Although people argue that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we cannot deny that there are some traits that we consider more beautiful than others. There is a reason why the masses collectively agree that certain supermodels and celebrities are attractive. If we can pinpoint those standards of beauty, we can become it. Unfortunately, I’ve got bad news — you’ll never make it. What is considered beautiful will always morph into something else. Here are some examples of the ever changing faces and bodies of beauty.
The Slender Body
When people think of early 2000s celebrities, they most likely think of Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera. They were the “it” girls of the era and known for their slim and toned figures. Early 2000s fashion consisted of low waisted jeans and tight, cropped t-shirts. These clothes highlighted the desired body type during that time. It accentuated a slim waist and flat stomach. Some would call it a “model type” body. Curves weren’t really popular at the time.
The Hourglass Figure
It wasn’t until the Kardashian family rose to fame when curves and the hourglass figure became the new desired body type. The Kardashians were, and are still, incredibly influential in popular culture. Their reality television shows are often quoted and live in memes. Each of the sisters’ businesses are worth millions of dollars so it is not surprising that the Kardashians’ hourglass, curvy bodies were the new craze.
Many people are skeptical of how natural the family is and firmly believe they went under the knife to acquire their new bodies, but that has not stopped people from obtaining an hourglass figure. Due to this trend, the Brazilian Buttlift has skyrocketed in popularity, commonly referred to as the “BBL.” According to a study by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the procedure saw in increase in popularity by 77.6% since 2015. It is when people perform liposuction on their stomach and thighs, then transfer the fat to their butt. This procedure is the most dangerous one there is as when inserting the fat into the butt, the patient is at risk of getting fat into the very thin and intricate veins in their butt; ultimately affecting the heart and potentially leading to death.
Racial Ambiguity…and Appropriation?
Other than body type, the Kardashians have defined what the ‘ideal’ face is to. It is a racially ambiguous face which consists of a skinny nose, high cheekbones and plump lips. Again, even when many people firmly believe they got plastic surgery, countless individuals go under the knife to look like them.
Not only do these constantly shifting standards are the root of insecurities for countless women, but they also take features stereotypically associated with women of color. The standards pick and choose traits from women of color but exclude them at the same time. When Kylie Jenner was gaining attention for her fuller lips that she obtained through lip injections, many Black women felt frustrated as many of them recall experiences of being bullied for that exact same feature only for the world to appreciate them when it is on a white woman. In Glamour, the author points to many Black women in the media being criticized and mocked for their lips while Kylie Jenner is being praised and seen as aspirational for the same thing.
The same can apply to Asian and Asian Americans and the “fox eye” trend. This trend took off when people noticed Bella Hadid’s and Kendall Jenner’s almond shaped eyes. However, many have noticed that both of the models allegedly obtained this look through a brow lift which pulls the ends of the eye slightly upward. It is only until white women having these features, allegedly through surgery, have almond eyes been sought after. However, Asian and Asian Americans have faced harassment and constant mockery for the same eyes. Some slurs are based on this one feature and many have seen others pull their eyes back as a “joke.”
Even if you fit one beauty standard, you don’t know when you won’t anymore. If you’re a woman of color, then you might not even be invited to the party. Denying that there is a beauty standard does not help anyone dealing with insecurities. However, acknowledging that there is one—that will never wait for you—and saying to yourself, it’s okay that I don’t look like this Instagram model.
I’m trying to get into this mindset by following people that look like me rather than the blonde, skinny model that I can never look like. It is a difficult journey and sometimes I fall back into my own insecurities. It’s just a matter of reminding myself that chasing approval from these standards is an unhealthy cycle.