We live in a world where beauty standards are thrown at us from every angle—on billboards, in glossy magazines, through social media filters, and even by that one auntie at every family gathering who insists you should “watch your weight.” The truth? Most of these beauty standards are arbitrary, unattainable, and, quite frankly, not worth your time. Here are a few of the biggest ones that you should absolutely stop caring about.
1. Flawless, Poreless Skin
Somewhere along the way, we were convinced that the perfect face is one that looks like it’s been airbrushed to oblivion. No pores. No fine lines. No imperfections. But let’s get real—skin has texture. Pores are a biological necessity, not a flaw. Wrinkles? They’re proof that you’ve laughed, lived, and experienced life. Even celebrities with access to the best dermatologists still have pores and breakouts. So why stress over something that is literally a sign that your skin is functioning properly?
2. The Hourglass Figure
Thanks to pop culture, society has romanticized the “perfect” body shape: a snatched waist, wide hips, and a perky bust. And while some people are naturally blessed with this silhouette, many are not. The problem? This beauty standard doesn’t account for genetics, body diversity, or, you know, actual human biology.
Bodies come in all shapes—rectangle, pear, apple, inverted triangle—and none of them are superior. Wearing a waist trainer for hours won’t rewrite your bone structure, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to achieve proportions that may not be natural for you. The key is to embrace your unique shape and wear what makes you feel confident.
3. Fair, Even-Toned Skin
Colourism is one of beauty’s ugliest, most deeply ingrained standards. Across many cultures, lighter skin has long been associated with beauty, privilege, and desirability, leading to an entire industry built around skin bleaching and “brightening” products. But melanin is magic, and the idea that lighter skin is “better” is a colonial hangover we should have left behind centuries ago.
Hyperpigmentation, dark circles, and sunspots? They’re natural. The real goal should be healthy skin, not necessarily lighter or “flawless” skin.
4. The ‘Perfect’ Nose
If you’ve ever felt insecure about your nose, you’re not alone. Beauty standards have convinced us that noses should be small, symmetrical, and upturned—like a Disney princess. The rise of cosmetic surgery has made rhinoplasty one of the most common procedures worldwide, but let’s pause for a second.
Noses are deeply tied to our ethnic backgrounds. Your nose tells a story of where you come from, your heritage, and your lineage. A nose that doesn’t fit into Eurocentric beauty ideals isn’t wrong—it’s unique, and uniqueness is what makes beauty interesting.
5. Perfectly Sculpted Jawlines
No amount of jade rolling or chewing gum is going to give you a jawline you weren’t born with. Your face is yours—it doesn’t need to be filtered into oblivion. And considering how beauty trends change, obsessing over a jawline is a losing game.
6. The ‘Ideal’ Lips
One moment, thin lips were elegant and desirable; the next, plump, juicy lips became the ultimate beauty standard. Beauty trends are fickle, and lips are no exception. The overlining, the fillers, the obsession with a pouty mouth—it’s all designed to make you feel like you’re missing something.
But lips, like every other feature, are meant to be diverse. If we all had the same lips, beauty would be boring. Embrace yours, however they are shaped.
7. Smooth, Hairless Bodies
For decades, women have been told that body hair is unattractive, unhygienic, and even masculine. But the truth is, body hair is just hair. It grows. It’s normal. Yet, society makes women feel like they should be waxing, shaving, and lasering every inch of themselves just to meet an artificial standard. If you love being smooth, go for it. But if you’re tired of the constant upkeep, guess what? You don’t have to do it. Let your hair grow if you want. It’s your body, your choice.
8. Youth = Beauty
We live in an ageist world where the moment you spot your first wrinkle, people act like it’s a crisis. Ageing is treated as something to fight instead of a natural, inevitable process.
But ageing is a privilege. The alternative is, well, not ageing—which is far worse. Fine lines, grey hairs, and a few laugh lines aren’t signs of decline; they’re proof that you’ve lived, loved, and evolved. And honestly, confidence and wisdom are far more attractive than desperately trying to cling to youth.
7. Social Media Perfection
Let’s get one thing straight—nobody looks like their Instagram photos in real life. Social media is filled with filters, angles, editing apps, and sometimes even outright Photoshop magic. Comparing yourself to someone’s carefully curated and edited highlights is like comparing a behind-the-scenes moment to a movie premiere. Unrealistic expectations only lead to unnecessary self-doubt.
