Social Media's Influence on Beauty Standards: A Historical Overview
By Alayah Brantley & Jacquelin Alcala
Social Media's Influence on Beauty Standards: A Historical Overview
By Alayah Brantley & Jacquelin Alcala
For all of history, beauty standards have woven a complex narrative, shaped by culture, art, and ever-shifting tides of society.In each century, the beauty standard line has constantly moved, from Cleopatra all the way to modern beauty in 2024.
This moving line has left women frustrated, as once they reach the finish line or are close to, it just moves further. The effects of social media have greatly accelerated this process. Now, women and men all over are embracing their natural beauty and slowly but surely, expanding their views on beauty expectations. In today's blog, we will cover social media's overall influence on beauty standards: a historical overview.
Historical Context of Beauty Standards
Cleopatra and the Geishas
Cleopatra and the Geishas
Beauty practices have evolved over thousands of years, yet their roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China. Long before the rise of modern beauty brands, women relied on their ingenuity and the natural resources available to them to enhance their appearance. In these societies, makeup was not just about vanity but also held cultural and symbolic significance. For instance, Cleopatra’s infamous eyeliner was made from kohl; a natural mineral form of lead sulfide, which was crushed up into a fine powder and used for eye protection to protect from “evil eye”. Like the Egyptians, the Geisha also tie beauty with culture, status, and spirituality. Their vibrant natural eyeshadows were only worn by those who possessed wealth and power.
Renaissance Era
Renaissance Era
The beauty standard during this era was classified as having a fuller figure, pale makeup, and long flowy hair. Artists like Botticelli and Titian created “Birth of Venus” and “Danae”, which perfectly captured the meaning of beauty at the time.
Victorian Era
Victorian Era
Snatched waists and curled hair were in! Many women used beautiful corsets and delicate hair accessories. Showing skin was seen as scandalous during these times, you could not even show your ankles. Powder was used to create the illusion of a paler complexion, as they considered pale skin beautiful. Women didn't use any sort of lipstick, instead they used rouges or natural lip-stains and blushes to bring color to the face.
The Roaring 20s
The Roaring 20s
Flappers were the height of beauty. Sparkly short dresses, dark makeup, bobs, and slender bodies were seen as beautiful. Only symbols of beauty were invited to these extravagant parties. They often wore bold makeup like dark lined liner around their eyes with plump red lipstick and flushed pinky cheeks. Thin, defined, and downward arched brows tied the iconic 20s look up.
Golden Age to Modern Beauty
Golden Age to Modern Beauty
Shifting into the 1930s, Hollywood really impacted the beauty industry. Movies were being made, celebrities were being produced. Many went specifically to see what the celebrities were wearing and what makeup they wore. The standards were slender, gentle curves, long tight gowns, yet modest. Celebrities during this era included Marylin Monroe, Betta Davis, and Ingrid Bergman. Transitioning into modern beauty, the big, elegant curls stayed relevant. Both genders can wear skirts and do their makeup. Some recent trends include soap brows, bows on everything, clean girl makeup, vintage fashion, and women owning their femininity. These days, everyone has their own interpretation of beauty and fashion. As trends change, population rises, the number of trend-followers have increased. Now in 2024, there are many aesthetics to choose from, yet the classy but casual look is trending at the moment.
The Emergence of Media and Its Impact
Women’s wear and beauty existed in published forms of literature as early as the 17th century. Fashionable trends and the latest beauty products were meant for the elite and those who could afford elaborate dress patterns and fabrics. The 19th century introduced the printing press, which allowed publishers to manufacture newspapers and magazines on a mass scale.
This, in turn, changed the structure of media forever. Women’s fashion magazines were now more focused on the wider public and not just the elite few. This new wave of media also introduced the idea of an “it girl” as we know it today. Magazines focused on celebrities and socialites who pioneered the fashion and beauty standards of the time. In the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were known for their hourglass figures and bombshell looks.
The 60s saw supermodel Twiggy pioneer the mod style and slim frame. Actress and singers Cher and Diana Ross rocked the disco scene with signature hair and flashy styles. In the 80s, supermodels took off with Cindy Crawford and Brooke Shields; there was a focus on slim but womanly figures.
From the 90s onwards, supermodels dominated the fashion magazine pages. Often, these models maintained extremely thin frames through excessive dieting and exercise. Magazines often featured unhealthy tips and tricks to make you as thin as the models seen on the runways.
By the end of the 19th century, women-focused fashion and beauty magazines concentrated on graphics and women's roles. This is where the birth of what we know fashion and beauty magazines to look like began: large pictures of beautiful women in the latest trends and makeup styles. Written pieces focused on beauty hacks and how to dress like whatever celebrity is trending.
These magazines often play a pivotal part in young girls' lives and are something they continue to consume into adulthood. However, media—specifically women’s media—can often have an unhealthy outlook on women's health and bodies. Magazines have written and published diets and fitness fads to help you lose weight or gain it. From the heroin chic of the 90s to Kim Kardashian’s curvy look of the 2010s, fashion magazines are responsible for the unhealthy obsession with body image.
The Rise of Social Media Platforms
With the shift from print to digital, everything has moved online. It seems like all fashion-related news and media can be found first through social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Now, influencers dominate the trend cycles instead of supermodels. The rise of the Kardashians and Jenners in early 2010s media transferred to apps like Snapchat and Instagram. Since then, the term "influencer" has circulated to describe people—often pretty, young women—with a large following on social media.
Social media can be a place of empowerment or comparison. On one hand, influencers like the Kardashians broke the barriers of being extremely thin, like in the heroin chic look of the 90s. Curves were popularized again, which led to more positive movements. However, social media is also a catalyst for dishonesty. Many influencers don’t have to disclose the amount of work done to their faces or bodies to look the way they do, let alone the amount of editing or filters applied to the photos.
The term “Instagram face” is used to describe the look of many influencers who have had similar cosmetic procedures done. Social media algorithms consist of what people engage with. The algorithm mobilizes these trends, but it is the users who make them popular.
The Pressure to Conform to Unrealistic Standards
Social media's overall impact on the beauty industry has been massive. We, the public, now get an inside look into celebrities' lives. Depending on the celebrity or influencer they can have a wide range of audience, ranging from kids, all the way to senior adults. Because these celebrities and influencers have the time to take care of themselves and get cosmetic procedures, it can create an unrealistic beauty standard for the common folk. Children and young teens are the most effected right now.
With the new generation growing up with social media, they only see adult or teen creators that dress maturely. Seeing how they can't achieve the same look their favorite creators wear, or achieve their makeup look, creates a sense of anxiety, pressure, and even depression within the child who is unable to reach the standard. Who knewthe desirable curvy body most women dream of, was only achievable through body surgeries. It was only recently that the public found out this secret.
Naturally, more women and men became open to the idea of plastic surgery. An example being Brazilian butt lifts and nose jobs. With multiple people jumping on the trend and seeing awesome results, many began to compare themselves. Constantly seeing others who conform to the beauty standard can make viewers feel the need to conform too.
Platforms that push these standards are the entertainment industry, the fashion industry, beauty pageants/events, and cultural norms.If they do conform, they are rewarded with positive likes and comments and get validation from others. Althoughit'snotwrong to want to be “pretty”, sometimes the way we get there isn'tthehealthiest way.
@patricia_jtv IS THE PRESSURE ON WOMEN TO CONFIRM TO SOCIETAL BEAUTY STANDARDS HARMFUL TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH? Have you felt the pressures to change who you are because your look is not the norm? Are there qualities of yourself you dislike because it’s not popular? Chime in on the conversation and share your opinions, your thoughts, your comments in the comment section below!🎙️💬 This is “REAL TALK with PJ”!🎤✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ NEW video EVERY SUNDAY on IG, TikTok and YouTube Shorts!🎙️📱Real talk, thrilling conversations and hot topics! Our time - every week - to reconnect, bond and chat in the comment section! See you there!💬👋🏽 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨✨ #LIVEwithPJ #realtalk #realtalkwithpj #realtalkrealconversation #conversation #podcast #podcaster #host #tv #tvhost #tvpersonality #ourtime #newepisode #socialmedia #journalism #media #podcast #press #staytuned #sunday #newepisode #blackgirlmagic #chimein #haveyoursay #patriciajaggernauth #society #pressure #trending #fyp #fypシ゚viral #foryou #trendingvideo #trendingtiktok ♬ original sound - Patricia Jaggernauth
Positive Movements and Diverse Representation
As negativity continues to spread through the internet, many movements have been created in response.Many creators started to incorporate body positivity in their content. Essentially, it's a movement that says all bodies are valuable and beautiful, regardless of shape or appearance.
Big companies have also jumped on this movement. Retail stores like Aerie, Lululemon, and Target, use mannequins that have a non-traditional body to display their products. Beauty companies have been more inclusive about shade ranges and models to promote diversity. Through this, they were able to cater to a bigger audience, therefore increasing sales. Overall inclusivity and positive messagesallow more people to feel beautiful.
The Role of Products in Enhancing Beauty
Along with the body positivity movement, there has been a shift in the cosmetic industry. More and more products are focused on enhancing beauty rather than fixing or hiding features. Brands are adopting a more natural skincare-first approach to makeup. In addition to skincare, many cosmetics are marketing serums to grow lashes and brows naturally, moving away from lash extensions and heavily filled-in brows.
Semi-permanent Makeup is another example of enhancing features. Godefroy’s Instant Eyebrow Tint and 28-day mascara enhance eyebrows and lashes without the appearance of heavy makeup. More and more cosmetic users are switching to more natural forms of makeup, with an emphasis on wellness and skincare.
Balancing Reality and Social Media
It is important to maintain a healthy balance of social media consumption. It is both comforting and jarring to acknowledge that beauty standards are constantly changing. Know that something inconsistent, like beauty standards, is not an accurate reflection of your own beauty.
It can be easy to get stuck in the algorithm and compare yourself to those you see online. However, keep in mind that not everything you see online is an accurate depiction of reality. The best thing you can do for your personal beauty is to embrace and enhance what you already have.
Conclusion
Beauty standards are constantly evolving and cycling. All different shapes, sizes, and features continue to go in and out of vogue. With the rise of social media, it has become increasingly difficult to escape societal pressures and standards of beauty. We are constantly exposed to new trends in beauty. From makeup to plastic surgery, our ability to change our appearances has increased.
However, constantly changing your appearance can often lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. Not all social media is detrimental; movements like “body positivity” and a shift to more wellness-focused beauty routines emphasize embracing natural features.
These movements wouldn’t be possible without social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. In today's chronically online world, it is important to maintain balance and boundaries with social media. Confidence and self-love are the only things that don’t go out of style. Thanks for reading!
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