Being Pretty Powerful is Much Bigger Than Beauty

Being in the cosmetics industry, I'm often asked how I define beauty.

I believe that beauty comes in all ages, colors, shapes and sizes. It's not about looking like someone else or trying to be someone you're not. It's about figuring out what works for you. Being Pretty Powerful is much bigger than beauty. It's about confidence and the path you take to achieve it.

For years, women have been reaching out to me to provide them with beauty solutions, application tips and product suggestions. All of these women have ultimately inspired me in my daily life and work, so I brought some of these women together last year to launch a campaign called Pretty Powerful.

Pretty Powerful symbolizes my belief that all women possess natural beauty, and with the right tools, are empowered to a higher level of pretty... Pretty Powerful, Pretty Amazing, Pretty Gorgeous, etc. But, between long hours at the office, family responsibilities, and endless to-do lists, it's not feasible for women to spend hours in front of the mirror trying to look perfect. But it's very real to want to look and feel pretty despite the daily pressures of life.

After so many years of seeing similar "cookie-cutter" beauty and fashion images in the media, I thought it was time to take a step back, press the 'reset' button, and truly think about what is important to women. I believe that makeup should be fun, simple and expressive -- it should not be rocket science. It's about finding what works best for you and then experimenting from there.

All women are pretty, and the key to bringing out their beauty is confidence. While makeup shouldn't be considered a prescription for self-confidence (that has to come from within and be developed over time), I believe that with the right tools and knowledge, makeup can help all women achieve that little 'boost' to help look and feel their best.

Ultimately, you need to be who you are. It's simple advice, but it's so important to remember. This means everything from learning to love your lines to appreciating your unique features. Also, take charge of yourself. Instead of fighting the body you have, accept it and make the most out of it. Focus on being healthy, strong, and fit. Commit to making smart food choices and exercise regularly. This requires work and it's not a quick fix, but you'll look and feel better over the long term.

So, in celebration of the second anniversary of my Pretty Powerful campaign, I asked 30 incredible women to share the stories behind their one-of-a-kind looks and sense of confidence. Through Pretty Powerful, I hope to show women that they are all beautiful in their own way. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspired me.