Top 5 Countries with the Most Unrealistic Beauty Standards
Riya Kumari | Mar 25, 2025, 23:59 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The universal game of “who can fit into a totally arbitrary mold set by people who probably don’t even know how to properly moisturize.” These standards have a sneaky way of getting under your skin, often without you realizing it. They whisper, “You should look like this,” while you’re over here trying to figure out if you should eat a salad or get an extra slice of pizza. But let’s face it: some countries have raised the bar of unrealistic beauty standards to an art form. We all know deep down that these standards don’t even exist in real life.
Beauty. It’s a word that carries weight, one that holds power over our self-esteem, our choices, and often, our very identity. It’s a concept so deeply ingrained in our societies that we sometimes forget that it’s as much a construct as anything else. Yet, in different parts of the world, beauty standards have evolved to such extremes that they no longer reflect reality—they demand conformity to an ideal that doesn’t even exist. This isn’t about pointing fingers at nations; this is a deeper reflection on how these standards shape us, subtly pulling us away from who we are meant to be.
1. South Korea
There’s a saying in South Korea: "If you’re not pretty, you’re invisible." While it’s an exaggeration, the truth behind it is unsettlingly real. South Korea is a nation where beauty is not just a choice; it’s a societal expectation. It starts with skincare routines that could rival NASA-level technology, leading to an obsession with flawless skin. But it doesn’t stop there. In a country where plastic surgery is so common that it’s almost routine, the pressure to fit an idealized, airbrushed version of beauty becomes almost unbearable.
But here’s the paradox: In a society that outwardly celebrates perfection, the inner turmoil is hidden away. Young people, often unable to live up to the standard of beauty perpetuated by media and culture, are left questioning their self-worth. In this pursuit of the unattainable, South Korea has taught us that perfection, even if possible, often comes at the cost of something far more valuable: self-acceptance. The truth is, no surgery, no skincare routine, no makeup can make you feel whole if you’ve lost sight of who you are beneath it all.
2. Brazil
Brazil is a country known for its carnival spirit, its warmth, and its unapologetic celebration of life. But hidden within that vibrant energy is a beauty standard that’s as rigid as it is impossible to live up to. The ideal body type here is the "Brazilian Bombshell," a woman with an hourglass figure, sun-kissed skin, and curves in all the "right" places. To achieve this body type, many women turn to extreme dieting, intensive workouts, and even plastic surgery, all in the hopes of fitting into a mold that’s only ever existed on glossy magazine covers.
The reality? The pressure to conform to this image is suffocating, often leaving individuals feeling inadequate if they don’t meet the standard. In a society that prides itself on freedom and joy, it’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the pursuit of beauty can create chains rather than liberate us. True beauty isn’t about curating a body for the world to admire. It’s about embracing the body that carries you through life, appreciating it for its function, its strength, and its uniqueness.
3. United States
The United States, with its infinite variety of cultures, people, and identities, might seem like the last place to impose one rigid definition of beauty. And yet, it does. The "American Dream" isn’t just about wealth or success; it’s about the ideal body—thin, toned, and somehow, always youthful. This ideal is perpetuated through advertising, film, and social media. But what’s often missed in this image is the inherent contradiction: the American beauty standard is never static. One day, it’s about being thin; the next, it’s about being fit; and somewhere in between, the ideal shifts again.
This constant moving target leaves many people feeling disillusioned, as if no matter how much they try, they will never truly "arrive." The lesson here isn’t just about rejecting unattainable standards—it’s about realizing that this constant chase is futile. Beauty, at its core, isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. It’s about accepting yourself in all your forms, at every stage, with all your flaws and all your strengths.
4. Japan
In Japan, the concept of beauty is deeply tied to youth, fairness, and purity. The ideal of "white skin"—as though beauty is tied to being untouched by time or the sun—has persisted for centuries. Japan’s beauty standards often emphasize delicate, doll-like features, smallness, and innocence. Youth is so prized that it becomes synonymous with beauty, creating an unattainable standard where aging is seen not as a natural progression but a failure to maintain an ideal.
What this beauty standard fails to acknowledge is the beauty of maturity—the wisdom in wrinkles, the strength in experience, and the grace in growing older. True beauty is not about avoiding time or lightening your skin to a uniform shade. It’s about honoring every phase of life, every scar, every laugh line. It’s about celebrating who you are in the moment, regardless of whether your beauty aligns with what society tells you it should be.
5. India
India, with its complex and rich history, offers a unique blend of traditional and modern beauty ideals. On one hand, fairness remains a deeply ingrained concept in Indian culture, with fairness creams being among the most marketed products. On the other hand, India has recently witnessed the rise of a more inclusive body type ideal—one that embraces curves and celebrates natural beauty.
But the gap between these two ideals often leaves people in a state of confusion. The societal pressure to conform to a "fair and lovely" image still exists, while newer ideals struggle to push back against decades of ingrained beauty norms. This contrast is emblematic of the larger challenge many face: navigating between the old and the new, between external expectations and internal truths.
1. South Korea
South Korea
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
There’s a saying in South Korea: "If you’re not pretty, you’re invisible." While it’s an exaggeration, the truth behind it is unsettlingly real. South Korea is a nation where beauty is not just a choice; it’s a societal expectation. It starts with skincare routines that could rival NASA-level technology, leading to an obsession with flawless skin. But it doesn’t stop there. In a country where plastic surgery is so common that it’s almost routine, the pressure to fit an idealized, airbrushed version of beauty becomes almost unbearable.
But here’s the paradox: In a society that outwardly celebrates perfection, the inner turmoil is hidden away. Young people, often unable to live up to the standard of beauty perpetuated by media and culture, are left questioning their self-worth. In this pursuit of the unattainable, South Korea has taught us that perfection, even if possible, often comes at the cost of something far more valuable: self-acceptance. The truth is, no surgery, no skincare routine, no makeup can make you feel whole if you’ve lost sight of who you are beneath it all.
2. Brazil
Plastic surgery
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Brazil is a country known for its carnival spirit, its warmth, and its unapologetic celebration of life. But hidden within that vibrant energy is a beauty standard that’s as rigid as it is impossible to live up to. The ideal body type here is the "Brazilian Bombshell," a woman with an hourglass figure, sun-kissed skin, and curves in all the "right" places. To achieve this body type, many women turn to extreme dieting, intensive workouts, and even plastic surgery, all in the hopes of fitting into a mold that’s only ever existed on glossy magazine covers.
The reality? The pressure to conform to this image is suffocating, often leaving individuals feeling inadequate if they don’t meet the standard. In a society that prides itself on freedom and joy, it’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the pursuit of beauty can create chains rather than liberate us. True beauty isn’t about curating a body for the world to admire. It’s about embracing the body that carries you through life, appreciating it for its function, its strength, and its uniqueness.
3. United States
Makeup
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The United States, with its infinite variety of cultures, people, and identities, might seem like the last place to impose one rigid definition of beauty. And yet, it does. The "American Dream" isn’t just about wealth or success; it’s about the ideal body—thin, toned, and somehow, always youthful. This ideal is perpetuated through advertising, film, and social media. But what’s often missed in this image is the inherent contradiction: the American beauty standard is never static. One day, it’s about being thin; the next, it’s about being fit; and somewhere in between, the ideal shifts again.
This constant moving target leaves many people feeling disillusioned, as if no matter how much they try, they will never truly "arrive." The lesson here isn’t just about rejecting unattainable standards—it’s about realizing that this constant chase is futile. Beauty, at its core, isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. It’s about accepting yourself in all your forms, at every stage, with all your flaws and all your strengths.
4. Japan
Japanese Skincare
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In Japan, the concept of beauty is deeply tied to youth, fairness, and purity. The ideal of "white skin"—as though beauty is tied to being untouched by time or the sun—has persisted for centuries. Japan’s beauty standards often emphasize delicate, doll-like features, smallness, and innocence. Youth is so prized that it becomes synonymous with beauty, creating an unattainable standard where aging is seen not as a natural progression but a failure to maintain an ideal.
What this beauty standard fails to acknowledge is the beauty of maturity—the wisdom in wrinkles, the strength in experience, and the grace in growing older. True beauty is not about avoiding time or lightening your skin to a uniform shade. It’s about honoring every phase of life, every scar, every laugh line. It’s about celebrating who you are in the moment, regardless of whether your beauty aligns with what society tells you it should be.
5. India
Foundation
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
India, with its complex and rich history, offers a unique blend of traditional and modern beauty ideals. On one hand, fairness remains a deeply ingrained concept in Indian culture, with fairness creams being among the most marketed products. On the other hand, India has recently witnessed the rise of a more inclusive body type ideal—one that embraces curves and celebrates natural beauty.
But the gap between these two ideals often leaves people in a state of confusion. The societal pressure to conform to a "fair and lovely" image still exists, while newer ideals struggle to push back against decades of ingrained beauty norms. This contrast is emblematic of the larger challenge many face: navigating between the old and the new, between external expectations and internal truths.