I wish you could see your beauty underneath all of your makeup.

I wish you could see what your loved ones see.

I wish you could see your true value, with or without makeup.

Now I know how hard all of this can be for a girl who was seemingly so dependent on makeup. Throughout high school and most of college, there was rarely a day I went out in public without some makeup on. I felt like people would judge me because I didn’t look perfect or like I just walked out of a magazine. But this all changed during my senior year of college. There were some days that I had so much on my plate, that I didn’t have time to worry about doing my hair or makeup.

It was a little difficult at first to walk around campus without any makeup on, but let me tell you, it was one of the best things I have ever done. I learned I don’t always have to look perfect all of the time. I learned my self-worth wasn’t based on how other people saw me. I learned there is so much more to life than the perfect contour or smoky eye.

“Beneath the makeup and behind the smile, I am just a girl who wishes for the world.” -- Marilyn Monroe

Your beauty doesn’t come from foundation, mascara or blush. It comes from within. It comes from the spark you have about the things you love. It comes from your passion, your strength, your love for life.

You have so much more to offer the world than just a pretty face. You have the drive and passion to change the world. You have the love and kindness to brighten someone’s day. You have the skill and creativity to inspire others.

“If the whole world would was blind, how many people would you impress?”
-- Boonaa Mohammed

Beauty is so much more than skin deep.

Sweet girl, I hope you are able to see that.

I hope you have the courage to run to the grocery store without makeup.

I hope you don’t carry around a makeup bag all day every day.

I hope you learn to love your “imperfections.”

No matter whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup or nothing at all, you are still the same person on the inside. You shouldn’t have to worry about impressing people with your looks; you should just be you. The people who are meant to be in your life, regardless of how “pretty” you look on the outside, will still be there because they love your beautiful soul.

Your physical beauty will fade over time, no matter how hard you try to preserve it. A beautiful soul will never fade, no matter how old you get. Focus on that inner beauty.

Beauty is not makeup. It never was, and it never will be.