The fact so many people are comparing Glinda's "You're beautiful" to Fiyero's, IN FAVOR of Glinda has me steaming. Saying because Elphaba didn't accuse Glinda of "lying" means she believed and accepted her compliment and doubts Fiyero's intentions.
Glinda: Waited until AFTER basically overhauling everything that made Elphaba herself, telling her the only way she can be "popular" is by becoming different, dressing differently, speaking differently. Only calling her beautiful after making her up in her own image. She isn't calling Elphaba beautiful, she is calling herself beautiful. And Elphaba doesn't accept the compliment. She immediately leaves because she feels overwhelmed by what she sees in the mirror and the 180 that was Glinda's attitude.
Fiyero: People forget that Fiyero was meant to be Glinda's foil. It's why they share so many of the same lines and situations but make vastly different decisions. He tells her she is beautiful AFTER she basically becomes her natural self. Removed her 'work' clothes, pulled her hair back, gets comfortable in her own skin and home. That is when he says she is beautiful. When she becomes her most soft. Because he loves her at her lowest and he doesn't want her to have to wear her amour. The same can be said after the makeover in Shiz. He tells her she doesn't need everything that Glinda needs to be memorable and attractive to anyone (especially him). "Looking at things another way" is him saying you are beautiful on the outside but more importantly on the inside. That he's looking past the shallow definition of beauty (Glinda when he calls her perfect), and seeing what truly makes someone beautiful and attractive. And Elphaba does accept it almost immediately. Sure she has doubts, but as soon as he explains what his means she melts (pun intended) immediately and gives him literally EVERYTHING.
Elphaba bonus: Tells him he is beautiful, not in a physical sense but what him being in front of her represents. Life after she though she lost him. Hope she feels for their future when she hadn't allowed herself to believe she wouldn't not be alone. Her love for him and his for her is what is beautiful.
“You’re beautiful” isn’t about looks. It’s about expressing your love for the recipient. Fiyeraba for each other and Glinda for herself
