Am I Pretty?

There is no checklist or formula to determine “pretty,” because pretty comes in such diverse shapes and sizes. Take all the superstar hotties, for example. Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning, and Katie Perry have nothing in common . . . nothing other than the fact that they are all completely, one hundred percent unique.

And that’s the key. “Pretty” is about standing out. It’s about having that special quality that no one else has. And because every girl is a One-and-Only, every girl really is pretty. Sure it sounds cheesy, but it’s still true.

So the question to ask is not “Am I pretty?” but “Why am I pretty?” What is it that makes you unique? Maybe it’s the almond-shaped eyes you got from your mom. Maybe it’s that cool looking scar from when you banged your head on the coffee table as a toddler. Maybe it’s the very thing you’ve been self-conscious about all this time.

Keep looking. Every time you look in the mirror, resist the urge to obsess over your lack of resemblance to Rachel McAdams, and instead choose to find another uniquely beautiful part of yourself.

More importantly, learn to find the unique prettiness in who you are. Know what sets you apart as a person. Is it your generosity with friends? Your dedication as a student? Your patience with siblings? Once you know why you should be proud to be who you are, you’ll learn how impossible it is to hide all that inner hotness. No matter how guys talk, it will always be your inner fox that steals hearts.

Oh, one last thing: You may hear guys at school talking about pretty girls like they all have one set standard. They don’t. Guys tend to talk about girls based on what they think their friends’ tastes are. When they’re older and more open about what they dig in the opposite sex, you’ll see some of your unique features are in higher demand than you thought.

You’re a dish, Girl! Don’t ever doubt it!