Sometimes, Only You Can Answer That

Over the course of my career as a skincare practitioner and beauty blogger, I’ve been asked many questions regarding the integrity of product ingredients, treatments, and procedures. Sometimes, it’s an easy answer while other times, it’s much more complicated. That is because sometimes only YOU can answer as to what is right for you or not.

Sometimes, Only You Can Answer That…

I’m not necessarily talking about questionable ingredients, the medical vs green beauty industry (I do, however, have a lot to say about these topics!). I’m talking about personal decisions you have to make for yourself in regards to beauty.

I’ve tried to steer my practice away from the typical messages of the beauty industry. Not only for the mental health and safety of my clients but for my own contentment in my work, as well. Messages of perfection and self-worth being measured by appearance are extremely detrimental. Overexposure to these messages has led us all to fall prey whether we are fully aware of it or not. Most of us have been raised in a society that often praises “beauty” and judges “flaws.” The journey to self-acceptance is tough and requires a relentless commitment to yourself. 

You know what you need better than anyone else does and you are the most capable of healing yourself. 

Now, with that being said, let’s take a second to acknowledge those who want to “feel beautiful” are often being shamed by the same people who preach about these detrimental messages. I’ve witnessed those on the “au naturel” train being the most brutal to those who do what makes them feel beautiful. I find that ironic considering we tell others “only they know what they need.” 

Does this mean you should have an unhealthy addiction to plastic surgery or take extreme measures to ensure your face doesn’t move? Absolutely not. What it means is that we stop and become aware of the fact that we INDEED DO NOT KNOW what others need and it’s not for us to judge. Whether your journey to feeling self-acceptance, feeling beautiful, or to experience happiness, involves surgery, Botox, filler, a simple healthy skincare routine, or a combo or mix of all or none of the above, it’s not for us to judge.

I will always give my advice but sometimes my advice may surprise you. Do I want to use skincare that is detrimentally toxic? NO. Do I want to use skincare products that deliver results without guilt? YES. Am I promoting plastic surgery and invasive treatments? Absolutely not. Am I against them? Absolutely not.

What I will tell you is, I can help and guide you to a healthily balanced decision. But the decision is yours and we have a million other options to make you glow. But I am not one to tell anyone what to do and not to do when it comes to their own definition and idea of beauty. I have witnessed transformations with clients when they feel beautiful. There’s a confidence that beams and my goal is to ignite that in each and every one of my clients. 

Anyone can look beautiful. Trust me, there are tricks to everything. But to FEEL BEAUTIFUL is an entirely different gift. Before anything else, beauty is a feeling. Beauty is a feeling of pleasure and when the feeling of beauty intensifies, so does the feeling of pleasure. It’s something that can be felt all day, every day but it’s up to US to make that connection. 

I think Dr. Seuss said it best when he said, “Today you are you, and that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you.” 

Have you heard, “DO YOU BOO?” It sounds so elementary and comical until you actually think about it. Life happens and sometimes we feel like we have to fit a certain mold. It’s untrue. The more authentically you live your own life, the more beautiful it becomes. It starts with self-awareness. It means not being afraid to be exactly who you are. 

I already referenced Dr. Seuss so I’ll now reference my grandfather (stay with me here…”). My grandfather was unapologetically himself and sometimes it left an entire room speechless. I was raised being in shock from one moment to another. He did and said whatever he felt. Now, there were times I often hoped (AND PRAYED) he would resist doing or saying certain things. I would ask him why he said certain things when he knew others would react or be in an uproar. His answer was always the same, “What the hell do I care?” Plain and simple. And I often tried to find a reason for grandpa to care if so and so was upset for whatever reason. I never could. And that made my grandfather beautiful. There’s no denying the fierce, unapologetic beauty in presence and power. 

My job is to provide guidance free of judgment, manipulation, or shame. I support self-healing and present you with the beauty that’s waiting to be accessed by self-love. Oh, and to take care of the layers of tissue that make up your largest organ! 

So, “Who the hell cares…? DO you boo,” whatever that means to you.

-Sarah