So many women just don't know how great they really are. They
So many women just don't know how great they really are. They come to us all vogue outside and vague on the inside.
Mary Kay Ash, the builder of empires through beauty and belief, once spoke with both sorrow and fire: “So many women just don't know how great they really are. They come to us all vogue outside and vague on the inside.” In this saying lies the tragedy of a world that has trained women to polish the surface while neglecting the soul. She lamented not vanity itself, but the emptiness forced upon women by a society that measured their worth by appearance rather than by inner power.
The origin of these words rests in Ash’s own life as a pioneer. In an age when women were shut out of boardrooms, she built a company that sought not only to sell cosmetics, but to awaken confidence. She saw countless women who could paint their faces with style and grace—vogue outside—but who, when asked to speak of their talents, their dreams, their greatness, faltered in uncertainty—vague on the inside. Her mission was not only commerce, but resurrection: to restore to women the knowledge of their own worth.
History echoes this lesson in the story of Joan of Arc. A peasant girl with no jewels, no silk, no worldly refinement, she possessed an inner fire that made kings listen and armies follow. Though she had nothing of “vogue,” she had nothing of “vague” either. Her clarity of vision, born of faith and courage, revealed what Mary Kay Ash longed to awaken in every woman: that greatness lies not in adornment, but in conviction.
Ash’s words are both a rebuke and a call to arms. They warn women not to mistake surface polish for true strength, and they invite them to dig deeper—to discover that their power lies in their resilience, their creativity, and their ability to lead. Outer beauty may dazzle for a moment, but inner greatness inspires for a lifetime. To awaken that inner flame is to transform not only the woman herself, but all who cross her path.
Therefore, O daughters of tomorrow, let this wisdom take root in your hearts. Do not be content with being vogue outside if you remain vague inside. Cultivate the soil of your spirit; know your worth, your power, your greatness. For the world does not need only painted faces—it needs radiant souls, confident hearts, and fearless leaders. True beauty is born when the outside is crowned by the certainty within.
HTLe Thi Huyen Trang
This quote is a reminder of how women are often encouraged to present themselves a certain way, even when they may not feel confident on the inside. How can we create an environment where women are empowered to embrace their full potential, beyond what society expects from them? I think it starts with teaching self-love and acceptance. Shouldn’t greatness come from within, rather than being determined by outward appearances?
TNThuy Nguyen
Mary Kay Ash seems to be addressing a common issue many women face—the tension between external expectations and internal self-esteem. How many of us feel compelled to look a certain way to be considered 'great'? I wonder how much societal conditioning plays a role in women not recognizing their worth. How can we encourage a shift toward valuing inner qualities like strength, intelligence, and kindness over surface-level beauty?
MHMai Huong
I think this quote is powerful in its critique of societal beauty standards. It highlights how women can feel disconnected from their true selves, pressured to focus on external appearance instead of internal fulfillment. How can we help women build a sense of self-worth that isn't tied to looks or social expectations? Could it be that embracing one’s internal qualities is the key to real empowerment?
TTeo
Mary Kay Ash’s words suggest that self-awareness and confidence are often lacking despite outward appearances. This makes me think about the pressure women face to look perfect on the outside while feeling unsure inside. How can we support women in recognizing their value beyond what they see in the mirror or what others expect of them? Is it about cultivating inner strength or shifting societal expectations?
TPLe Thi Phuong
This quote really hits home. So many women are taught to present a certain image—'vogue'—on the outside, but they often feel disconnected or unsure inside. How can we change the narrative to empower women to feel confident about who they are beyond their looks? Could self-worth come from inner confidence rather than societal validation? I believe helping women recognize their true greatness starts with reframing the way we view beauty and success.