There is no true beauty ideal – we are who we are. But the perception of beauty is different for everyone, there are multiple trends and these differ between country and cultures.
The average woman is a size 16 in the UK. It is personal preference, but to me a lady with curves is attractive. Others find that a slimmer figure is preferable, just as you may prefer long hair to short, or a taller stature compared to a smaller one.
The list is endless, from hair colour to skin tone to personal style. We all have our own minds and that means our own individual tastes. But it doesn’t stop us from following a trend or tradition, and this is no different to others around the world.
I did a little investigating and found some really interesting beauty ideals from other countries and cultures.
Western cultures seek their idea of perfection, often influenced by what is seen in magazines or on television. But that isn’t always what others are seeking.
Skin lightening has risen is popularity in both Asia and Africa. Treatments and products promising to smooth and brighten skin are on the up. The demand is from women seeking the ultimate beauty goal of a milky complexion.
From the age of just 5 years old, women of a Kayan tribe in Thailand wear brass rings around their neck. They add brass rings over time to elongate their necks; a long neck is considered beautiful and elegant in that particular region.
Some Mauritian women gain weight intentionally as it is believed to make them more desirable to men. Being bigger is seen as a status symbol for her husband; a larger woman is a sign of wealth and fertility.
A ritual for Mursi women of Southern Ethiopia is to have stretched lips, inserting clay plates into their lower lips and increasing the size of the plate over time. It is believed that this is a symbol of sexual maturity and beauty.
There are many different beauty ideals, but in truth, perfection is as simple as being true to who you are.
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