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Entity reports on how women's beauty standards change around the world.

What beauty trend have you obsessed over lately?

Ombré? Kylie’s blue lipstick? Ditching contouring for strobing? It is easy to get caught up in the latest beauty trends and try to update your wardrobe to the fashions deemed attractive by the culture and people around you. An arguably large part of our social status depends how we dress in context to the fashions of our time and age group.

But, Western, Kim Kardashian-esque beauty is not the only kind of beauty that exists. In fact, countries all over the world have different beauty standards that, just like ours, are transforming from and renovating past styles and trends. Not sure what I’m talking about? Here are three countries where definitions of beauty might surprise you, and two big reasons why beauty standards don’t matter anyway!

1 INDIA.

Ever rocked some temporary henna tattoos? If you have, then you can relate, on a very small level, to what India finds beautiful. Paintings of henna are popular, especially for brides. These intricate designs, occasionally accompanied by nose rings or other jewelry, function as much more than just attractive accessories. Each henna design, whether it is a painting of flowers, butterflies or vines, signifies a certain idea or feeling. Peacock-type patterns, for example, symbolize beauty while sun designs can represent immortality or knowledge.

2 MOROCCO.

If you want to visit a country where curvy is in, buy yourself a plane ticket to Morocco ASAP!  Big hips, bellies and backsides are all attractive to the eyes of Moroccan men and women. For reference, think Queen Latifah and Adele. Whereas many Americans may (and have) brushed these women off as unattractive because they don’t align with our obsession with thinness, they seem to be the Kim Kardashians of not only Morocco, but also other North African and Arab countries.

3 JAPAN.

Craving the opposite values? Japanese women are idealized to be slim and petite, usually with long, pin-straight hair. In fact, the beautiful Japanese face is considered to consist of small features except when it comes to the eyes. Big eyes are preferred for Japanese women and a popular cosmetic surgery that Japanese women have done involves creating a “double eyelid” (essentially just an eyelid with a crease). Though you probably wouldn’t think that beauty could exist in something as small as an eyelid crease, the double eyelid is a huge beauty standard in Japanese culture.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T CARE…

Even though, especially as women, you may feel self-conscious about how attractive  you appear in an American setting, it is important to remember two things: First, remember that your external beauty does not define your actual beauty. Real beauty exists in your joy, work, love and relationships, not in how you dress yourself or cut your hair. Second, don’t forget that there are other notions of beauty all over the world. The fact that different standards exist should prove that you aren’t alone in your worries.

Unfortunately, beauty standards can be harmful to women and can potentially foster a need to change their body in order to feel beautiful. This not only leads to negative self-esteem, it can even hinder cultural diversity. For example, in countries such as Japan, where white skin is an idealized form of beauty, skin-lightening products act as modern colonizers forcing whiteness on other cultures. Therefore, it is crucial to become at peace with your appearance. Once you’ve achieved this, then you can push this peace further until every woman in every culture can say the same. World peace? It now has a new, beautified definition.

Edited by Casey Cromwell
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