Tag: beauty

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What is Beauty?

Above photo by Annika Photography


You. Are Beautiful.

Look in the mirror. Repeat these words, “I am beautiful.”

You are drop-dead gorgeous. You are radiant. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Beauty is being enough. You. Are enough.

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What is Beauty?

I am faced with this question every day. I see myself transformed for the sake of beauty. Images that hardly even resemble me after all the makeup, light, and photoshop.

Who says this is “beautiful”? Who says heels are sexy? Who are they to tell us what we should or shouldn’t look like, and decide what is beautiful? They are no one.

If there’s one takeaway from my experience as a model, it would be that the fashion industry can be a very negative environment, filled with girls who are constantly being molded into an unrealistic beauty standard.

Do me a favor? Are you still looking in the mirror? Of course you’re not, you’re on your phone, or computer. Look at the reflection in your screen. Better yet, take a selfie, and smile. No. Really smile. Revel in the beautiful nature that is you. That smile is gold.

I know that beauty is more than what it seems. It takes time to train your mind to look beyond the traditional beauty standard. To look beyond the makeup, the hairspray, the Prada, and this or that.

It’s hard to escape, but I feel so strongly in my convictions that each and every one of you have this vast, astounding beauty, that I’ve set out on this mission to spread awareness of this beauty.

You don’t need makeup or fancy clothes. The most beautiful thing you can do is to be you. The most beautiful thing is joyousness and another human’s smile. Beauty is insight and health. No amount of “enhancements” can put you in that kind of place.

What is beauty?
Flaws – Imperfection – Honesty – Life – Humaness – Spontaneity – Laughter – Eyes – Mouth – Ears – Thigh gaps – NO thigh gaps – Curvy – Skinny – Freckles – Teeth
YOU.

Damnit, you ARE beauty.

Be Fierce!!
Briauna Mariah (:

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How I’ve Dealt With Acne & Products that Work

As a model, nice skin is very important to me. I rely on good skin for the success of my career. The problem is, I have grown up with genetically bad skin.

When I moved to New York in July 2012, my skin seemed to have cleared up and was looking better than ever. Optimistically, I discontinued my old prescription, as it had lost its effectiveness anyways. Hormones and stress soon kicked in, however, and caused my acne to flare up, worse than ever. I was working hard on my new role as a New York model and my bad skin was extremely discouraging.

The bad skin caused even more stress–my face is my career!–my agency at the timed scheduled me to see a very expensive dermatologist.  I tried more antibiotics. It was a vicious cycle of stress, hormones, trying to find a solution, and more stress. The whole process of prescriptions, samples, and doctors visits was very aggravating. Near the end of December 2012, I met a terrific,  man on a modeling job who owns a branding company and he wanted to send me some Evologie creams. Continue reading “How I’ve Dealt With Acne & Products that Work”

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Young Models & Preparation for the Industry

Guys, if you haven’t heard, the fashion industry is changing. Big things are in motion. Big, good, things that protect you younger models out there. This is great!

But!

The fashion industry is still, well, a bit raunchy, shady, and over-saturated. These are all things I really do think everyone should be aware of before deciding to pursue a career in modeling. While it is a lot safer, I think, and nicer in “hometown” areas like Seattle and Portland, big cities like New York are crawling with less-than-ideal circumstances.

What do I do, then, when a beautiful, smart, young girl looks to me–me!–for modeling advice? About 75 percent of me wants to warn her of all the bad, to steer her away! But look at me. I’m here. I’m doing it. What am I to steer anyone away?

I love what I do. It works for me and my lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, but that’s not for me to decide.  If you’re pursuing a career in modeling, I want you to know what you’re getting into and make sure you have your parents backing you up and giving you sound advice. Continue reading “Young Models & Preparation for the Industry”

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Finding Inspiration

This Bold Life and I have this on again, off again relationship. I had set a goal of 2 blog posts per week for you guys months back. Consistent information, updates, and experiences shared with you. However, the really good stuff only comes sporadically. That’s what it’s like to be a writer. I must write when the words start flowing.

Like writing, sometimes inspiration is hard to find.

But when you find it, it’s quite magical.

Inspiration isn’t, ‘oh, what a pretty dress,’ or ‘this is beautiful, I love this.’ Inspiration is moving. Literally. Really good inspiration gets your gears working, clicking into place, and suddenly, you’re up and replying, feeding off that inspiration.

Inspiration comes from another human’s boldness, courage, determination, hard work, and beautiful results and realizations. Inspiration is when you are a photographer who instills confidence in your subjects every day and, upon braving out the commitment to being the one in front of the camera, realize something deep, realizing, “That’s me, that’s beautiful, I’m beautiful!” (Read about Dana Kae’s profound, beautiful experience here). Inspiration is health and joy, like a woman staying fit for 22 years, not in it for the results, but for the wonderful feeling of being healthy. (This is Laura’s lifestyle, who shares her journey here).

These days, my main form of inspiration is through social media. There are so many stories to be shared and heard. If you know where to look, the options are endless. In my search for inspiration, here are just a few of my finds. Continue reading “Finding Inspiration”

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Catwalk Confidence

No matter who you are, you have to believe in your inner and outer beauty in the world of fashion modeling. Confidence is beautiful. If you are not confident, you show fear, insecurity, and/or nervousness. Those are really the only options. Nothing shines brighter than the confidence in your stride and the unwavering spark in your eyes. Except perhaps that shiny silver dress you have to wear on the fashion runway. Be careful, if the light hits it just right… you might blind your spectators.

You’re gorgeous, so let the whole world know it. If you’re walking the fashion runway, you must be “strutting your stuff” like you are the most gorgeous person in the world. If you don’t believe it yourself, your/the modeling agency’s clients won’t believe it either. Continue reading “Catwalk Confidence”