As a beauty journalist who covers the industry for television, print and digital outlets, I’m sometimes asked if what I do feels “superficial.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Everyday, I get to share the gift of beauty with readers and viewers. Beauty can be empowering. Whether it be a hair cut that makes you feel like dynamite at the workplace, or clear skin after acne made you feel self-conscious, confidence is often directly connected to looking and feeling what we imagine to be our best – and the world can respond powerfully to such assurance. It’s not “just lipstick” when a certain shade imbues you with the boldness to go out and conquer your goals.

My platform also allows me the opportunity to highlight businesses both small and large that are run by women, of which the number is greater in beauty than in any other industry. Talk about girl power! Press helps these businesses grow, expanding leadership opportunities for even more women to be independent and affect change in their communities. As study after study has shown us, women use their earnings to give back to the needs of their families, loved ones and societies in far greater proportion than do men.

A recent example of beauty giving back that I was blessed to participate in was the Salons Saving Our Shores (Salons S.O.S) initiative organized by Denise Taylor of Lawrenceville, New Jersey’s Great Looks multicultural hair salon. In the aftermath of businesses and families in the area devastated by Hurricane Sandy, Denise brought together 20 salons and spas for an afternoon of discount beauty services like haircuts and massages that raised over $7,500 for Sandy victims in need of help during the holidays.

No matter what it is that you do, you can make a difference in the lives of people around you – even if it’s just to encourage with a compliment or make someone smile at least once every day. In beauty, the opportunities to “do good” are prolific and poignant; and those of us in the industry know that no glow is more compelling than the one that radiates from within.

– Grace Gold, TODAYshow  beauty expert & journalist (4th hour with Kathy Lee and Hoda)