conventional beauty is symmetry, endearment is wabi-sabi

The western idea of beauty is defined as symmetry. Symmetry is perfection, which rarely, if ever, exists in the natural world. Striving for symmetry is something that can never really be obtained. Wabi-sabi, on the other hand, is a Japanese aesthetic that centers around the idea of transience. Beauty found in impermanence and incompleteness. Wabi-sabi has a certain intimate quality; things which are simple, modest, and natural are very endearing. Your faded sweatshirt with the zipper that doesn't always work right, is often times more important than anything new and perfect. Freckles or a slightly off center nose are the things that make us smile about those we love. The asperity of an unshaven face or messy hair, the modesty of a shy gaze, the organic smell of someones skin, these are all wabi-sabi.
Nothing can ever be perfect, yet imperfections can be captivating; and the embrace of that syncretism is beautiful. To me.