Asia - Big Eyes

In many Asian countries having big eyes is a symbol of beauty since most people in Asia are born with mono-lids which makes the appearance of their eyes smaller. That's where Blepharoplasty comes in—a surgery used to create double eyelids.

According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 1.3 million people underwent double eyelid surgery in 2017 alone. The ideal comes from Western beauty standards, and many Asians believe bigger eyes can help them get more opportunities, especially in countries like China, Japan, and Korea. Of course, not everyone opts to go under the knife, and many prefer achieving the same look with makeup.

Burma - Long Necks

In many places all over the world, long and slender necks enhance a woman's attractiveness. Many supermodels in the West are also celebrated for having the same beauty feature, although most didn't have to do anything to achieve that particular look.

However, in Eastern Burma, the women of the Kayan tribe intentionally stretch out their necks by wearing multiple brass ring necklaces. They start this process when they are children and gradually add more rings as they age. The rings are rarely, if ever, taken off, and the result is elegant long necks.

South Korea - Heart-shaped Face

Cosmetic surgery is more acceptable in some parts of the world than in others. South Korea is one such country, and people can easily opt for any procedure that may enhance their looks and make them feel better.

Changing the structure of the jaw is one beauty enhancement that is very normalized and almost encouraged in some cases. The ideal in the culture is heart-shaped, and those who are not born with it can always opt for the surgical route. Slender faces and chins accentuate the eyes and give a soft look.

Japan - Crooked Teeth

In the Western world, straight teeth are considered the beauty ideal. Many people go so far as to cover their natural teeth with a set of straight, white veneers. That's not the case in Japan, though, where crooked teeth are actually considered cute and make a woman look natural.

Japanese people prefer more natural imperfections and consider them a sign of youthfulness that makes women appear more approachable. Many women in the country happily pay their dentists to disarrange their straight smiles or even add a fake plastic tooth at the front.

Iran - Rhinoplasty

Did you know that Iran's capital Tehran is the nose job capital of the world? According to a survey, rhinoplasty is performed seven times more there than in the United States and has a 90% success rate due to doctors' experience and the number of nose jobs performed each year.

Many women even keep their bandages on after their nose has healed or wear a fake one as it is considered a status symbol. It is almost a cultural rite of passage, and many go under the knife even when it is not required. Sometimes, even girls as young as 12 years.

U.S. - Extra Plump Lips

Celebrities often influence beauty standards in the United States. The trend-setting Kardashians have slowly dominated that scene ever since their reality TV show 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' premiered in 2007. One of the many features brought on-trend by them is big lips.

Many women have gotten their lips injected with fillers to look plump ever since the Kylie Jenner lip challenge took over social media in 2015. Jenner is known for her enviably generous pout, and that year many girls tried using small glasses and suction on their lips to make them look bigger. While doing so yields temporary results, it is not safe to practice regularly.

Afghanistan - Bigger Noses

While most parts of the Western world associate beauty with dainty noses, that is not the case everywhere. In Afghanistan, women actually undergo nose enlargement surgery, another type of rhinoplasty. There, bigger is better, and the same applies to noses.

The procedure accentuates the nose and makes it appear bigger. A typical nose enlargement in Afghanistan costs around $300, which is quite a lot in the country's local currency. Still, the results are worth every penny for many women since they end up feeling more attractive and comfortable in their appearance.

China - Pale Skin

A golden tan isn't ideal everywhere, and in many parts of Asia, light skin is considered the highest form of beauty. Pale complexions are a massive trend in China, and many women try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Even the local markets sell many bleaching products that help lighten the skin, although many include dangerous chemicals.

Favoring pale skin is quite prevalent in the rest of Asia, too, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and Malaysia. It's commonly believed in these regions that fair women have better chances at jobs and finding partners. Therefore, many undergo extensive skin lightening procedures.

Africa - Red Skin

Skin color and beauty often go hand-in-hand for many cultures around the globe. In some parts of the world, people want to appear lighter in complexion, while others want to be darker. In one African tribe, though, everyone wants to be as red as possible!

The Himba tribes from Namibia apply a red paste to their skin made of red ochre and fat to keep them safe from the sun's rays. It is also considered a beauty essential, so local people generously slather this paste on their bodies to look as attractive as possible.

Canada & Japan - Bagel Head

Okay, we're not sure if this is really something that would make a person look beautiful, but it is still done with that intent. This trend took the social media world by storm in 2012, and it is called 'bagel head.'

The procedure begins with injecting saline into a person's forehead, which is then molded into a ring-like doughnut shape. First starting in Canada, the trend later became a hit in Japan. Although the injections don't last too long and diminish within 24 hours, they still come with their fair share of health risks.

South Korea - Cheek Reduction

Facial procedures are pretty common in South Korea, and even changing the entire structure of one’s face isn’t unheard of. Previously we mentioned chin restructuring, but that’s not where most people stop. Many South Koreans also like reducing the size of their cheeks to give their faces a slimmer look.

It is known as buccal lipectomy, and this surgery reduces the buccal fat pads in the cheeks. Another procedure is called zygoma reduction, which narrows down the cheekbones. Both these surgeries help lessen the overall cheek size and have become very popular in the country.

Tajikistan - Unibrows

Eyebrow styling trends keep changing, and the latest shape of eyebrows in the United States is thin and natural, thanks to supermodel Bella Hadid. When we think of beautiful eyebrow shapes, a uni-brow might not cross our minds, but that isn't the case everywhere in the world.

In Tajikistan having a uni-brow is considered a desirable feature for both men and women. That's why if a Tajik woman doesn't have one, she will often pencil it in using kohl as it symbolizes femininity and purity. The trend is so widely prevalent all over the country that people often refer to Tajikistan as the 'Land of the Uni-brow.'

New Zealand - Face Tattoos

Despite our world and lives modernizing these days rapidly, many tribes worldwide still have traditions that date back hundreds of years.

One such custom still lives on in New Zealand, where people of the Māori tribe are known for their face tattoos. The tattoo is called a 'Moko Kauae' and is usually on the lower lip and chin. Although the locals have used a chisel for centuries, many tattoo artists now do it the modern way. In 2021, Orinni Kaipara became the first news anchor in the country to have one.

Africa - High Forehead

Whoever said 'beauty is pain' was absolutely right. For example, the people of the Fula tribe in Africa will intentionally push back their natural hairlines to make their foreheads appear bigger. That is because big foreheads are considered attractive, and women who do not have high foreheads will shave or wax the front parts of their hair to achieve the look.

This trend remains popular in many African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, and Somalia, from the countryside to city-dwellers. It is also fairly common among East Africans and drives one's attention to one's face and features.

Thailand - Cheek Piercings

Piercings are a long-held tradition in many different cultures. From India to Africa and the United States, earlobe, and nose piercings have lost none of their popularity even today. In Thailand, however, they take it to the next level and pierce the cheeks.

It is considered a symbol of beauty as well as a symbol of religious devotion. Both men and women pierce their cheeks, and the size of the perforations can vary. Many even go so far as to pierce their cheeks with sharp objects like swords so they can endure the pain as a sign of their religious devotion.

India - Nose Plugs

India is a massive country that's home to many diverse tribes, all of which have traditions unique to them. And the same can be said about the Apatani tribe in India, whose women are known for tattooing their faces and inserting plugs into their nostrils.

Although an ancient and distinguishing feature of the tribe, this tradition is dying out following the country's ban on nose plugs since the '70s. However, the Apatani didn't do this modification for beautification purposes but the opposite. Their original aim was to make women look unattractive to potential tribal raiders, thus keeping them safe.

India - Henna Tattoos

Henna tattoos have taken the world by storm, and many people in the West also get them now. However, they remain most popular in the South Asian subcontinent. Henna tattoos have been a thing in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh for centuries, and women there get tattooed for many occasions like weddings or cultural and religious festivities.

Henna paste essentially consists of ground henna leaves mixed with water to create a thick mixture. Pre-packaged Henna in cones which makes application easier, is readily available all over the region. Natural Henna takes longer to stain the skin, so many women often leave it on overnight to attain the richest color.

Africa - Chalk Body Art

Body painting is a time-honored tradition among many African tribes who believe it helps ward off evil spirits and protect them. Many of them use chalk to create these motifs on their skin and define their features.

The patterns are supposed to represent one’s cultural identity and tribal roots while also attributing powers of divinity to them. Furthermore, this practice is not just something women do, but the men also partake in it. As for the choice of white, it is preferred for beautification as well as for spiritual reasons.

Netherlands - Extraocular Implants

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul and, for many, they are also a person's most attractive feature. After all, our eyes often tell a story, and they're usually the first thing people see. Perhaps that is why in the Netherlands, extraocular implants are seen as such a popular symbol of beauty.

The procedure is quite simple and requires inserting an implant into the eye. When it comes to this tiny piece of molded platinum, locals have many shapes and designs to choose from, and although the surgery sounds scary, the results look pretty cool.

Indonesia - Sharp Teeth

A great smile is a feature that attracts many people, but what constitutes 'great' depends on where one is from. In Japan, crooked teeth are preferred, and in Indonesia, sharp ones are actually a symbol of beauty.

There are some tribes in Indonesia in which the people file their teeth to make them sharp and pointy. The procedure may seem painless, but it is actually quite painful to do it. However, regardless of the pain, Indonesian women eagerly await their turn so they can find a worthy mate from their tribe.

Africa - Gum Tattoos

In many cultures, tattoos can represent beauty as well as spirituality or power. Most people get tattoos on parts of the body that are easily visible. However, in a Senegalese tribe, women get their gums tattooed.

Tattooed gums become visible when a person is smiling and help accentuate the mouth. Women jab their gums with needles coated with a dark powder to achieve this look. It is a painful procedure but is a custom that has been going on for centuries among West African women, and its primary purpose is to attract men.

China - Lotus Feet

When we think of beauty, feet may not necessarily come to mind first. However, in rural China, tiny feet are considered a symbol of attractiveness. Achieving the 'lotus' feet is a painful procedure in which each foot is firmly bound after crushing the toes.

This makes it very difficult for a person to walk, but in imperial China, women of a higher status did not need to walk, and it was a status symbol. Nowadays, although not many undergo the procedure, it is still happening. Most of those alive today with lotus feet are older women who had it done when they were still very young.

France - Minimal Makeup

The 'French girl' look is trendy worldwide and for a good reason. Women in France believe less is more, and unlike their American counterparts, they prefer accentuating their natural features. Lip fillers and false eyelashes are far from a common sight in the country.

Instead, they keep their faces looking plain. Unconventional beauty remains ever-popular in France, and people don't feel the need to look the same or follow a certain standard. A clean and fresh look with minimal makeup is all the rage, and perhaps that is why the 'French girl' style is considered high fashion.

United States - Fake Tan

In many parts of the world, like the Asian subcontinent, pale skin is considered the beauty ideal. However, the opposite is true for America and other Western countries. Many people prefer to look more tanned than they actually are and stay in the sun longer to get that natural bronze glow.

Not all women spend their time in the sun, and some opt for fake tans. Tanning beds are extremely popular, as well as self-tanning supplies. While the look may appeal to most people, it does come with its risks.

United States - Curvy Hips

There is a lot of emphasis on maintaining the right body image in the United States, and for many girls now, bigger is better. Here's another trend brought on by the Kardashian family; super curvaceous hips. A large posterior with a tiny waist and curvy legs have become the ideal form, and many people are getting Brazilian rear lifts or fat transfers.

These procedures are very high risk and often ruin the shape of one's body if gone wrong. To achieve the same look, many women wear corsets or even opt for rib removal so that their waists look tiny in comparison.

India - Turmeric Masks

For centuries, turmeric has been renowned in the East for its health benefits, and Western folks have recently also jumped on that bandwagon. If you’ve heard of turmeric lattes and how healthy they are, then you probably know how great this spice is.

People in the Indian subcontinent use turmeric as a natural supplement as well as a beauty product. It can be mixed with yogurt, milk, or water and made into a face mask for the skin. After the mask has dried and absorbed, simply wash it off, resulting in brighter, softer skin.

United States - Facial Piercings

Facial piercings have been trending in alternative fashion for many years in the United States and other parts of the Western world. They are a means of self-expression for people who belong to alternative lifestyle groups like punks and goths. Bellybuttons, eyebrows, lips, and even tongues are all popular spots.

Although the trend has experienced a recent revival in the West, piercings have been an ever-popular part of other cultures for many centuries. Nose rings are a common sight in the Indian subcontinent, while people in Thailand get their cheeks pierced as an act of religious devotion.

South Korea - Dainty Noses

Western beauty standards can have a lot of influence on Asian countries and how the people living there want to look. In Korea, it seems people are willing to change a great deal about their faces. They often undergo many procedures believing that more delicate facial features are better, especially noses.

That is why rhinoplasty remains an ever-popular choice. Most people in South Korea already have small noses, so they often opt for drastic procedures like nose squeezing. It's commonly believed that daintier noses help bring out the eyes and make them appear larger.

United States - Waist Training

The perfect hourglass figure has retained its popularity despite countless body shape trends coming and going. Thanks to celebrities like the Kardashians, people may want voluptuous curves, but they also want their proportions to match perfectly.

That's where slender waistlines come in because they accentuate the breast and the posterior. To achieve this look, some women wear waist trainers. As it turns out, they're not the best for your health and can squeeze in your vital organs if laced too tight. Despite the health risk, many still think the look is worth it.

United States - Straight Teeth

Our eyes and smile are often the first things people notice about us. Our teeth take center stage when smiling, and in some cultures, imperfections are appreciated. Natural teeth with a few flaws here and there can make someone look beautiful, but that’s not what most people in the United States think.

Given the influence of stunning superstars with perfect smiles, sporting a dazzling set of teeth is all the rage. Straight, pearly whites are the reigning ideal, and people often opt for veneers to achieve the look while filing and reducing their own natural teeth.

 

Brazil - Guitar Shape

The ideal body shape varies from country to country. While the slender look is trending in many places, Brazilians consider slim-looking folks malnourished and prefer fuller and stronger-looking forms.

A toned athletic physique with generous hips and a relatively smaller upper body is the established ideal that all Brazilian girls want to achieve. It is called the guitar shape and comes with living a healthy lifestyle and working out. Brazilian men and women consider a well-rounded body shape a beauty ideal because it symbolizes health, happiness, and plenty in their culture.

West Africa - Body Scarification

When we think of beauty, scars are perhaps the last thing that come to mind, but in New Guinea and some African tribes, they are a massive part of the local beautification process. These body markings can be of many different shapes and sizes, often representing a tribe’s culture or the stage of life of a person.

In some areas, women get these scars to look more beautiful, while for men, the markings represent their ranking, status, and power. Ritual scarring of warriors to show spiritual growth and sacrifice is also a time-honored tradition among many such tribes.

Mauritania - Extra Weight

In most countries, extra weight is considered a sign of potentially being unhealthy, and many people would then cut down on their favorite foods to get slimmer. But that is not true everywhere. In Mauritania on the African continent, heavier women are considered more beautiful and attractive than their slender counterparts, and the local men tend to agree.

Heavier women were popular even in Roman times when the extra weight signified their wealth and ability to afford lots of food. Despite the preference's long history, the Mauritanian authorities have tried to raise awareness about the health risks attached to the practice but with little success.

China - Dyed Teeth

Most of us learn early in life that brushing our teeth is essential to keep them white and prevent discoloration. With that in mind, while we may think that no one wants black or yellow teeth, it is not true for everybody.

In some parts of Asia, women actually dye their teeth in dark colors and do not shy away from hues like pitch black. It is a symbol of beauty and femininity. It also represents a woman's marital status, and many women color their teeth to let other men of the tribe know they are already taken.

Brazil - Stick Piercings

Piercings are a considerable part of many South American cultures. One particular tribe known as the Yąnomamö has a unique idea of what beauty is, and to achieve it, many of its women pierce their faces with sticks.

Such piercings are pretty common amongst other local clans, though some pierce their faces with bones, not sticks. Due to the region's hot climate, the Yanomami do not wear any clothes. Rather, body and face paint is the typical look, and they also adorn themselves with flowers and feathers for beautification.

Africa - Teeth Chiseling

Pointed teeth aren’t only considered beautiful in Indonesia and by some Asian countries, but many African tribes also think the same. The Afar tribe is one such example; its people believe pointed teeth to be beautiful, and many women undergo the painful filing procedure once they reach puberty.

The practice is supposed to help young women stand out and attract the opposite gender, but it is also thought to grant power and make them look fierce. Chiseled teeth are a status symbol and are the change many local girls undergo in their life if they are to be considered as women.

Asia - Rib Resection

A slender waist is an obsession that has taken over the world. Women everywhere want their waists to be as slender as possible to accentuate their other body parts and help them achieve that perfect hourglass shape.

While many people would opt for targeted workouts or waist trainers, Asia takes it one step further. Many Asian women have been going for rib resectioning procedures, which involve changing the position of the rib and moving it inwards or removing it completely. The practice is now slowly becoming more common and has spread to numerous other parts of the world.

South Korea - Glass Skin

A good foundation can help cover most skin issues, but people in South Korea don’t want to hide what they have with layers of concealer or foundation. Instead, they prefer their skin to look as naturally flawless as possible.

The glass skin trend has become extremely popular in South Korea, and it can be achieved with the right kind of products and a regimen involving face scrubs, toner, moisturizers, and cleansers. Thanks to South Korean beauty bloggers, the look has now also become popular worldwide, with the Korean regimen and products making waves everywhere.

Africa - Stretched Earlobes

A great pair of earrings can accentuate one’s features and make one look more beautiful. Of course, most people don’t want jewelry to permanently alter their bodies, but that is not the case in the Masai tribe of Africa.

Members of the tribe stretch out their earlobes over time, and it is considered a status symbol because more extended earlobes get more attention. The locals achieve this look by wearing heavy jewelry pieces, and the process starts quite early on in a woman’s life. Eventually, the lobe piercings become so long that even a hand could fit through them!

Africa - Shaved Heads

Beautiful long tresses are considered ideal in many parts of the globe, and women often apply oils and products to increase their hair length. In some parts of Africa, though, shaved heads are the perfect look. There, women do not grow their locks and prefer keeping their heads shaved because that is the beauty standard.

Choosing to forego any braids or other hairstyles for a bare head highlights the local women's stunning features. Many women of African descent living elsewhere are now also sporting this look to connect with their historical roots.

Japan - Red Under-Eyes

Most of us don’t like how we look when we are sick and try our best to avoid showing any signs of it. It’s a whole different story in Japan as they actually want to look like they’re suffering from allergies. To each their own, we suppose?

Japanese women apply red pigment under their eyes and make their skin look paler to really rock the look. Many people elsewhere spend hundreds and thousands on reducing discoloration under the eyes when all they have to do is visit Japan to feel beautiful for it!

United States - Squiggly Eyebrows

Thanks to social media and the rise of beauty bloggers, eyebrow trends have taken the world by storm. ‘Instagram brows’ are quite a popular trend that people regularly use in their daily lives, but a trend that didn’t catch on to that extent was squiggly brows.

In 2017, this bizarre-looking trend went viral, and many people were recreating it for their Instagram accounts, but not many were seen rocking this bold look outside. Thankfully, natural eyebrows came back in style in 2022, when the thin ‘90s brows made a comeback thanks to supermodel Bella Hadid.

France - Body Hair

It's fairly commonplace for women to undergo extensive hair removal procedures like waxing or permanent laser treatments. Although that may seem to be the norm the world over, that is actually far from the case.

In many other parts of the world like France, the more natural a person is, the better. After all, it's not fair that only women should have to undergo the pain and cost of regular hair removal! This ''au naturel'' trend may not yet be as popular as it was in the '70s, but body hair seems to be making a comeback in France.

South Korea - Straight Eyebrows

Brow trends are constantly changing. Thanks to Instagram influencers, arched ones called ‘Instagram Brows’ became all the rage until thin brows appeared to be making a comeback. In South Korea, however, straight brows remain most popular.

South Koreans prefer a softer look and straight brows help them achieve that. Far from being dramatic, the minimal style results in them looking younger and more innocent. They are also left more natural-looking and not over-plucked. This trend is popular amongst both men and women, and many K-pop stars and celebrities seem to be rocking it too.

India - Extremely Long Hair

Long, thick locks are an ancient beauty ideal in South Asia, where women use natural oils and shampoos made of herbs like gooseberry and soap nuts while avoiding getting cuts or trims. The longer the tresses, the more attractive the woman.

Part of this is also for spiritual reasons, and in some sects of Hinduism, people grow theirs out and later donate it to temples. In the Sikh religion, both men and women let their locks grow freely. Today, some of the longest human hair is in India, with one Indian woman, Akanksha Yadav, breaking records with her almost ten-foot-long mane.