Mia Maugé, a 59-year-old model and award-winning social media personality, is challenging the youth-centric beauty standards. In 2020, during the global lockdown, Mia made a simple yet pivotal decision—she made her private Instagram account public. This move set the stage for her becoming a leading voice in reshaping how society views ageing. Now, five years later, Mia is a model, public speaker, and a powerful online presence, breaking down stereotypes around ageing, especially for women.
Her journey of self-discovery and defiance against societal norms resonates with many women, especially those pressured by the narrow depiction of beauty and youth in the media. Her Instagram, with over 171k followers, has become a platform where women of all ages can connect and feel seen, challenging ageist beauty standards. However, Mia’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took years of unlearning societal messages that reinforced the idea that growing older meant becoming invisible.
Breaking Free from Societal Expectations
Like many others, Mia grew up believing ageing was something to fear. “I bought into what society had taught me from a very young age: that growing older is not desirable,” she says. For nearly 20 years, Mia dyed her hair to cover the grey strands creeping in. “I thought grey hair meant I would be seen as over the hill, past my sell-by date, irrelevant,” Mia admits. “Nobody wants to feel that way.”
In 2016, Mia made a radical decision to stop dyeing her hair. It wasn’t easy—at the time, there were no visible role models embracing their natural hair colour, and no one in her personal circle was doing the same. But after a six-week recovery from surgery, Mia allowed her natural silver hair to grow. “I fell in love with it,” she says. “It wasn’t easy, but once I got through it, there was magic on the other side.”
This decision sparked an internal shift for Mia. Her journey wasn’t just about letting her hair grow out; it was about confronting years of internalised ageism. “It made me question why I feared ageing so much. Why did I not want people to know my age? Why did I think I’d be unattractive to men? Why did I think employers wouldn’t want me?” Mia reflects.
The Importance of Age Inclusivity
Mia emphasises the need for more representation of older women, especially women of colour, in the media and beauty industries. “There are teething problems, but there definitely needs to be more diversity. Not all of us have silver hair, and some women dye their hair for other reasons. But what’s clear is that this time in life is leveling for all of us.”
Social media has provided a platform for women to challenge conventional beauty standards, and Mia is proud to be part of that movement. “We’re a fortunate generation to have social media. It has been a gift for us, enabling us to make a difference. Now, brands are seeing us and listening.” She notes that while progress has been made, many beauty brands are still hesitant to fully embrace older women. “Brands like Adidas and Nike are so youth-focused. They don’t include people who look like me,” she says. “Unless you’re a celebrity, age inclusivity is lacking.”
Embracing Confidence Through Age
Mia’s transformation is not just physical. It’s about self-empowerment, embracing her natural self, and rejecting societal expectations. “My most important tip for boosting confidence is to know your worth,” she advises. “Your value isn’t tied up in your youth. Don’t let societal expectations limit your beliefs.”
She believes confidence comes from within, regardless of age. “Once you know your value, that’s what people will see,” Mia adds. “Your voice and presence matter. Once you believe that—at any age—you will walk with confidence.”
Mia also advocates for embracing the menopause journey, a time when many women feel pressured to become invisible. “Menopause is a time to reinvent yourself,” Mia says. “If you’ve had children, they’ve likely left home, and you may have more financial stability. Menopause isn’t something to fear—it’s something to look forward to.”
Redefining Beauty for Future Generations
Mia’s visibility has provided a reference point for women who may have never seen themselves reflected in the media. One message that particularly touched her was from a woman in her thirties who said, “I can see what I’m going to look like in 30 years. I’ve never seen silver hair like this before.” That moment brought Mia to tears.
“It’s important for young women to have something to aspire to,” she says. “To see that you can age and still be beautiful, powerful, and relevant.”
Conclusion
Mia Maugé’s journey is one of radical self-acceptance, defying societal expectations, and embracing a new narrative of ageing. By accepting her natural grey hair and advocating for age inclusivity, she has become a beacon of confidence for women of all generations. Her message is clear: growing older doesn’t mean becoming invisible. It’s an opportunity to embrace who you are and inspire others along the way.
As more women like Mia break barriers and reshape beauty standards, we are reminded that ageing is something to celebrate, not hide from. Whether it’s embracing grey hair or simply living with confidence, the future of beauty is diverse, inclusive, and, most importantly, authentic.
This article originally appeared in Spell Magazine.
