"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 spotlights a profound disconnect that she observed in many women: a confident, polished exterior paired with uncertainty or ambiguity within. The phrase “all vogue outside” evokes images of women carefully cultivating their appearance, perhaps wearing fashionable clothes, poised and graceful, presenting themselves as composed and successful to the world. This external presentation is often what society sees and values, emphasizing standards of beauty, style, and outward confidence.

However, the second part, “vague on the inside,” cuts through that surface to reveal a common internal struggle. Despite looking self-assured, many women quietly grapple with doubts about their abilities, worth, and uniqueness. This vagueness inside is not a lack of intelligence or ambition but an unawareness of their own power and potential. Mary Kay notes a universal truth: external confidence does not always reflect internal certainty. Years of societal messaging, cultural conditioning, and sometimes even personal experiences may cause women to question their value or diminish their achievements.

For Ash, a successful entrepreneur who built her business by empowering women, this juxtaposition represented both a challenge and an opportunity. She wanted women to recognize their strengths, talents, and inner greatness. Her words suggest that fulfilling societal standards for appearance or behavior is only half the story; realizing one’s own worth and capabilities is what truly enables women to thrive. She calls attention to the importance of self-discovery and intrapersonal growth.

The message rings as relevant today as ever. Many continue to perform outward confidence while feeling uncertain inside. Ash’s observation serves as a gentle urging for women to look inward, acknowledge their value, and align their inner self-awareness with their outer presence. When women understand how great they truly are, both inside and out, they can unlock their greatest potential and inspire others to do the same.