The perception of beauty varies globally, akin to language, gained popularity in 2014. Journalist Esther Honig went viral by sending her picture to graphic designers worldwide, asking them to make her look “beautiful.“
This trend inspired others, including biracial Priscilla Yuki Wilson and Marie Southward, who added a “plus-sized twist.” In 2014, a UK-based online doctor service, OnlineDoctor.SuperDrug.com, collaborated with the content marketing agency Fractl for a similar project. Fractl sent a stock image of a woman in her underwear to graphic designers in 18 countries, ranging from the UK to Syria, to explore how beauty perceptions differ globally.
The results varied significantly when it comes to beauty standards
Philippines
Skinnier and darker hair seemed to fit the Philippines’ expectation of what true beauty looks like.
USA
The US decided a thigh gap was an obvious choice along with a flatter stomach and a very airbrushed face in their perception of beauty.
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China
China produced the most altered image, estimating the model’s weight to be about 100 pounds. Changes included the face, hair, underwear, and overall body transformation.
Colombia
In their perception of beauty, Colombia maintained a curvier design, with subtle changes such as more hair and less orange skin.
Egypt
Added an orange hue, a tiny waist, and black hair to the model.
Italy
Created a version almost as thin as China’s, changing the color of the underwear and shoes – a very different perception of beauty.
The Netherlands
Lightened the woman’s hair, made her legs thinner, and added boots and a pink bikini.
Peru
In their perception of beauty, Peru focused on making the model’s arms and stomach thinner, along with changes to the eyes.
Romania
Adopted an orangey hue and shaved off inches around the body.
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Serbia
Addressed both the model’s body and face.
South Africa
Showcased a thinner and taller version of the model.
Spain
Maintained a curvier appearance compared to other countries.
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Mexico
Gave the woman a more realistic tan and brown hair.
Syria
Produced a makeover that appeared a little wonky.
The UK
The UK kept things simple with a white background and gave the model a much trimmer body.
Ukraine
Attempted to give the model’s hair more volume and drastically altered her body. Changes also included the color of her underwear and shoes.
Argentina
Gave the model a virtual tummy tuck and breast lift.
Venezuela
Lightened her skin tone and gave her long, wavy dark hair.
The Fractl team noted, “Some designers in North, South, and Central American countries produced an exaggerated hourglass figure,” while others in Europe and Asia chose to render her extremely thin. The diverse beauty standards showcased in these images emphasize the subjective nature of beauty standards worldwide.
As for the perception of beauty, it seems people just see things differently
When you compare them all, you can see just how unrecognizable the original image became, just with a few Photoshop tweaks to make the image match the region’s beauty standards. Of the submissions, China submitted the thinnest submissions, Spain had the heaviest and China was the lightest.