Quote Of The Day By Salma Hayek: 'The Most Liberating Thing About Beauty Is...'

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Salma Hayek is one of Hollywood's most recognizable figures. The Oscar-nominated actor overcame discrimination in the American entertainment industry, emerging as a notable actor, producer, and director. Born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, in 1966, Hayek attended the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City before pursuing a career in the acting world (something she knew she wanted to do from a very young age). Hayek's big break came in 1989, when she was cast in the hit telenovela "Teresa." However, just a few years later, she left Mexico for Los Angeles to further her career on a worldwide scale. Hayek starred opposite Antonio Banderas in the 1995 film "Desperado," which launched her to Hollywood prominence. 

In the decades that followed, Hayek would build a career as an acclaimed global actor. She was even nominated for an Academy Award in 2002 for her portrayal of artist Frida Kahlo in the biopic "Frida." However, her fame wasn't achieved easily. When trying to book roles (especially throughout her early career in the '90s and 2000s), Hayek faced discrimination in Hollywood for her Mexican-Lebanese heritage. "I have been told over and over and over [...] 'You'll never make it in this town, you will only play a prostitute, drug dealer wife or girlfriend, and housekeeper, you know, because there's no other roles for you,'" Hayek said on an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show in 2021.

Nevertheless, Hayek has remained outspoken about the poor treatment women, women of color, and older women get from the industry even today. Hayek's dedication to self-love even amidst the negativity thrown her way by Hollywood professionals has given her perspective on what true beauty means. This wisdom makes her a perfect choice for our quote of the day. 

In 2005, supermodel Iman released "The Beauty of Color," a book dedicated to skincare and makeup specifically tailored to women of color. Iman's now-iconic book featured excerpts written by famous women of color known for their beauty, like Tyra Banks, Kimora Lee Simmons, and, of course, Salma Hayek. In the book's foreword, Hayek wrote, "People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves." Hayek's words are a refreshing take on self-love. It's important to place value not on what others' perspective of you is, but instead on your own internal beauty.  

Salma Hayek's foreword for "The Beauty of Color" contains a bit of everyday wisdom from which we all can glean a new outlook on beauty. Hayek took the much-quoted phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and turned it on its head. Instead of focusing on external sources of praise and perception, Hayek notes, it is much more important to realize that you have a more well-rounded view of yourself than anyone else. Rather than dwelling on your physical appearance for the sake of impressing others, empower yourself by discovering your internal beauty — self-love triumphs over all, and will be there even when others leave. Hayek's quote is especially topical today, as social media promotes finding validation to an often unhealthy degree — both for our physical looks and how glamorous we can pretend life to be. By taking the actor's advice, we can liberate ourselves from needing others' opinions.

Hayek's philosophy on self-love is particularly relevant to her life as well. In the early days of her acting career, Hayek was typecast into roles that leaned heavily into her sex appeal because of her body type, and she was offered parts in stereotypical projects that played on her Mexican-Lebanese heritage and accent. Even after her Oscar-nominated performance in "Frida," the actor wasn't given the chance to truly flex her acting muscles by casting directors. Because of these workplace challenges, Hayek developed a strong sense of self-love, learning to ignore industry professionals' condescension. Instead, Hayek embraced herself as the "beholder" of her own internal and external beauty, and stopped placing value on other people's words.

• "You've got to take who you are and love who you are and do the best you can with what you've got. It goes for the figure, and it goes for everything else."

• "I am a feminist because I love women and I am ready to fight for women. I am a feminist because I am proud to be a woman, and I am passionate about making the world a better place for women. I am a feminist because a lot of amazing women have made me the woman I am today. I am inspired by women every day, as friends and as colleagues."

• "What is important is to believe in something so strongly that you're never discouraged."

• "I'll tell you, there is nothing better in life than being a late bloomer. I believe that success can happen at any time and at any age."

• "Find your own style. Don't spend your savings trying to be someone else. You're not more important, smarter, or prettier because you wear a designer dress."