How beauty standards differ around the world

What makes a person beautiful? Is it their body type, their skin color, the color of their eyes, or their personality? Beauty is subjective and it varies across the world. Let’s get to know about the existing beauty standards around the world.

South Korea: A small face, white skin, pointy nose, western-looking eyes, skinny figure, being tall and long hair are considered beautiful. Many Koreans think that a good appearance plays an important role in success.

Plastic surgery is quite common in South Korea. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), Korea has the most plastic surgeons per capita, with 13.5 cosmetic procedures performed per 1,000 individuals.

Mexico: A person with big brown eyes, tanned skin, thick eyebrows, medium lips, long brown hair, a curvy figure, and medium height is considered beautiful.

Finland: People appreciate a more natural and healthy look who are not too skinny, have blonde hair and tanned skin.

Saudi Arabia: Big lips, defined eyebrows, wide eyes, black eyelashes, and henna tattoos are considered beautiful. Plastic surgery is becoming popular.

Canada: It has diversity and hence defining beauty is difficult. Someone who is healthy, natural, in shape is considered pretty

Ukraine: High cheekbones, brown or green eyes, a round face, straight nose, dark hair, a tall & thin figure with a mix of western plus European features is considered pretty.

African countries: A full and curvy figure, plum lips, curly hair, and defined cheekbones are beautiful

India: It is a multiracial, multicultural country & hence beauty standards change by region. India is obsessed with fair skin & there are many skin-lightening products for sale. Long hair, a healthy body, medium height is considered beautiful. Kajal is used to enhance the eyes.

Beauty products, plastic surgeries, weight-loss and gain programs, cosmetics, the fashion industry - all thrive and make good business out of these beauty standards. Humans are creative and will keep enhancing their looks to be unique and appreciated.

People try to change themselves in many ways to look beautiful. Anything that does not harm a person is fine. But beauty standards that destroy one’s self-esteem and mental health shouldn’t be promoted in society. Beauty is, after all, subjective and in the eyes of the beholder.

Final Note: No one can be considered beautiful by everyone on earth. Therefore beauty pageants declaring a woman the most beautiful on earth makes no sense. An alternative? Instead of trying to be the most beautiful person around, strive to be most presentable and kind.