8 Unique Beauty Standards Around The World - Updated 2024

1. Lip-plates amongst the Mursi, Chai and Tirma tribes in Africa

Commonly seen in Mursi women, their lips are stretched out with small clay plates and eventually swapped out for bigger ones as they grow older. Seen as a mark of their identity and beauty, many of them still manage to dance and sing gracefully during local festivals - albeit with slight changes to their pronunciation, it does not actually interfere with their daily lives apart from eating and drinking with more difficulty.

2. Tattooed lips & faces amongst the Maori Tribe in New Zealand

Known as Tā Moko, the Maori people wear symbols of their culture and status on their body in the form of tattoos - the traditional beauty method of doing it was to use a rake-like object to dig into their skin, breaking the surface and using a flat-edged knife to line the patterns carved with black ink. Today, many of them opt for the modern tattoo gun as it is more convenient and leaves cleaner lines. As the head is revered as the most sacred part of the human body, the Maori people is more commonly seen with their face and lips tattooed, with males sporting a full facial tattoo while females would get their lower part of their face and lips inked.

3. Elongated necks amongst the Kayan Women in Myanmar

It is not uncommon to see women wearing brass coil rings when wandering in the mountaintops of Myanmar. The Kayan women were known to practise the art of neck rings in the pursuit of beauty - young girls from the age of 8 will start with 5 coils, and gradually adding on to the numbers as they grew older. Contrary to popular belief, the neck ring only creates an illusion that their necks get longer, and they can remove the rings without their necks flopping under them.

4. Chalk covered bodies amongst the Karo people in Ethiopia

According to this Ethiopian beauty standard, intricate patterns on the bodies of people from the Karo tribe, smeared on with white chalk and occasionally mixed with red ochre, are attractive. The people here view the spiraling motifs as a mark of beauty, with both men and women actively practicing this form of visual art. The tribesmen especially, use these marks as their first line of defense - a form of intimidation for rivals and enemies alike. Scarring of their bodies is also not uncommon, as they are seen as courageous acts and are traditionally accepted as attractive.

5. Stretched earlobes amongst the Maasai Tribe in Southern Kenya

The Maasai tribe in Southern Kenya is a sight you definitely can’t miss when exploring the mountainous regions - decked out in colourful shawls and clothes, the Maasai women also sport a unique accessory: dangling earrings hanging from stretched earlobes. Using nature’s creations, they will use heavy objects such as tusks, stones, and wood to expand their earhole and gradually increasing the size of them to create drooping earlobes. Seen as a mark of beauty, the women often pair their earrings with matching headscarves and shoes with intricate handmade accessories.

6. Curvy body figures amongst rural villages in Mauritania

Mauritania is one of the countries where fat is beautiful and it is common to see plus-sized women confidently walking down the alleys. After all, a voluptuous and curvy body is considered a symbol of wealth and beauty here, which led to the establishment of “feeding camps” that force-fed young girls from the age of eight in a bid to gain weight quickly. Many here still hold on to the belief that the bigger the girl is, the more beautiful she is.

7. Teeth blackening in Southeast Asia and Oceania

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The traditional beauty practice of teeth blackening is practiced mostly in Southeast Asia and Oceania. This age-old tradition involves applying a dark, often natural, substance to the teeth, which is believed to be beneficial for dental health. It’s a symbol of beauty and status, with a history dating back centuries.

Originating in various indigenous communities across regions such as Malaysia and the Philippines, teeth blackening remains prevalent today. Older women, in particular, still embrace this practice to enhance their attractiveness.

8. Unibrow in Tajikistan

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

In the scenic landscapes of Tajikistan, a unique standard of beauty is embraced - the unibrow. This intriguing tradition has deep historical roots and is especially prevalent among Tajik women.

Originating from a belief that a unibrow enhances facial symmetry and natural allure, the practice has been passed down through generations. Women in Tajikistan often cultivate their unibrows with great care, viewing them as a symbol of elegance and beauty. While this fascinating tradition is most notably seen in the rural regions of Tajikistan, it can also be found in urban areas.

Re-consider your notion of beauty

Exploring parts of the world that are less traveled gives you a glimpse into the ancient lifestyles and some of the most beautiful cultures in the world that guarded their unique notions of beauty from centuries ago. Although we may not agree with some of them, it’s still an eye-opening experience to speak to these people to find out why they still conform to said practices. Make a quick stop next time you’re in the area of these people - the fruitful experience is a change of pace to the flashy attractions!