The “perfect” look isn’t natural so it is time to disclose these facts and reclaim our beauty
Written by: Sydney Ko
Beauty standards are perhaps some of the most bizarre concepts society has ever collectively agreed upon. We all somehow shook our head in disapproval when one’s lips are too thin, or when thighs are too big; we say no to girls with big noses and small eyes, thick waists and petite height.
In order to avoid scrutiny, girls are fixated on attaining the look society has agreed on being attractive.
By deeming what’s good looking and what’s not, an unrealistic expectation is set for people to reach. Those who can’t then turn to plastic surgery to enhance or emphasize their otherwise fainter features, as commonly seen amongst celebrities and social media influencers.
While there is nothing wrong with changing our looks according to our own desire, in order to reshape the beauty culture, promote self-love and BIPOC representation, people need to be transparent and normalize surgical enhancements.
In fact, society should be held accountable for the tremendous detriments in beauty image, lack of self-love, and confidence. The society plays the advocate in perpetrating this endless cycle of unrealistic expectations, by deeming certain looks as the “trend” so people can adhere to major surgical enhancements.
We have created a culture where Kylie Jenner’s sudden voluptuous lips were deemed beautiful, and Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner’s fox eye look are no longer considered an oriental trademark, but the current standard that everyone should follow.
When social media, influencers, and celebrities essentially dictate how one should look, it ruthlessly damages young girls’ confidence, because the unnatural and unachievable is considered the norm.
The beauty culture that mainstream media has created is not only toxic but also poses as an obstacle to society’s progress in allowing BIPOC representation. How can BIPOC reclaim their beauty when the only features that are celebrated are those that have gone through surgical changes – a process that is also frowned upon by the society.
Without a change of attitude in looking at unnatural enhancements, people will continue to not disclose the truth of the changes they have made, and in return those who don’t know believe in the idea that there are people who are born with perfect cheekbones and noses.
With the constant celebration of the “perfect look,” society fails to embrace beauty representation from BIPOC, because the mold for “attractiveness” is filled.
How can BIPOC reclaim their beauty if the perfect Eurocentric mold is celebrated, and those who strives fill it with cosmetic maintenance are scrutinized?
Instead of deeming esthetic surgeries as taboo, we should start normalizing it and encourage transparency.
There is nothing wrong with people who decide to get work done, but it is crucial to be transparent in their beauty maintenance. By encouraging transparency, we spread the message that the perfect look isn’t always achieved naturally, and perhaps stray away from the generic Eurocentric standards.
By promoting transparency and normalization, the society forms of positive message on having the freedom of choice.
In the end, we choose how we want to look, deconstruct beauty standards, and ultimately, reclaim the beauty we have always had. And perhaps, one day we can finally see that beauty standards are simply a social construct that is meaningless when we finally allow it to be.
Beauty standards are ever present, and it seems like they won’t be going anywhere soon. But in the meantime, we need to put an end to this harmful concept in young girls’ mind. The society needs to stop ridiculing those who do get plastic surgeries and other face/body maintenance.
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