that other characters are fascinated by it. You can use “alluring” to show how her beauty catches people’s attention, and the woman could use this to her advantage. If another character describes her beauty as “alluring,” it could hint that they want to get to know her more or find her very attractive.

2. Stunning

Somebody extremely impressive or beautiful .

“The woman was simply stunning . No one could deny her features were carved by angels.”

“The stunning woman always received invitations from model scouts, but she wasn’t interested in that career.”

“Stunning” is another great way to elevate your woman’s beauty. However, this word shows her beauty is universally agreed upon and not linked to being attracted to her. Other characters may be jealous of her “stunning” looks, as these could grant her special opportunities and better treatment from others.

3. Arrogant

Someone who believes they’re more important than others and behaves in an unpleasant way.

“The beautiful woman was nice to look at, but she was too arrogant to talk to. No wonder she had no friends.”

“The arrogant woman used her beauty to get what she wanted. However, many of her peers saw through this act.”

Sometimes, a character with beautiful looks is aware of it and uses it to their advantage, thus making them “arrogant.” If your woman is “arrogant,” she likely has few friends and annoys other people very quickly. Other characters might avoid the “arrogant” woman altogether.

4. Compassionate

Someone who shows understanding and sympathy for others.

“The beautiful woman was compassionate , and this surprised many. It upset her that people assumed she was conceited.”

“The compassionate woman always cared for animals and children. Underneath her beauty was a heart of gold.”

If you want to give more insight into your beautiful woman’s personality, “compassionate” can show they’re a kind person. Some characters might be shocked to hear she’s “compassionate,” as often people assume attractive people are stuck-up.

5. Flawless

Someone that has no faults and is extremely good.

“The team was stumped by the beautiful woman. She was absolutely flawless .”

“She’d never seen such a flawless woman. Until this point, she believed such beauty only existed on TV.”

“Flawless” is an excellent way to reinforce the perfection of your woman’s beauty. Other characters may find her “flawless” beauty amazing, and this could attract lots of attention to her. Alternatively, some characters may be jealous of her looks and act out towards her.

6. Confident

Someone who is sure of their own ideas, qualities, and ideas.

“The beautiful woman was confident , no doubt about it. You could tell she knew her effect on others as she walked through the door.”

“He glanced across the platform and saw a beautiful woman. She was confident and waved back at him.”

If your character is bold or self-assured, “confidence” is an apt word to describe them. Her “confidence” could make her a friendly character, as she’s not scared to talk to new people. This could make her a great leader, and other characters could look up to her for advice or guidance.

7. Captivating

Someone or something that attracts or fascinates others.

“He lay in bed thinking about the captivating woman. Her beauty was driving him crazy, and he needed to see her again.”

“The captivating woman found her beauty frustrating. She just wanted to blend in, but she couldn’t help but draw attention from others.”

“Captivating” shows the effect of the fictional woman’s beauty on others. This means her good looks are unforgettable, and many find them difficult to ignore. She could either love this attention or find it extremely troubling. Other characters may even start stalking her, as her “captivating” looks are hard to ignore.

8. Extraordinary

Something or somebody with extremely special qualities or looks.

“She knew she looked extraordinary , and she basked in the attention. Usually, it made her uncomfortable, but tonight she’d embrace it.”

“The extraordinary woman appeared in her dreams again. Her beauty was unbelievable.”

“Extraordinary” implies that the woman’s beauty is extremely good, which might often make her the most beautiful woman in the room. Other characters may find this intriguing, and it might make her more memorable to others.

Someone who isn’t proud and doesn’t believe they’re better than others.

“The humble woman quietly ate her lunch. She didn’t notice everyone else in the room staring at her beauty.”

“Every time someone complimented her on her beauty, she blushed. In that respect, she was a humble person.”

If you want to show that your beautiful woman doesn’t believe she’s better than others, “humble” is a great word to use. This implies her personality is not affected by her attractiveness, and it might make her popular with others, too. If another describes her as “humble,” they might be impressed with her normal attitude.

10. Conventional

Someone whose opinions and behavior are normal and ordinary.

“Her beauty didn’t affect her politics. She was as conventional as can be.”

“Everyone was surprised at how conventional she was. They’d been blindsided by her impossible beauty, and many were disappointed after meeting her.”

“Conventional” shows that your beautiful woman doesn’t have any radical ideas or behaviors. Other characters might find this disappointing, as they may expect her personality to be unique, like her looks. Being “conventional” could also help the beautiful woman avoid conflicts, as she doesn’t take a polarizing stance.

College Essay: A Beautiful Girl

Listen to the digital audio version of “A Beautiful Girl.” document.createElement('audio'); https://wp360prd.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/Juma-hello-draft_mixdown-1.mp3

Juma Waganda

It was the first day of the third grade. I walked reluctantly into my new classroom. A tall, Caucasian woman stood at the head of the room writing the date on the board. As I entered the new setting, my body began to nervously shake. I scanned the room to find at least one familiar face. As I did this, an abrupt realization hit me that none of the other kids looked like me. Everyone surrounding me had straight hair and privilege. As a young girl, I always knew that I was different: I didn’t look like anyone else in my school. Thankfully, I had my parents’ guidance in the beginning stages of my life to teach me how to embrace myself.  

At a very young age I was aware of the color of my skin. Growing up, my family showered me with positivity and support. Many people of color tend to be ashamed of their skin. In my case, I slowly began to accept myself and thrive because of the color of my skin. I would have never been able to accomplish such confidence without the encouragement from my parents.   

My mother was adopted by a white family of farmers in the 1960’s, living in northern Minnesota. My mother’s family is full of open-minded people. But many times they received a lot of criticism for having a black child amongst them. As a mixed girl in northern Minnesota, she was the darkest shade of black the townspeople ever saw. She was the only black kid in her entire school. The color of her skin resulted in her being bullied as a young girl. As she grew up, she continued to not fit in. She was either too white or too black. Because of her struggles she wanted to instill confidence and courage in her children. I look up to her because she persevered through adversity.  

My father immigrated to Minnesota from Kenya in the 1980s. He worked hard to immigrate because he wanted the brightest future for himself and his future family. He is a proud African Rastafarian. However, it took time for him to accept his blackness after coming to America. Before he came to America he never knew he was black, meaning the color of his skin never mattered. In Africa prejudice is not based off of race or gender, but rather the tribe that one is a part of.   

My parents faced hardships throughout their lives, which they eventually overcame. Since they persevered through their struggles, both my mother and father became great role models for me. They taught me to accept myself and fight for what I believe in.  

As a young kid, I wanted to look like my white friends. I wanted straight hair and a smaller nose. I didn’t want to seem different than everyone else. I wanted to be “beautiful.” Some kids at my school judged me for my black skin or having big, curly hair. Insecurities began to form at a young age. It was difficult to address, but with my parents’ help, and my discovery of a nonprofit organization called Girls Inc., I am now a strong, confident and proud African-American young woman. Girls Inc. is a program with the mission to give girls, of all backgrounds, the opportunity to learn about S.T.E.M. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded with girls who look like me. Excitement rushed through my body. I wasn’t the odd one out. Girls Inc. allowed me to see exactly what my parents instilled in me my whole life. Now I’ve created relationships with people in and out of school who accept me for who I am, as a person not based on my appearance.  

My parents raised me to believe I could accomplish anything I put my mind to and rise above adversity. I plan to successfully complete college with the intention of becoming a role model to others. I want to exemplify to young girls what my mother and father instilled in me. Despite many emotional hardships I went through, I will not let these obstacles prevent me from succeeding.

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Please support us by disabling your ad blocker on our site., winning essay: learning to feel beautiful, "i tried to be a “beautiful” girl that cared about how she looked, but i wasn’t ready to see her.".

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**Content warning: The following text describes sexual assault and can be disturbing and/or triggering for some readers. Please find resources listed at the bottom of the article.**

I remember staring in the mirror, examining the painted face staring back at me. Pink lips, natural eyeshadow, black eyeliner, mascara, and soft blush. My parents said I looked beautiful, but the word made me feel nauseous as I held back tears and swallowed the pain away from my throat. My mind was screaming, yelling at me to rip the makeup off my face, but all I did was stand and stare. I was twelve at the time and I remember being afraid to be called “beautiful.” When I was seven years old, my family and I went to an indoor water resort where I was sexually assaulted by an older boy, and whose sister attempted to drown my younger sister in the pool. We were able to escape before anything worse happened, but never spoke a word about it because it was unfathomable at the time. I forgot about it for a while, until I hit sixth grade and all of my girl friends started wearing makeup and tight clothing to impress their crushes. Twelve–year–old me was confused and didn’t want to switch out my basketball shorts and ponytail for leggings and styled hair, but the social pressure from my friends and parents to “dress and act like a girl” eventually got to me. I tried to be a “beautiful” girl that cared about how she looked, but I wasn’t ready to see her. Seeing her in the mirror made me want to cry and throw up. I didn’t want to see her because I was afraid to, because I thought being beautiful would bring her danger. Fast forward to high school to the cool, tomboy me who still never spoke about what happened. I eventually learned how to do my own makeup because I had to for dance, but my nausea around makeup was replaced by a fear of touch. Any sort of touch made me flinch. I remember my body would go cold and stiff in a hug no matter if it was by an acquaintance, friend, sister, or other family member. At least I was able to get away with “not being the hugging-type.” Although everyone kinda hates being at Penn at some point in their lives, one of the most unforgettable things I have learned since being here is that love works in mysterious ways, especially when you aren’t looking for it. Somehow, my awkward and broken self got the courage to confess my feelings to one of my guy friends the end of my first semester at Penn. Normally, I play it really safe because of my past experiences, but I had a good feeling about him (although I also was so ready to get rejected). After studying and playing video games together almost everyday after classes ended, and swerving my first kiss with him at 3 a.m. and laughing out of nervousness for another half hour until I felt ready to kiss him for real, I asked him to date me the next semester. Falling in love with my now-boyfriend and best friend of three years was actually very hard, but without those three years of laughter, tears, heartbreak, fights, friendship, and honesty, I wouldn’t have become the better version of myself you see today. For one, being in a relationship meant I had to address my pent–up experiences and feelings that had already translated into the way I felt and behaved. Growing up as the older sister and having the role of the mediator in my family, I was always listening to others and setting my feelings aside to make sure those I cared about were happy. And when it came to my more traumatic experience, I got used to the ease of keeping things to myself. That way, no one had to worry about me and I could focus on taking care of everyone else. I started doing the same thing with my boyfriend, only he would ask me a lot about how I felt and what I wanted, but I never really knew how to respond. I tried to hide my feelings and default to what he wanted, but instead he would always give me a little push to be more vocal and tell me how much he cared about what I had to say until I said something. Especially after our first summer apart, I realized how important communication was in any relationship. Not only did I speak my mind more often with him, but I also became more vocal about my thoughts and feelings to my family because my voice did matter. For instance, when my dad found out I had a boyfriend, he got mad at me and told me I had to break up with him because I didn’t ask for his permission. I was able to have the courage to tell my dad, “No,” for the first time. It was super scary but also empowering, and to this day, my dad always tells me that he’s glad I spoke up. My words made him realize how narrow-minded he had been about a lot of things, and after his divorce, he said he hoped he could find a love like mine. Being in a relationship also taught me to be comfortable in my own skin. Freshman year, I was haphephobic, had cystic acne, gained 20 lbs, and never felt beautiful nor wanted to be called beautiful. Ever since we met through our dance team, my boyfriend and I had a natural connection. You could always find us in the corner of the studio laughing at Spongebob memes or watching clips of cartoons we both loved. We’d always compliment each other on our geeky pop culture shirts and talk about a new video game we were excited about. Since day one, he had always been someone I could rely on, someone who never failed to make me laugh or cheer me on while I danced, someone who listened to what I had to say, and was one of the few people I enjoying being with while I still felt like an outsider among the other dancers on the team. Because of our early connection and trust, hearing the words, “You’re beautiful,” from my dear friend during a time when I felt how I looked physically was at its worst was the first time I actually believed it. Since then, I started learning to love the way I looked while also seeking to take care of myself better. I got more sleep, watched the foods that I ate, exercised, and started being more open to new clothing styles outside of my usual sweatpants and t-shirts look. After each semester of self-care with a side of reassurance from my boyfriend here and there, I realized that I only needed to look beautiful for myself under my own terms. Today I can say I am a more loving person, especially around my family. That has been something I am most thankful to have learned from my boyfriend. My family never really told each other we loved each other—maybe I would read it on a birthday card a few times. Because I had grown into a more independent person that kept my feelings to myself, it was easy for me to leave home to go to Penn. But watching the way my boyfriend interacted with his family, how close they were, how often they called or texted each other, and how easy it was for them to tell each other, “I love you” before departing made me begin to miss my family and desire that same relationship with them. Especially after my parents' divorce, my whole family was split and became more distant from one another. But it also made us see how much we missed being together, and I took that as my opportunity to finally say “I love you” to my parents and my sister. Since then, we have become more open to talking to each other about our deepest feelings and fears, and not being afraid to burden the other with what we have to say. After these 21 years of life, I can finally say that I am happy. Learning what it means to be loved for all of who I am gave me the strength to pick myself back up, and falling in love with someone gave me the courage to build a better, more loving me. I wouldn’t say it takes falling in love with a partner to learn how to love yourself, but all you need is someone, whether they’re in your family or a close friend or guardian, that sees the beauty and goodness in you among the imperfections you see, and takes the time to help you bring that out.

Campus Resources:

The HELP Line: 215-898-HELP: A 24–hour–a–day phone number for members of the Penn community who seek help in navigating Penn's resources for health and wellness.

Counseling and Psychological Services: 215-898-7021 (active 24/7): The counseling center for the University of Pennsylvania.

Student Health Service: 215-746-3535: Student Health Service can provide medical evaluations and treatment to victims/survivors of sexual and relationship violence regardless of whether they make a report or seek additional resources. Both male and female providers can perform examinations, discuss testing and treatment of sexually transmissible infections, provide emergency contraception if necessary and arrange for referrals and follow up.

Reach–A–Peer Hotline: 215-573-2727 (every day from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.), A peer hotline to provide peer support, information, and referrals to Penn students.

Penn Violence Prevention: 3539 Locust Walk (Office Hours: 9 am – 5 pm), (215) 746-2642 , Jessica Mertz (Director of Student Sexual Violence Prevention, Education) [email protected] , Read the Penn Violence Prevention resource guide.  

Sexual Trauma Treatment Outreach and Prevention Team: A multidisciplinary team at CAPS dedicated to supporting students who have experienced sexual trauma.

Public Safety Special Services: Trained personnel offer crisis intervention, accompaniment to legal and medical proceedings, options counseling and advocacy, and linkages to other community resources.

Penn Women's Center: 3643 Locust Walk (Office Hours 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday–Thursday, 9:30 am – 5 pm Friday) , [email protected] . PWC provides confidential crisis and options counseling.

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"Turn Beauty Inside Out Day" Winning Essays

These essays accompany the lesson " beauty is skin deep .", lily gonzalez: age 13, illinois (submitted by monica brown).

The most beautiful girl I know is my best friend in the whole wide world. She’s the best person to hang out with because she knows how to make you laugh no matter what the circumstances are.

Lily is strong emotionally. She gets teased because she is one of the shortest people in our grade, but she doesn’t let anyone get to her. She just tells them what’s on her mind and then walks away. I like that about her. Once when two kids were mean to me, she stepped right up and told them off. Then she said, with a self-satisfied air, "Thank me later." I cracked up. Another time she was sent to the principal’s office for no reason. When she got there, she stood up for herself, and they worked it out. She walked away with a hurt ego but an innocent heart.

At school, I tend to use a lot of big words like "procrastination," "melancholy," and devastation." Lily always says, "And in English, that would mean’?" She calls me her "walking, talking dictionary." She has a great sense of humor.

Lily is the best friend a girl could have. She’s funny, strong, energetic, and friendly. If she doesn’t fit the definition of beautiful, I don’t know who does.

"A beautiful person speaks from the heart and has a positive attitude and strong feelings. Stand up for your rights and be proud that you’re one of the many beautiful girls in this world." -Lily Gonzalez, Beautiful Girl

SOPHIE VIZZA HINES, AGE 13, MASSACHUSETTS (SUBMITTED BY SARAFINA MIDZIK)

Her densely freckled nose wrinkles mischievously. "Come on, Sarah," she pleads. "Let’s go switch the salt and sugar." It’s 11:00 p.m. the night before April Fool’s Day, and my friend Sophie and I are pulling one of our usual pranks.

Sophie doesn’t conform to what others think she should be. She doesn’t follow fashion trends - she prefers baggy clothes to the popular tight fitting jeans and tops. She’s comfortable with who she is. She skateboards, backpacks, and spends many lazy summer days catching frogs in her pond. Sophie believes the world would be a better place for girls if people didn’t tell them how to act and look.

Never one to back down and let others run the show, Sophie speaks her mind and voices her opinions. Once when she was skateboarding in the park, five high-school guys remarked, "Girls can’t skateboard!" Sophie said, "I can!" and convinced them by landing two ollies. We left the park laughing.

Her friendship is the strongest and most loyal one I’ve ever had. We share, joke, and even fight like real sisters. A truly amazing gal, Sophie is one of the most bee-yoo-ti-ful girls I’ve ever known.

"My goal is to invent something to help our environment."-- Sophie Vizza Hines

ELAISE BUSH, AGE 11, CALIFORNIA (SUBMITTED BY VALERIE JEAN BUSH)

Geek. Weirdo. Stupid. Loser. Teacher’s Pet.

Some kids try to put each other into imaginary boxes, but my sister, Elaise (also known as Lacie), doesn’t play those games. She brushes off the heaviest peer pressure and insults. I think she’s really brave. And I think it helps that she has interests outside of school and supportive parents who encourage her to think for herself.

Lacie and I have been performing together since she was old enough to memorize a simple song. Our mom is a music teacher and always encourages us. At our grandparents’ 5oth anniversary, in front of hundreds of people, Lacie stole the microphone from me! I didn’t resist because she was only 4 and very cute.

We like finding new ways to be creative and sharing these experiences keeps us very busy! We’ve done plays and musical puppet shows, complete with homemade theaters and puppets. We’ve performed vocal and instrumental solos and duets at church, schools, and the local Moose lodge. We’ve choreographed dances to perform in community talent shows, and we make movies with our video camera. One movie was so good that the local elementary school put it in their library!

Because we do these things together, it’s easier to do what we want - even if other kids don’t think it’s cool. We’re closer than most sisters because we work as a team and share the sense of accomplishment.

Turn Beauty Inside Out Day essays reprinted with permission from New Moon Magazine .

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Essays on Beautiful Girl

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Paragraph on A Beautiful Girl

Students are often asked to write a paragraph on A Beautiful Girl in their schools. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 200-word, and 250-word paragraphs on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

Paragraph on A Beautiful Girl in 100 Words

A beautiful girl is like a rainbow, full of different colors and happiness. She has a smile that lights up the room, just like the sun brightens our day. Her eyes sparkle like stars in the night sky, and her laughter is like music, making everyone feel happy. She is kind and shares her toys with her friends. She helps her mom and dad at home. She loves to read books and draw pretty pictures. She is also brave and always tries her best. She is not just beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside.

Paragraph on A Beautiful Girl in 200 Words

A beautiful girl is not just about how she looks on the outside. True beauty shines from the inside. She has a heart full of kindness and love. She smiles often, and her smile is like sunshine that brightens up the day. Her eyes sparkle with joy and curiosity about the world. She is respectful to everyone, whether they are older or younger, and she is always ready to help. She is brave, always standing up for what is right, even if she is alone. She loves to learn new things and is not afraid to ask questions. She is also patient and listens carefully when others are talking. She loves nature and takes care of the plants and animals around her. She is also neat and tidy, keeping her things and surroundings clean. She plays and laughs freely, spreading happiness wherever she goes. A beautiful girl is a good friend who is there for her friends in good times and bad. She is honest and always tells the truth. This is what makes a girl truly beautiful.

Paragraph on A Beautiful Girl in 250 Words

A beautiful girl is not just about her looks, but also about her heart and mind. She has a smile that can brighten up the gloomiest day. Her eyes sparkle with kindness, showing that she cares for others. Her hair, whether it’s short or long, straight or curly, always seems to frame her face perfectly. She carries herself with grace, making every step seem like a dance. But her beauty is not just skin-deep. She is smart, always eager to learn new things. She loves to read books, explore the world, and ask questions. She is brave, ready to stand up for what’s right, even if she has to stand alone. She is kind, always ready to help those in need. She treats everyone with respect, no matter who they are or where they come from. She is honest, always speaking the truth, even when it’s hard. She is patient, willing to wait for good things to come. She is strong, able to face challenges with courage. She is a good friend, always there for others in times of joy and sorrow. She is a beautiful girl, not because of her looks, but because of who she is on the inside. And that’s what makes her truly beautiful.

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essay on beautiful girl

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Beauty / Beauty Beyond Appearances: Celebrating our Unique Selves

Beauty Beyond Appearances: Celebrating our Unique Selves

  • Category: Social Issues , Life , Sociology
  • Topic: Beauty , Woman

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