Fascinatingly enough, many locales’ definition of physical beauty is different. From body shape to hair color preference, there’s a true mix of styles and looks to learn from. For example, according to Daily Mail, tanned bodies in the USA wouldn’t be looked at twice in South Korea. In fact, they would be looked down upon. In an article for Elle Magazine, photographer Mihaela Noroc traveled the world photographing women creating a portfolio full of diversity. What was found was that beauty is seen differently in different cultures and it’s even more interesting to take a magnifying glass and take a peek at separate countries, comparing what women do around the world do to look beautiful.
1. South Korea: Western Looks
From bigger eyes to smaller noses, South Korean women are focused on looking more like the women in the opposite hemisphere. According to ABC News, there is a growing obsession with western looks and cosmetic surgery in this Asian nation. For example, one in five South Korean women have had cosmetic work done compared to one in 20 American women. “Doubling” of the eyelids and chiseling of the chin are just two of the most common surgeries seen throughout the region as women try to tone down their natural looks.
2. Indonesia: Tooth Filing
Used as a rite of passage, filing one’s teeth is believed to rid oneself of arrogance and provide peace within but also creates a more beautiful physical and spiritual person. In an article by Huffington Post, it is learned that women from a tribe in Indonesia will chisel their teeth into sharp, narrow points. Although it’s quite a painful ceremony to undergo – done with no anesthetic – the beauty and balance between mind and body that one gets from this ritual is worth the discomfort in the eyes of the tribe.
3. New Zealand: Face Tattoos
Women with full, tattooed lips and chins are seen as the most desirable of the land. BBC News reported on the trend of “moko” – the art of tattoo – which has always been a part of Maori culture, and when it comes to the ladies of this region, they choose this atheistic because of its flattering benefits. It defines and plumps one’s lips as well as bringing attention to the eyes. Despite stares, stereotyping and rude comments from those outside this tradition, the custom lives on throughout the Maori people.
4. Greece: Rosemary Tea
For bouncier and softer hair, Greek women are rinsing their hair with rosemary tea. The Knot let out the secret that women in Greece have been utilizing this herb since the ancient times for the benefits it gives their hair, but also its aphrodisiac qualities. And according to Huffington Post, rosemary tea in particular will bring out the warmth and richness of darker hair colors. Now the mystique behind gorgeous, Grecian locks has been uncovered.
5. Kenya: Stretched Earlobes
Besides a shaved head and the removal of several teeth, the women of the Masai will also stretch their earlobes and pierce the tops of their ears as a way to enhance their beauty. According to Wikipedia, the ladies of the tribe will use ornate jewelry, twigs, stones and even elephant husks to create the holes and widen the lobes of their ears. It is also said that the more elongated the holes become provides a sign of one’s age and wisdom.
6. China: Foot Binding
Although this practice was banned in the early 20th century, “smaller being elite” is still a societal norm for this country. Smithsonian Magazine takes a look at the history of this tradition and why it lingered for such a long time after its prohibition including how it all started. Dating back to the tenth-century beginning with a court dancer who had shaped her feet into new moons, it quickly become a trend and status among women of higher society to have small feet as a means for enticement.
7. Chile: Grape Paste
Apparently, if you crush up some grapes and add them to flour, you’ll get a skin paste that will boost your complexion and relieve it of toxins. At least that’s what the women of Chile do according to About.com since they’re so rich in antioxidants. Because the country is the lead cultivator of grapes, growing them for 400 years, it’s no surprise that Chileans have come to utilize these sweet treats for more than just an afternoon snack or evening sip at dinnertime.
8. India: Shining Skin & Hair
Indian women partake in some natural beauty regimens when it comes to their skin and hair. There are a number of women around the world that are in envy of these Asian women and their sparkling black tresses. And Huffington Post divulged some of their beauty secrets that are used widely around the country including: massaging coconut oil into the scalp to promote blood circulation which helps with hair growth, using turmeric paste on their skin giving it a gorgeous glow and adding tulsi to face masks giving one’s overall appearance a more youthful look with its anti-aging properties.
9. Ethiopia: Scarring
Scarring their bodies at a young age, the women of the Karo are lusted after. National Geographic explains that men in this tribe will scar their chests, displaying the number of enemy kills from other tribes they’ve had. But the women begin creating scars on their stomachs and chests as it’s seen as a sign of beauty and sensuality. And according to Oprah.com, this scarring can take place as early as a girl’s childhood and once the last of the scarring is completed she is allowed to marry.
10. Japan: Skin Whitening
In Japan, you’re much more desirable with lighter skin as it’s a sign that you haven’t been spending too much time outside … working. Coinciding with a level of status in the society, Japanese women take porcelain skin to an entirely new level. Instead of just staying out of the sun at all costs, according to Huffington Post, they’ll go as far as bleaching their skin with toxins to achieve this highly-craved look, which is in direct opposition to Americans who will bake out in the sun to reach an all-over, tanned glow.
11. Mauritania: Overeating
In this African nation, the bigger the women, the more beautiful they are and more ready to snag a husband. As stated in Marie Claire, young girls are force-fed up to 16,000 calories a day in hopes of attaining their “largely” desired look and to prepare them for marriage. This physical tradition dates back to the origin of the region, where a fat wife was a sign of a man’s wealth. The more fortunate a man is, the more food he can afford to feed his wife and their status is kept at a high.
12. USA: Tanning
America is obsessed with tanning and their skin is paying the price. Tanning enhancers and lotions, bronzers, sprays, oils and more; there are a plethora of products floating around the American market targeted at intensifying one’s skin to a glowing, golden shade. And according to a CDC report quoted by Slate, white women in the U.S. were visiting tanning salons around 27.6 times – or a little over 2 sessions – per month. It’s no wonder that skin cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in the country.
13. France: Be Natural
Tousled, air-dried hair and skin that’s of the utmost priority, these women are the definition of natural beauties. There may be a reason that French ladies have such a high reputation when it comes to elegance and good looks. And it could be the secrets they live by when it comes to taking care of themselves. A gallery created by AOL. shows off some of those techniques including: daily facial massages, nixing most makeup, keeping face washing to a minimum and laying off the hair products. Maybe this is where the “au naturale” stereotype truly was born from.
14. Iran: Nose Jobs
A Hollywood, button-nose is what these Middle Eastern women dream about. In an article by Daily Mail, Iran is the nose job capital of the world. A more western look is envied so much so that girls as young as 14 are going under the knife and although their procedures are costing families more than 5-6 times the monthly wage, there are still more than 200,000 Iranians signing up for a rhinoplasty. That’s a whole lot of sculpting, re-sloping and nostril-packing at the end of the day.
15. In Thailand: Elongated Necks
The more coils these women have around their neck, well, think of it as a “most desirable” rating. According to Marie Claire, Kayan women begin wearing brass rings around their necks at a young age. These coils then push down their shoulders, in order to give the illusion of a longer neck. This extreme, and seemingly uncomfortable, look is considered beautiful as it also preserves tradition. Although, there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding this custom as well as concern for the women whom are allegedly being held captive in a “virtual human zoo,” for tourists to gawk at.
Source: http://www.thetalko.com/15-shocking-female-beauty-trends-around-the-world/