Monday Musings: If money is no object, how would I spend it to be even more beautiful?

James asked me a really interesting question the other day. He asked, if money is no object, what would you buy to make yourself as beautiful as possible?

I really had to think about this. Makeup can only do so much because there’s a certain point where it will look like the caricature of a person no matter the skill level. Skincare, even dermatologist-prescribed skincare, also has a limit as to how much it can transform skin. It’s not magic.

What most people with money do now is cosmetic procedures. Fillers, Botox, lasers, peels, threads, bleaches, IV drips, surgeries (invasive and non-invasive) are where many find their interpretation of beauty. And it looks pretty great too - but again, up to a certain point. Many are temporary, and the permanent modifications have serious side effects. Just look at Vicky Belo’s eyes. They’re almost never the same size, shape, and location anymore. Linda Evangelista’s experience with CoolSculpting was also life-changing for her but not in the way she hoped.

I’ve always believed that people are allowed to choose how they look like. Everyone’s self-image comes from somewhere meaningful and/or traumatic for them and it is a process that is intensely personal to them. So no judgment here, just observation.

But coming back to the question: what would I, with 14 years of experience and exposure to the beauty industry, and with access to many of these options, do for myself to become more beautiful if money is no object? Not going to lie - I care to be beautiful. Obviously. But honestly I would do the same thing I’m doing right now but with the best quality money can buy.

I go to the salon twice a year max, I don’t get facials, and I don’t do any treatments or procedures. I know that this is a little bit odd considering my work. What I do have have is a pretty basic skincare routine and I do my own makeup with basic products as well.

I do go to the gym regularly and try to watch what I eat. I also care about mental health so a work-life balance matters to me, and I have a therapist when I need to process things. If I had all the money in the world to stay or become even more beautiful, I would continue to do what I’m doing right now, but at the highest possible level. Right now I’m just spending what I can afford, but not much will change at the core of it should I have gobs of money.

The point of this? Well, for me, being beautiful is not about all the ways I can modify my body to fit a certain standard. To be beautiful is to be healthy, productive, happy, and (on days I want to be) pretty. Is this too simplistic? Maybe. But it’s what works for me.