People have eyes to see who is a beautiful woman. We can first explore along this line by highlighting certain external physical attributes, without resorting to providing a definitive specification of the human anatomy in terms of what is within or outside of the acceptable range. Height and a pair of shapely legs figure for some undiscernible reasons. Ever heard of an international beauty queen who is not tall and whose legs are manly (i.e.,unshapely)? A beautiful woman has a pleasant smile complete with smooth complexion and healthy, well-groomed hair. Shape-wised they are of an hour-glass proportion; but don't be miserable if you are definitely a la stick-insect or roly-poly. Though not widely apparent, a flat abdomen boosts a woman's appeal more than how well-endowed she is. So watch those abs (in jargon-speak)! It shows. For good measure, just review Christy Chung's makeover by Marie France Bodyline after her daughter Yasmine was born. Admirably, this advertisement has opened a new vista in beauty and health advertisement and turned on the heat amongst kindred folks in the business. A more believable war than that over Helen of Troy was thus ignited.

If clothing makes a man, how much more this holds water for the woman who wants to stay beautiful. Its cool (literally) to wear your sarong at home but dressing up appropriately can accentuate and titillate one's libido and make heads turn. It's the Pretty Woman effect where even a street hooker would look stunning. It entails sourcing, mixing and matching apparels and adornments so that they serve to project a certain image or aura about the wearer before all and sundry. To this you may consider adding an evocative spray of spicy fragrance and sleek modern gadgets.

But even Cinderella could not have carried off her highly eligible and charming Prince without her very own grace, courtesy, humility and composure. She was simply stunning externally and, at least, congenial within. Yes, I think she was indeed made of sugar, spices and all things nice. In contrast, you may like to consider some human antics which would send us to the wall: digging 'gold' from the nostrils, spitting on the street(rampant even among female folks in some countries), chewing morsels with unpursed lips and finger-drilling the ears. A beautiful woman does not bull-doze her way through to the gala event without acknowledging the chauffeur, doorman, butler, the patrons and other guests. And, staying humble in disposition keeps one pure and regal. It's the realisation that you know how true you are to yourself and that there is really no necessity to try and be somebody or something else. In knowing and accepting ourselves, we can stride on with quiet confidence and inner joy. When we have composure people can see in us a beautiful white lily about to unfurl its full splendour.

Hygiene factors play a highly significant role in staying beautiful. We take care of our hair, facial and skin tissues, fingernails, teeth and so forth. A good night's rest is seldom compromised so as to keep oneself in tip-top condition. Physical exercise and a balanced diet are diligently upheld to give one the stamina and energy to keep moving and stay engaged with the offing of life. When the body is tuned and humming then we would not be hampered from staying beautiful. Ever seen a bleary-eyed supermodel on the catwalk or thought a lady to be beautiful when she is always tired and out of life?

Quite often, our beauty in terms of physical attributes, dress sense, mannerism, health and hygiene is rendered useless the very moment we open our mouths. Oh, what nasty and devilish things we say and, mind us, its always about this and that other person. Endlessly. Go to any food court or hawker centre and hear what the relatively mature working adults talk (gossip) about. Take note and evaluate how much goodness actually comes forth from those discourses. Truly, out of our hearts(the inner depth of our being) spring forth all forms of wickedness(eg. evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts and false witness.) Our first reaction is normally to protest: Hey, I'm not bad. Yes, we are not bad in totality but those very words that we have let fly to slander another person constitute a thing of evil. Pause for a moment and chew on this: 'Me, a person of evil deeds? Nah, not me, couldn't be. It's .....'

In the final analysis, a person may not be fully beautiful on the outside but, insofar as she or he has inner beauty, that person is very beautiful. This person is better than Disney's Aladdin; "a diamond in the rough". This person is what we call a blue diamond; rare and exquisite. Have you seen another one lately (besides your beautiful self, of course!)?