“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” is a saying that’s never rung truer than it does today as rigid beauty standards of yesteryear give way to inclusivity and individuality.
In our cover story “The Bold and the Beautiful” (page 2), Audrey Leonard explores how aesthetic preferences evolve over time, with what was at one time considered “ugly” eventually gaining widespread appreciation.
The line between what’s considered “beautiful” and “ugly” is constantly being blurred by creative thinkers in art, fashion and design, and it’s this type of boundary-pushing mentality that helps move society forward. Personally, I’ve always been attracted to a unique sense of character, the imperfections that capture each individual’s specialness—a crooked smile, single dimple or beauty mark that makes us all more loveable.
But when it comes to the beauty products we use every day, there’s no denying our love of pretty packaging. On page 8, we examine why we prefer to surround ourselves with things we find alluring in “The Rules of Attraction” and I share some very pretty products to give this season in my gift guide on page 4.
One of my favourite ways to enrich my perspective with new forms of beauty is by travelling. Fortunately, that no longer means leaving my trusted products behind. In “Packing Light” (page 5), we share the top products you need never be without, all in carry-on approved sizes. To inspire your wanderlust, in “Nailing It” (page 6), we take a look at manicure trends from around the world, which vary from bold and sculptural to elegantly monochromatic.
We hope you enjoy exploring with us in this issue.
xo Mariam
Founder and CEO
Living Beauty Inc.
