“Leblouh” tradition In the western world, beauty and high fashion is all about zero-size and being skinny , but it is otherwise in Mauritania. Mauritanians hold on to the “big is beautiful and stretch marks are sexy” as the ideal. Here, obesity is viewed as a sign of wealth and status. In order to meet […]
INDONESIA- where chiseled teeth is a thing of ‘beauty’
If stretched earlobes and shaved heads are considered a thing of beauty in Kenya, its chiselled, pointy-sharp teeth for the Mentawai tribe in rural Indonesia. Located on a remote Sumatran archipelago, the ideals of beauty for the Mentawaian people go far beyond the skin, involving the sawing of teeth until they achieve a sharp, narrow […]
INDIA – Mehendi
“Shades of happiness” Mehendi, otherwise known as Henna, is a paste associated with positive spirits and good luck. Mehendi have such magnetism for Indian women that they get attracted towards it in no time. Historically, henna with its cooling properties, was applied on hands and feet to cool one’s body. The beautiful stain that it […]
KENYA – “Stretched earlobes, still in vogue”
In the modern world, it is largely a mode of expression but Ear stretching is not a new idea, style or fad. Today Africa is still filled with tribes who have passed on the cultural tradition of ear stretching from generation to generation. Let us talk about one such tribe that still holds the practice […]
THAILAND – “Giraffe” women
Thailand,Kayan long neck hill tribe The Kayan people are originally from Myanmar. Due to political turmoil in the late 80s between the National Liberation Army and the Military Dictatorship in Yangon, and the violence that ensued, many of the Kayan people escaped to Thailand. Thailand granted the Kayan temporary stay under “conflict refugee” status. Now […]
ETHIOPIA – “Scarification”
Ethiopian’s Karo tribe Most people around the globe often times, use their bodies to express their cultural identity, status and connection to their gods, but the scarification process is terribly long, painful and seems somewhat extreme. This is in every sense one of the beauty standards in the world. Forming part of the estimated Lower […]
CHINA – “Lotus feet”
Lotus feet/ Feet binding Here is another one of the weirdest beauty standards and extreme body modification. In Imperial China, nothing was considered more erotic than having tiny feet. Chinese foot binding is perceived today as unusual, gruesome, an antiquated fetish, an erotic tradition. No one is completely sure when or why the Chinese became […]
ETHIOPIA – Lip Plating
From Lake Turkana and Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia, are the Suri and Mursi tribe who have not been swayed by the technological advancement and have maintained their traditional way of life.This is arguably the most extensive fashion trend worn for centuries in various African and South American communities. The Suri and the Mursi […]
NEW ZEALAND – Ta-Moko
NEW ZEALAND – Ta-Moko While tattoos are still in vogue among the modern people, the unique culture still makes the list of weirdest beauty standards because of the way its done. While a smooth clear face without tattoos is considered a fairly universal standard of beauty, Maori people of New Zealand think otherwise. Maori women […]
JAPAN – “Yaeba”
Why it is straight up beautiful in Japan… In many western countries, crooked teeth are seen as imperfections and most people consider a straight set of pearly whites ideal.The story is slightly different in Japan, where “ YAEBA” or snaggletooth are considered cute. It is also said that Japanese men find the imperfect smile childlike […]
beauty standards around the world 