The fairest “lady” of them all: Audrey Hepburn. She was considered to many as the most naturally beautiful woman in America. However, her too-round face, enormous eyes, skinny nose and bushy eyebrows didn’t (and still don’t) exactly scream beauty.

Personally I didn’t understand what the big fuss was about her. But after my friends and I watched a mini marathon of Audrey Hepburn movies, I quickly realized what everyone else was seeing.

She had something more than physical beauty. She was a real lady.

The term is thrown around pretty easily these days, but there is a difference. On dictionary.com a “woman” is defined as “an adult female human” while a “lady” is defined as “A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior ... regarded as proper and virtuous ... especially when spoken of or to in a polite way.” What a difference!

Now I can probably guess what you’re picturing when you think of an old-fashioned lady: a stuffy prude who does little more than stand up straight and say “yes ma’am.” This however, is the old definition. I myself could NEVER fit this description.

I am usually the girl with her elbows at any dinner table. I become awkward at the mention of fancy dinners, and if you look at me too long while I’m chewing, I’ll probably open my mouth and show you what I think you’re waiting to see. I’m working on it!

There are many books out there about manners and etiquette which will teach you how to behave in front of people, but if that’s just not you, then it’s just a waste of time. 

The idea of being a lady does not have to be so frightening. A true lady does not mean holding back her personality. If you have seen “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” you understand that Holly Golightly didn’t always say what people wanted to hear, but did always say it with confidence. 

She lets her personality shine through while respecting others. Not only is respect for others very important, but respect for yourself as well. After seeing Audrey (we’re on a first name basis now) in a few of her movies, I felt I almost became her. I carried myself differently. I felt beautiful like her. Nothing physical changed, but my attitude changed. I became beautiful when my actions became beautiful.

Audrey Hepburn’s Beauty Tips:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone...

--Sam Levenson 

Contrary to what some may think, Audrey Hepburn did not write this beautiful poem, Sam Levenson did. Levenson wrote “Time Tested Beauty Tips” for his grandchild, and it just so happened to be one of Audrey’s favorite poems. She read it to her children on the very last Christmas Eve she spent with us here on Earth.

 

Valerie Metrejean is a junior journalism major from Lafayette and serves as news editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to vmm008@latech.edu.