How Ideal Beauty Standards Differ Around The World
Women come in all different shapes and sizes, some of which we have the power to change, and some of which we don't. Every woman is going to find something about herself that she doesn't like, but another woman would love to have those features.
Around the world, there's a lot of different standards for what the "ideal" woman looks like. You're never going to be able to live up to all of them, but it's interesting to see what different cultures or countries place value on.
The More Crooked Your Smile, The Better In Japan
In Japan, yaeba are human teeth, especially the upper canines, that have a pointy, fang-like appearance. On top of the desire to get pointed implants, having crooked teeth is considered to be youthful-looking, and you can undergo dental procedures to get a crooked smile.
Facial Tattoos Are Standard For Maori Women
For the Maori people of New Zealand, a traditional permanent marking or "tattoo" known as ta moko is considered to be beautiful, and the most beautiful women are the ones who have their chin and lips fully tattooed.
Au Naturel Beauty Is The Goal In France
The French believe in taking care of their skin rather than wearing lots of makeup, and they are taught to maintain their skin and their complexion from a young age so they can look effortlessly beautiful.
You Have A "Right" To Be Beautiful In Brazil Thanks To Plastic Surgery
Having the ideal body type in Brazil and looking beautiful is so important that the government actually subsidizes plastic surgeries in public hospitals. Brazilian women have the "right to beauty" and can get the Brazilian butt they've always wanted with free or heavily discounted surgeries.
The Eyes Are The Focus For Saudi Arabian Women
Due to many women in Saudi Arabia covering most of their face when out in public, Saudi Arabians place great emphasis on the beauty of a woman's eyes, and women put a lot of effort into making their eyes pop.
Stretched Earlobes Are A Must-Have In Kenya
Members of the Masai tribe in Kenya and other parts of Africa are known for having shaved heads as well as stretching their ear lobes with heavy jewelry over time. A woman's status in the Masai tribe is heightened by how large or elongated her lobes are, and they wear bright jewelry to draw attention to it.
In China, Being Pale Is A Good Thing
Dating back to a culture where the color of your skin was related to your social class in China, it's considered beautiful to have pale skin, and Chinese women will use face creams or products that contain whitening agents.
Your Beauty Comes From Your Long Neck In Myanmar
The Kayan people who reside in Myanmar believe that lengthening a woman's neck will make her more beautiful, which is why women wear brass rings around their necks to stretch them out. The process begins as young as two and continues throughout their life.
A Small Nose Is A Sign Of Wealth And Beauty In Iran
Iran has one of the highest rates of nose surgeries in the world, but it's also a very expensive surgery in Iran, so Iranian women will leave the bandages from their nose job on their faces when out in public as a sign of their wealth and their beauty.
The Bigger The Better In Mauritania
Unlike the desire to be thin that is forced on everyone in the Western world, in the country of Mauritania, the larger the woman is, the more beautiful they're considered. Your size is also an indication of your wealth in Mauritania.
Heart-Shaped Faces In Korea Are The Key To A Man's Heart
While you may not like that your face is heart-shaped, in Korea, the heart-shape is so desirable that you can find many readily available plastic surgeons who will perform a surgery to shave down your jaw bone.
You Want Pale Skin And Large Eyes In Thailand
In Thailand, women strive for pale skin as well as pronounced eyes and nose, which is not what most women born there have, so they're willing to go undergo cosmetic surgery to achieve that.
The Hair Is Crucial For Women In Spain
Like in most European countries, women in Spain have good complexions, dress well, and take care of themselves overall, but they place a lot of emphasis on a woman's hair. A beautiful woman will aim to have long, silky brunette locks.
More Is More For Russian Women
Unlike the French, who take the "less is more" approach to beauty, Russian women believe that beauty is made by accentuating your natural beauty with anything and everything from clothes to makeup to accessories.
Scars Are Beautiful In Ethiopia
While women in North America are made to feel like they should hide their scars or that they're something to be ashamed of, women in Ethiopia consider scarification to be an art form and a rite of passage.
Saunas Keep The Skin From Drying Out In Sweden
In order to keep up with the Nordic beauty standards, blonde or platinum hair is a standard for women of Sweden, and so is having a good complexion. Due to the strong Scandinavian winds in the winter, skincare is a must for Nordic women.
Overall Health Is What Indian Beauty Is About
Harmony of the soul and body is what's considered to be beautiful in India. Proper nutrition, connection to your soul, and natural cosmetics are the main ways to emphasize your beauty. Women aim to look healthy and have a form that would indicate they will become good mothers.
Lip Stretching In Africa Will Attract Men
While it might not look comfortable to you, for Mursi and Suri women in Ethiopia, as well as other parts of Africa and South America, lip plates indicate female maturity, and are used as a way to show a woman is of child-bearing age. The larger the disk, the greater the beauty.
Clearly, There Is No Way To Be The "Ideal" Woman Everywhere
Every country you live in or visit is going to have completely different standards for what they consider beautiful, based on their culture, climate, traditions, and preferences. What is considered to be beautiful in one country could be considered a negative in another.
Focus On Being Your Own Ideal
Women can't strive to be the perfect version of a woman or constantly try to make themselves into the ideal woman, as hard as they may try. You have to focus on feeling beautiful in the body that you've been given, with a little help from makeup or clothes if you want it.
