Contemporary Beauty Research Articles

Images of Modern Beauties in the Japanese Colonial Era of Korea (1910-1945).

This study aimed to analyze images of the modern beauty of Korea during the Japanese colonial era. Searches were conducted on Google ( www.google.com ) and Naver ( www.naver.com ) for archives of newspapers and magazines that contained images of beauty. Beauty of the face and neck (the early 1920s): an article (1922) detailed the contemporary beauty standards. It specifies the desired characteristics of the eyes, nose, and mouth and dictates that "the cheeks ought to be plump enough to obscure the cheekbones" and "the neck and shoulders should also be full, concealing the collarbones." Images of beauty showing balance and proportion (the late 1920s): in 1928, a magazine article introduced the concept of "the world's beauty from a scientific perspective," which represented Western esthetics as reflected in the "Canon" of body proportions and Vitruvian Man. From the face to the body (from the late 1920s to 1930s): in 1927, a daily newspaper established the standard for global beauty. During this period, there was an increased emphasis on maintaining the body, rather than just the face, as a crucial aspect of beauty. From the mid-1930s, the concept of a "streamlined" female body shape gained popularity. Male gaze, which fragmented and objectified women's bodies, had been visualized and mass-produced. It is essential to understand how preferences have evolved and to possess skilled hands capable of improving the face and body. To properly sculpt the face and body, keen eyes and adept hands are needed.

The Fervor for “Ski-Slope” Noses: An Exploration into the Surgical Reinforcement of Colonial Beauty

In this paper, we inspect cosmetic surgery advertising based in three cities regarded at the forefront of plastic surgery: Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, JK Plastic Surgery Center in Seoul, and Estetik International in Istanbul. We engage with postcolonial theories such as Homi K Bhabha’s concept of mimicry and W.E.B Du Bois’s theory of double consciousness to examine the way in which traditional beauty standards are reinforced in these ads through the consistent usage of Caucasian models and the popularity of particular procedures despite the geographic distance and cultural divisions between locations. Moreover, we analyze the global exchange of distinct ethnic features, investigating its coexisting and evolving relationship with the mainstream beauty standard’s idealization of the European appearance. We challenge the conventional perception that Eurocentric ideals singularly occupy contemporary beauty standards, arguing the emergence of a more complex standard through the decomposition of homogeneous colonial beauty and the growing admiration for explicitly regional characteristics.

A Systematic Review on the Reinforcement Loop in Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: The Interplay of Social Media, Self-Perception, and Repeat Procedures.

This systematic review delves into the impact of social media on self-perception and the escalating interest in clinical aesthetic procedures, proposing that social media significantly influences beauty standards and increases demand for aesthetic enhancements. Following PRISMA guidelines, a mixed-method analysis of 34 articles was conducted, sourced from various databases, focusing on social media's psychological effects on clinical aesthetics decisions. The studies encompassed a broad spectrum, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies, reflecting diverse geographical and cultural perspectives. The quantitative analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation between social media usage and the consideration of aesthetic procedures (r=0.45, p<0.001), indicating a significant impact. Specific findings included a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.8) for the relationship between time spent on social media and the desire for aesthetic enhancements. Individuals spending more than 3 hours per day on social media platforms were twice as likely to consider aesthetic procedures compared to those with less usage, with a 95% confidence interval indicating robustness in these findings. Confirming the reinforcing effect of social media on aesthetic decision-making, this study highlights the complex interplay between digital media exposure, altered self-perception, and the increased inclination towards aesthetic procedures. It suggests a critical need for practitioners to carefully navigate the digital influence on patient's desires, reinforcing the significance of understanding psychological motivations and societal pressures in clinical aesthetics. This comprehensive analysis offers pivotal insights for clinical practice and ongoing research into social media's role in contemporary beauty standards. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Achieving Harmonious Feminine Proportions: A Comprehensive Study on Breast Harmonization with Nanotextured Implants.

The prevalence of breast augmentation as a strategy for achieving idealized feminine proportions, consistent with contemporary beauty standards, has increased notably. This study focuses on the use of nanotextured implants, examining their efficacy in enhancing body symmetry and conforming to current aesthetic ideals. Conducted as a prospective cohort study, this research included women who underwent breast augmentation using nanotextured ergonomic implants from 2017 to 2023. A personalized methodology was applied, incorporating an array of anthropometric measurements and individual motivations to inform the selection of implants. The techniques used aimed at fostering a natural aesthetic, coupled with an extensive postoperative follow-up to evaluate outcomes and identify any complications. The study involved 1000 participants, with findings indicating a marked improvement in breast and overall body proportions, in line with targeted aesthetic principles. High levels of patient satisfaction were observed, with more than 90% reporting favorable aesthetic results and a low incidence of complications. These findings emphasize the effectiveness and safety of nanotextured implants in achieving the desired aesthetic goals. The study underscores the efficacy of nanotextured implants in attaining balanced feminine proportions, aligning surgical results with modern beauty ideals and enhancing personal well-being. It highlights the significance of a tailored approach in breast augmentation, which encompasses not only the physical aspects of aesthetic enhancement but also the psychological and social facets of patient contentment.

Oops I did it (again): Patient experiences of complications after non-invasive cosmetic procedures

Whereas several quantitative studies have measured the impact of complications after cosmetic procedures on patients' lives, little qualitative research is available. To address this gap, we interviewed 20 patients attending a special filler complication consultation hour in the Netherlands. We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis, which resulted in three main themes: (1) complications: a patient's journey; (2) complications: the impact of procedures gone wrong; and (3) complications: a filler-free future? Throughout the interviews, the multifaceted impact of the complications was illustrated, which ultimately also demonstrated participants' negotiation of (negative) experiences with complications after cosmetic procedures within a neoliberal, consumerist environment. Within this context, particular discourses were advanced as others were obscured and/or rejected. Most significantly, issues of stigmatization and shame were tangible throughout the interviews as participants felt they (must) accept responsibility for the consequences of their own consumerist decision to undergo cosmetic procedures. Moreover, the participants' decision to undergo further cosmetic procedures after their complication illustrate the normality, or even normativity, of contemporary beauty practices. A final note regards some important implications for the industry in relation to providing adequate complication care.

The Prohibition of Eyelash Extensions for Women

This article delves into the understanding of the hadith regarding the use of eyelash extensions for women, focusing on the implications of this practice. In today's society, women place great importance on their appearance, which has led to a surge in the popularity of various beauty enhancements. However, considering the hadith narrated by Muslim (index number 2123), wherein the Prophet forbade women from using hair extensions, it becomes crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the permissibility of eyelash extensions, particularly for women. To address this issue, a qualitative research approach is employed in this study, utilizing library research and content analysis methods. Through a thorough examination of relevant literature and scholarly discussions, the article aims to shed light on the interpretation and application of the hadith in the context of eyelash extensions. By examining the underlying reasons behind the prohibition and exploring any potential exceptions or considerations, this research seeks to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the understanding of the hadith and its relevance to the use of eyelash extensions for women. This research highlights the need for a nuanced perspective, taking into account the evolving societal norms and personal preferences while remaining grounded in the teachings of Islam. Ultimately, this article serves as a resource for individuals seeking guidance on the permissibility of eyelash extensions, especially among Muslim women, in navigating contemporary beauty practices within the framework of Islamic principles.

The expanding beauty regime: Or, why it has become so important to look good

In contemporary societies, physical appearance is more important to more people than ever before. This article sketches the expansion of this contemporary beauty regime. Drawing mainly on European data, I argue that since the late 1800s the societal importance of appearance grew, as a result of expanding media and consumer cultures, social democratization, a shift to a service-based economy and the rise of new media. People came to have more developed and diverse tastes in human beauty and more opportunities to cultivate their appearance. It became more important to be beautiful, for men and women, across the course of life, in more domains of life. Drawing on the tradition of process sociology inspired by Weber and Elias, I interpret this gradual raising of cultural standards as the emergence of a beauty regime involving new standards for social control and self-control, standards for moral and aesthetic evaluation and standards for social worth and self-worth. The beauty regime is demanding and constraining for individuals but contributes to the emergence of durable social constellations that people might consider progress. The beauty regime makes appearance more central to many domains of life, and thus more consequential for identities and inequalities, self-worth and social worth.

Genital fashioning: Postfeminist discourse and mediating understandings of choice

Female genital fashioning practices, a term encompassing a range of temporary and permanent options for cosmetic genital alteration, are becoming an increasingly prominent part of contemporary beauty regimes. Drawing on a series of 11 small focus groups and 10 interviews with 34 Australian women aged 18–30, this paper explores the ways that cisgender young women negotiate a combination of social pressures, pleasures and influences in their decisions to engage with genital fashioning. These pressures are described by women to emanate from broad social norms, sexual partners, family members, and peer groups. The women in this study demonstrate a nuanced and critical awareness of the cultural context which they inhabit but deploy postfeminist narratives of self-care and enjoyment to make sense of genital fashioning practices. The paper contributes to scholarship on postfeminism by demonstrating the ways that women creatively use the discursive tools available to enable critical reflection on notions of choice. At the same time, the findings in this study constitute an empirical contribution to critiques of postfeminism to reveal the limitations of postfeminist reasoning which ultimately works to curtail or impede the identification of structural problems and constraints.

Beauty Is Skin Deep; The Self-Perception of Adolescents and Young Women in Construction of Body Image within the Ankole Society.

Introduction: Adolescents and young women become increasingly aware of their bodies through images presented to them through social structures during their developmental stage. These images may drive them toward unhealthy behaviors including overeating, starving, and skin bleaching. This paper is part of a study that examined the Older Adolescent Banyankole Girl’s Response to the socio-cultural constructions of body image in The Ankole Region, Uganda. It aimed to understand the self-perceptions of adolescent girls of their body image within Ankole society. Methods: The study collected narrative interviews of 30 adolescent and young adult females (16–24) recruited from various institutions of learning as well as the Ankole community of southwestern Uganda. Results: Adolescent girls’ perceptions of beauty were influenced by pull and push factors that included beauty expectations, beauty comparisons, relationships, and dietary habits that keep them oscillating between traditional and contemporary beauty ideals. Findings suggest that young women could benefit from social shifting of focus from physical appearance to other valuable developmental assets. Conclusion: Government-sponsored programs that provide education and positive media messages may be beneficial to building the self-esteem of young women.

A Site of Unsettlement

A Site of Unsettlement

Beauty, Youth, and the Kore Archetype

Beauty, traditionally considered one of the highest values along with truth, goodness, and justice, is one of the most ancient and controversial topics in the discourse of the humanity. In the 21 st century, it is actively discussed by the representatives of different fields of knowledge. While some researchers consider beauty to be a social construct, others argue that beauty in terms of contemporary beauty ideal is deeply rooted in human nature and is based on our genetic inheritance. Youth is the gold standard of feminine beauty in the modern world, and beauty itself is seen as a social capital and a means of reaching certain privileges. Advertising and beauty industry have a huge impact on women and their self-perception. Unrealistic beauty images lead to the deterioration of women’s psychosomatic health. Interiorization of the modern standards of female beauty as an image of a young girl impedes the psychological development of a woman and leads to disintegration, which disrupts the interconnection of all elements of the psychological system and creates deep contradictions. In the Jungian pantheon of archetypes, a young girl is represented by Kore. In the absence of maturity transformations, Kore’s image, being so attractive to the modern world, indicates an undeveloped part of the personality and can lead to dangerous consequences in the second half of life, such as inhibition of inner growth, inability to live a full life, frustration, deep psychological crisis, loss of meanings. Fixation on Kore’s image makes a woman an ideal object of manipulation and deprives her of ability to think critically. This state of eternal girl is also supported by the men’s unconscious. Only by overcoming the psychological threshold of adulthood, resulting in experience and inner growth, a woman can reveal Kore’s other aspect – the Mistress of the underworld with a great spiritual experience, who has lost her fear of ageing and death. A woman does not lose her beauty in the process of age-related psychological metamorphoses; on the contrary, her beauty becomes multifaceted and reflects all aspects of her true personality. The paper aims to analyze the modern standards of feminine beauty and the psychological consequences of interiorization of these standards through the lens of the Jungian archetype of Kore.

To lift or not to lift? The dilemma of an aging face in Erica Jong's later works

Resistance to physical decay and the desire to keep youthful looks are not new in human history. Today, however, anti-aging discourse intensifies the longing to reshape one's body and stop the ravages of time. Aging is often portrayed as a personal accountability, a sign of moral responsibility, and even disease, which affects older women disproportionately. In order to adjust to contemporary beauty standards, many older women decide to undergo various rejuvenation procedures. However, few studies on the outcomes of such cosmetic interventions in relation to aging, acceptance and self-perception exist. This article addresses American writer Erica Jong's concerns about the aging body and surgical anti-aging interventions. As spokeswoman of the American post-war generation, the author shows how facial rejuvenation procedures generate conflicting feelings, and reminds her readers that older women continue to be doubly marginalized in today's youth- and beauty-driven society.

The Development of Dan-Kwian Ceramic Jewelry for Contemporary Aesthetics in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

This research aims to development of Dan-Kwian ceramic jewelry from past to present. In terms of design, the raw materials and decorative techniques used in designed and developed Dan-Kwian ceramic jewelry for unique contemporary beauty. As a result, developed from the original by adopting simple shapes of geometry to be used for modern purposes, the emphasis is on creating different sizes in jewelry, which are large, medium and small. And highlight the color of clay body to light, medium and dark. The raw materials used to create Dan-Kwian ceramic jewelry prototype is Dan-Kwian clay mixed with kaolin and compound clay. At difference mixing ratio to determine the shade, then design and create masterpieces. Test fired with electric furnace at 800 and 1200°C, emphasize the natural brown and orange color of clay body. Decorated with smoked technique with rice husk in clay pot using charcoal stove owing to create a black color in the finished workpiece. Then, put it to sort the appropriate of each set. After that, design a piece of 5 different styles, in which the set consists of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The most popular set of Dan-Kwian ceramic jewelry from the producer group is the first set inspired by the sphere, which can be prepared easily. Outstanding, the attraction is that the sphere in the center can be rotated. And the dark color in the center contrasted with the light outer circle. Overall, the five set are well received by the producer group. Make a way to see how to produce for sale, by selling it with existing products.

Editor’s Introduction

Editor’s Introduction

“It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness”: expectancies associated with tween makeup ownership

AbstractMarketing messages socialize individuals into believing that (amongst other practices) consuming cosmetics is the key to beauty and such messages are now being targeted directly to pre‐adolescents. Research shows marketing portrayals of beauty ideals are associated with body disillusionment; however, there is a lack of knowledge on how 'tweens’ enculturation of the necessity to consume beauty products influences their personal development and perspectives of others. The present study examines tweens perceptions of girls who own makeup; 111 girls between 6 and 12 years drew and described a child who owned makeup and a child who did not own makeup, resulting in 222 drawings. The drawings and descriptive words were coded inductively using emerging themes and differences between the two drawings were analysed using SPSS and chi‐square analysis. Findings revealed girls who owned makeup were perceived to be more attractive, happy, and popular than girls who did not wear makeup, however, they were also perceived to be “nastier” than girls who did not own makeup. The findings revealed tweens are enculturated into contemporary beauty ideals and hold strong stereotypes regarding owning makeup. Interpreted through the lens of sociocultural theory and the Halo Effect, findings are discussed in terms of how such ideals shape tweens expectations of others and ultimately may shape their own personal behaviour with regards to social interactions, roles and activities engaged in. We argue that the beauty ideal stereotypes associated with tween cosmetic ownership may be in reality, less than ideal.

현대 미인에 나타난 노자적 미학의 표현양상: 화장품 광고를 중심으로

The aim of this study is to examine the patterns of expressing contemporary beauty from the perspective of Laotzu’s philosophy in order to suggest its concept and characteristics and to suggest specific cases through cosmetics advertisement. In doing so, the study attempted to understand that contemporary beauty is more humanistic and liberal in terms of expression patterns than in any other time period. The research results are as below. The frame concept of Laotzu’s philosophy includes 1. Naturalness, 2. coexistence in Conflict, and 3. Non-otherness. The characteristics of contemporary beauty are natural and healthy, People can foresee changing beauty by the cycle of life and, by admitting this philosophy, people can understand one's individuality and discover self-esteemed beauty. Also, the results from the cases of cosmetics advertisement are as below: 1. Naturalness was remarkable. Such phenomenon was common in representative brands of the research subjects. Expression pattern was based on soft, natural make-up and hair style. 2. For conflict and coexistence, they introduced the ancient image of the situation, and the situational image using food and herbs demonstrated a functional, situational image, which was used for the cosmetics advertisement based on the mutual coexistence concept instead of dichotomy of period or material. 3. Non-otherness advertisement, of which there was none, we expected that maximized marketing effect would be achieved if non-otherness cosmetics advertisement expressed the contemporary beauty because it

Idols of Development

Abstract Inter-Asian cultural flows are transforming everyday Thai gender practices and performances in unexpected ways. The most striking example is the way in which Korean popular music, or K-pop, is molding contemporary beauty and dance aesthetics through cover dance, the copying of choreographed movements from music videos. K-pop cover dance has become a definitive social activity among Asian sissies (young feminine gay men) and is organized into an extensive contest circuit leading to an annual competition in Korea. Thai sissies are among the most enthusiastic and skillful practitioners of K-pop cover dance, and some practitioners, such as the members of the group Wonder Gay, have become national celebrities. I describe how cover dance demarcates a new social arena for feminine Thai males to express themselves through the idiom of modern Korean female embodiment. Semiprofessional cover dancers constitute a class of “hyper-fans” who become “demi-idols,” with fan followings in their own right. I argue that Thai K-pop cover dance can be read as both an aspiration for personal and national development that indexes participation in a new cosmopolitan Asian sphere. The cover dance phenomenon in Thailand highlights recent shifts in Asian regionalism, idol fandom, and transgressive gender performance.

The Philosophy of ‘The Gap’: Feminist Fat and Corporeal (Dis)connection

The title of this article is multi-faceted: the ‘gap’ is the name attributed to a hollow space between the thighs that has become an essential part of the contemporary female body beautiful, but my usage also indicates the disparity between different feminist discourses of libratory corporeality and excessive body fat. Considering a somatechnical approach to body fat in terms of Foucauldian dispositifs, it investigates discourses of fat and discussions of anorexia both in the works of feminists who combat the contemporary beauty ideals, such as Naomi Wolf and Susie Orbach, and some Deleuzean and queer feminists, who look to the productive and transgressive potentials of emaciation. In this discussion between academic fat studies, feminist theory and queer theory, one central question emerges: what is it about body fat that makes it such a charged cultural concept? Why is this very essential bodily substance at all considered in terms of desirability? This article argues that the physical qualities of body fat – and the hollows that are formed when it fails to appear – take part in constructing it as concept directly linked to desire. Exploring the dichotomy built between the presence and absence of fat, it explores the philosophical background to this erotic potential.

Feminism versus femininity? Exploring feminist dilemmas through cooperative inquiry research

This article analyses the findings from a cooperative inquiry study with seven feminist identified women based in the UK. It explores the tensions participants experienced in negotiating their feminist identification on the one hand and engagements in normative beauty practices on the other. A discourse analysis of participants’ talk identified an ideological dilemma of ‘feminism versus femininity’, a contemporary re-working of long-standing constructions of feminism and femininity as mutually exclusive. In exploring how this dilemma was negotiated, the article supports existing arguments that femininity is increasingly constructed as a bodily practice. The article also examines the consequences of employing the feminist versus femininity dilemma which included the use of anti-feminist and homophobic constructions. Strategies to resist the dilemma involved postfeminist individual choice arguments or refusal to participate in practices that were critiqued. These strategies were individualist, only partially successful, and failed to engage with the classed and racialised aspects of contemporary beauty ideals.

Oral and Maxillofacial Manifestations Following Bulimia Nervosa: A Systematic Review

A bulimia nervosa e um tipo de transtorno alimentar (fortemente associado a questao do padrao de beleza corporal contemporâneo) que atinge cerca de 1 a 2% da populacao, com maior prevalencia no genero feminino, apresentando uma gama de alteracoes importantes e caracteristicas que acometem a regiao oral e maxilofacial. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisao da literatura a cerca das publicacoes sobre as manifestacoes bucomaxilofaciais secundarias a bulimia nervosa, demonstrando as alteracoes mais comuns e alertando o cirurgiao-dentista para o diagnostico precoce da doenca. Metodo: 54 artigos cientificos indexados (Medline, Lilacs, Scielo e Ibecs) sobre: bulimia nervosa, odontologia, erosao dentaria e saude bucal, entre 2005 e 2010, sofreram leitura critica para aquisicao de informacoes contidas de interesse ao estudo. Os artigos poderiam ser de revisao da literatura, relato de caso, serie de casos ou pesquisa clinica. Foram excluidos aqueles artigos que nao discorreram nem citaram pelo menos uma manifestacao maxilofacial secundaria a bulimia nervosa. Os resultados foram tabulados e estatisticamente tratados de forma descritiva. Resultados: Com base nos criterios de inclusao e exclusao, 31 artigos que falavam especificamente a cerca das manifestacoes bucomaxilofaciais secundarias a bulimia nervosa foram selecionados. Pode-se notar um elevado numero de publicacoes envolvendo revisoes de literatura em comparacao as pesquisas clinicas. O perfil epidemiologico dos pacientes revelou as mulheres adultas jovens como grupo de risco, associado as mais prevalentes manifestacoes como: erosao e sensibilidade dental, aumento no indice de carie, mucosite, queilite e gengivite. Conclusao: As manifestacoes bucomaxilofaciais secundarias a bulimia nervosa podem acometer em graus variados as estruturas duras e moles desta regiao anatomica. Dentre todas as alteracoes, a erosao dental foi a mais prevalente em tecido duro e a mucosite em tecido mole.