Beauty Standards Around The World

Hi there,
I just want to share what I read about the beauty standards differences around the world.

What actually comes to your mind when someone is asking you about the your standard of beauty?
I'm sure everyone has their own standard of beauty.
Well, chances are, you are thinking of what is considered beautiful in your country.
Just like me, who is living in Indonesia. My standard of beauty is really affected by the society standard.
Here in Indonesia, the ones who have white skin, black & straight hair, beautiful smile and girly style considered as beautiful :)

However, I'm sure that not everyone agree with my standards of beauty.
If there's a different standard of beauty around the world, then what exactly defines it?

United States

In the US, the standards of beauty refers to top models and celebrities, who are tall, thin, and elegant. However, there are so many different kinds of people live in the United States, we find beauty in all types. From Bar Refaeli to Kim Kardashian, and Tyra Banks to Jennifer Lopez, beauty in this country is found in all colors and sizes. But they all have some things in common—they are beautiful, fit, and have perfect features. Though it exists in other countries as well, a common thread in American thinking is that if you weren’t born with beauty, it can be created.

Iran

In Iran, nose-jobs are the ultimate route to beauty—and the ultimate status symbol. Both men and women wear their bandages with pride; in the so-called “nose-job capital of the world” over 70,000 people in this past year alone went under the knife to get a nose-job. Because of the strict dress code in Iran and other similar countries, women want what they can actually show off to look perfect. Because of this, other beauty trends seem to focus on kohl-lined eyes and perfectly threaded brows.

Thailand

In Thailand, and much of Southeast Asia, for that matter, it is difficult to find a beauty product that does not contain some kind of skin-whitening agent. In Southeast Asia, pale skin is associated with wealth, status, and beauty. Another much different view of beauty in Thailand from the Kayan tribe focuses on neck-elongation. From the time they are young, female members of the Kayan tribe add shiny brass hoops onto their necks one at a time until they become beautiful “long-necks”.

Kenya

For the Masai women of Kenya, it’s all about the earlobes—they pierce them and then stretch them out, using materials like slices of elephant tusk. Sometimes, they even remove the two middle teeth from their bottom jaw and shave their heads.

New Zealand

The Maori people of New Zealand have been decorating their faces with swirling blue tattoos called “moko” for centuries. Originally a sign of wealth for their ancestors, today most Maori people have moko. For women, the ultimate sign of beauty is full, blue lips and tattoos on the chin.

Mauritania

In this West African country, being overweight is a sign of wealth and status—a fact so important that women will often force-feed their daughters up to 16,000 calories per day, mostly consisting of gallons of whole camel’s milk and butter. Women are also seen as most attractive when they have plump ankles, stretch marks, and have been divorced. To Mauritanian men, a divorced woman means that she is desirable, and therefore a better catch.

South Korea

In South Korea, the trend is to have wide, round eyes, and many people are going under the knife to achieve them. One in ten women, and even some children, are having an eye-lift to make their eyes more Western and appealing.

France

In France, and other parts of Europe, the desired look is natural beauty. French women are known to be graceful and glamorous at every age, without being too flashy, and often don’t understand the American tendency to use lots of makeup.

Ethiopia

In the Karo tribe in Ethiopia, young girls have scars cut on their bodies in intricate, swirling patterns to create a beautiful design to attract a husband. Once a girl is finished receiving the scars, she is old enough to be married and start a family.

So, which one you considered as beauty?
Well, in the end, I believe that every woman is beautiful in her own way :)
So thin or chubby, smooth or scarred skin, and everything in between, beauty is unique everywhere you look.