
Can you define meaningful beauty for yourself?
The phrase “meaningful beauty” in an email caught my eye recently. It’s appealing, isn’t it?
Who isn’t drawn by both beauty and meaning? The combination of the two was tantalizing, promising substance, a look at beauty that was beyond skin deep—which only made the actual content of the email all the more ironic.
Define Meaningful Beauty: So What Did It Really Mean?
The email was an ad for Cindy Crawford’s wrinkle-erasing skincare line
(Oh yeah, Cindy, you let me down big time. I may have done some angry typing for a while afterward. But I digress.)
Now, I’m not going to pretend that I have always embraced the changes in my appearance as I entered midlife and beyond. Looking in the mirror and seeing those first fine lines, then the deepening of those lines into wrinkles, along with the sagging and other changes in my aging body was never easy. The person I saw in the mirror didn’t match how I felt inside. I realized in that moment how much my self-perception was tied to external standards, and it made me question what beauty really means. That isn’t me. And if that isn’t me, who am I?
Over time, I began to understand that the definition of beauty is far more complex and subjective than I once thought. The idea of beauty is personal and abstract, not a fixed standard set by society or advertising. Seeing these changes in the mirror had a profound emotional impact that resonated deeply with me, and I know it resonates with others who struggle with similar feelings.
Who am I if I’m no longer young?
That gets to the heart of what the anti-aging industry, from skin creams to facelifts, is really promising. A reprieve from having to ask that frightening question. The chance to be who we think we are for just a little bit longer. To be noticed, relevant, visible.
Yet answering that question for ourselves, figuring out who we are when we’re no longer young, can be the most meaningful, liberating, and life-affirming step we ever take. As a woman, this journey is shared by many women who are redefining what it means to age with confidence and authenticity. Maintaining hope for self-acceptance and inner growth as we age is essential, reminding us that what truly matters is our inner confidence and genuine self-worth, not just physical appearance. There are amazing examples of women over 50, like those who embrace their beauty and live confidently, inspiring others to celebrate who they are at every stage of life.

Do you ask, who am I if I’m no longer young?
Nevertheless, are we brave enough to pursue that answer?
It can lead us to fulfilling our purpose on this planet, to awakening our visionary and creating the legacy we were always meant to create but couldn’t until we’d reached this point where experience, wisdom, and the search for meaning all coalesced. As we move forward, we must embrace a more inclusive and progressive perspective on beauty, leaving behind narrow standards. In the wake of this journey, we wake up to our inherent worth and true beauty. But we can’t create this future if we are focused on living in the past.
What Can Science Really Tell Us About Beauty?
In a world where the promise of youthful, glowing skin is just a click—or a jar—away, it’s easy to be swept up by the latest scientific breakthroughs in beauty. The collaboration between Cindy Crawford and Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh for the Meaningful Beauty line is a perfect example of how science and skincare have become intertwined in our pursuit of beautiful skin. But what does science really say about how we can rejuvenate skin and maintain a radiant, supple appearance as we age?
At its core, meaningful beauty is about more than just erasing wrinkles or chasing after the next miracle ingredient. Dr. Sebagh, a pioneer in cosmetic treatments, emphasizes the importance of nourishing the skin with gentle cleansers and targeted serums. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol have become staples in modern routines for good reason—they help hydrate, plump, and smooth the skin, reducing the visible signs of aging and leaving the skin feeling softer and more resilient.
But science also reminds us that our skin’s journey is shaped by more than what we put on it. Genetics, environment, and lifestyle all play a role in how our skin ages. Simple habits—like wearing sunscreen, eating a balanced diet, staying active, and getting enough rest—can have a profound impact on our skin’s appearance and our overall sense of well-being. These daily choices help us take control of our aging process, allowing us to create a routine that supports both our skin and our confidence.
Cindy Crawford herself has often spoken about the power of a holistic approach to beauty—one that goes beyond the surface. True radiance, she suggests, comes from living a meaningful life, filled with purpose, connection, and community. When we focus on creating a life that feels beautiful from the inside out, our confidence grows, and that inner glow becomes visible to the world.
Ultimately, while science offers us powerful tools to care for our skin and enhance our appearance, the most meaningful beauty comes from embracing who we are at every age. By combining the best of what science has to offer—like gentle cleansers, serums, and innovative ingredients—with a commitment to self-care, connection, and living with intention, we can create a future where beauty is defined by how we feel, not just how we look. In doing so, we reclaim the power to write our own story, radiate confidence, and lead a life that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
THE ANTI-AGING INDUSTRY DOESN’T OFFER MEANINGFUL BEAUTY
It delays or even stops us from ever finding it. We all struggle with where to draw the line between enhancing our appearance and accepting ourselves as we are.
But let’s not pretend that we are going to find meaning in that jar of eye cream. As a buyer, it’s important to be cautious about product claims and make informed decisions before purchasing, especially when promises of younger-looking skin or miraculous results are made. The less time and energy we spend distracted by the promise of holding on to our youth, the more we can focus our time and energy on what really matters to us, from the people we love to the world.
A typical skincare routine is often presented as a multi-step course, involving a sequence of treatments—like using a gentle cleanser to wash away impurities, followed by serums and specialized formulas for the face, neck, and even hair—to achieve radiant, youthful skin. Night creams or treatments, especially those with scientifically developed formulas containing natural ingredients sourced from places like the south of France, are promoted for their skin renewal benefits and luxurious skin feel. Unlike the industry’s focus on just looking younger, true beauty is about authenticity, inner qualities, and the tone we set in our lives and interactions. The reigning Queen of Earth, as a metaphor, reminds us that real beauty is grounded, natural, and comes from within.
The more we make the effort to define meaningful beauty in ourselves, in who we are now, the closer we get to fulfilling our greatest vision yet.
After all, what kind of vision can we have if we don’t even see ourselves in the mirror clearly?
This article was written by guest contributor Karen Sands. Karen is an “Ageless Visionary with Wrinkles who empowers people to rock their AGE.” As a coach, blogger, journalist, and author, her focus is on women like you, or as she says, the “ageless generation.”
Check out her website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Karen is recognized by Forbes as “One of the Top Female Futurists Worldwide” (2020), and by Bruce Rosenstein, Managing Editor of Leader to Leader as “Among the Top 42 Leading Futurist Authors Past and Present” (2021), and “One of the Authors of Top 55 Books on Longevity and Productive Aging” (2022), and listed on Futurist Ross Dawson’s Top Global Female Futurists (2023)
Dear readers, how do you define “meaningful beauty” for yourself? Share your wisdom in the comments!
It is strange to look in the mirror and see ourselves in a new light. Our beauty is really on the inside! And that always makes us beautiful no matter how many wrinkles, sagging, or gray hair we may have. 😘
You got it, girl!!!! Warmly, Honey
Honey, I agree with you 100%. I look in the mirror and see two things – one is my mother staring back at me, and the other is a vibrant 66 year old who has embraced her lines and sags and will be embracing her grey hair as I work with my stylist to go au natural. I love your blog and look forward to reading it daily. Keep up the sisterhood as we need togetherness in these troubled times. Sending you love and keeping your beautiful granddaughter in my prayers and the whole family.
I love every word you wrote and…I love your name. It is in my top three favorite names. Warmly, Honey
Actually, this was a good article I am in the skincare industry but I use natural products and stay away from fillers. I would love to write an article on Menopase
Please feel free to send an article to ed@www.honeygood.com. Explain that you read my stories and would like to submit an article on Menopause along with the article. You will hear back from Carolyn, my editor. Warmly, Honey
L love your inner beauty susan and i love your eyes and happy smile Dawnxx
Thank you very much for the compliment. I love your name. It is my favorite time of day…a new beginning. Warmly, Honey
I really do love the term “meaningful beauty”. I really never agonized much over my age because for the most part I have always looked “younger” than my actual age. Couple that with having my 2 children late in life, many people just assumed I was younger than I was. Well, now at 75 years old, the wrinkles have set in for good and I also look in the mirror and am (still) surprised. However, I am FINALLY proud that I am still on this earth to share my love and wisdom to those I love. I am in the process of growing out my dyed hair (many comments about looking older-my natural hair now is WHITE) and am striving to continue to live a full and meaningful life for however long that life might be. I want to encourage others to not “buy-in” to the fallacy that “YOUNG” is the best. I have finally “come into my own”!
What a lovey, wise, and teachable comment. I applaud you. Your inner beauty shines. Warmly, Honey
L love your inner beauty susan and i love your eyes and happy smile Dawnxx
I just came across this, Dawn. Thank you for your lovey words. Warmly, Honey