University of Kwazulu-Natal

How Social Media Is Rewriting Beauty Standards

Bonisiwe Shabane
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how social media is rewriting beauty standards

A decade ago, beauty was defined by glossy magazine covers, A-list celebrities, and runway models. Now? It’s dictated by Instagram filters, TikTok trends, and the airbrushed fantasy of social media influencers. From plumped lips and snatched jawlines to tiny waists and impossibly long legs, today’s beauty ideals are evolving at an alarming pace. As a result, they have created unrealistic expectations that are both addictive and unattainable. But is it all bad?

Has social media warped our perception of beauty beyond recognition, or has it actually made beauty more diverse and inclusive? Once upon a time, beauty came in many different flavours. Now, scroll through Instagram, and you’ll notice a disturbing trend—everyone is starting to look the same. This phenomenon, dubbed ‘Instagram Face,’ describes the hyper-symmetrical, high-cheekboned, plumped-lipped, fox-eyed look that dominates social media. Think: Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner, and every second influencer with access to FaceTune. In the not-so-distant past, beauty was often defined by narrow, traditional standards — fair skin, thin bodies, symmetrical features, and a flawless complexion.

These ideals were largely shaped by mainstream media, where advertisements, magazines, and Hollywood dictated what was considered attractive. However, with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, the definition of beauty has been fundamentally altered. Today, beauty is no longer a one-size-fits-all model. It’s dynamic, diverse, and deeply personal, giving everyone the power to shape and share their own standards of attractiveness. This shift has opened the door to new possibilities, allowing people to embrace their unique features and redefine beauty in more inclusive ways. Posted January 29, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

Cowritten by Heather Widdows and Jessica Sutherland, University of Warwick How often do you find you’ve lost an hour passively scrolling through social media? You only sat down for a moment, to take a break, and suddenly half the morning has gone. We scroll almost everywhere, on the sofa, lying in bed, on the bus, waiting for a bus, or, when we can get away with it, in boring work meetings or classes. A recent analysis of findings from the Millennium Cohort Study 2019 shows that nearly half of British 17-year-olds (48 percent; n=7022) feel addicted to social media. Girls reported feeling like this (57 percent) far more than boys (37 percent).

This is not an accident; to work, social media must eat our attention. Social media is designed to keep us scrolling. Whether it is addictive in the clinical sense is up for debate, but what is clear is that people feel a lack of control over their social media use. The effects of this out-of-control use are worrying. The Millennium Cohort Study finds that, amongst 14-year-olds, “greater social media use related to online harassment, poor sleep, low self-esteem and poor body image; in turn these related to higher depressive symptom scores.”1 This... The evidence shows that it’s not just teens who are affected.

In a study of the relationship between social media addiction and body dissatisfaction, it was found that undergraduate women who had more symptoms of social media addiction were more aware of appearance pressure and... With online culture becoming ever-increasingly visual (think Snapchat, TikTok, BeReal, and Instagram) rather than text-based, we are barraged with images and videos of other people and feel the demands to participate by sharing our... Using social media in these image-based ways can be particularly problematic. Learn how social media platforms influence beauty standards and redefine perceptions of attractiveness. As we scroll through our feeds, the images that fill our screens are often mesmerizing. From perfectly sculpted cheekbones to flawless skin, social media platforms like Instagram have transformed our perception of beauty.

But at what cost? The allure of digital beauty culture can be intoxicating, yet it also raises urgent questions about self-acceptance and body image.Today’s world is saturated with curated personas showcasing the latest trends in beauty standards. Filters and edits create an illusion that many find hard to resist but even harder to live up to. This blog will delve into how social media influences our ideas of beauty and the impact it has on individuals across different demographics—especially teens seeking validation in a digitally distorted reality.Let’s explore how these... Are we becoming prisoners of perfection? Or can we forge a path toward authenticity amidst this swirling sea of expectations?

Join us as we navigate the complexities of beauty in the digital age. Filters and editing tools have transformed how we share our images online. With a tap, anyone can enhance their features or change backgrounds. This digital alteration creates an illusion of perfection.As these edited photos flood our feeds, they set unrealistic beauty standards. It's easy to forget that what we see is often a curated version of reality. Many users feel pressure to match these images in their own posts.The impact on self-acceptance is profound.

People may struggle with their natural appearance after constantly comparing themselves to filtered versions of others. This leads to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one's own looks.While filters can be fun, they can also distort our perception of beauty. Embracing authenticity becomes challenging as the line between reality and digital fantasy blurs more each day. Influencers have taken the social media landscape by storm. Platforms like Instagram are now home to countless individuals who shape beauty standards with their curated feeds.These influencers often portray an idealized version of beauty. With perfect lighting, flawless skin, and sculpted bodies, they set a bar that many feel pressured to meet.This constant exposure can distort reality.

Followers might find themselves chasing unattainable looks while grappling with feelings of inadequacy. The comparison game never seems to end.However, not all influencers contribute negatively. Some champion authenticity and body positivity. They share unfiltered moments and advocate for self-love in diverse forms.The impact is complex—a blend of aspiration and anxiety. Social media influence can inspire change but also create unrealistic expectations for millions navigating their own journeys with body image. Scrolling through Instagram, we often find ourselves captivated by perfectly curated profiles.

Those polished images radiate idealized beauty standards that seem just out of reach.This constant comparison can distort our self-perception. We start believing that their flawless skin and trendy outfits define worthiness or desirability. What we forget is the reality behind those snapshots—angles, lighting, filters, and extensive editing all play a part in crafting a seemingly perfect image.These online personas do not represent authentic life experiences. Behind the glamour lies an array of insecurities and challenges like anyone else faces.Yet, this digital beauty culture creates pressure to conform. It pushes many into cycles of dissatisfaction with their own bodies and lives as they chase an unrealistic standard set by someone else's highlight reel. Gen Z social media statistics reveal a dynamic landscape characterised by unprecedented levels of connectivity, creativity, and influence.

As the first generation to grow up entirely... Have you ever scrolled through social media and stumbled upon hateful comments, slurs, or discriminatory language? Unfortunately, this experience is all too common in today's digital... Social media use has become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of individuals using social networking sites and spending a significant amount of... Received: 01-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. JCTT-24-152789; Editor assigned: 02-Aug-2024, Pre QC No.

P-152789; Reviewed: 17-Aug-2024, QC No. Q-152789; Revised: 23-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. R-152789; Published: 31-Aug-2024 , DOI: 10.37421/2471-9323.2024.10.276 Citation: Matthew, Daniel. “The Influence of Social Media on Beauty Standards and Consumer Choices.” J Cosmo Tricho 10 (2024): 276. Copyright: © 2024 Matthew D. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

In recent years, social media has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of communication, interaction, and self-representation. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become integral to everyday life, particularly among younger demographics. As users share their lives in real-time through photos, videos, and stories, they inadvertently contribute to the construction of beauty standards and consumer choices that often prioritize visual appeal. The influence of social media on beauty standards is profound, as it not only dictates what is considered attract ive but also encourages a culture of comparison and aspiration. This phenomenon is underscored by the prevalence of curated images, influencer marketing, and user-generated content that collectively shape societal perceptions of beauty and desirability. The relationship between social media and beauty standards is multifaceted, revealing a complex interplay between representation, identity, and consumer behavior.

With the rise of influencers and beauty gurus, traditional beauty norms have been challenged, expanded, and sometimes reinforced. Social media platforms facilitate the rapid dissemination of beauty trends, often promoting unrealistic ideals that can have significant psychological effects on individuals, particularly young women. The constant exposure to idealized images can lead to a range of issues, including body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and the development of unhealthy beauty practices [1-3]. As users engage with these platforms, they may find themselves in a cycle of comparison that affects their self-worth and influences their purchasing decisions. Moreover, social media has transformed the beauty industry, creating new avenues for brands to connect with consumers. Companies leverage the power of influencers and user-generated content to market products in ways that resonate with audiences, fostering a sense of community and authenticity.

This shift in marketing strategies not only impacts consumer choices but also reflects changing attitudes toward beauty and self-expression. As consumers navigate a landscape saturated with beauty ideals, they must grapple with their own perceptions of beauty, often informed by the curated content they encounter online. Thus, the influence of social media extends beyond mere aesthetics; it plays a crucial role in shaping identity, self-worth, and consumer behavior in contemporary society. The implications of social media's influence on beauty standards and consumer choices are profound, as they raise questions about representation, mental health, and the ethics of marketing. As platforms continue to evolve, understanding the nuances of this relationship becomes increasingly important. This exploration will examine the ways in which social media shapes beauty standards, the impact on consumer choices, and the broader societal implications of these trends.

Social media's role in shaping beauty standards can be attributed to several key factors, including the rise of influencer culture, the prevalence of edited images, and the democratization of beauty representation. Influencers-individuals who have garnered significant followings on social media platforms-have become powerful voices in the beauty industry. They often serve as trendsetters, showcasing products and styles that their followers aspire to replicate. This phenomenon has blurred the lines between celebrity and everyday individuals, as influencers often present themselves as relatable figures, despite their curated appearances. This relatability can create a sense of intimacy, leading followers to emulate their styles and beauty routines, sometimes at the expense of their own self-image. The prevalence of edited and filtered images on social media exacerbates the pressure to conform to idealized beauty standards.

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