Shifting the Standards

The notion of beauty has long been filtered through “the eyes of the beholder”–a mere opinion molded by a social standard that’s been established over time by celebrities, popular culture, and now, social media. It’s no secret that the year 2020 presented the world with a new and yes, unprecedented, set of challenges that perhaps permanently altered the course of our lives. In response to this sudden, drastic change, the world continues to loosen its reigns, stepping back to reassess ingrained ideologies, including what it means to be beautiful.

WHY the APPEAL?

The roots of this phenomenon and its prolonged existence in the spotlight lies in media exposure–lots of it. Different forms of media have overwhelmed audiences, whether they’re aware of it or not, with examples of men and women who fit the standard of beauty labeled as sexy, hot, and beautiful. People Magazine’s annual “Sexiest Man Alive” edition serves as a prime example of this, blatantly showcasing what a person should look like to earn such a title.

While there are certainly those that disregard media of this sort, the consistent exposure makes the appeal of the Western beauty standard almost involuntary, urging people to adhere to it so that they too can feel, or more importantly, be labeled as beautiful.

the WESTERN HUMAN IDEAL

For centuries (and even before that), the human race has maintained an ideal appearance for any gender or ethnicity. While this model diversified and became unique to specific geographical regions, one region dominated the globe: the West. Through manicured appearances portrayed on television, film, and other forms of highly accessible media, the Western beauty standard, categorized by long legs, full lips, fair skin, ample breasts, and a lean frame, became widely accepted. The standard was, and remains, blind to geography, culture, and the basic genetic makeup of a person, leading those around the world who conform to it to suffer from body dysmorphia, lowered self-confidence, and other deeply-ingrained insecurities.

occured

the beauty standard will undoubtedly shift back to where it left off prior to the pandemic; the harshness of the standard may decrease;

current to occur

the IMPENDING RENAISSANCE

Though many remain hopeful that the great amounts of change that occurred, and continue to occur, was powerful enough to permanently rid the world of a beauty standard, such a shift is unlikely.

Even after the current unrest has settled, it’s highly probable that society will return to its ways, idolizing a certain type of appearance over the others. While the harshness of the standard may decrease and never fully return to its original, exclusionary nature, the beauty industry will undoubtedly shift back to where it left off prior to the pandemic, letting the culture dictate the products and campaigns that are introduced to consumers. The question remains: how much longer will the general public buy into such a concept, allowing the beauty of others to negate their own?

The past couple of months have lit a fire under the United States in more ways than one. With social issues, climate change, political strife, and health hazards dominating media coverage, beauty was momentarily set aside. This abrupt shift in priority led to a stark decrease in sales for staples such as eyeliner and brow gel, as well as a general decreased interest in beauty products as a whole, especially with masks covering much of one’s face. While there have always been individuals who have strayed from using cosmetics, this was the first time the nation collectively decided such products were unnecessary.

With the world slowly reopening, the beauty industry is inching its way back into the limelight. Yet with a nationally-shared traumatic experience that has altered societal priorities across the spectrum, could it be that the concept of beauty has lost a certain standard, and perhaps, rightfully so, become more of a personal ideal?