14 Strange Beauty Standards From History
Beauty has always been subjective, but some historical standards were downright unusual.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Across cultures and centuries, people shaped their bodies, altered their faces, and even risked their health to keep up with what was considered attractive. These beauty ideals might sound extreme today, but they reveal how society’s view of beauty is constantly changing. Some practices were painful, others bizarre, and all of them leave us questioning how much people are willing to endure for appearance.
1. 1. Lead-Based Makeup
After Levina Teerlinc on Wikimedia Commons
In the Renaissance, pale skin was the mark of nobility, so many women used lead-based makeup for a ghostly complexion. The look came with a cost, as the toxic substance slowly damaged their health. Still, people risked it to appear refined and wealthy.
2. 2. Blackened Teeth in Japan
Pierre Dieulefils on Wikimedia Commons
In Japan, the practice of ohaguro involved staining teeth black as a sign of beauty, maturity, and loyalty. Far from being seen as unappealing, blackened teeth were thought to make women more desirable. It was also believed to protect teeth from decay.
3. 3. Corsets for Extreme Waists
Illustrateur : Saint-Elme Gautier on Wikimedia Commons
European women in the 18th and 19th centuries wore corsets so tight that they reshaped their ribs. A tiny waist was seen as the height of elegance, even though breathing and moving became a struggle. The fashion was a mix of beauty and suffering.
4. 4. Foot Binding in China
Lai Afong on Wikimedia Commons
For centuries, young girls in China had their feet tightly bound to achieve a tiny, arched shape called “lotus feet.” It was considered elegant and feminine, but the process caused lifelong pain. Despite the suffering, many endured it to secure a higher social status.
5. 5. High Foreheads in the Middle Ages
American Art Association on Wikimedia Commons
In medieval Europe, a high forehead was admired as a sign of intelligence and grace. Women would pluck or shave their hairlines to exaggerate the look. It might seem odd now, but it was once the hallmark of elegance.
6. 6. Long Fingernails in China
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
In imperial China, extremely long fingernails showed that someone was wealthy enough to avoid physical labor. To protect them, ornate nail guards were worn. What looks impractical today was once a mark of power and privilege.
7. 7. Powdered Wigs in Europe
After Nicolas Mignard on Wikimedia Commons
European aristocrats in the 17th and 18th centuries wore towering powdered wigs to signal wealth and influence. The wigs were often scented to cover hygiene issues. They became so extravagant that they were a fashion statement all on their own.
8. 8. Unibrows in Ancient Greece
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia Commons
In Ancient Greece, women with unibrows were admired for their supposed wisdom and purity. Some even drew extra hair in to connect their brows if nature had not. What many pluck today was once the ideal of feminine beauty.
9. 9. Lip Plates in Africa
Lourdeschr on Wikimedia Commons
Among the Mursi tribe in Ethiopia, large clay plates inserted into the lower lip were a traditional symbol of beauty and strength. The bigger the plate, the more it demonstrated resilience and value. It remains a cultural practice tied to identity and pride.
10. 10. Arsenic Eating in Victorian Times
LittleWhole on Wikimedia Commons
In the 19th century, some people ingested small amounts of arsenic, believing it would give them clear skin and a glowing complexion. The practice was incredibly dangerous, yet it was popular among those desperate for beauty. It is one of the most extreme beauty risks in history.
11. 11. Elongated Skulls
Ceoil on Wikimedia Commons
Some ancient cultures, including the Maya and Inca, bound infants’ heads to elongate the skull. The look was considered noble and sophisticated. It’s one of history’s most striking examples of body modification for beauty.
12. 12. Pale Skin in Asia
Moni Rathnak on Pexels
In many Asian cultures, pale skin has long been associated with wealth, as it meant avoiding outdoor labor. Women shielded themselves from the sun with powders, fans, and parasols. Fairness was less about health and more about social standing.
13. 13. Pointed Teeth in Indonesia
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
In Bali, tooth filing was performed to smooth and sharpen the front teeth, believed to refine character and enhance beauty. The ritual marked maturity and readiness for adulthood. It was as much spiritual as it was aesthetic.
14. 14. Neck Rings in Burma
Dennis G. Jarvis on Wikimedia Commons
Among the Kayan women of Myanmar, wearing brass coils around the neck creates the illusion of elongation. The practice begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. It is both a mark of beauty and a deep cultural tradition.