So this past week, I was invited to attend a really special event in NYC. It was on this absolutely *gorgeous* rooftop on the upper east side of Manhattan, complete with a pool, DJ, gourmet bites…
and a view of the city that literally took my breath away.
It was hosted by Gillette Venus.
Yes, as in the razors.
And if the jingle, “I’m your Venus, I’m your fire…” is playing in your head…me too, friend. Me too.
But.
The purpose of the event, was to throw that familiar marketing message out the window. And instead, they’re adopting the slogan, My Skin, My Way.
Perhaps you saw my little marketing video on Instagram. If not, I’ll link it here…
But I think that’s really awesome: My Skin, My Way.
Because here’s the thing: Beauty is so much more than skin deep. And for me, that is something that I’ve really had to learn, and embrace in my recovery from anorexia.
During my eating disorder, I was chasing the idea of “perfection” and striving for this unattainable standard of beauty, all the way to death’s door. In my soul, I was never enough — never thin enough, never pretty enough, never good enough. My worth and value as a person was solely linked to this notion of being “perfect.” And every airbrushed advertisement, and celebrity magazine cover fueled that spiral of destruction that became all consuming.
And it was only by the literal grace of God that I realized that my worth was not because of how I looked, or any achievement or accolade. There was nothing I could do to earn that worth and value. I was worthy and loved simply because I was made by God, and purchased by Christ on the Cross. Period.
The road to believing that, and truly embracing that truth has been long and arduous, if I’m being 100% honest.
Culture preaches a pretty hard “truth” when it comes to what it means to be a woman. All you have to do is turn on the TV, or scroll through Instagram, and you’ll quickly learn that to be beautiful is to be leggy, blond, well endowed and with perfect features — typically surgically enhanced.
So that’s why I was so excited to hear about Venus’ trailblazing efforts to change that.
This event was all about empowering women, and proclaiming that there is no longer a “one size fits all” standard of beauty. Women come in all shapes and sizes, colors, and creeds, and I couldn’t be more on board with their message of inclusivity.
Beauty is not just a 5’9″ barbie doll type. True beauty is found beneath the surface. To celebrate womanhood is to celebrate and embrace our uniqueness and I’m thrilled that Venus paving the way to shattering conventional beauty standards, one razor at a time.
At the end of the day, celebrating that which makes us unique – makes us special – makes us beautiful — is such a powerful message. One that truly can make a difference.
I’m proud to say, that I’ve come a long way in embracing the skin I’m in. I’ve grown to love the young woman staring back at me in the mirror — imperfections and all. And in fact, I’m actually finding myself wearing less and less makeup every day.
Because the truth is: I am beautiful. Every single one of us is. Our beauty shines from the inside, out. And I’m excited to share that with the world.
So three cheers to Venus, for changing the message.
My Skin, My Way
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
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97 responses to “Changing the Beauty Game”
Well done my dear teacher🌹🌼🌸😍
Aw thanks 🙂 have a great night x
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Great photos Caralyn! The song Venus was played Shocking Blue, Tommy James (and the Shondels) helped write the song long ago. 😍😎
Thank you so much John! Interesting factoid! I had no idea!! Hugs and love xox
I’m glad that you are an empowered woman. You are empowered by the grace and Spirit of God. He has given you confidence to heal and to help others.
Thank you so much! AMEN to that!! He is the great Empowerer!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Just putting this out there…and the cynic in me hopes this isn’t the case. But, well, motives go more than skin deep as well.
Have you thought about maybe an ulterior motive to the “My Skin, My Way” campaign? Flip one word – skin – to body. It becomes “My Body, My Way” because well, skin is part of the body. Suddenly it becomes more about feminism and the power to control their body, i.e. abortion and rights and such. It was Gillette, after all, that put out the whole “toxic masculinity” campaign too.
A thought to ponder.
Toxic masculinity? Is there a link to the campaign?
I agree that we have to be very much aware; business is business. Whatever can make a huge profit they’ll go with it. So in a way I agree with you. And I agree with B3.
If you Google Gillette and toxic masculinity you will find lots of info about it.
Ok, I’ll check it out.
So excited for you dear friend! Taking the message and defining beauty in the way God intends – great example for others. Cheers!!
Thank you so much Eric!! Yes! The way God made us and intends!! Our beauty points to Him!! Hugs and love xox
You just keep getting more beautiful every day girl!
Oh my gosh you’re too sweet. Thank you Krista, that means a lot! Hugs and love xox
Your my hero when it comes to blogging lol. May I ask what theme you use
Oh my gosh Bruce, thank you! And hmm I actually don’t know! Let me investigate —-
Thank you for this beautiful post. You are fortunate to have beauty on the outside and beauty on the inside. I myself try to strive for perfect only to fall way short.
To let you know, I had an event in Kempton, Pennsylvania yesterday. It involved jeeps… and trains. I had fun, but it ended early. Since I had time, I made my way to the Whippany Railway Museum. Yes, the one in Whippany, New Jersey. If I knew that I was going to be here, I could have given YOU a shout. (I have been trying to see this place for a while and finally made it.) I did have some extra time to see Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown. Sadly, since it takes a while to get home, I could not see anything else. Anyway, I hope that YOU are doing better than well.
Thank you so much JB!! And gosh what a kind thing to say. Interesting! Sounds like a really fun day!! Next time! Hugs and love xox
You are very graciously welcome. I hope to return. Hugs and love back to YOU!!
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I just wrote a blog today about being beautiful ❤❤ How awesome that you got to be apart of this event. Yes, we are all beautiful and being beautiful doesn’t mean being 5’9, blonde, well endowed, etc. It so much more than that. Great pictures, great blog, great message! Have a wonderful blessed night ⚘🌻🤗😊
Hi Lane! Oh that’s so awesome! I can’t wait to read your post!! You’re absolutely right – true beauty is so much more than that. So glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox
It’s my pleasure, I enjoy your blogs 🌻⚘🤗
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Glad you finally discovered you’re a beautiful person. 🙂
Aw thank you Ian 🙂 we all are! Because we’re His handiwork! Hugs and love xox
This post reminds me of the poem I fell in love with me. Perhaps you should check it at theseinfeldeffect.com
Oh wow I definitely will check it out. Thanks for passing it along. Hugs and love xox
My first question is – Are you one of the models or THE model for their campaign? If so, congratulations!
This reminds me of when I first started reading your blog. You hadn’t released your face or name yet, so I took to calling you “Beauty” based on your blog title. When you eventually showed your face and told us your name I thought I would have a hard time not using that name. “Caralyn” became much easier to switch to than I anticipated! Still, “Beauty” comes to mind at times all the same. That and “Tiffany.”
I’m so glad you are getting more and more comfortable with your own skin. Remember Panera and how your inner light showed so powerfully? THAT’s the young lady everyone here knows so well. We all saw your beauty before you ever showed your face, thanks to that inner light.
I trust you got my message today OK. Let me know, OK?
Thank you so much Jeff 🙂 I am ONE of the models for sure!! Haha and gosh you’re kind to say that. And my goodness, You reflect His light too!! 🙂 I really appreciate that. And YES! I actually just had to stop commenting here and go listen to it! I was at a photoshoot when your call came in and when I got home I was bee-line to stuff my face with dinner!! Haha So i just listened to it! That’s terrific that that weekend is a go!!!!!! So exciting. Can’t wait. Thank you, Jesus, for the green light on this wonderful opportunity! Hope you and Julie have a great night! Hugs xox
Great! Can you call so we can discuss a couple logistics? Up for a while yet tonight or tomorrow?
Perfect! I’ll give ya a buzz tomorrow!
Oh well thank you. I think my name is beautiful too. 😂
That’s so very well written, as always
Thank you so much Larry! What a kind thing to say! Hugs and love xox
[…] https://beautybeyondbones.com/2019/06/10/changing-the-beauty-game/ […]
Thanks Tonya for the link up! Hugs and love xox
The most attractive thing to me are the eyes and smile because they can reflect the spirit. If the joy and light of God shine through, it is truly beautiful.
Yes!! I totally agree – windows to the soul! Hugs and love xox
I love tis message friend! Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much Sarah! Hooray for inner beauty! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Yes! Beautiful post! This is a message that has been a constant in my life as a woman of colour! To love the skin God made me in. I am ( and we all are) fearfully and wonderfully made!
Hi Sophie! Aw thank you friend for sharing your heart. YES!! fearfully and wonderfully made! Hugs and love xox
Lovely post. 🙂 I really like the last picture you posted. You look so content and stunning as always.
Thank you Hannah 🙂 and oh gosh you’re sweet thank you for saying that! Big hugs xox
Congratulations, this is really great. Loved the photo, such an inspiring piece!
Thank you so much friend!! I’m so glad it resonated with you! have a great week! hugs xo
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xxoox 🙂
I am so inspired by this post! You are truly beautiful!
Oh gosh thank you so much 🙂 what a beautiful thing to say! Hugs and love xox
To be profound for a moment, I like the way you interpret Gillette’s slogan. I think Jesus words, “my body”, apply to you at the event!
Yes, Jesus is the way. :;
Thanks David. Yes!
I heard an REM song yesterday, and the line “take comfort from your friends” stood out to me, for you
cool, thanks
One of Satan’s favorite tricks is to get us to believe that something in this fallen world is more important to pursue than the God who made us and sustains our life. It might be fame, our looks, our career, our family or anything we turn into an idol. The truth is, though, if we make pleasing/obeying/serving God foremost then everything else we need is provided by Him. I had to learn that hard lesson myself…
You’re so right about that, Rollie. Amen – He will provide us with everything we need!! thanks for sharing that wisdom! big hugs xo
You are so right about a woman’s beauty. There is a saying that goes ( heavy editing here) ” you can’t stay in the bedroom 24 hours 7 days a week you have to actually live with this person “.
Oh wow, haven’t heard that saying before! hahahha but yep – there’s a lot of truth there!
I enjoy reading this post. Beauty is everyone, which means differences. It’s sad we’re now embracing this idea, because I guess the world has been living under a rock. 😆
However, I’d say from a biblical stance, it’s really not our body, our way. Our body belongs to God. 🤔 And so as the movement of Feminism grows, we have to be careful about what we say about our bodies and does it align to God.
I’d embrace loving who God created you to be. But not to get caught up in vanity. I hope this makes sense.
Hey love! amen to that — beauty is everyone!! what a powerful saying. And so true — our body belongs to God! It makes total sense — celebrate the beauty that comes with being a handiwork of God, but remember that we are just that: handiwork of God — under Him. hugs xo
That’s a beautiful post, as beautiful as you are.🥰
oh gosh what a kind thing to say. thank you so much!! hugs xo
Lol, thanks. Now I’ll be singing that jingle throughout the day! Wonderful post Caralyn. I am so proud of you for fighting hard, continuing to run the race well and kicking some enemy booty! Please keep sharing there is a world full of beautiful people who need to hear what Jesus is speaking through you.
hahahaha sorry about that Terese!! 🙂 hehe Thank you so much — may we all kick some enemy booty this week! hehe 🙂 And gosh, I can’t begin to express how much I appreciate your encouragement. It was especially needed today. This was literally a God-send message. He’s speaking through YOU to me!! 🙂 hope you have a beautiful night! hugs xo
Aww, I love He does that! Always my pleasure, Caralyn! ♥️
🙂 xoxooxoxoxoxo
100% YES!!! For me it is when I let God take over that I found a sense of peace, I listened and found my path, while it has been rocky it’s something I wouldn’t change and “My skin, MY way” is perfect
Hi Alisha!! Aw thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so glad that you found your path! amen sister!! hugs xo
Truly that’s a message to adopt since we really got lost … love you and all your messages Caralyn 🙈💖💖💖
Thank you so much Elber – i really appreciate that! big hugs to you xox
You are so lovely. Inspiring also. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh you’re so sweet, thank you 🙂 big hugs to you xox
Absolutely beautiful piece. (And yes, I’m your Venus…I’m your fire is playing in my head).
Thank you Sonya!! hahha gotta say, it’s a great jingle! 🙂 hugs xox
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Great post, thanks for liking my post did you ever get a chance to find out the theme you use, regardless your still my favorite blogger
Thank you so much Bruce! Pena
Hear, hear! I love this message. I also appreciate your openness about your struggle. I’m a burn survivor whose face is now marred. All physical beauty gone in 3 seconds. I’m still floundering and grappling with this 20 years later.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Gosh, I cannot imagine what you have gone through these past 20 years. How incredibly inspiring and beautiful you are. Sending you the biggest hug xox
I love Frank Sinatra’s song… My Way… you are AWESOME Caralyn!
I love that song too!! Thanks so much Kevin! Hugs and love xox
I couldn’t agree more. Beauty shines from the inside out. Great article.
Thank you friend. Amen to that – our beauty is a reflection of Him!!
Hello Caralyn, thank you for this. We struggle with being who we are. Sometimes we are okay today and not tomorrow. In Christ we root ourselves and define our identity.
THank you so much Chinenye! what a beautiful name by the way! amen — in Him we are rooted and free! hugs xo
Amen! We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God! He loves us just the way we are and we should too as his creations. Let’s stop allowing society to tell us how we should look and who we should be! They are liars in disguise. Know who GOD says we are. And that’s the truth. <3 girl, I'm wearing less of it to myself and I know that's a lesson that was taught to accept myself more. Blessings!
Yes!!! Who He says we are is what we should listen to and block out all the rest of the noise! hugs xo
Amen! Yes, yes! Indeed! Stay blessed.
I love your positive outlook. I enjoy your content too. I am starting my own mental health section on my blog. http://www.amandagene.com
Hi again Amanda!! thank you so much – that’s awesome! can’t wait to check it out! hugs xo
Thank you for checking out my blog. 🙂
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