Whenever you hear the word unconventional beauty, who usually comes to your mind?

You might think of this group of women who have not been considered beautiful until they found success in one profession that celebrates distinctiveness – the fashion models.

Modeling glorifies the waifiness of Kate Moss, the gap-toothedness of Lara Stone, the darkness of Alek Wek, the alien face of Lily Cole, the androgynous look of Tilda Swinton, the cat-likeness of Kelly Mittendorf. And the list goes on and on.

But are these models really unconventional beauties?

In terms of face value, there are many women who are considered more beautiful than them. But these models have “perfect” bone structures that set the standard for the industry they thrive in. Therefore, in the world where they belong, they are the convention.

How about Beth Ditto and Adele?

They are definitely not the archetypal representation of beauty, but aside from their full figure, everything about them is classically beautiful. They’ve got glowing skin, lovely hair, healthy smile, great personality, and amazing talent.

Now don’t tell me unconventional beauty means having a full-figured body, because there are many people who consider plus size women as the perfect example of attractiveness.

There are two urban definitions of unconventional beauty.

On the positive side, it suggests that even though a woman does not have the classically attractive look of Audrey Hepburn or Angelina Jolie, she still charms and captivates the viewers in a rather inimitable way.

Sarcastically, being called an unconventional beauty is an in-your-face way of saying that the woman is not beautiful at all. Period.

The thought, however, that you call a woman unconventionally beautiful instead of simply calling her ugly is a paradox. For when you don’t like a person, you just avoid giving her the description “beautiful”.

Unconventional beauty is when a woman doesn’t fit into the standard of what one defines as beautiful, yet she intrigues in an inexplicable way… And one finds the experience “beautiful”.

Now, would you love to be called an unconventional beauty?