The recent announcement for participants in the Miss Hibiscus contest has triggered thoughts on the concept of beauty for retired teacher, Tessa Mackenzie. Not claiming any personal stake in beauty, Mackenzie ponders the elements that contribute to a woman’s attractiveness, such as a warm, genuine smile and energetic eyes.
In earlier times, hair was less influenced by dyes and permanent waves, she notes, recalling her mother’s natural beauty. She admits that modern hairstyles and colors can sometimes be confusing. She nostalgically recollects an instance from childhood where one of her aunts visited with brightly colored hair, which left her feeling ashamed.
Mackenzie acknowledges that make-up can enhance a woman’s features, although she personally abstains due to an incident in her late teens, to her husband’s tacit approval.
The body, too, contributes to beauty and it can be influenced positively by a balanced diet, regular exercise and a sensible lifestyle. However, she underscores that a disabled person can also radiate beauty in their unique way.
The author underscores the importance of portraying grace, with the right dress that complements a woman’s shape. She ruminates on the consequences of following trends blindly,as fashion can sometimes hamper the natural body. She also cautions against the discomfort and difficulties that come with wearing stylish but impractical footwear.
Mackenzie reflects on past beauty pageant winners, such as Leibling Marlow, Hibiscus Queen from 1956 and Lenora Qereqeretabua, the Queen from 1988 and a current influential politician. The author praises the grace and beauty exhibited by these women even in their later years. She emphasizes that the lifestyle a woman selects can augment or take away from her beauty as she grows older.
She hopes that the girls who participate in this year’s contest will take inspiration from previous beauty queens and maintain their natural selves as much as possible. She advises the new contestants not to lose hope if they fail to win and encouraged them to seize leadership roles consistent with their skills and to make use of the education they have received.
Mackenzie concludes by admiring the surplus of beauty around us, in our environment and people – women, men, and naturally innocent children.