Beauty Standards - Blog Posts

Someone told me my hair and fashion style was “too 2010s.” It’s only been two years. Please!😭😭😭

Pardon me while I throw everything I own away and buy hundreds of dollars of now clothes so I can be one of the cool kids.

Seriously though, who has the time, money and energy to completely reinvent themselves every time a new style drops. Not me. 👋

The argument of being ‘too attractive’ to transition has always made me lose it- like full on witch cackling whenever the words reach me.

Cause excuse me, how do you mean. The scars all over my hands and face? Oh and what about the wonky bottom teeth and overbite that features teeth that make me look like a damn American girl doll.

I’ve been bullied my whole life for not looking conventionally attractive, but the second I realised I was a man? No yeah sorry about that, you’re actually a super model.

Let me be an ugly man in PEACE.

a female celebrity gains weight. headlines after headlines emerge: “IS [X] GETTING FAT?” babies weep uncontrollably. children misbehave. teenagers encourage anarchy. there’s graffiti on every building. parents and civilians shake their heads in mourning. the economy crashes. a meteor changes course and heads for earth. the female celebrity has gained 14.3 pounds.

something about hanging plants on the wall

reaching for the light,

aching,

twisting to contort to expectations—

well—

what looks best for the living room?

yet these are plants, living, breathing,

wilting,

dying—

for the privilege of “looking good”

and

what is that bullshit standard anyways?

attractiveness? style? beauty?

white supremacy in action, again—

over a plant?!

but yes—

(most times it seems to be yes)

so instead, maybe—

what feels best for the plant?

what supports growth the most?

when is your willingness to look good

outweighing your ability to feel good?

when did you start pulling yourself away

from feeling the light

when that’s all you’ve ever wanted?

i’ll forgive a fat girl for so many annoying things simply because i know how fucking miserable it is to be a fat girl. like. you dont get to exist freely and with any joy until you go through a decades long soul search full of extreme emotional pain OR you nearly kill yourself to become something society might accept. or you toughen up after years of bullying forced you to be more confident. literally there is no painless route to being a fat girl in your 20 somethings. so like. fat girls can be annoying as a treat. you have all been annoying our whole lives

Whenever someone tries to say something about how the body positivity movement is all about telling people being fat is a healthy lifestyle, I tell them about how I, at the ripe old age of 9 years old, wanted an eating disorder because I knew it could cause irreparable damage to your body so that you would have problems gaining weight even if you managed to recover. That’s right, I would rather having a potentially fatal mental and physical illness than live my life with the baby fat that I naturally had.

My first memory of hating my body was when I was either 4 or 5 and my mom got me one of those cute little kid bikinis for the Fourth of July with little Stars and Stripes all over it so that I could have fun in the blow-up pool in our backyard. However, looking at myself in the Disney princess vanity mirror, I wanted to cry. And even though I was so young and obviously I wasn’t going to look like a skinny model, I still immediately panicked and changed into a one-piece before hiding that kid bikini in the bottom of my drawer.

Today I am a mid-size young woman that still sometimes goes into a depression about my body, but I know that in the big picture, I have recovered greatly from those years of looking at myself in the mirror and telling myself that no one would ever love me (though sometimes that particular thought worms it’s way into my brain).

That is what the body positivity movement is. A way to tell little kids that hey, looking different than the starving models on the runways and in movies isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, even just having bigger girls on the screen and not as jokes or awful caricatures would have made me feel so much better about myself.

What is this shit? ‘Correct cellulite’, ‘a body positivity spa’? I don’t think so. It’s fine if this is the kind of stuff you enjoy doing, y’know if it makes you feel good about yourself, that’s wonderful. But when you show a model that’s ribs are showing(who is very beautiful but I’m proving a point) and pressure you by saying stuff like ‘get started on your bikini bod’. That’s not body positivity, but instead spreading body negativity. I can wear a bikini with my stomach rolls and rock it! So any girls that see stuff like this and feel bad about yourself, just know its BS!

The Evolution of Beauty Standards: From the 1920s to the 2020s

Beauty standards have undergone significant transformations over the past century, reflecting societal shifts, cultural movements, and evolving perceptions of femininity. The 1920s and the 2020s, in particular, present stark contrasts in beauty ideals, each influenced by the unique contexts of their times.

1920s: The Rise of the Flapper

The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, marked a period of liberation and rebellion against traditional norms. Women embraced the flapper persona, characterized by a boyish silhouette with flattened chests and straight waists. This era saw the abandonment of corsets, with fashion favoring shorter hemlines that revealed the legs and arms. The iconic bob haircut became a symbol of independence, and makeup styles featured dark, kohl-rimmed eyes, thin eyebrows, and bold lips.

Prominent beauty icons of the 1920s include:

Clara Bow: Dubbed the “It Girl,” Bow epitomized the flapper spirit with her expressive eyes and distinctive cupid’s bow lips.

Louise Brooks: Known for her sleek black bob and charismatic screen presence, Brooks became a symbol of 1920s glamour.

2020s: Embracing Diversity and Individuality

A century later, the 2020s have ushered in an era that celebrates diversity and individual expression. Beauty standards have expanded to include various body types, skin tones, and personal styles. The rise of social media platforms has democratized beauty, allowing influencers and everyday individuals to challenge traditional norms and promote authenticity.

Key trends of the 2020s include:

Inclusivity: Brands and media are increasingly showcasing models of different ethnicities, ages, and sizes, reflecting a broader spectrum of beauty.

Natural Beauty: There is a growing emphasis on skincare and minimalistic makeup, encouraging individuals to embrace their natural features.

Bold Experimentation: Conversely, bold makeup looks, vibrant hair colors, and unique fashion statements have also gained popularity, highlighting personal expression.

Notable beauty icons of the 2020s include:

Rihanna: A multifaceted artist and entrepreneur, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line set new standards for inclusivity in the beauty industry.

Lupita Nyong’o: Celebrated for her radiant skin and natural hair, Nyong’o has become a symbol of embracing one’s heritage and individuality.

Ashley Graham: As a prominent plus-size model, Graham has challenged traditional body standards and advocated for body positivity

Influences on Beauty Ideals: Then and Now

What Shaped Beauty Standards in the 1920s?

The 1920s were a time of major social and cultural change. Several factors played a role in shaping beauty ideals:

Post-War Liberation: After World War I, women sought freedom from traditional constraints, leading to more daring fashion and beauty choices.

The Women’s Suffrage Movement: Women gained more political rights, including the right to vote, which influenced their desire to redefine their roles in society, including how they presented themselves.

Hollywood and Silent Films: Actresses like Clara Bow and Louise Brooks became the first major beauty influencers through cinema, setting trends that women eagerly followed.

What Shapes Beauty Standards Today?

Social media and Digital Influence: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have significantly altered how beauty is perceived, with influencers and beauty bloggers setting new trends daily.

Fashion Industry and Celebrity Culture: Celebrities and fashion designers continue to shape beauty ideals, from red carpet looks to runway trends.

AI and Virtual Beauty: Digital advancements, including filters and AI-generated beauty content, are redefining perceptions of attractiveness in the online space.

The Impact of Beauty Standards on Society

Throughout history, beauty standards have significantly influenced individuals’ self-esteem and body image. In the 1920s, women felt pressured to adopt the flapper look to align with societal trends. Similarly, today’s beauty ideals, perpetuated by media and social platforms, can lead to external pressures to conform.

A Question for Reflection

How do you feel about the role of social media and fashion in shaping modern beauty ideals? Do you think beauty standards create unnecessary pressures, or have they become more liberating and inclusive?

Understanding the evolution of beauty ideals highlights the importance of embracing individuality and promoting diverse representations in media and society. While beauty standards will continue to evolve, the true essence of beauty lies in confidence, authenticity, and self-expression.

Thank you for reading. You are welcome to visit my website

🌐 Valokuvaaja Lappeenranta. Valokuvauspalvelu Kuvaajankulma

📸 Kokenut Valokuvaaja Jarno.S — Suomi — Kuvaajankulma

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This tweet had me absolutely flabbergasted twice because I read this and I was like "Dame Aylin? The tall, blonde, supermodel demigoddess? How is she at all outside of the beauty standard? This is stupid" and then I scrolled down and there were a hundred replies by straight dudes who were calling her ugly and talking about anime women they prefer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6FWZ-TpkFI

 the tags is just so those people see this, I feel like they need to see this