We often think beauty is having a good skin, buying the right skincare products, investing in expensive treatments and more. While most of it may be true and while the beauty industry may keep changing. Let’s not forget that beauty is a concept that varies dramatically from culture to culture. While some societies admire fair skin and slender figures, others find beauty in more unconventional traits. Many of these beauty standards are not gender-specific as both men and women embrace their customs, traditions and the respect they have for their community. So have you ever wondered from where do these beauty standards origin and what is the major significance behind small communities or tribes embracing these beauty concepts across the world? Well, here are ten of the most peculiar beauty standards from around the world that challenge mainstream ideals.
1. Lip Plates – Ethiopia & the Amazon
Among the Mursi and Surma tribes in Ethiopia, as well as some Indigenous groups in the Amazon, women wear large lip plates as a symbol of beauty and status. Starting from adolescence, their lower lips are stretched using clay or wooden discs. The larger the plate, the more desirable and respected the woman is within her community.
2. Blackened Teeth – Japan & Southeast Asia
Known as “Ohaguro” in Japan, blackening the teeth was once a widespread practice among noblewomen, believed to enhance beauty and signify maturity. A similar tradition exists in parts of Southeast Asia, where blackened teeth were associated with health and protection against evil spirits.
3. Long Necks – Thailand & Myanmar
The women of the Kayan tribe in Myanmar and northern Thailand wear brass neck rings from a young age, gradually elongating their necks. This practice is seen as a mark of elegance and beauty. While it appears that their necks are stretched, in reality, the rings push down the collarbone, creating an illusion of elongation.
4. Crooked Teeth – Japan
While much of the world idolizes straight, white teeth, Japan has a different perspective. A trend known as “yaeba” celebrates slightly crooked or overlapping teeth, as they are believed to add charm and youthfulness to a person’s appearance. Some individuals even undergo dental procedures to create the effect artificially.
5. Face Scarring – Africa & Papua New Guinea
Scarification is a traditional practice in various African and Melanesian cultures, particularly in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Papua New Guinea. Raised scars on the face and body are seen as marks of beauty, courage, and social status. These intricate patterns are often created through controlled cuts and natural healing processes.
6. Stretched Earlobes and Shaved Head – Kenya
Among the Maasai people of Kenya, stretched earlobes and shaved heads are important beauty standards symbolizing status, strength, and cultural identity. From a young age, both men and women pierce and gradually stretch their earlobes using beads, wood, or stones, believing that elongated lobes enhance beauty. Shaved heads, especially for women, signify purity and readiness for marriage. These practices are deeply rooted in tradition, showcasing the Maasai’s rich heritage and their unique perception of beauty.
7. Fuller Figures – Mauritania
In Mauritania, a fuller body is traditionally associated with beauty, wealth, and prosperity. Some women undergo “gavage” (a practice similar to force-feeding) to gain weight, as plumper figures are believed to enhance attractiveness and marital prospects.
8. Unibrows – Tajikistan
In parts of Tajikistan, unibrows are considered a sign of beauty and purity, especially for women. Some who don’t naturally have a unibrow use makeup or herbal dyes to connect their eyebrows, creating a seamless, darkened look that is highly admired.
9. Maori Tattoo – New Zealand
n Māori culture of New Zealand, “Tā Moko” (traditional tattooing) is a sacred art form that represents ancestry, social status, and personal achievements. Unlike modern tattoos, Tā Moko is chiseled into the skin using a special tool, creating deep grooves rather than flat ink. Men often have full-face tattoos, while women traditionally wear moko kauae (chin tattoos). Each design is unique and tells a personal story, making it not just a beauty standard but a powerful symbol of identity, heritage, and pride.
10. Himba Tribe Hairstyle – Namibia
In the Himba tribe of Namibia, hairstyles hold deep cultural significance, reflecting a person’s age, marital status, wealth, and social rank. Women coat their hair with a mixture of ochre, butter, and herbs, creating thick, red-tinted braids known as “otjize.” Young girls wear simple plaits, while married women style their hair into intricate, multi-strand designs. Men, on the other hand, shave their heads upon marriage, leaving a small patch of hair if they are single. These elaborate hairstyles are not just about beauty but serve as a visual language, preserving traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Beauty is undeniably subjective, and these peculiar beauty standards prove just how diverse perceptions of attractiveness can be. What one culture may consider unconventional, another may embrace as the height of elegance. Ultimately, beauty remains in the eye of the beholder, shaped by tradition, history, and societal values.
