Is it Subjective?
Beauty is subjective and can vary depending on where you are in the world. If there is one comparison to make, it is the standards upheld and celebrated in Asia versus those upheld and celebrated in America. From soft and doll-like features to daring and sun-kissed, each culture demonstrates its own history, values, and ideals in the people it deems beautiful. With that in mind, this list breaks down what’s considered pretty in Asia versus America.
1. V Faces
A V-shaped face is considered a slim face in East Asian countries such as South Korea and China. It is considered attractive as it gives an elegant and feminine look. It represents delicacy and slimness as opposed to the angular faces common in Western beauty standards. Therefore, contouring, facial massages, and plastic surgery are often used to achieve it.
2. Porcelain Skin
In many East and Southeast Asian cultures, smooth skin with an even skin tone is seen as a sign of youth, innocence, and health. This beauty ideal often values light skin tones and a glowing complexion over tanned skin. Although difficult to achieve, it has created large markets for skincare products with a focus on sun protection, moisturizing, and skin clarity.
3. Neat Makeup
Instead of flashy glam, many Asian beauty trends focus on natural, everyday looks. They use subtle color and light coverage, aiming to enhance, not transform. Dewy skin and soft hues give a fresh, approachable look.
4. Petite
Beauty ideals in Asia often include being thin, having a small waist, and a slim frame. It's less about "fit" and more about "lean and delicate." You'll notice this in Asian fashion, diet trends, and even some pop-culture figures.
5. Long Legs
In some cultures, such as Japan and South Korea, having long, slender legs is a desirable feminine trait. It is considered elegant and well-proportioned. The long leg line is particularly accentuated by short skirts, high socks, and certain fashion trends. The appeal is often related to general youthfulness.
6. Large Eyes
Big, bright eyes connote innocence and sweetness, a desirable look in Asian beauty cultures. Makeup techniques such as gradient eyeshadow, eyeliner wings, and under-eye "aegyo-sal" enhance this youthful appearance. The aim is not necessarily Westernization, but rather emphasizing natural softness and warmth.
7. A Healthy Glow
In addition to particular characteristics, many Asian cultures embrace a kind of inner radiance, vibrancy, serenity, and general health that manifests in the skin. This idea combines beauty with a holistic health regimen, including good sleep, balanced nutrition, and stress management. It's a standard that is both aesthetic and lifestyle-based.
8. Glossy Hair
Pin-straight, glossy hair has long been a beauty ideal in East and South Asia, symbolizing discipline, grace, and tidiness. Smooth, healthy locks are seen as the height of good grooming. This has created a booming industry in hair masks, keratin treatments, and gentle styling.
9. Youthful Faces
Appearing young for one's age is ideal in many Asian cultures, where youth is associated with energy and possibility. Skincare routines often include preventive, hydrating, and early anti-aging measures. The norm tends to favor soft features, smooth skin, and few visible signs of aging.
10. Delicateness
Soft features are also beautiful. A gentle nose, full cheeks, and an absence of jarring angles. A face with very little definition, other than the subtle differences between each feature.
Now that we’ve talked about Asian beauty standards, here are 10 American ones to consider.
1. Pouty Lips
Full, well-defined lips are extremely fashionable in the United States. Influencers and celebrities have made this particular feature of beauty popular. Makeup tips to achieve the look include overlining and adding gloss. Bold, expressive features are more popular than ever.
2. Sun-Kissed
In the U.S., having a tan is often seen as a sign of health, being outdoorsy, and living an active lifestyle. In contrast to some cultures that idolize paleness, Americans often associate bronzed skin with confidence and sexiness. This obsession drives everything from beach culture to self-tanning products and spray tans.
3. Colgate Smile
A white, perfectly straight smile is considered essential in American beauty culture. A straight, white smile signifies confidence, success, and great personal grooming. Strips, veneers, and orthodontics are some of the common ways to achieve one.
4. Bold Makeup
Natural looks are out, but American beauty culture is defined by glam: crisp brows, fluttery lashes, chiseled cheekbones, and rich pigment. It's the norm we've created around innovation and self-expression. It's not just about looking great; it's about feeling like you can take on the world.
5. Clear Skin
Not necessarily pale or porcelain, Americans do stress a fresh, dewy complexion that looks hydrated and photo-ready. It's more about radiance than perfection, which leads to an expansive skincare routine and an obsession with serums, exfoliants, and moisturizers.
6. Athleticism
In the U.S., beauty ideals often include a fit, toned body with strong legs, defined arms, and a visible core. It symbolizes discipline, health, and an active lifestyle. This physique significantly influences fitness trends, gym culture, and social media aesthetics.
7. The Right Curves
Hourglass figures with curvy hips, a smaller waist, and proportionate dimensions are celebrated in many American beauty ideals. This look, which combines aspects of fitness and femininity, has been largely influenced by pop culture. Fashion, shapewear, and specific training regimens often target this body shape.
8. Thick Hair
Full-bodied, bouncy hair has long been an American ideal of youth and glamour. Wavy, curly, or straight, healthy volume is highly desirable. The demand for volume powers entire markets of blowouts, extensions, and “big hair” styling products.
9. Legs for Days
Height in American beauty is usually thought to be elegant, strong, and runway-ready. Women are typically seen as most embodying this through long legs. High heels, tight jeans, and short dresses are often used to enhance these features.
10. Blending Youthfulness with Maturity
American standards try to have it both ways: youthful skin, with the sleek, worldly assurance of adult features (think high makeup, shaped hair, angles). The ideal is to be young, but not young-looking in a childish way. It's a mix of energy, worldliness, and refinement.
