Beauty is that attribute in an object or person that provides the senses with a feeling of great satisfaction and pleasure. Beautiful is equated with positive emotions of pleasure and contentment. Beauty causes a subjective and powerful feeling of attractiveness and general happiness. The society, by design or default, subtly enforces a firm expectation on women to be beautiful. Therefore, beauty becomes a standard of comparing one woman to another which unfortunately can cause bitterness and frustration when it is not achieved. Beauty has historically inspired humans but the pursuit of beauty may result in obsessive disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Overemphasizing on outer or superficial beauty leads to undermining the inner beauty in a person. The media has tended to focus on outward physical appearance yet inner beauty has stood the test of time. The glamour and glitz of today’s world may awe and dazzle, but inner beauty can stir a person to the innermost depths of the soul. The criteria used to judge the outer beauty of a woman is highly subjective, using such attributes like flawless skin, conspicuous cheekbones, perfect hair, and a curvaceous figure.

Today’s society has formulated a beauty standard that is now the template which every woman wants to copy. It can be a frustrating exercise trying to fit in these set limits of outer beauty. In contrast, inner beauty knows no boundaries. It has no standard and is it free to follow the path of its own virtues. Outer beauty can be considered as the icing on the cake whereas inner beauty is a complete concept blending and combining a whole list of noble virtues. These fine attributes and virtues include intelligence, character, charm, creativity, a sense of humor and strong family values.

Inner beauty completes a woman internally, making her radiate warmth and charm to the outside world and also have a perceptive outlook that sees the positive side of all people and situations. Outward superficial beauty and real inner beauty are clearly dissimilar, just like there is a clear difference between an elaborately woven Persian carpet and one made by a machine. Outer beauty can be perfected, but it remains phony if it is not complemented by well-bred manners and kindness. On the other hand, inner beauty is like a colorful, intricate hand-knotted silk scarf, with each colored thread combining to create exemplary character and personality that is the hallmark of a unique, intelligent and beautiful woman.

Inner beauty can also be likened to a unique piece of art. Outer beauty, which is only superficial and vain, will only be important if it flows from inner beauty, which is noble, purposeful and virtuous. For a woman to attain true beauty, her inner beauty needs to be intrinsically cultivated while the outer physical beauty is enhanced. It is worthwhile and wise for a woman to take care of both her outward appearance and inner beauty. A woman should contemplate on the meaning of true beauty any time she looks at herself in the mirror. Nourishing the inner beauty is manifested in improved outer beauty of a woman. The result is a strong, powerful woman full of self-esteem and able to handle anything that life throws at her.