In contemporary society, the concepts of wellness and beauty are often intertwined, reflecting a holistic approach to health and self-care. While beauty has traditionally been associated with physical appearance, it is increasingly recognized that true beauty emanates from a state of overall well-being. This article explores the relationship between wellness and beauty, emphasizing the importance of nurturing both the body and mind to achieve a harmonious balance.

Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health. It is not merely the absence of illness but a proactive approach to living a fulfilling life.

The National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines wellness as “a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fuelling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Although it always includes striving for health, it’s more about living ife fully and is “a lifestyle and a personalized approach to living life in a way that… allows you to become the best kind of person that your potentials, circumstances, and fate will allow” ( Stoewen, 2017).

It identifies eight dimensions of wellness:

1. Emotional- Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.
2. Physical- Recognizing the need for physical activity, sleep and nutrition.
   
3. Financial- Satisfaction with current and future financial situations and goals.
4. Social- Having a sense of connection and a dependable support system.
5. Occupational- Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work.
6. Environmental- Good health through pleasant environments that support well-being.
7. Intellectual-Identifying creative abilities and expanding knowledge and skills.
8. Spiritual- Expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life.

However, the Global Wellness Institute limits the dimensions to six, excluding intellectual and occupational dimensions. So, wellness goes beyond physical health. It involves a wholesome approach to living and understanding the close interconnections between the various dimensions of wellness, enabling us to create a living environment that promotes wellness.

Each of these elements contributes to an individual’s overall health and, consequently, their perception of beauty.

Beauty

Beauty is not straightforward to define precisely because it involves aesthetics, which are subjective and differ according to perceptions and perspectives. For this reason, it has been described in different ways, and its definition continues to evolve. For example, Aristotle thought beauty was objective and could be measured. He defined beauty as symmetry (BBC, n.d.). However, other notable philosophers, like David Hume and Immanuel Kant, thought beauty was subjective.

The British Beauty Council now defines beauty in terms of the services and products provided by the industry. It states, “Beauty and grooming services are professional treatments purchased by consumers to enhance and/or maintain their personal appearance, presence and/or well-being. They will include categories such as treatments and tutorials for hair, nails, face and body, and cosmetic and surgical procedures” (Shapland, 2019). For our purposes, what we can pick out of the definition is that beauty is not only about physical appearance but also related to well-being, which includes the dimension of wellness mentioned earlier. 

Beauty Reflects Wellness

Beauty reflects wellness, especially today, when the notion of beauty is evolving. Sustainable production and consumption are trendy. For example, health and skincare products are based more on holistic considerations.  It has been reported that a campaign has been launched by Sue Y. Nabi, Coty’s CEO for dictionaries to change the current definition of beauty because those definitions do not correctly reflect modern beauty. Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with an iconic portfolio of brands across fragrance, colour cosmetics, hair colour and styling, and skin and body care. Coty is the global leader in fragrance, a strong number two in professional hair colour & styling, and number three in colour cosmetics. Coty’s products are sold in over 150 countries globally (March, 2023). 

References

BBC. (n.d.). BBC Radio 2 - Faith In The World Week - 8 brilliant definitions of beauty, from Aristotle to Aguilera. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4FgkDqgQN2nqTx8ltswmCGr/8-brilliant-definitions-of-beauty-from-aristotle-to-aguilera.
In-text citation: (BBC, n.d.)

Chatterjee, A. ed., (2018). Beauty2Wellness, Mitigating Barriers and Building Bridges, Research Report. [online] Global Wellness Institute. Available at: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Beauty2Wellness-Report-final_011118.pdf [Accessed 7 Mar. 2025].
In-text citation: (Chatterjee, 2018)

Global Wellness Institute (2024). What is Wellness? [online] Global Wellness Institute. Available at: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/.
Stoewen DL. Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. Can Vet J. 2017 Aug;58(8):861-862. PMID: 28761196; PMCID: PMC5508938.

Global Wellness Institute. (n.d.). Beauty Meets Wellness: A Global Initiative. [online] Available at: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Miami_Roundtable_Summary_Final.pdf [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].
In-text citation: (Global Wellness Institute, n.d.)

March, B. (2023). The campaign for a new dictionary definition of ‘beauty’ explained. [online] HARPER’S BAZAAR. Available at: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/a42706042/change-dictionary-definition-beauty/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2025].
In-text citation: (March, 2023)

Shapland, K. (2019). THE MEANING OF BEAUTY: A LANDMARK DEFINITION - The British Beauty Council. The British Beauty Council. [online] 20 Mar. Available at: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/the-meaning-of-beauty-a-landmark-definition/. 20 Mar. Available at: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/the-meaning-of-beauty-a-landmark-definition/.

Sue Y. Nabi, Coty’s CEO, has written an open letter to the major dictionary houses which highlights the outdated nature of their definitions – ones which are embedded with prejudice on the basis of attributes – and their need for review. https://tks-hpc.h5mag.com/hpc_today_3_2024/holistic_beauty_-_the_power_of_holistic_beauty_the_future_of_personal_care