It can be quite illuminating to realize that what we tend to think of as visually pleasing often isn’t some objective, cosmic standard, but just a set of attributes our society currently values. As you get old enough to see trends come and go, the things some people might find beautiful can, at times, baffle and confuse.
Someone asked “What is a typical beauty standard that never made sense to you?” and people shared the trends and norms they just don’t get. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to add your own thoughts in the comments below.
#1

The long nails I honestly don’t know how you can be hygienic with them on.
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88points
#3

Those brushed up glued soap brows. I haven’t seen a single person, not one, that it looks good on.
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69points
#4

"Bouncing back" after you've given birth. I hate the lack of appreciation for post partum bodies and the expectation you go back to having a flat stomach and peak fitness when you've literally been through the most extreme thing the human body can do.
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68points
#5

I never understand why some men are so ashamed to be bald or think shaving their heads is just a sign of giving up and that they look old now. Bald men are hot.
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68points
#6

The fact that women’s bodies go in and out of ‘fashion’ has always been highly disturbing to me, as well as the lengths some go to achieve it. I feel sad about it.
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67points
#7

Dark skinned people being sold skin whitening products and light skinned people being sold skin tanning products.
66points
#9

The early investment and over reliance on fillers and Botox. I am concerned that 20 year olds are doing this way too soon.
Jackster7917:
Lip fillers or fillers in general make people look much older than they are. I know not everyone is a natural beauty, but distorting your face to look completely different looks worse.
Jackster7917:
Lip fillers or fillers in general make people look much older than they are. I know not everyone is a natural beauty, but distorting your face to look completely different looks worse.
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57points
#10

Full heavy makeup that makes you unrecognisable.
PercentageClear:
Especially weddings, I just don’t understand wanting to look that way on your big day especially if you’re naturally gorgeous. Im crossing my fingers for when natural/lighter look comes back in style. Im chronically ill and dont even wear makeup besides doing my eyebrows (terribly) so it’s really just my own person two cents.
PercentageClear:
Especially weddings, I just don’t understand wanting to look that way on your big day especially if you’re naturally gorgeous. Im crossing my fingers for when natural/lighter look comes back in style. Im chronically ill and dont even wear makeup besides doing my eyebrows (terribly) so it’s really just my own person two cents.
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50points
#11

Eyebrow trends. Especially when people make trendy eyebrows permanent like over plucked 90s shape and they don't grow back, or tattoo ombre in the 2010s. Every decade they change it up but the decade is just stuck on someone's face.
49points
#12

In my culture, I’m Indian, light skin. I always thought all skin colors are beautiful & dark skin is equally as beautiful as light skin.
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47points
#13

Overly whitened teeth. I find it really unappealing. I've merrily dated people with uneven or yellowing teeth, and as long as their oral hygiene is good it's fine. Over whitened teeth makes me think about cavity pain idk why.
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45points
#14

The new beauty standard that's emerging where everybody looks the same- is disturbing and does not make sense to me.
cactuar44:
I really miss big and unique noses :(
cactuar44:
I really miss big and unique noses :(
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43points
#15

Breast implants (and I say this as someone who had them).
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39points
#16

I don’t know if this counts but- wrinkles. I like them. I feel like they give your face life and character.
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36points
#17

The bleach blonde with grown out roots look always leaves me feeling extremely confused.
To me, it gives the impression that you fully committed to a color, and then completely forgot that that was what you were doing for the last couple of months. I feel like this has been puzzling me for over a decade now.
To me, it gives the impression that you fully committed to a color, and then completely forgot that that was what you were doing for the last couple of months. I feel like this has been puzzling me for over a decade now.
36points
#18

When people over line their lips and cover their Cupid’s bow.
Pap3r_Butt3rfly:
Yessss!!!!! The only people who I've ever seen look good when they cover their cupid's bow are legit the people who didn't have one/it was barely there to start with. Otherwise, the dip in your lips makes it look so bad!!!
Pap3r_Butt3rfly:
Yessss!!!!! The only people who I've ever seen look good when they cover their cupid's bow are legit the people who didn't have one/it was barely there to start with. Otherwise, the dip in your lips makes it look so bad!!!
35points
#19

Eyelid surgery in Asian countries, your eyes are very pretty. Skin bleaching, your skin looks beautiful, sunny and rich. Straightening Afro or curly hair, the big curly hair is literally to die for I love it. Irish girls giving themselves skin cancer on tanning beds to not be pale, your dark hair and Irish skin are so striking. Nose jobs, everyone’s noses are so cute before. Any surgery or alteration to colouring etc is just wild to me. Also anti-aging, wrinkles are beautiful, and greying hair im excited to have grey hair it’s so cool, natural hair dye.
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35points
#20

Putting on your foundation with a literal paint brush.
I get there’s been massive strides in formulations but I see people put in layer after layer of concealers and foundations and I just can’t imagine having all that product just sitting on my face all day. Do these people not itch their nose? Rest a hand on their chin? How does this makeup look after a full day? It just seems like…… too much.
I get there’s been massive strides in formulations but I see people put in layer after layer of concealers and foundations and I just can’t imagine having all that product just sitting on my face all day. Do these people not itch their nose? Rest a hand on their chin? How does this makeup look after a full day? It just seems like…… too much.
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33points




