From Corsets to Kardashians: The Shocking Evolution of Beauty Standards That’ll Make You Question Everything!
Added on November 26, 2025 inFun And Facts Cards
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Ever wonder if beauty standards have a zodiac sign? Like, are they a fickle Gemini, always switching up their look? Or maybe a dramatic Leo, craving the spotlight every decade? I caught myself gawking at a young woman sporting a boldly shaved side— and it hit me: beauty is the ultimate chameleon, forever shape-shifting with the cultural moon phases of society. What was the “it” look in one era can seem totally bizarre or downright hilarious in the next. From shaving eyebrows to crafting the perfect “Cupid’s bow” lip in the Roaring Twenties, to chasing that “Instagram Face” frenzy in the 2010s, our tastes reflect a wild cosmic dance influenced by social revolutions, economic climates, and tech leaps. Ready for a whirlwind tour through a century of glamour, grit, and glam? Buckle up, it’s a starry ride through the ever-changing constellations of beauty ideals. LEARN MORE.
I see young girls with the side of their head shaved, and I marvel at how beauty standards have changed. What society considers beautiful is in a constant state of flux, shifting with the cultural tides. The ideal physical form and fashionable face of one era can seem entirely foreign or even ridiculous in the next.
Our perceptions of beauty are deeply tied to social movements, economic conditions, and technological advancements. Each decade leaves its own distinct fingerprint on the definition of attractiveness. We used to shave off all our eyebrows and draw a line.
Here is a look at our beauty journey through the past century, which reveals that beauty ideals are far from universal or permanent.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
The aftermath of World War I and the fight for women’s suffrage ignited a cultural firestorm, giving birth to the flapper. This new woman rejected the restrictive corsets and long tresses of the Victorian and Edwardian eras in favor of a look that prized youthfulness and liberation. The ideal silhouette became boyishly slender, with a flat chest, slim hips, and a dropped waistline that completely disguised natural curves.
This androgynous frame was a direct rebellion against the matronly, domestic image of the previous generation. Short, sharp bobbed haircuts, like the “Eton crop,” became the ultimate symbol of this newfound independence. Makeup, once associated with performers and ladies of the night, entered the mainstream with a vengeance. Women lined their eyes heavily with kohl for a dramatic, smoky effect and painted their lips in a pronounced “Cupid’s bow” shape using deep reds and burgundies, a bold declaration of their presence.
Image Credit: MGM – eBayFront and back – Public Domain/Wiki Commons.
As the world grappled with the Great Depression and then World War II, Hollywood offered an escape into a world of polished glamour. The boyish figure of the 20s was replaced by a softer, more traditionally feminine ideal. A slightly fuller body with a defined waist and gentle curves came into fashion, projecting a more mature and sophisticated image.
Hair grew longer, styled into soft waves and elegant updos. Eyebrows were plucked into thin, high arches, creating a look of perpetual, graceful surprise. While red lipstick remained a staple, the application became softer and fuller, accentuating the natural lip shape. During the war, this look took on a patriotic feel; maintaining one’s appearance was seen as a boost to morale, with cosmetics companies even creating specific shades like “Victory Red.”
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Post-war economic prosperity and a societal shift back toward domesticity brought with it a celebration of hyper-femininity. The ideal body was the hourglass: a large bust, a tiny, cinched waist, and wide hips. This voluptuous silhouette was a stark departure from the leaner figures of previous decades.
Foundation garments like girdles and bullet bras were essential tools for sculpting the body into this desirable shape. Beauty routines became more elaborate. Hairstyles were meticulously coiffed, either worn in short, curly styles or elegant updos. The “cat-eye,” created with a flick of liquid eyeliner, became the defining makeup trend of the era, paired with a coat of mascara, arched brows, and lips colored in vibrant shades of pink and red.
Image Credit: KRLA Beat/Beat Publications, Inc. – KRLA Beat, May 5, 1967 – Public Domain/Wiki Commons.
The 1960s were a decade of two halves. The early years continued the polished, ladylike aesthetic of the 1950s, personified by figures like Jackie Kennedy. However, by the mid-decade, a cultural revolution centered on youth took hold. London’s Mod scene introduced a completely new ideal: the waif.
Supermodel Twiggy, with her adolescent, stick-thin frame, became the face of this “Youthquake.” The desirable body was long, lean, and almost childlike, a dramatic shift away from the curvaceous 50s woman. Makeup focused entirely on the eyes, which were made to look large and doll-like with thick liner applied in the crease, heavy false eyelashes on both top and bottom lids, and pale, matte lips. Hair was either cropped into a short, geometric pixie cut or worn long and straight with a center part.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
Reacting to the artificiality of the Mod look, the 1970s embraced a more natural and free-spirited aesthetic, influenced by the hippie movement and growing feminist consciousness. The ideal body was still slim, but with a healthier, athletic tone. A sun-kissed tan became highly desirable, suggesting a life of leisure and outdoor activity.
Makeup was dialed back significantly, with a focus on a “natural” look that involved bronzer, glossy lips, and feathery, brushed-up eyebrows. Hair was the main event. Long, flowing locks, often parted down the middle or styled into the iconic feathered cut popularized by Farrah Fawcett, defined the decade. There was no more dramatic transformation; people wanted to enhance their existing features in a casual, seemingly effortless way.
Image Credit: Ibsan73 – CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.
The 1980s were a decade of excess, and its beauty standards reflected a “more is more” philosophy. The ideal body became strong, athletic, and tall, a look personified by the rise of the supermodel. Women like Cindy Crawford and Elle Macpherson projected an image of health, power, and confidence.
The fitness craze, led by Jane Fonda’s aerobics videos, made toned arms and legs a status symbol. Hair was big, bold, and heavily styled with mousse and hairspray to achieve maximum volume, often permed or crimped. Makeup was equally loud. Brightly colored eyeshadow in shades of blue, purple, and pink was blended up to the brow bone, cheeks were heavily contoured with blush, and lips were coated in frosted or vibrant colors.
Image Credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.
As a direct rejection of 80s extravagance, the 1990s ushered in an era of minimalism. The pendulum swung from the healthy, athletic supermodel to an androgynous, rail-thin ideal. This was the controversial era of “heroin chic,” which romanticized a pale, gaunt, and waifish look, with Kate Moss as its poster child.
The body was celebrated for its boniness and lack of curves. Makeup became muted and matte. The face was powdered, eyes were subtly lined with brown or gray pencil, and lips were colored with brown-toned lipsticks. The most defining feature of the decade was the eyebrows, which were plucked into dangerously thin, sharp arches. Alongside this grunge-inspired look was the clean, “girl-next-door” aesthetic, characterized by natural-looking makeup and simple, straight hairstyles like “The Rachel.” May those eyebrows never come back.
Image credit: Deposit Photos.
The new millennium brought a fusion of pop culture, technology, and overt glamour. The ideal body was toned and tanned, with a particular focus on a flat, toned stomach to show off with low-rise jeans. This was the era of the pop princess, and stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera set the standard.
The look was highly produced, often featuring a very deep, artificial-looking tan. Makeup was playful and frosty. Eyeshadows had a metallic or glittery finish, lips were coated in super-glossy, often frosted, formulas, and eyebrows remained thin. Hair was either stick-straight, achieved with flat irons, or styled in tight, crunchy curls. The rise of early reality TV and digital photo editing began to create a beauty standard that was increasingly difficult to attain. That standard is worse now that we are in the era of filters.
Image Credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.
The explosion of social media, particularly Instagram, completely reshaped beauty standards in the 2010s. The ideal look, often called the “Instagram Face,” was a highly sculpted, filtered version of reality. The hourglass figure made a comeback, but in a new, surgically enhanced form popularized by the Kardashian family: a large bottom, thick thighs, and a tiny waist.
Makeup routines became complex and professionalized, thanks to the rise of beauty influencers on YouTube. Key trends included thick, perfectly filled-in “Instagram brows,” heavy contouring and highlighting to reshape facial features, matte liquid lipstick (especially in nude shades), and voluminous false eyelashes. This look was less about personal expression and more about conforming to a specific, camera-ready aesthetic.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
Looking back at these shifting ideals reveals a simple truth: there is no single, objective standard of beauty. What is celebrated in one decade is rejected in the next, driven by a complex web of cultural forces. This history serves as a helpful reminder that today’s trends are just as temporary as yesterday’s.
Rather than chasing a constantly moving target, perhaps the most enduring approach is to find what feels authentic to you. Understanding the origins of these standards can free you from the pressure to conform to them. Be you, truly (maybe except shaving off all your eyebrows and drawing a line).
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
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