Beauty has different shades, but what if the only thing we are considering beautiful is posing a serious threat to one’s life? Our history holds several screams hidden beside beautiful faces. Several standards were so painful that their names are forever engraved as the most bizzar and brutal ones. Here are the…
5 most bizarre beauty standards that once ruled the world
White lead makeup 18th century Uk
In the 18th century, women used lead as makeup to attain the white-looking face that we see in portraits these days. It was considered an epitome of beauty for the elite women of England. Lead made was called Venetian serous, which was made from vinegar, water, and white lead. White lead was the pigment that gave Venetian serous its pale whiteness, but little did they know it was highly poisonous.
Lead exposure can lead to a variety of serious health issues, including lead poisoning, which eventually results in death. Queen Elizabeth I was known for using Venetian serous. She was known for applying thick layers of it in order to cover up her smallpo
Ohaguro Black Teeth Japan
During the late 16th century in Japan, there was a unique beauty standard known as Ohaguru. Married women often dyed their teeth black. Blackened teeth were considered a symbol of beauty and loyalty in that era. Women following Ohaguro were considered mature and committed to her husband. The teeth were blackened using iron powder and vinegar, which not only signified the woman’s marital status but also acted as a health benefit, preventing their teeth from cavities and strengthening them.
With time, the trends changed and Ohaguro tradition turned outdated; however, it is still known for being a fascinating part of Japan’s historical beauty standards.
Foot binding in China
Binding the feet of young girls in order to make them look small was a common practice in ancient China. This practice, known as foot binding, was considered a sign of beauty and femininity and was prevalent among upper-class women. Small feet in a woman were considered a beauty standard; portraying the females as delicate and small helped them in attracting wealthy and rich husbands for marriage. In many cases, the feet of women were even smaller than their hands. This practice was mostly followed from a very young age in order to prepare them for marriage. It was painful and long-lasting, and this eventually resulted in permanent foot damage in many women.
Long neck Thailand
The Padaung tribe, often known as the long-neck Karen people, considered long necks as a beauty standard. People from this tribe believed in the longer the next, the more beautiful the women. A series of copper brass rings are worn along the neck, eventually giving the appearance of long, elongated necks. Girls as early as the age of five are introduced to this ring tradition, with one coil added every two years. In the early 1980’s, the Padaung fled to Thailand in order to escape persecution; ever since then, they reside in refugee camps around the border, continuing to practice this as an ancient custom for preserving the tribe’s heritage.
Long earlobes Tanzania
The Masai people from Tanzania considered long, elongated earlobes a beauty standard. They use materials like wood, bones, and stones to pierce their ears and then wear heavy, vibrant ornamental earrings that may dangle from their stretched lobes. What’s even more weird is that this traditional practice is still ongoing, but some trending fashion followers have again started to opt for this as a beauty practice, calling it Gen Z.
x scars, and even kept it on while sleeping. The scientists believe lead makeup was the major reason that led to her early death.
