Pretty Thoughtful

When I didn’t love myself enough and didn’t feel beautiful on the inside. Now that’s a major beauty disaster.
Polly Mae Phillips
Santa Cruz, California

My biggest beauty disaster was listening to the people who made me feel ugly and insignificant when I was a teenager. Now I have accepted that I may not be the ideal image of a beautiful woman, but I love the way I look.
Heather Jo Wingate
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My biggest beauty disaster was not realizing until I was well into my 20s that beauty is relative. If you are unique but try to conform to conventional beauty ideals, it’s not going to work. But once you find your own style — and there’s one for every body — you blossom.
Suzanne Dreitlein
Philadelphia, New York

When I was a sophomore in high school, I realized that I relied too much on makeup. I would not dare go out of the house without makeup; I felt ugly without it. When I realized how hooked I was, I decided to stop. It was tough at first, but I have since become confident in my natural beauty.
Tricia Brown
Anderson, Indiana

My biggest beauty disaster occurred continuously for about 10 years: I was ravaged with low self-esteem, a delusional body-image problem, and extreme self-consciousness. I chose clothing that was hideously oversize, hid behind an unflattering hairstyle, and, to top it off, faked an “I don’t care” attitude to cover it all up. Since college, I have gotten a handle on what I truly look like and how to flatter my figure (small boobs, long torso, mushy legs). I still have issues — who doesn’t? — but I know now that I am, as my mother always said, a very pretty girl.
Hilary Brewster
Wayne, Pennsylvania

Beauty is never a disaster.
Shannon Bennett
Williamsport, Tennessee

Ages 8 through 28. Then I realized my inner beauty. How amazing when you discover that your personality by far overpowers a pimple.
Rebecca Hoppe
Baraboo, Wisconsin

Walk with confidence and you will always look beautiful. Beauty solution: Look away from the mirror, walk out the door, and enjoy the day.
Caitlyn McKenzie
Steamboat Springs, Colorado