View Full Version : Who do you consider "beautiful"?
The thread in the consumer board about a woman who thought she was so beautiful that other women hated and reviled her (and who most here and elsewhere didn't consider beautiful) got me thinking about people we consider beautiful. There seems to be all kinds of beauty - from the elegant kind (Grace Kelly, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie), sexy bombshells (marilyn Monroe, that Latina from Modern Family, Kim Kardashian, J-Lo), to those "cute" natural looking women like Jennifer Anniston. So what's your definition of a "beautiful" woman and who would you consider deserving the title of "beautiful"?
To me, beauty is more a matter of attitude, spirit, intellect, will, and achievement, and not so much any physical attributes.
For example, here is one of the most beautiful women I've ever met:
http://www.npg.si.edu/img2/halsman/okeefe.jpg
domestic goddess
4-17-12, 2:33pm
I think a beautiful woman is one who is gracious to others, considerate, compassionate, caring, non-judgemental, empathetic, industrious and kind. One who is those things can look like anything, and she will always be beautiful to others, at least to those who matter. I would have to put my mother in that category, and my daughter, and Mother Theresa. Eleanor Roosevelt. Don't know about the woman in the article, but it seemed she thought more of herself than was warranted.
goldensmom
4-17-12, 2:44pm
I could describe what I term 'striking' meaning what I finding physically pleasing to my eye. I cannot describe beauty but I have an example. I introduced a personal friend to a work friend who I knew quite well. Afterwards the personal friend commented that my work friend was 'homely' - not to me, to me her personality and spirit exuded beauty.
loosechickens
4-17-12, 3:41pm
I'm with bae and domestic goddess........beauty on the outside is both shallow and fleeting, but beauty on the inside is ageless, and only improves with passing years.
Outer physical beauty, to me, is like a lovely, giftwrapped box, but no matter how beautiful the giftwrapping, we really know that what is important is what is inside. So if that box is empty, no matter how beautifully wrapped.....not much of a gift. However, if what is inside is desirable and valuable to you, it can be wrapped in week old newspaper and be priceless.
I find a big smile beautiful. I mean a really big grin! It can be on a baby, or a 90 year old, or someone everyone thinks attractive or someone everyone thinks homely. For me a great big smile does it, on women and men. :D:D
Wildflower
4-17-12, 4:16pm
I always find a kind person of any gender to be beautiful.
I am so tired of women being judged on their appearance, but I think it is mostly women that are so judgemental of each other....we are our own worst enemy. *sigh*
Someone who looks at peace with the world is beautiful to me regardless of age or gender. Add some shadows to outline key features and my hands are itching to do a graphite.
frugal-one
4-17-12, 10:07pm
This thread reminds me of a time years ago when a gal I worked with, who was a model and really gorgeous, kept talking about her new boyfriend who she thought was so handsome. We could not wait to meet him. Well, you guessed it. IMO he was the most average, even homely man I had ever seen. His nose consisted of all nostrils. Beauty truly was in the eye of the beholder.
Many of the people widely considered to be beautiful in the press would probably look unremarkable without makeup.
I've met people that I initially thought were "ugly", but once I got to know them, they became very beautiful.
And there have been people I initially thought were very attractive, but soon became ugly, once I got to know them.
Mighty Frugal
4-18-12, 12:09pm
Speaking strictly about physical beauty (not what's inside) here is my list off the top of my head
Jaclyn Smith-She is the epitome of beauty I have had a girl crush on her since I was a little kid back in the 70s
Nicole Kidman
Megan Fox
Audrey Hepburn
Young Paul Newman
Young Robert Redford
Paulina Porikova (sp)
I've met people that I initially thought were "ugly", but once I got to know them, they became very beautiful.
And there have been people I initially thought were very attractive, but soon became ugly, once I got to know them.
This has been my experience also. I guess that's the difference between "beauty" (physical features we find pleasing) and "attraction" (finding someone beautiful irregardless of their looks). I'm attracted to men are wouldn't be considered movie-star handsome at all, but who's personality and interests (combined with some weathered rough good looks :-)) make them irresitable. But taking personality, interests, etc... out of the picture and focusing solely on looks I wonder if there is some sort of "universally" held standard of beauty - someones who's face is just striking to behold (personality and make-up aside). I know it probably varies from country to country though so probably is cultural rather than universal.
But taking personality, interests, etc... out of the picture and focusing solely on looks I wonder if there is some sort of "universally" held standard of beauty - someones who's face is just striking to behold (personality and make-up aside). I know it probably varies from country to country though so probably is cultural rather than universal.
I remember some anthropology class I was taking one time where it was discussed that facial symmetry is a universal leading factor in attraction. And (at that point in time) Halle Berry's was the high bar of facial symmetry.
I remember some anthropology class I was taking one time where it was discussed that facial symmetry is a universal leading factor in attraction. And (at that point in time) Halle Berry's was the high bar of facial symmetry.
I've heard this as well a few years back. I think the example used then was Michelle Pfieffer.
For me there's many types of beauty. If we're talking just physical beauty, I usually find perfect or classically beautiful women a bit bland. I like some oomph! I like what I call "gorgeous" which is physical beauty but also sexy and earthy. Like...
Eva Mendes - this is who I would pick to look like :).
Halle Berry
Salma Hayek - I actually find her more beautiful as she ages - did anyone see her in the magazine Lucky? 45 and stunning!
Jennifer Lopez
Julia Louis Dreyfuss - she looks amazing too! I think she's 51. Plus she's hilarious!!!
Angelina Jolie - although I think she's way too skinny. She needs some meat on those bones!
Kate Winslet - she's a bit more classical but I really like her.
Joan on Mad Men
Marisa Tomei
Oh, and...
Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamonds - youza!!! >8)
Will Smith
My sweetie - yum, yum!
I guess I tend towards dark hair because that's what I have.
Oh, and I think it's pretty easy to look gorgeous when you're young, so I kind of disqualified the young girls! :)
Physically, I like curves, lots of them. And of course, brains. Age is irrelevant. Kindness, open heartedness, and a willingness to say yes to life are good too.
goldensmom
4-18-12, 5:57pm
My wife.
Excellent answer !!!!
My mother used to tell me, the more you get to know a person, the prettier or uglier he/she becomes. I've found that to be so true.
rosarugosa
4-18-12, 7:15pm
Gregg: That's the perfect answer!
dado potato
4-18-12, 11:29pm
A 3 year-old grand-daughter is without a doubt the most beautiful creature in existence. Allowing for a man's sense of attachment, providence and awe... taking that ALL away... she is still in the afternoon sunlight more beautiful than words can express.
I've had women ask me, when just hanging out being girls, who I'd like to walk through the door next and sweep me off my feet. My gut reaction has always been my husband, who isn't classically handsome but is just magnetic to me in so many ways.
For "eye candy" I could probably look at Javier Bardem and Olivier Martinez for a good long while before tiring of either. But I'd never want to meet either of them -- I guess that's the difference. There are attractive people you'd like to know (in the biblical sense or otherwise), and ones you just find visually appealing.
I guess I tend towards dark hair because that's what I have.
That's funny because I also think dark haired exotic women (and men) are more beautiful then blonde blue eyed women and I'm blonde and blue eyed. Maybe it's opposites atrract fro me! I think that latina bombshell on Modern family is stunning - and she seems just as beautiful on the inside too - very funny and nice and sort of goofy.
While I agree with the other who said their spouse, Mom, nice people, etc... are who they consider beautiful, I guess when I started this thread I should have been more specfic and said "if you didn't know anything about a person's personality and I was to show you photos of a hundred people, what type of woman/man would you find beautiful". That question was partially in response to my negative reaction to the "All women hate me because I'm beautiful" lady on the consumer board thread (would I have found her more attractive if I hadn't read her article but just saw her photo?) and paritailly just curiousity about what purely physical attributes we find "beautiful". I find Kim Kardashians face absolutely stunning - other I know think she's downright ugly. Why do we feel so differently?
While I agree with the other who said their spouse, Mom, nice people, etc... are who they consider beautiful, I guess when I started this thread I should have been more specfic and said "if you didn't know anything about a person's personality and I was to show you photos of a hundred people, what type of woman/man would you find beautiful".
Well, I really was serious mentioning my wife. In addition to all the reasons I've found to be attracted to her over the years, her physical beauty is what caught my eye the very first time. She has classic Mediterranean features (family roots in the south of France & Spain). Thick dark hair, deep, dark eyes, olive skin, very symmetric and angular features. That is exactly the type that has always made me swoon. If she ever decided the ruddy, Nordic type (me) isn't her cup of tea I would immediately check to see if Penélope Cruz was free for dinner.
Yeah, I think most of us agree that it's what's inside that counts. But sometimes it's fun to just see what we all find appealing. That's how I took your post.
I don't watch Modern Family so I don't know that actress well. I've seen a couple of ads of hers and I thought she was wearing way too much makeup so I kinda tuned her out. But she is gorgeous and has an incredible body. And actually, I read an interview with her recently and she does come across as very honest and she seems to be able to laugh at herself. Both great qualities.
Oh, I do have a few blondes I like. I think Scarlett Johanssen is gorgeous and I really like Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore. I also really like America Ferrera, but she is pretty young so didn't really want to include her. She looks amazing in her dresses - she's my fashion role model. Dh says I'm most like her, both in figure and personality. I just wish she was older! :)
Gregg - yes, Penelope Cruz is another gorgeous one! Did you see the movie Vicky, Christina, Barcelona? Talk about beauty! The actors were all gorgeous and so was the scenery.
Gosh, that makes me think of another beautiful movie: Midnight in Paris. Love that movie. That French actress in it is very beautiful - the one having the affair with Picasso.
For "eye candy" I could probably look at Javier Bardem and Olivier Martinez for a good long while before tiring of either. But I'd never want to meet either of them -- I guess that's the difference. There are attractive people you'd like to know (in the biblical sense or otherwise), and ones you just find visually appealing.
You might enjoy Rafael Nadal for eye candy, then, pug... I do. Watch for him in the Monte Carlo Masters this weekend and the French Open coming up in May.
At this moment,
Keith Richards' smile, even today with the gray hair and all his smile and laugh is wonderful.
Yeah, I think most of us agree that it's what's inside that counts. But sometimes it's fun to just see what we all find appealing.
With that being said:
Male:
Paul McCartney (man, I am still a devout I HEART PAUL person, after all these years--since 1964).
Hugh Jackman
Sam Waterston (I tell some people that and they don't get it, but ever since I saw him playing Prospero in The Tempest at Lincoln Center.. )
Female:
Blythe Danner (she's older, but absolutely stunning)
Angelina Jolie (for pure gorgeousness)
Zoey Deschanel is cute
Diane Keaton always looks good
When i was young, I thought Twiggy was just so adorable
goldensmom
4-19-12, 8:28pm
Okay, knowing nothing about the person but who would turn my head if they walked into a room:
Male: Andrew Jackson (the Canadian actor not the president)
Female: Grace Kelly
Male: Viggo Mortensen (wowsa!)
Female: Gisele Bundchen, Jennifer Aniston, Annette Bening, Catherine Zeta Jones, Penelope Cruz
I agree about Blythe Danner too. I think Gwenyth Paltrow is cute also. I also think Meryl Streep is aging beautifully, other older celebrities are not (too much work done!).
Look-wise/girl-crush wise, I'm with Mighty Frugal, Jaclyn Smith, for sure, and Victoria Principal.
Male wise, John Travolta. Not so much in the way of looks, but instead, for the beautiful way he is. Honest, down-to-earth, genuine.
Male: Viggo Mortensen (wowsa!)
Me Too!!!! Like my men scruffy and he was very handsomely scruffy in Lord of the Rings and Hidalgo. And a very nice piece of eye candy in GI Jane as the drill sargent.
Other men - Brad Pitt in Fight Club, 12 Monkeys and A River Runs Thru It. Javier Bardem in anything. George Clooney in Brother Where Fore Art Thou and The Perfvect Storm (again - like 'em scruffy rather than well groomed). And while I fiond Hugh Jackman to be one of the most phyically beautiful men out there, I am not attracted to him that much. Don't know why cause he is damn purty! Maybe because he's too nice and lacks the edginess the other guys do. Guess I'm attracted to rough looking, tough acting bad boys :-)!
Beautiful Women - For blondes it's Michelle Phiffer (sp?), Kim Basinger, Scarlett Johansen. Brunettes - Angelina Jolie, Kelly La Brock when she was younger, most of the current hot latin girls like Penelope Cruz, J-Lo, etc... I think I'm seeing that i have a pattern to my choices, and that it is women with 'naturally' pouty big lips - blonde or brunette. I think it makes them look sexy and exotic where as thin lipped beauties (Grace Kelly, Nicole Kidman, Kate Middleton, etc...) seem more elegant and regal rather than sexy and beautiful.
Does anyone else find this thread a bit strange? Its like "yeah, we all agree looks don't matter, but here's all the people we think are beautiful/handsome..........."
Just sayin'.
Does anyone else find this thread a bit strange? Its like "yeah, we all agree looks don't matter, but here's all the people we think are beautiful/handsome..........."
Just sayin'.
Well I think looks do matter when it comes to choosing a mate/romantic partner - and if not looks per se then at least a physical attraction. Like Gregg said, he was initially physically attracted to his wifes looks and then, obviously liking her as a person, that combination made him fall in love with her. And while the thread is sort of weird, it's also sort of interesting to see the different types of people we (as a society) would consider physically beautiful - or not.
goldensmom
4-20-12, 3:19pm
Well I think looks do matter when it comes to choosing a mate/romantic partner - and if not looks per se then at least a physical attraction. Like Gregg said, he was initially physically attracted to his wifes looks and then, obviously liking her as a person, that combination made him fall in love with her. And while the thread is sort of weird, it's also sort of interesting to see the different types of people we (as a society) would consider physically beautiful - or not.
Yes, it is ironic that I don't consider physical looks when assessing one's true beauty as that comes from knowing a person but when I first saw the man who would become my husband I immediately thought him handsome. Interestingly the male that I noted in a previous post that I find beautiful/handsome is tall and blonde just like my husband. So, the question, was I physically attracted to my husband-to-be because I like tall, blonde men or do I find tall, blonde men attractive because I love my husband?
Does anyone else find this thread a bit strange? Its like "yeah, we all agree looks don't matter, but here's all the people we think are beautiful/handsome..........."
Just sayin'.Honestly, "looks" do matter... but "looks" per se, from the perspective of stature or importance, aren't important to me at all, nor do I think more or less of people (or a person) due to looks or the lack there of, but Spartana, was quite clear in her opening question, and I wanted to answer as best I could. In speaking for myself, I don't place much emphasis on looks, but that doesn't handicap me from recognizing beauty when I see it.
I did not marry my wife for her physical attributes. I did, however, ask her out on that first date when the ONLY thing I knew about her was that she is
HOT!!!
Yes, it is ironic that I don't consider physical looks when assessing one's true beauty as that comes from knowing a person but when I first saw the man who would become my husband I immediately thought him handsome. Interestingly the male that I noted in a previous post that I find beautiful/handsome is tall and blonde just like my husband. So, the question, was I physically attracted to my husband-to-be because I like tall, blonde men or do I find tall, blonde men attractive because I love my husband?
I do the same thing. I was sort of instantly attracted to the guy who would become my DH because of his looks (or maybe his looks combined with his first-impression mannerisms) and seem to lbe attracted to guys (IRL) who look like him. So am i attracted to them because of him, or vice versa?
My Dh said he was instantly attracted to me too even though when he first saw me I was anything but attractive - dressed in baggy coveralls, hair tucked into a ball cap, covered head to toe in oil working on a ship's engine (probably throwing wrenches and swearing loudly - OK I don't swear but in my head I do - loudly). And he thought I was cute (and as one of the very few females with a few hundred lonely sailors I guess I could look like Attilla the Hun and be "cute" :-)!). But he said what attracted him was that I wasn't afraid to get dirty or mess up my hair. That he saw someone who could be a friend and companion as well as a romantic partner (after cleaning me up a bit :-)!). So I guess when it comes to attraction, looks aren't always the first thing we see - even for some men.
Here's a photo of the woman just named "The World's Most Naturally Beautiful Woman". She has no make-up what soever in the photo. She is very pretty but at 18 who isn't :-)! They also had an "Over 40" catagory and the woman who won that (some beauty contest I guess) is 49 but I didn't see her photo.
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=752&d=1335376694
I saw a piece this morning on this girl and the reporter said her face conformed to some classical rules of proportion. She looks like a zillion Scandinavian girls to me.
Fun thread!
That poor English columnist who was convinced that she was being rejected by other women because of her beauty, makes me sad. I'd guess she isn't liked much in her office, but she's probably genuinely confused about why the other girls are rejecting her. It could be a hundred different things. To attribute the ostracism to their jealousy of her beauty, is so clearly a way to feel better about a situation that's probably maddeningly baffling to her.
So true that women are hardest on each other. I recently saw a clip of fashion maven Simon Doonan (on Slate I think) where he's answering fashion questions from people who email in. One woman said she often saw other overweight women on the street wearing skimpy clothes. She wanted to know how far you can go in that direction, and when does it become a case of "mutton dressed as lamb?"
Simon laughed and said (and I'm paraphrasing from memory): "If you're expecting me to take your side that larger women shouldn't wear sexy clothes, I have to disappoint you. It's only other women who judge each other this way. For me, it's all about confidence. If I saw a portly woman in a skin-tight outfit approaching me on the street, and she was really confident and having fun, I'd say you go, girl! It's all about your attitude."
Loved that!
How cool that Bae actually met Georgia O'Keefe! I think she's an exciting woman worth emulating - I have to admit I don't find her older face beautiful, but she certainly conveys a powerful presence and strength in that photo. The irony I guess is that she was a totally hot babe by any standards when she was young - witness the photographs of her by Alfred Stieglitz - he made her lovely hands famous!
Here's a photo of the woman just named "The World's Most Naturally Beautiful Woman". She has no make-up what soever in the photo. She is very pretty but at 18 who isn't :-)! They also had an "Over 40" catagory and the woman who won that (some beauty contest I guess) is 49 but I didn't see her photo.
I think that woman is quite attractive. Good proportions, soft features. IMO, those are the kind of faces that naturally age well too.
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