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30 Awful Beauty Standards That Probably Shouldn’t Have Existed In The First Place
Interview With Expert
Hearing the words ‘beauty standards’, we can already assume that it will be something totally unnatural and not great for health both physically and mentally. As years go by, they change (at least a little bit), and most cultures have their own, but probably most of us can agree that when we hear beauty standards, we imagine that to fit in, we must be slim with pouty lips and pointy noses.
Well, one Reddit user recently started a thread asking people online to share the dumbest beauty standards that they have heard of. I think it’s safe to say that most of them are actually insane. So scroll through them and share your thoughts!
More info: Reddit
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#1
The huge, ridiculous swollen lips--good gawd it looks silly.
RELATED:
#2
Huge [butts]. So many women look like bumble bees now.
Dread Pirate Roberts 10 months ago
Booty implants are the dumbest things. They look ridiculous. Like I can't even look at Nicki Minaj without laughing
Bored Panda got in touch with Valerie Monroe, who writes the popular newsletter How Not to F*ck Up Your Face, and she kindly agreed to share her insights regarding this topic.
To begin with, she noted that in her opinion, beauty standards have evolved surprisingly little over time. “What we see in the West is mostly a Eurocentric beauty standard, which, for women, prizes light, clear skin, long hair, light, wide-set eyes, a small nose and chin, and a small, full mouth. Interestingly, it mimics the features of a baby,” she emphasized.
Valerie added that despite some recent changes to incorporate more ethnically varied features and darker skin tones, the previous standards still stand.
#3
Men who say body hair is unhygienic... and don't shave their own pits.
#4
White people want to be tanned, people with high skin pigmentation want to be pale. It's completely idiotic how we each want what the others have.
Sabrina Lee 10 months ago
What I find idiotic is when we argue that the other is appropriating their culture.
#5
Thigh gaps. No offence to anyone who has one naturally but it's just odd to me that this was a literally beauty standard for a good half a decade when, unlike a lot of other beauty standards that can be achieved either through weight-loss/gain, cosmetic surgery or makeup, this one relied purely on genetics.
Dread Pirate Roberts 10 months ago
Glad this one is mentioned. Always found it a stupid beauty standard for the very reason that it completely has to do with bone structure.
Now, speaking about whether it is possible for society to move towards a more inclusive and diverse set of beauty standards, she pointed out that she believes it’s possible to move towards them, but that’s probably not going to happen, at least in the U.S. “The majority of our population no longer reflects Eurocentric standards. (In other words, the population includes fewer white people than people of color.) That time is coming, so we'll see.”
We also asked Valerie if it’s possible to ‘remove’ beauty standards at all, but she noted that it’s not going to happen. “How else will the Big Beauty companies make money? They thrive off our yearning to look a certain way: youthful, sexual, an impossible ideal. There's an enormous capital that goes into supporting our discontent!”
#6
That having a disability means you can't be beautiful
RamiRudolph 10 months ago
Yeah, eww, your legs don't work! You're so ugly! Never mind your beautiful face and body, but non-functioning legs are soöoo icky. (/s)
#7
Freckle tattoos. Natural freckles can be gorgeous, but it is so ridiculous to see young women actually getting some tattooed on, eithet with henna or permanent ink. Yes, it is noticeable that they're fake.
#8
That you shouldn't have long hair if you are 40+ years old.
Finally, it’s obvious that due to the advancement of technology, social media and photoshop, more and more people feel pressure to fit these beauty standards. Valerie shared: “I've said it before and I'll say it again: Social media, filters, and photo-editing technology have had a hellish impact on our yearning to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.”
She also highlighted that what we see on social media is fiction presented as fact and even when we're aware that the images are unrealistic and impossible to replicate, their impact is still deleterious to our well-being. “Why? Because they suggest that unrealistic standards are possible, and if we don't or can't conform to them, we've failed.”
#9
“Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses”
Every man I’ve dated has LOST THEIR MIND whenever I take out my contacts and put on my glasses
#10
no SMILE LINES??? back in the day we were told we were prettier if we smiled and now its UGLY???
#11
That apparently none of us should have pores at all, god forbid a blemish.
Luke Branwen 10 months ago
Being unattractive is somewhat liberating. I don't have to freak out over every single imperfection on my face since it's not gonna make things much worse anyway.
So, guys, if you want to hear more from Valerie on this topic, check out her newsletter, How Not to F*ck Up Your Face!
And what do you think about these beauty standards? What, in your opinion, is the most ridiculous? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
#13
The hourglass figure. How are you meant to have a small waist/flat stomach but still be fuller of both sides of that waist unless it's genetic? For most women, this is unachievable!
Marnie 10 months ago
I agree with this one. I think so many women who are overly concerned about their weight are often really more concerned about their SHAPE. And they try to lose weight, but that doesn't and can't solve the "problem", so they are never happy. When was the last time you saw a woman who was portrayed as attractive in a show who had even the slightest bit of stomach, or had a bit of fold when they sat down? Last time I saw that was in a 1960s beach party movie.
#14
Well soo I know for some situations its a godsend that this is available.. but generally it currently fashionable and considered beautiful, to get veneers, on healthy teeth.
The process of shaving down natural healthy teeth to glue prettier teeth on, is strange.
Like I have one, my tooth broke, they cut it down and fitted it with a veneer. It was to fix a problem. But now cause that happen i know the new tooth is not as strong, they break they fall off, they are weaker. And the real tooth underneath has been compromised, its nerve is not as protected, it can’t handle temp as well, it is less strong.
To do this to every tooth.. when they look five anyway, just so they look perfect.. it’s shocking. Its also So painful to do it. And if you don’t have a real artist doing it they could mess up and make it look like you are wearing dentures! And really you are Not not!
#15
Skin bleaching. It's dumb and it's scary. I know that in some cultures having lighter or fairer skin is deemed "attractive" and some girls and women will shun the sun as much as possible, but smearing on chemicals to bleach your skin's natural colour? Not cool, especially since a friend of mine showed me videos of the after-effects of skin lightening "treatments" that left some pretty nasty side-effects.
#16
Women need long hair to be considered feminine.
Blows my mind when women make a big deal about cutting their hair "short" and its shoulder length (which isn't short)
MrsFettesVette 10 months ago
I've had every length between waist-length and crew cut, it's amazing when you change your hair and people you barely know go crazy about it. Or one guy said, "your husband must be sad that you wear your hair so short" (it's currently in an angled bob). Haha, old man, jokes on you, my husband thinks I'm hot no matter how I wear my hair- because I am.
#17
There once was a post on here about how women who don't paint their toenails are ugly... Like lmao what?
#18
As a POC I used to think having blonde hair and blue eyes would make me beautiful.
I love my dark hair and brown eyes now, but I had a rough time for a moment in puberty.
Dread Pirate Roberts 10 months ago
Yeah, when I was a kid, everyone was obsessed with blond hair. As a brunette, I never understood the fad. All eye and hair types and colors are beautiful.
#19
Fake tans
Dread Pirate Roberts 10 months ago
The fact that people make an effort to change the color of their skin is sad to me. And I'm tired of people telling me I need a tan because I'm too pale. This is the skin I was born with. If it displeases them, too frickin bad.
PeepPeep the duck 10 months ago (edited)
It’s not just that, so performing as mermaid, you develop a ‘mermaid tan’ where the top half is tanned and bottom half has gone whiter from lack of sun, and you need to be at an event in a dress later, no way I’m rocking up with paper white legs and a brown upper body 😂 no way. Also some shoots or events in life may have the same issue with a dress to wear for a photo etc, looking even skin toned is nice, how many people point out vocally when they seen a sock tan, singlet tan or sunglasses tan 😂 I also used tan to cover my burn scars after I figured that out too, less comments on what it is and how it happened etc. heaps of people use it for other uses
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T'Mar of Vulcan 10 months ago
I'm of almost 100% European ancestry (all my ancestors - bar one in the 1600s - were from Europe) and EXTREMELY pale. But South Africans still make remarks. "You need some COLOUR! Why don't you go in the sun for a bit?" etc. BECAUSE MY FATHER DIED FROM MELANOMA, THAT'S WHY.
ScootyPuffJr 10 months ago (edited)
Right? I used to tan and stopped...then I developed severe PMLE last spring, and can't even have five minutes of sun without breaking into a crazy rash. People now make fun of me constantly for being pale. You can't win.
Load More Replies... Saint_Zipcodus 10 months ago
Honestly, if it's a spray tan, it's probably a lot healthier than a so-called natural tan (or one from the tanning booth). Though I wouldn't want to breathe in excess amounts of the tanning liquid, just to be on the safe side.
Momten Jillian 10 months ago
where to start. Trump your disgusting feminine makeup is as much a joke as you are. Your skin is an organ treat it with the respect it deserves
Steve Hall 10 months ago
Hopefully, fake tans don't have the same skin cancer risk as sun exposure.
Mac Fletcher 8 months ago
Whatever! If I’m out in the sun too long, I just start peeling. That ain’t exactly attractive.
Amanda Hunter 10 months ago
I don't agree. Milky white skin in a bathing suit isn't ideal, and fake tan doesn't involve sun rays.
Mickie Shea 10 months ago
Ink, is a life long commitment to thoghts that usually do change. Temporary tats are a great answer.
Nonnie Bear 10 months ago
As a pasty white girl (who tried to tan back in the 89's with baby oil...didn't work!) I use sunscreen on face, arms, any exposed skin in the summer. That being said, I do use a little sunless tanner on my legs. Years of nursing left me with spider and varicose veins. The tanning lotion gives me a little confidence boost to hide some of that, so I can wear shorts and dresses during the summer months.
Sheena Leversedge Wood 10 months ago
I never really understand wanting a tan. I like my skin pale. and a tan is just sun damage, so why would you want pretend sun damage?
Caroline Fraser 10 months ago
Still better than sun damage caused skin discolouration. A sun tan is skin damage.
InvisibleQuokka 10 months ago
One girl I knew had a really bad tan over the summer, don’t know if she wanted it or not, but it was NOT good for her health at all, she looked almost grey
Becca not Becky 10 months ago (edited)
Tanning spray/lotion is often used by stage performers so the harsh lights don't wash them out. I could also imagine people with mild vitiligo using it to stop getting stares from strangers. But yeah, other than that, the trend of changing our skin is stupid
#20
Height being any indication of beauty or desire. It makes no difference to the average person in life.
#24
Leblouh - involves a girl of five, seven or nine being obliged to eat excessively to achieve female roundness and corpulence, so that she can be married off as young as possible. Girls from rural families are taken for leblouh at special "fattening farms" where older women, or the children's aunts or grandmothers, will administer pounded millet, camel's milk and water in quantities that make them ill.
#25
The Mayan concept of beauty was wild. Long sloping foreheads, crossed eyes, pointed teeth and hooked noses. These features were achieved artificially starting in infancy.
#26
Getting filler in your knees so they don’t look like they have faces in them… it’s a race to the bottom when it comes to cosmetic procedures
#27
For a while on tiktok, they were promoting products to cure "strawberry legs". It's literally just having pores on your legs. So dumb.
#29
That large-chested women shouldn't wear sweaters because it gives them "monoboob"
#30
Canthal tilt
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 10 months ago
I had no idea what this is, so: “ A canthal tilt, also known as the fox-eyed look, describes the angle between your inner eye and your outer eye. A positive canthal tint is when the outer corner of the eye is five to eight degrees higher than the inside corner.”
What do you think ?
Jill Bussey 10 months ago
I am deeply saddened that gen*tal mut*lation is not mentioned here. Surely one of the most heinous crimes visited upon children.
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 10 months ago
Maybe because its not a beauty thing, its to limit sexual pleasure as an expression of misogyny.
Load More Replies...
Alexandra Nara 10 months ago (edited)
Noone, who tells you your look is not ok, should get your energy. They either make money of it or they want some kind of trophywife to raise their own selfesteem. Just love who you are and wear what you like and appreciate your body doing hard work daily to stay healthy and alive
Tracy Wallick 10 months ago (edited)
I'm glad that *most* of these are about actual harmful/wildly unrealistic standards and not just bashing trends that just may not be for the person complaining about them.
LJ Robinson 10 months ago
I'm a redhead with green eyes, and skin so pale you can almost see through it. For YEARS I tried to tan. I quit trying after getting sunstroke and being hospitalized. Now, if I get comments I just say "why is it important to you that I be tan?" Or I tell them, if it upsets you so much, why are you looking at me? Schmucks.
The Original Bruno 10 months ago (edited)
Number one: extremely narrow, almost ridge-like noses. Coming up in second: Overly "perfect" teeth. That's a second place because no-one looks bad per se with overly perfect teeth, but when you see a TV show or movie and every last person has EXACTLY the same teeth, it's enough to make British actresses look hot just because they DON'T have overly perfect teeth (although that trend is overtaking Britain.) I remember when "Jar of Hearts" came out and I was trying to think what made Christina Perri look so appealingly real, and I realized it was (partly) that she had "bad" teeth!!! (Alas, the space aliens got her, too.)
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 10 months ago
A few years ago I started to notice mentions of how "difficult" it was to do make-up on hooded eyes, and how it was so much better not to have them. First of all, racist. Secondly, believe it or not, the only value of my eyes is not how much of my eyeshadow you can see.
Bilja M 10 months ago
I always had hooded eyes, my eyelids are invisible unless I close them. The only problem I have with that, except my mascara gets smudged very often (but that's not serious) is that my eyes, especially the left one, with aging are getting more and more covered by excess skin over them. That's not beauty issue, that's more like future vision impairment. I have eyes like Charlotte Rampling.
Load More Replies...
Nikki Sevven 10 months ago
I'd like to add 5 more. (1) Overlined lips. You look like a toddler who got into mommy's makeup. (2) Ridiculously long and thick eyelashes (unless you're a drag queen). (3) Cripplingly long fingernails. You can't possibly wipe properly without eviscerating yourself. (4) Thick, thick foundation/contour/concealer (again, unless you're a drag queen). (5) Dark contour on the tip of the nose, topped with a dot of reflective highlight. It looks like you dipped your nose in s**t, then in coke.
Anouk T 10 months ago
Can’t believe that ‘cellulitis’ isn’t mentioned - something that is a completely normal skin variation (babies have it!) got demonised and so many products promising getting rid of it are still on the market… blows my mind!
DarkViolet 10 months ago
I think you mean cellulite. Cellulitis is a common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection. I should know: I've dealt with it, during chemo. The bacteria enters the skin, and left untreated, can be life-threatening.
Load More Replies... Jill Bussey 10 months ago
I am deeply saddened that gen*tal mut*lation is not mentioned here. Surely one of the most heinous crimes visited upon children.
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 10 months ago
Maybe because its not a beauty thing, its to limit sexual pleasure as an expression of misogyny.
Load More Replies... Alexandra Nara 10 months ago (edited)
Noone, who tells you your look is not ok, should get your energy. They either make money of it or they want some kind of trophywife to raise their own selfesteem. Just love who you are and wear what you like and appreciate your body doing hard work daily to stay healthy and alive
Tracy Wallick 10 months ago (edited)
I'm glad that *most* of these are about actual harmful/wildly unrealistic standards and not just bashing trends that just may not be for the person complaining about them.
LJ Robinson 10 months ago
I'm a redhead with green eyes, and skin so pale you can almost see through it. For YEARS I tried to tan. I quit trying after getting sunstroke and being hospitalized. Now, if I get comments I just say "why is it important to you that I be tan?" Or I tell them, if it upsets you so much, why are you looking at me? Schmucks.
The Original Bruno 10 months ago (edited)
Number one: extremely narrow, almost ridge-like noses. Coming up in second: Overly "perfect" teeth. That's a second place because no-one looks bad per se with overly perfect teeth, but when you see a TV show or movie and every last person has EXACTLY the same teeth, it's enough to make British actresses look hot just because they DON'T have overly perfect teeth (although that trend is overtaking Britain.) I remember when "Jar of Hearts" came out and I was trying to think what made Christina Perri look so appealingly real, and I realized it was (partly) that she had "bad" teeth!!! (Alas, the space aliens got her, too.)
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 10 months ago
A few years ago I started to notice mentions of how "difficult" it was to do make-up on hooded eyes, and how it was so much better not to have them. First of all, racist. Secondly, believe it or not, the only value of my eyes is not how much of my eyeshadow you can see.
Bilja M 10 months ago
I always had hooded eyes, my eyelids are invisible unless I close them. The only problem I have with that, except my mascara gets smudged very often (but that's not serious) is that my eyes, especially the left one, with aging are getting more and more covered by excess skin over them. That's not beauty issue, that's more like future vision impairment. I have eyes like Charlotte Rampling.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 10 months ago
I'd like to add 5 more. (1) Overlined lips. You look like a toddler who got into mommy's makeup. (2) Ridiculously long and thick eyelashes (unless you're a drag queen). (3) Cripplingly long fingernails. You can't possibly wipe properly without eviscerating yourself. (4) Thick, thick foundation/contour/concealer (again, unless you're a drag queen). (5) Dark contour on the tip of the nose, topped with a dot of reflective highlight. It looks like you dipped your nose in s**t, then in coke.
Anouk T 10 months ago
Can’t believe that ‘cellulitis’ isn’t mentioned - something that is a completely normal skin variation (babies have it!) got demonised and so many products promising getting rid of it are still on the market… blows my mind!
DarkViolet 10 months ago
I think you mean cellulite. Cellulitis is a common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection. I should know: I've dealt with it, during chemo. The bacteria enters the skin, and left untreated, can be life-threatening.
Load More Replies...
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