Beauty Within The Cultures by Phillip Namara Essay Example

fed to gain weight and appeal more to their male counterparts, disregarding potential health concerns.

Additionally, skin color plays a significant role in determining beauty throughout Africa. Many nations believe that lighter-skinned African women are more sought-after than those with darker complexions. As a result, beauty standards vary from one African nation to another. There is an increasing demand for skincare products that enhance the skin tone of adult African females with the goal of making them more appealing to the opposite sex.

In various parts of Africa, having curves is regarded as an essential aspect of beautyCertain countries in Africa and Southwestern Asia prioritize women with fuller figures, considering them more attractive to men. This belief has greatly influenced clothing designers in these regions, who have embraced larger sizes and celebrated beauty in all body types. In contrast, Western beauty standards have been rejected in the Middle East due to the prominence of Islamic traditions and cultural values. Traditional Arabic clothing has gained popularity as it embodies modesty and conceals the feminine figure, presenting a stark contrast to revealing Western outfits. These garments are primarily intended for spouses and offer only a subtle glimpse of the female form. However, globalization has spread these standards worldwide while communities with limited exposure to outside cultures continue to develop their own unique beauty practices. Over time, global beauty standards remain diverse but constantly evolving. In the past 600 years, society's ideal female body shape has undergone significant changes. During the Renaissance period, natural curves were celebrated among women; blonde hair symbolized beauty while pale skin adorned with blood-red lips was fashionable. Moving into the Victorian era, women became obsessed

with having a small waistline.During a specific time period, many people resorted to wearing tightly wound girdles that restricted breathing and comfortability, with some even going as far as breaking ribs in pursuit of achieving an excessively tiny waist size. This was because modesty and beauty were closely linked, resulting in high-class women using makeup sparingly and avoiding bold colors. These vibrant shades were considered cheap and associated with prostitutes, leading some religious groups to view beauty products as demonic.

However, the 1920s brought about a rejection of traditional femininity among women. Instead of following today's trend of enhancing the bustline, they opted for a more boyish appearance by flattening their chests with fabric strips. The corsets worn during the Victorian era were replaced by loose-fitting flapper dresses, while traditional girdles gave way to elastic webbed ones, creating a more boyish figure overall.

This inclination towards a less feminine look extended to hairstyles as well, such as the bob or finger waves. Interestingly, what was once seen as trashy - bold makeup - transformed into something sexy during this era. Women used pale powder for an eerie complexion and focused on thinning out their eyebrows and eyelashes to appear both delicate and striking. Kohl was employed to line their eyes for an added dramatic effect.

From the 1930s through the 1970s, women became increasingly conscious of their bodies and began prioritizing dietingFashion trends in the past emphasized the importance of having toned arms and legs, which led to the use of light weights for muscle definition. During this time, both genders began to favor cushioned stretch cotton bras, as they were introduced and gained popularity. Renowned designers such

as Chanel, Dior, and Elsa Schiaparelli played a significant role in creating glamorous clothing that accentuated women's curves. Popular hairstyles were heavily influenced by film stars: Jean Harlow made platinum blonde hair fashionable, Rita Hayworth popularized red hair, and Marlene Dietrich represented brunettes in feminine styles. In the 1920s, heavy makeup was favored by women; however, in modern times there has been a shift towards a lighter and more natural look. This can be seen through their preference for foundations that seamlessly blend with their natural skin tones instead of desiring a pale white complexion.