"A happy heart is what makes a girl pretty."
That was what my grandmother told me. It was one of her little nuggets of wisdom that I remember to this day. MamaLo was big on making sure you "kept your heart happy" and in line with God. When you were sad or upset about something, she would tell you to "be still" and let your heart be filled with happiness. She was the first one to tell me that "happy girls are pretty girls" and sadly passed away long before that became a catch phrase. In fact I remember being little and asking her about her crows feet and wrinkles while she smoothed on her nightly moisturizer, and she told me they were laugh lines from a life lived happily.
Growing up, being "pretty" was never very high on my priority list, but I tried to remember MamaLo's words to always be happy. I grew up on Pensacola Beach where the standard attire was a ponytail, bathing suit, and layer of beach sand. My days were spent either in school or in the Gulf of Mexico - face down with a snorkel trying to find sea critters and sea shells. My "beauty regimen" was simply to moisturize my sometimes overly sun-kissed skin, just like I saw MamaLo do every night before bed. When I hit high school I saw lot of the other girls wearing gorgeously applied makeup with flawless hair... and while I did try to make myself up sometimes... it still just wasn't very high on my priority list. What was high on my list was making lifelong memories with the best of friends - many of whom I am still friends with to this day.
Now as a mom of two daughters, I understand even more what MamaLo meant about happiness being beautiful, and I try to pass that along to my girls. In today's world where there is SO much pressure to look a certain way and be a certain way, I try to remember to tell my girls to just focus on always being happy and stay connected with your heart. Dove has recently teamed up with Sam's Club to talk about women's Beauty Story, and how women in our lives have shaped our story to be what it is today. It immediately made me think of and miss MamaLo and her laughter which I can still hear in my mind to this day. Visit Dove Beauty Story at Sam's Club and watch how four generations of women have used Dove to shape their family’s #BeautyStory and then share yours!
*Sponsored post by Lunchbox, all opinions are 100% my own.
Blaney Teal says
Loved the article! I agree "laugh" lines are a good thing. But for those of us that have more than laugh lines...like bags under eyes, or wrinkles and crows feet. I prefer Instantly Ageless. It makes me look years younger in just 2 minutes a day! Check out my website! http://www.wowspastudio.com or http://www.wrinklefreeinlessthan3.com for a live demo!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I love Dove! I have been using their products for years because I have sensitive skin and it;s the only brand that doesn't irritate me.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is such a sweet story. I've been using Dove for years, and it's never let me down. I love it!
Kecia says
I don't have girls, but I want to raise my boys knowing that it's what's on the inside that counts. A pretty face can only go so far!
Jeannette says
I'm a mom of boys but I also want them to know that happiness is more important than beauty, especially in the women they grow up to share their lives with. It sounds like your mom was a smart woman who taught you well!
Sheryl says
I am so with you on the beauty regimen. I am a ponytail and shorts kind of gal to this day (almost 40). I think beauty is happiness, as well. Thanks for bringing the light and fluffy part to my day!
Dawn says
Your MamaLo sounds like she was an awesome lady. I learned all my beauty tips from my mom and grandmom, as well. I <3 the mamas!
Daisy says
I don't look like my mom or dad... so weird... but I do at least share a bit with my sister. It's so funny. I love Dove. I need to make a run to Sam's Club to stock up.
Sicorra@NotNowMomsBusy says
Love the message your Grandmother told you. I never thought of it that way before. Thank you for sharing your story about her and how you have passed her message on.
Jeanine says
I want all my kids to be raised knowing happiness is more important than beauty. To me inside beauty is what truly counts.
Pam says
I love this post! Dove is doing so much to improve how women think of themselves. It's so great.
Allison says
I totally agree with your grandmother! As I get older, I realize that there is so much more to the world beauty, and it's not about what's on the outside at all. Great post!
Liz Mays says
I definitely learned a lot about this from my mom and other family members. I do still use Dove too!
Marcie W. says
I want all of my children, but especially my daughters, to know that it is the love and light you give that makes you beautiful. Not your physical features, clothing or a number on a scale. Dove is so great at promoting TRUE beauty!
Crystal says
They really are! Aside from the fabulous products, Dove's message is one of my favorite things about the company.
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
Love that first picture! So cute! We use Dove all the time! That is pretty much all we use!
Patrice says
This is a great story about family, together, beauty and love. Dove a symbol of all that and more a product use often in my house.
melisasource says
I really love this! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story!
Michelle Hwee says
Awww what a beautiful story! Definitely was very moving. Dove is definitely one of my faves!
Felicia says
I so agree with you. My mom used to always say a pretty girl was a happy one!
Crystal says
She sounds like a wonderful influence in your life. And she had it all right! Happiness exudes from you!
Karen says
I love the photos of your grandmother. She was truly a beautiful woman. She had some great words of wisdom for you too,
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I love Dove's new campaign. And MamaLo's quote is awesome! It needs to be on my pinterest board - so when you create the image, I'll pin it!
Debbie Denny says
Awesome story. I love Dove products.
Felissa @ Two Little Cavaliers says
These photos are gorgeous. I like how you can see the happiness in the pictures and on your grandmother's face.
Elizabeth O. says
True! Beauty comes from within and when we are happy it shows in our smile and how we look at things.
Ourfamilyworld says
I love the quote of your MamaLo. I like her disposition and she is a very beautiful woman.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I like MamaLo, she sounds like a good egg!
Dove did a great job at Mom 2.0 Summit last year, I was bummed that I couldn't go this year as they were one of my favorite parts of the summit last year.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
Your grandmother is an inspiration! I'm always trying to show my kids their inner beauty!
Deb@SimplePlate says
Words of wisdom from someone who must have been a beautiful woman inside and out! What's inside is always the key to what's outside. Thanks for sharing all those pictures too! You've always been a beautiful girl!
Amanda says
Such a sweet story! I really love Dove products. Especially their curly hair line!
Virginia says
"A HAPPY HEART IS WHAT MAKES A GIRL PRETTY.” What an awesome quote! Love DOVE!
Kristi says
Some great life long lessons from your Grandma. She sounds like a great lady! Thanks for sharing some of those memories.
Mellisa says
What a great story. Reminds me of my granny who has been gone for many years.
Tracey says
What a moving story! I love Dove for bringing out these kinds of stories and promoting inner beauty and strength.
Theresa says
I don't think anything smells better than the scent of Dove! My beauty story involves always feeling like the odd girl out. I was the brunette in a sea of blondes. Always feeling like the ugly duckling until I learned to embrace my differences. I now love having dark hair!
Christie says
I love this generational beauty campaign from Dove! Such fun seeing everyone's posts about their pasts
Amber C. says
What a great story! I can't wait till my daughter is born! I will LOVE that mother daughter bond!
Travis Tucker says
Your grandmother sounds like an amazing woman. My parents always told me that beauty was what was on the inside and not the outside, I wish more people would believe in that school of thought.
Lisa Bristol says
Dove makes amazing products. I have always been comfortable being myself. I can thank my Mom and my Sister for teaching me to be happy and not care what others think of me. It is what i think of myself that matters.
Chrystal | YUM eating says
I love Dove products. I've been using them for many, many years as my mother used their products. Back then, it was just soap. So its awesome to see they have so many other products now.
Shell says
Love your grandmother's advice. I use Dove body wash and really like it.
Donna says
I love Dove beauty products and even more, what they stand for. I've been a fan ever since they use "real" women in their ads.
Reginia Cordell says
Thank you for sharing such an endearing story. Beauty is happiness and peace within yourself. I appreciate Dove's efforts for getting to the human core.
Shell Feis says
I'm so jealous- my family had a LOT of pressure to look a certain way and I just never naturally fit that mold. It took a long time for me to realize exactly what you were taught- beauty comes from happiness, not the other way around.
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy says
Your MamaLo had some great words of wisdom. I try to instill something very similar for my own daughters.
Ashley says
A happy heart makes a beautiful woman- absolutely love that, and this entire post! My grandmother, who recently passed away, was quite the opposite in her beauty regimen and, even on her deathbed, preferred to don her designer robe and blond wig. She was one of the most elegant women I've known, yet she did it for no one else but herself. She always told me, "Look your best for yourself and no one else. Or don't. But, no matter what you do, do it for you and not for whoever else is looking." That has stuck with me to this day and surely helped me define my own beauty story!
Stephanie says
I once met a friend of my grandmother's who was the most beautiful older woman I'd ever seen in my life. I asked her what her secret was and she told me vitamins. Vitamins every day. I started taking vitamins at that time and never looked back.
mykidsguide says
What a lovely story. Your grandmother is such an inspiration. I'm a fan of Dove products.
Valerie@Occasionally Crafty says
I love this! I am a low-maintenance gal myself, though I probably care a little more now than I did as a teenager. My daughter is way more pretty than I ever was, but I hope to teach her similar lessons about beauty and character so she doesn't feel she can only thrive on looks. Thanks for the article!
Megan Elford says
I love it - "a happy girl is a pretty girl"! I'm going to remember that one! I'm going to use that with my daughter. She's such a tomboy (if I may use the term), but she's constantly asking "Am I pretty?". Perfect chance to teach her what true beauty is!
Amy Ditmore says
This is such a sweet story, and MamaLo sounds a lot like my great Grandmother Lois Helen 🙂 Brought back some memories for me as well, she was big on her moisturizer and her blush or "rouge" and her pearl drop earrings lol.
Jeska says
I've always been a fan of Dove products I just can't use a lot them because they are too moisturizing and break my skin out, lol. BUT I do use Dove deodorant and I'm in love with it.
Lauren says
Growing up, I never had any issues thinking of myself as "pretty" or "beautiful" but I've seen the damage that a lack of confidence can give you. Seeing the different generations of women using Dove products will be interesting.
Miranda (Myrabev) says
You grandmother was right on the money, being happy is more important than anything else. I do love Dove always always have.
Jaime Nicole says
Thank you for sharing your grandmother's advice and story. It's so important to keep that advice alive and keep introducing to our kids!
Kat B. says
What a heartwarming story, thank you for sharing. Like your family ours loves using Dove.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Dove is our soap at home and It does moisturize well. It keeps me happy duirng bath time.
Rachel Ferrucci says
We are Dove people. I think happiness makes us pretty. When someone is smiling they look pretty. I also think taking care of your skin brings a natural beauty
Paulline @ milastolemyheart says
I grew up feeling like the 'ugly duckling'. Then I came to know myself and became happy with ME and felt beautiful. It also made me realized my family knew all along and I was the last one to find out. Happy girls really are pretty girls
Willow says
Grandmothers are the best! They teach us so many wonderful meaningful things. My grandmother uses dove and so do I. It is so gentle and light smelling. Does wonders!