The Beauty Through Different Lenses

Beauty, as a concept, is deeply personal and shaped by a number of influences, including cultural, social and historical factors. Across diverse cultures and races, perceptions of beauty exhibit remarkable variation.

When examining facial aesthetics, it becomes apparent that different races hold distinct ideals of beauty. In certain Asian cultures, delicate features such as petite noses are heralded as epitomes of beauty. Conversely, Western cultures often admire a smaller visage adorned with high cheekbones and a chiseled jawline. In some African societies, larger noses and fuller lips are cherished as symbols of allure, whereas certain Middle Eastern cultures praise the prominence of a well-defined nose.

Let’s discuss about beauty standards and interesting trends, with a focus on Western and Korean cultures. We will also explore how to achieve the desired looks associated with these standards.

Western

High cheek bones

In contemporary Western society, high cheekbones are often associated with models, celebrities, and individuals who are considered conventionally attractive. The media plays a significant role in promoting this beauty standard, as images of people with high cheekbones are frequently showcased in advertisements, fashion magazines, and entertainment industries.

Dermal fillers can be an effective non- surgical option for enhancing the appearance of high cheekbones. Dermal fillers are injectable substances that are used to add volume, contour, and shape to different areas of the face, including the cheeks. When it comes to achieving high cheekbones, dermal fillers are injected into specific areas of the cheeks to create more definition and a lifted appearance.

Defined jawline

A strong jawline typically refers to a distinct, angular shape where the jawbone meets the neck. The definition of the jawline can be influenced by various factors, including natural bone resorption that occurs with aging, fat in the lower face, presence of double chin, excessive activity of platysma muscle, or inherent genetic factors that contribute to one’s facial structure.

Treatment approaches may differ based on the underlying cause. For instance, if a less defined jawline is due to excess fat at the lower face or a double chin, mesolipolysis or liposuction may be recommended. In cases where bone resorption from aging is the issue, dermal fillers can provide the necessary support and definition. Alternatively, when excessive activity of the platysma muscle is the concern, injection of botulinum toxin A into the specific muscle can help resolve it. Other than that, ultherapy and thread lift are treatments that can effectively address sagginess, which is often responsible for a less defined jawline. By providing firming and lifting effects, jawline can be enhanced, resulting in a more well-defined appearance.

Plumped lips

In Western beauty tends, plumped lips have become increasingly popular in recent years. The focus is on achieving a visibly fuller pout, with an emphasis on enhancing lip volume, particularly in the central areas of the upper and lower lips. This can be achieved by injection of dermal fillers.

Some people even opt for more invasive option, which is lip lift surgery that aims to enhance the appearance of the upper lip by shortening the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose. It is often sought by individuals who have a longer space between the nose and the upper lip. The surgical technique involves removing a small section of skin and tissue located just above the upper lip, typically in the area between the base of nose and the vermillion border (the border between the coloured part of the lip and the surrounding skin). By shortening this distance, more of the pink lip tissue is exposed, resulting in a lifted and more defined upper lip contour.

“Duck lips” is a term used to describe a particular lip appearance that has gained attention and sometimes criticism in popular culture. It refers to an exaggerated or overfilled look of the lips, often achieved through excessive lips filler injections. The result is a pout that protrudes outward, resembling the bill of a duck.

The trend of duck lips emerged alongside the popularity of plumped lips in Western beauty standards. However, not all individuals who seek lip enhancements desire or aim for the duck lips look. The exaggerated aesthetic is typically associated with an overdone or disproportionate use of lip fillers.

While some people may find the duck lips trend appealing, it has received criticism for deviating from a natural-looking lip appearance. Many beauty professionals and individuals opt for a more subtle and balanced approach to lip augmentation, aiming to enhance the lips while maintaining harmony with the overall facial features.

Cat or fox eyes

Another trend that has taken the beauty world by storm is the fox eyes trend. The fox eyes trend has quickly become a go-to look for many when influential figures like the Hadid and Kardashian sisters embraced the upturned eyes and arched brow aesthetic.

But what exactly is the fox eye trend? Inspired by the captivating eyes of a fox, this trend is all about creating an elongated, almond-shaped eye appearance using numbers of approaches, for example, makeup, brow shaping, lash extension and curling, but some individuals may opt for more long-lasting solutions to achieve the look, which is by thread lift or surgical procedures.

Thread lifts procedures involve the utilisation of dissolvable threads to lift the eyebrows and outer corners of the eyes, creating the desired effect. Surgical procedures, such as canthoplasty or lateral canthopexy, can also be performed to modify the shape and positioning of the outer corners of the eyes.

Freckles

In recent years, freckles have become a trend in the West. Freckles are small, pigmented spots on the skin usually found on sun exposed skin. They are very common, especially in lighter skinned with blond or red hair. Historically, freckles were sometimes seen as undesirable or even covered up, but there has been a shift in beauty standards, and many people now embrace freckles as a cute, unique and attractive feature.

The freckles trend gained momentum partly due to the rise of social media and the influence of popular culture. Celebrities and influencers who have natural freckles, such as model Gigi Hadid, actress Emma Watson have helped to popularise freckles and make them more widely accepted.

Because of this trend, there has been an increase in products and techniques designed to create the illusion of freckles for those who don’t naturally have them. For example, some makeup brands offer freckle pencils or markers that allow individuals to draw freckles on their skin, giving the appearance of sun-kissed look. Additionally, freckles have become a popular feature in beauty and fashion editorials, advertising campaigns, and runway shows. Many photographers and makeup artists accentuate freckles in their work, showcasing the natural beauty and diversity of individuals.

A trend has also gained popularity on TikTok where users, particularly beauty influencers, are using temporary hair colour sprays across the nose and cheeks to get fake freckles, while some use henna to draw semi-permanent freckles on their faces.

The boobs and the booty

In Western countries, there is a prevailing preference for body figures with more pronounced curves. There are several celebrities who are admired for their curvaceous bodies and considered attractive. Some examples include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian and Scarlett Johansson.

While some individuals are naturally blessed with a voluptuous figure, others head straight to the gym, specifically targeting exercises like squats, in the pursuit of curves like an hourglass.

The journey from flat to fabulous sometimes do require some makeover. Breast augmentation and butt lift are popular procedures. Breast augmentation can be done with breast fillers, fat transfer or implants, whereas for those seeking a fuller, rounder, more lifted buttock contour, surgical butt lifts, fillers, and the infamous Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) are at your service.

Korean

On the other side of the globe, the Korean beauty industry has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity attributed to the rise in fame of K-dramas and K-pop. The Korean beauty standard emphasizes flawless, luminous skin, delicate facial features, and a youthful appearance. This ideal draws inspiration from traditional beauty practices, such as the pursuit of “glass skin” and the charm of aegyo sal, while embracing modern trends like K-pop and the global “K beauty” phenomenon.

Clear skin

Korean beauty standards focus on having clear, smooth and youthful-looking skin with a complexion that is light, bright, and free from blemishes, including freckles. So how do they achieve this seemingly flawless skin?

First of all, Koreans knows how to pamper their skin like it’s royalty. They take their sunscreen and skincare routine seriously, but there are also times when skincare alone is not enough to reach the pinnacle of perfection. This is when aesthetic procedures come into picture. Lasers help to reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, skin boosters hydrate and brighten the skin, vitamin drip for whitening and biostimulators injection to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This might be one of the reasons why Koreans look perpetually youthful, defying their actual age.

Oval or V-shaped face

There is a particular emphasis on the shape of the face. An oval or V-shaped face is considered the ideal, as it exudes a youthful charm. Some individuals possess smooth and curvaceous facial structure, others may have a more square-shaped face due to enlarged masseter muscles. This can be a result of genetics, teeth grinding, or excessive chewing. Botox injection can address the size of masseter muscle by temporarily relaxing the muscle fibers, reducing the bulkiness and hypertrophy of masseter muscles.

Unlike the Western beauty ideal that often cherishes high cheekbones and a defined jawline, the focus in Korea leans more towards achieving a harmonious and smooth facial contour. Dermal fillers are popular option to sculpt facial structure in a softer and more feminine appearance, including smoother cheeks and enhance a narrow and petite chin, perfectly complementing a desired V-shaped face. For those seeking a more dramatic transformation, V-line surgery (jaw and chin reduction) and cheekbone reduction (zygoma) surgeries are popular tools to change the facial contour. Also, a V-shaped face must have a forehead proportionate to the rest of the face, striking a delicate balance. So, dermal fillers are widely used to create a smooth forehead.

Straight eyebrows

While it may seem like a minor detail, eyebrows hold the key to framing and accentuating the features of the face. Koreans admire the beauty of simplicity- a pair of eyebrows that gracefully follow the natural curve of the brow bone without excessive arching or sharp angles. These straight or slightly arched eyebrows create a perception of youthfulness.

Double eyelids

Double eyelids are believed to make the eyes appear larger, more expressive and aesthetically pleasing. In Korea, where monolids are more common among the population, the desire for double eyelids has led people to double eyelid surgery. It has become a routine procedure for many individuals seeking to enhance their eye shape.

Aegyo Sal

Aegyo Sal is a beauty trend that originated in South Korea. It refers to the slight puffiness under the eyes that create a youthful and cute appearance. “Aegyo” means cuteness or charming in Korean, and “sal” means flesh or fat. The trend gained popularity in the early 2000s and has since become a prominent feature in Korean beauty standards.

“ Aren’t those eyebags?”

There are differences between Aegyo Sal and eyebags. The primary distinction lies in the placement and colour. Aegyo sal becomes noticeable right below your lower eye lids when you smile, while eyebags are present regardless of your facial expression. Eyebags can also be darker and typically appear lower, usually extending about two inches beneath the eyes.

In order to achieve this look, hyaluronic acid filler can be injected, or individuals can also undergo fat transfer to the undereye area to add volume.

Lips

While the desire for plumper lips is prominent, the trend also emphasizes natural-looking results. Many individuals aim for a balance between enhanced volume and maintaining the overall harmony of their facial features. In other words, Koreans prefer lips that are plump and inviting, yet still maintain a sense of authenticity.

Body contour

When it comes to body contour, Korean beauty standards differ from those in the West. In Korea, curvaceous figures like that of Kim Kardashian are often considered excessive. Instead, the beauty ideal for Korean women is to be thin and slender, emphasizing a slim and lean physique rather than a muscular or athletic one. The focus is more on appearing thin rather than having a curvy or voluptuous shape.

To achieve a slim appearance, other than exercising, many women resort to dieting or choose to undergo aesthetic procedures such as mesolipolysis or liposuction. These methods are commonly employed to reduce body fat and contour the body according to desired beauty standards.

However, beauty standards are not fixed or uniform within a country. They evolve over time, influenced by changing societal values, media representation, and individual interpretations. What is considered beautiful in one region may differ from another.

So, what beauty ideals do you adhere to or find appealing?

Our approach to client care is rooted in a meticulous analysis of your facial features, coupled with a genuine attentiveness to your concerns and expectations. A personalized treatment plan will be given according to your needs and desires, ensuring a truly customized experience. We also aim to achieve a natural looking result that complements your facial features, avoiding an overfilled appearance.