People magazine released its annual Beauty issue this week, and Jennifer Lopez was named the Most Beautiful Person in the World. Congratulations to Jennifer, but for once I would love to see these magazines nominate a mature woman – namely a Glam-Mother. I mean we have numerous women to choose from, and I believe their journeys would be just as exciting, if not more. One of the questions asked of Jennifer caught my attention: “You have never looked better, what do you attribute this to?” Jenniferʼs response: “It’s because I have lots of love in my life and real beauty comes from your heart.”

As Glam-Mothers, I think we would probably agree with her statement – love plays an important role in a person feeling and looking beautiful. Love comes in numerous forms and, like a puzzle, when all the pieces come together we have a beautiful woman. The beauty in a mature woman is so much more than a youthful one. You see, the mature woman has traveled a long journey to get to this satisfying place. The journey has included peaks and valleys, challenges and celebrations, recognitions and learnings – all coming to a point of becoming this beautiful person inside and out. There are many forms of love that comprise this puzzle.

Love of ourselves plays a tremendous part in looking and feeling beautiful. We have reached a point in our lives where we have love of our bodies, the strengths and the flaws. For some of us it’s our flaws that make us feel especially beautiful because they’re the one thing that differentiate us from the masses. In our youth, we so want to be like everyone else; however, with maturity we realize uniqueness is special and provides a greater form of recognition, and a rare form of beauty.

Love from our children and grandchildren is the best beauty concoction that does not require our spending much money to acquire it. The special way a child can call the name of mom, ma, or a grandchild saying nana, gigi, glammie, or Glam-Mother brings the brightest and most loving smile from us. Our interaction with our children and grandchildren is the best medicine we can take on a daily basis – no prescription required from the doctor, take as many does as possible, and you will see an have an immediate result of feeling happy and looking fabulous.

Love from our significant other, partner or what ever name you use provides the extra lift that results in us feeling beautiful, sexy and glamorous in ways no cosmetics could ever produce. Our partners have grown with us and have also grown to love the good bad and not so ugly. The connections with our partners help us to remain focused on ourselves and keep life in proper focus. Knowing we are loved by that special person brings out an inner glow.

Love of humor – hey, life is tough and challenging, and we can go overboard being serious all the time. Humor is a necessity. We must be willing to laugh at ourselves and relish the joy a little humor can bring to lighten the mood. There’s nothing like seeing a woman enjoying a good joke, you see her whole body is engaged, the eyes are sparkling, a hearty laugh or a beautiful smile…real beauty.

Love of being authentic. Being true to our values and morals is key to being beautiful and accepting ourselves. The person you are at 50 bears no resemblance to the person you are at 20 or 25. The experiences you have gone through, the obstacles you have overcome, the loves you have experienced have all made you into this wonderful and beautiful person. You have a strong foundation of who you are and what you stand for, and you no longer feel the need to apologize for your beliefs. You are secure in who you are, and this level of confidence provides you with undeniable strength and power that translates into an inner beauty.

Yes, Jennifer, “having lots of love in your life” will make you feel and look beautiful. Glam-Mothers, what other types of love contribute to your beauty?