What do you like about the way you look? Last week, we asked that question, and many readers emailed us photos. Here, eight women share kind eyes, curvy legs, and strong noses…
Says Rebekah (above), who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, “I feel so glowy in the evening sun, like it’s reflecting something golden in me. I was made to bask.”
“I’m so grateful J.Lo hit it big when I was in middle school, because I grew up thinking my big Puerto Rican ass was a thing of beauty. I’ve also found inspiration from fat activists, like Virginia Sole-Smith and Aubrey Gordon. On my book tour last fall, a moderator snapped this photo of me — round belly, the whole soft, visible package — and called me ‘a bright, brilliant light.’ I look at it now and see what she saw: my body not as something that takes up space, but something that offers it.” — Marian, Portland, Oregon
“I love my dimples! They’re pronounced, like someone stuck their fingers into a ball of clay when I was born. My maternal grandmother (‘Nana’) also had gorgeous high cheekbones and a wide face. Whenever I look in the mirror, I see her reflection in mine, her bright red lipstick kissing my cheeks, exactly where the divots are.” — Emma, New York City
“In high school, I walked across the stage to accept my National Honors Society plaque, and my aunt said, appreciatively, ‘Oooh, look at them big legs!’ At the time, I was mortified. It took me 20 years, but now I understand the compliment. My curvy legs carry the rest of this body beautifully. When it’s even slightly warm, I yell, ‘Sky’s out, thighs out!’ and put on the shortest shorts I can find.” — Abby, Chicago
“Small dark moles have been appearing since I hit my thirties; they’re dermatosis papulosa nigra, harmless moles common among Black folks. I watched three small stars take their place at the corner of my eye, and I thought, how cool to have a face that’s still changing, a reminder to look up in awe at the night stars that guided our ancestors!” — Sarah, State College, Pennsylvania
“When I smile, my eyes get all squinty and essentially disappear. It’s my undeniable joy! Here, I’m with my kiddo on a plane, and my children celebrating Tashlich by a river during Rosh Hashanah.” — Jill, Cousins Island, Maine
“My masi (maternal aunt) was looking at daguerreotypes of Indian women and remarked, ‘They have such intelligent faces, it’s their strong noses.’ The women in my family have strong noses, too, and I thought that was the finest compliment a woman could receive — to look intelligent!” — Sukhie, Seattle
“I love that I look kind. My two-year-old daughter took this photo, above, while we were chatting on the couch. My eyes are focused on her, I’m smiling, and my eyebrows are arched like she’s telling me the most fascinating thing I’ve ever heard. I got so emotional when I saw this photo, because it’s a stark contrast to how my mother looked at me. When my daughter thinks of her childhood, I hope this is the face she sees in her memories.” — Jenn, Vancouver
Thank you so much for sharing!
P.S. Nine women share their dramatic hair transformations, and 12 readers share where they live.
