Beauty: Undefined // April 21, 2018
Throughout time beauty has been redefined time and time again. Beauty norms in the 1800”s is definitely different from what is considered beautiful now. In olden times, showering your body was not considered pure so they had to cover every inch of their bodies in order to not show any skin and today we are protesting in order to show as much skin as we want without being shamed or be the blame if someone were a victim of rape. Certain body types were also a factor in what being beautiful meant. Women purposely wore items that hurt them and their bodies in order to get a figure that is acceptable to social norms. For example, predominantly in the 16th century where it first began, women wore corsets as a way to give them an hourglass figure with nice hips and tiny, little waist. These corsets were so tight that it rearragned orgas inside the body as it was worn everyday as these women grew into adults, including their adult lives. Women went through this not because they wanted to but because they were suppose to doing these older times. Today, women aren't recognized by the size of their bodies but rather their personalities. Every woman is beautiful no matter what size pants they were or whatever color their skin is. I didn't understand how labels could mean so much to what defines beautiful; why does it need a definition, of specific rules in order to be considered beautiful. Makeup is another thing that has dramatically changed throughout time. Before women would go without makeup, and there isn't anything wrong with not wearing makeup but it was looked down upon or it wasn't an option for them. As time passes, makeup norms changed as well allowing women to put some but not too much since they didn’t want to completely cover natural beauty. It was more to enhance their facial features. In today’s society makeup is entirely accepted, if not, encouraged. The bolder the makeup the better it is. My mother always told me that too much was bad and not seen as pretty but I find that makeup is a form of expression and art. With the advancement of makeup, any look is possible and the more colores the better. Beauty is something we talked in class and no matter how much it had changed, it will continue to change.
The Image above is of a male dressed as a woman, with a face full of makeup. Back then, males were praised for their manhood and masculinity and being gay was seen as indecent. Today many men are free to wear what they want and as much makeup as they want, and I believe this is how it should be. Being who ever you want to be and be confident to walk outside with all that makeup is beautiful. Not wearing any makeup at all is beautiful. Anything that makes you, you is beautiful as long as one is comfortable in their own skin and not caring what others have to say because only they have the power to their own body. Men and women are beautiful and I’m proud to how times have changed so that being gay and wearing makeup is accepted, women going to school and not having a small waist. And as time continues, beauty and it's ideal will continue to be more progressive and more accepted.
