What makes someone beautiful?
It’s a question with as many answers as there are people to ask. Beauty can be confidence and personal style, but it can also be resilience, kindness, strength, faith, authenticity or simply the way someone makes other people feel.
For our Most Beautiful People feature, we asked a group of Birmingham women from different backgrounds, careers and walks of life two questions: How do you define beauty, and what do you do to stay beautiful?
Their answers go well beyond what you see in the mirror.
Carlyn McCreary
Meteorologist at WBRC 6 News
Beauty can mean so many different things, but as cliché as it sounds, I really do believe it comes from inside. To me, there’s something beautiful about being confident in who you are, embracing what makes you different, and not being afraid to be yourself. I try to go through life with a positive attitude and bring a little bit of joy to everyone I meet, even if it’s just a smile or a laugh. I think when you have that mindset, you start to find beauty everywhere. For me, I find it in getting to live out the dream I’ve had since I was a little girl, helping keep people safe during crazy weather, and getting to do it while simply being myself.
Working out and getting enough sleep are definitely two of my best friends when it comes to feeling my best! I’ve learned how important it is to find a workout routine that you genuinely enjoy and that gives you a sense of peace, instead of something that feels like a chore. For me, both exercise and sleep are huge stress relievers and help me feel refreshed and confident. But I would say the number one way I stay beautiful is through my faith. Trusting that God has a plan for my life keeps me grounded, motivated, and grateful. When I’m taking care of myself physically while also staying rooted in my faith, that’s when I feel the most confident and most like myself.
Isabella Bertellotti
Company Dancer, Alabama Ballet & Pilates Teacher
To me, beauty is in authenticity. I find beauty in small moments of genuine connection and real joy, like a really good laugh with my best friend. In regard to ballet, I think the most beautiful performances are the ones when the dancers are able to share themselves with the audience. It is extremely vulnerable to be authentically yourself on a stage in front of a ton of people you don’t know, but those are the shows that make people feel real emotions. Even when they aren’t the most perfect performances, they are definitely the most impactful. There is so much beauty in the connection we get to share with the audience!
I stay beautiful by doing my best to take care of myself from the inside out. In order to be the best version of myself, I have to stay in a positive headspace. I do that by connecting with my friends and family (talking to my mom on the phone is one of the most important parts of my day), spending time snuggling my cat, and taking time for myself. I find exercise to be one of the best ways I can take care of myself and support my mental health. Other than ballet class, I love going to the gym, taking Pilates classes (at The Optimist or Essential MVMT!!!), or going for a long walk and getting to spend some time outside. I’ve found that when I feel good on the inside, I can appreciate the beauty around me so much more!
Symone Shaw
Owner, Engaged Wedding Library
When it comes to designing for work, I find beauty in our surroundings! From a unique pattern in ceiling moldings, landscape design throughout the glorious gardens in Birmingham, to interior design and architecture! Beauty is truly everywhere.
I feel beautiful after a class at my gym, The Roxx (3x a week), a dressage lesson on my horse (3x a week), and after a run on one of our city’s beautiful trails (6x a week)! Feeling strong goes hand in hand with me feeling beautiful! I highly recommend.
Alyssa Dennis
Recent Colgate University Graduate in Economics & Division and Collegiate Swimmer
To me, beauty is about feeling confident and comfortable in who you are. I find beauty in the little things that make people uniquely themselves. The way someone carries themselves, the energy they bring into a room, and the things that make them genuinely happy are what always stand out to me. I also think there is something meaningful about taking care of yourself, whether that means staying active, spending time with people you love, or simply making time for the things that make you feel your best.
As a lifelong student-athlete, daily movement has always been a core part of my routine. Whether I’m swimming, running, or working out, staying active makes me feel my best both physically and mentally. I’m also a big believer in being a little “high maintenance” in certain areas so I can be low-maintenance day to day. I get my brows done by Angela King, who always does an incredible job. Since I’m constantly on the go, it’s one of those little things that helps me feel put together without having to do much.
April Hooper Weatherly
Children’s of Alabama, Director of Nursing in Behavioral Health Services
Beauty extends far beyond physical appearance. To me, it’s defined by resilience, compassion, kindness, and the humanity that we honor in others. Beauty is revealed by the strength people demonstrate during difficult moments and the support of those who stand beside us through life’s storms.
Beauty is found in connection. The kind that allows you to be vulnerable and show up as your authentic self. It is found in seeing people beyond their circumstances, extending grace without expectation, and recognizing needs that may never be spoken aloud. I don’t believe we were meant to do life alone. There is something beautiful about having people you trust, who truly see you and support you through every season of life.
As a healthcare professional, I witness beauty every day in the resilience of our patients and in the compassion, empathy, and humanity my team brings to their work. These moments remind me that true beauty is in the connections we build and the care we show to one another.
Lulu Gribbin
Senior in High School • Shark Attack Survivor • Adaptive Athlete • Youth Advocate
I define beauty as something that goes far beyond physical appearance. Beauty is found in strength, courage, kindness, and the ability to keep moving forward, even when life changes in ways you never expected. As a double amputee, I’ve learned that beauty isn’t about having a “perfect” body. It’s about embracing who you are, accepting your differences, and recognizing the strength that comes from overcoming challenges.
I find beauty in the people who support me, in the small moments that make me happy, and in the opportunities I have to experience life to the fullest. I see beauty in my ability to adapt, grow, and accomplish things that I once wondered if I could do. Being a double amputee has taught me to appreciate things I may have once taken for granted and to see beauty in moments of progress, no matter how small.
I also find beauty in the people who see me for who I am, rather than focusing on what I’ve lost. Beauty is in my life every day, in my relationships, my experiences, my strength, and the fact that I continue to move forward.
Sidney Spencer
Alabama’s 42 News (Formerly CBS 42)
I would define beauty as something, or a quality that stirs admiration and sparks interest. To me, beauty is subjective because everyone sees and experiences it differently. I do believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it has the ability to move someone emotionally or leave a lasting impression. Personally, I find beauty in just about everything. I tend to notice qualities in people, places, things, and experiences that I find admirable. Sometimes, beauty can be found in something as simple as a kind gesture, a meaningful conversation, or a peaceful moment. I think beauty is not always about appearance; it can also be found in character, emotions, memories, and the way something makes you feel.
The first thing I do to stay beautiful is internal work. I feel the thing that makes a person most beautiful is their heart posture. I try to keep my heart soft and pure by staying close to God. I’ve noticed that I remain hopeful and optimistic, despite the challenges life may bring. Physically, I prioritize getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and taking care of my skin. I get off work later than most, but I make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep because it helps me have a better attitude throughout the day. My dad was a model when I was younger, and he always taught me to drink plenty of water and never touch my face with dirty hands. I also prioritize skincare, especially because I wear makeup daily for work.
Zoe Jane Vanche
JJ Eyes Optical Boutique
Beauty, to me, is so much more than just physical appearance. I think true beauty comes from within, how you treat people, the kindness you show, and the way you make others feel. I also find beauty in the people I surround myself with. The relationships, love, laughter, and genuine connections in my life are some of the most beautiful things to me. I think when you surround yourself with good, kind, and genuine people, that beauty naturally becomes part of your own life. To me, beauty is being confident in who you are, being a good person, and finding the beauty in the people and moments that matter most.
I stay beautiful by taking care of myself and making time for the things that make me feel confident. I love my skincare and beauty routines, staying active, eating well, and taking care of myself overall. I also think so much of beauty comes from within, so I try to stay positive, be kind, and surround myself with people who bring out the best in me. My faith is a big part of that too. I try to give myself grace, rest when I need to, and be content with who God created me to be. At the end of the day, there is only one me, and I think there’s something really beautiful about embracing that instead of trying to be “perfect”.
Michele Kendrick
Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery
I define beauty as a combination of confidence, grace, warmth, and authenticity. To me, beauty is not about trying to look like someone else. It is about feeling comfortable in your own skin and allowing the outside to reflect the person you are within. I find beauty in the quiet details: a genuine smile, kindness, strength, elegance, and the way someone carries themselves when they feel confident. Working at Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery has only deepened that belief. I have seen how thoughtful facial rejuvenation can help people feel more like themselves again, not different, and there is something very beautiful about that.
For me, staying beautiful begins with taking care of myself from the inside out. I try to prioritize wellness, gratitude, confidence, good skincare, and surrounding myself with people who bring joy and purpose into my life. Being part of the team at Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery has also shaped how I think about beauty. I had the unique privilege of seeing Dr. Raggio’s care, precision, and natural results firsthand before becoming a patient myself. That trust gave me confidence in my own facial rejuvenation journey.
Ultimately, I believe beauty is best maintained through self-respect, healthy habits, and choices that help you feel refreshed, confident, and authentically yourself.
Layla Hamilton
Oncology Account Manager at Genmab
I believe beauty is about presence, how someone carries themselves, not how they look. It’s confidence, warmth, how they make you feel. I find it in unexpected places: snow-capped mountains, ocean waves, the sound of rain, pink and orange sunsets, and a harvest moon. I’ve grown to find beauty in the chaos of everyday life as a wife and mom of three boys with a full-time job, hectic extracurricular routines bringing the thick pungent aroma of smelly cleats and sweaty socks in my car, and making sure to fit in date nights with my husband. Beauty reveals itself in unpolished moments, tired, real, unfiltered, because that’s when people are most authentic. It’s ignoring the fake reality projected on social media, refusing to fit in a box of unattainable standards, and focusing more on being a beautiful soul on the inside.
Staying beautiful starts on the inside for me, being authentic, staying humble, and protecting my peace and energy. On the outside, it’s the little rituals: monthly manis and pedis, regular hair appointments, and eyebrows freshly waxed by Angela King, to whom I’ve been going for more than a decade. I invest in good skincare, wear my favorite perfume daily, and lean toward dainty jewelry, a stack of bracelets and two or three rings always makes me feel a little more put together. Whether I’m wearing something casual, dressed for the boardroom, or wearing an elevated piece from Gus Mayer, I like to feel polished no matter the setting. Most days, that means a ‘no makeup’ makeup look, just enough to feel put together without feeling like I’m wearing a mask.
Steph Whitaker
Effie’s Inc.
How do you define beauty? My friends joke with me about this, but the short answer is excellence. I’m an imperfect perfectionist, and when I encounter something done exceptionally well, whether created by God or man, it makes me pause and admire. In nature, I find excellence in pale pink garden roses and fluffy peonies, a crystal-clear turquoise ocean, and rolling green valleys set against majestic mountains. In the day to day, I find beauty in creative interiors layered with personality and style, the perfect outfit for an occasion, french homes and gardens, a thoughtfully set table, and classic colonial architecture. Excellence is found in the details, in the care, creativity, and intention that elevate something from ordinary to extraordinary.
As we all know, beauty shines from the inside, so I try to do things that make me feel good about myself: routine hair appointments and botox, getting exercise, my self-tan face drops, getting at least 8 hours of sleep, spending time laughing with my best friends, and eating healthy (most of the time).
Meredith Mann
The Peachie Spoon
To me, true beauty radiates from the joy and peace someone carries within. It’s something that shines from the soul… not something makeup, fillers, or perfection can create. Our culture often tells us beauty belongs to youth, but I don’t believe that’s true. While youthful skin and bodies are beautiful, so are laugh lines from a life well lived, gray hair earned through wisdom, and bodies that have faithfully carried us through every season over and over again. I truly find beauty everywhere! In a cozy, lived-in home, the changing seasons, a genuine smile, my first sip of coffee each morning, and the simple moments that remind me to slow down. Beauty is less about appearance and more about gratitude, grace, and a life fully lived.
For me, staying beautiful starts from the inside out. I have to begin my day with gratitude and praise because it completely changes my heart and mindset for the day. Otherwise, I can easily become anxious, overwhelmed, or short-tempered. There’s nothing beautiful about living that way. Taking care of my body matters too. Learning to keep my blood sugar more stable has been truly life changing. The constant highs and lows left me anxious, moody, and not feeling like myself. When I nourish my body with a healthy nutrient balance and take time to refresh my soul, I feel more peaceful, joyful, and present. To me, that’s the kind of beauty that never goes out of style.
Beauty, According to Birmingham
Ask 12 people what makes someone beautiful and you’ll get 12 different answers. But there’s a thread running through almost every one of these.
Confidence. Strength. Kindness. Faith. Taking care of yourself. Showing up authentically. Finding people you love and holding them close.
There are plenty of routines, products and appointments that can make us feel a little more polished, and we’re certainly not giving those up. But Birmingham’s Most Beautiful People make a pretty convincing case that the things we notice most often start somewhere deeper.
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