I recently came across an article in a vegan magazine that was all about how to be beautiful. It was eerily no different from those articles in regular fashion magazines: buy lots of these products (in an amazing coincidence, all the products we recommend are also sponsors) and slap them on your face.
No, you’ll still be the same person, just wearing more cosmetics.
So, here is another list:
1. Be Yourself
If your ideal of beauty is to look like someone else, you will never be happy. Stop comparing yourself to others, whether on appearance, possessions, jobs, etc, it will only lead to dissatisfaction.
2. True Beauty Comes From Within
Everyone’s mother, grandmother, self-help book, fashion magazines has probably said those words.
Compassion is beautiful, Greed is not.
If you are a greedy, hard, selfish, brutal, person no amount of changing the outside will change that. If you are a warm, caring, thoughtful person, it will reflect on the outside.
3. Drink Adequate Amounts Of Water
Adequate for your body. Whatever is right for you may not be 8 glasses a day. It may be more, it may be less. Dehydration is bad for your skin, your brain, and everything else. Too much water can be fatal. Diet soda will not work either, as the vegan book Skinny Bitch says “There is nothing in soda that should be put into your body” (Kim Barnouin, Rory Freedman)
4. Consume Adequate Nutrients
Disclaimer: this does not constitute medical advice
Whatever nutrients your body needs, consume them. Water, B12 and other vitamins, minerals, phyto-nutrients, carbohydrates, protein etc. Eat nutrient-dense food, cut down on nutrient-empty food, get the best food for your price range.
If you don’t know, get expert advice. If you do know, act upon that knowledge.
5. Vegan Beauty Products
Beauty products tested on animals or made from animals are not beautiful.
Whatever you use in your personal care routines: Soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lipbalm, moisturiser, etc – someone, somewhere makes a vegan version.
They might be a little more expensive, or they could be a whole lot cheaper (without that fancy brand-name and high fashion advertising, you may be paying closer to a products real value).
6. If you wouldn’t put it IN your body, don’t put it ON your body
Is it true that Western Women put more fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, cream, honey, eggs on their faces and bodies than entire populations in some countries consume? Who knows.
Macadamia nut oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, or any other plant oil, are usually single plant oils containing one ingredient. If they are cold-pressed, extra-virgin then these oils haven’t been extracted using chemical solvents, cheaper than brand name products, minimal packaging, available where ever food is sold, and you can understand the ingredients list.
These can be used as a non toxic massage oil, moisturiser, hand cream, make-up remover, cuticle oil, carrier for essential oils… get creative.
7. The Sun Will Give You Wrinkles
The sun will also give you vitamin D and other possible benefits. Tans might be fashionable, but I live in a country with the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, and there is nothing glamorous about melanoma.
So which ever way you come down on the ‘Sun / Avoid Sun’ divide: the sun particularly on your face, hands, décolletage and neck will produce wrinkles that will age you rapidly.
8. Passion And Activism
Having a dream and chasing it, caring about someone or something greater than ourselves, doing things with passion and energy. Activism is always more attractive than passivism.
Caring for our communities, our social networks and families, environment, animals, it might even be collecting the autographs from the cast of Glee or whatever your passion is, if it makes you happy, do it!
9. Laugh
If you go through life without a laugh for days or weeks at a time, you need to laugh more. It is good for you.
10. Show Gratitude, Give Forgiveness
At the risk of sounding like a bad copy of Oprah Winfrey, showing gratitude and giving forgiveness are healthy. Hanging on to resentments, keeping score and bitterness are aging.
Count your blessings, if you’re not happy with what you currently have, you won’t be happy with any more.
Let go of the past, live in the present with an eye on the future.
Saying ‘thank you’ and being grateful when people do things for you, whether it is someone cooking a meal for you or holding a door open, instantly takes 5-years off your face… well maybe not, but it makes you a nicer person to be around, and that is attractive.
11. Random Acts Of Kindness
There are lists everywhere on the internet. Do one. You will realise that you have the power to change someone’s day. You will focus on someone else. You will smile.
12. Focus On Something Bigger Than Yourself
For the environment, for animals, for a community. This relates to ‘beauty comes from within’ thing: Passion, commitment, caring, compassion, helping others, enthusiasm, these are beautiful qualities.
Martin Sheen once said he was an activist because he couldn’t not be an activist.
Find that one thing you cannot not do, and do it. You’ll be happy.
13. Take Time For Yourself
Half an hour, or a week. You need to put yourself as Priority 1 sometimes.
Too many activists get burnt out. Learn to say NO occasionally. Accept that you can’t do everything. Ask for help when you need it. If you’re feeling stressed, step back.
You’re entitled to give yourself the best in life.
Disclaimer: this does not constitute financial, spiritual, medical, legal advice, provided for entertainment purposes only
Vegan Animal Liberation Alliance 