Changes in Beauty

The 21st century has redefined the definition of physical beauty, particularly for women. The digital media's main focus for women is external beauty. The fashion, cosmetics, diet, and plastic surgery industries have thrived by using the digital media as a pathway to foster preoccupations with physical appearance in young women. New definitions of human physical beauty have been constructed in terms of outward appearance and sexual attractiveness that are much different from the past. In Beauty In History, Arthur Marwick describes human physical beauty as: "The beautiful are those who are immediately exciting to almost all the opposite sex.” The average type of beauty is no longer being appreciated, and people are not considering internal beauty or other traits, like intelligence or unique talents. These are interesting changes spurred by the digital media's prevalence in today's society. To understand the dramatic changes of the beauty perceptions, we must examine the history of beauty before the introduction and dissemination of digital media. Back in 1910s, the “Gibson Girl” was considered to be the ideal of femininity. Femininity was in considered to be childlike, almost virginal. By the second decade of the 20th century, fashion placed more important on 'natural endowment' and feminine elements than in any preceding centuries. Cosmetics were worn to conceal natural flaws accentuate assets. Skirts became shorter to flatter the legs and waistlines were lowered flatter the hips. Flatteners were worn to minimize disproportional bust sizes. 1930s fashion favored tall women with wide shoulders and narrow hips. Hemlines dropped and waistlines returned to their previous position. The 1950s invented the new and separated teenage style comprised of tight sweaters, pointed bras, and circle skirts. There was a new emphasis on conformity, flaw concealment, and self-presentation, particularly for Black women, as they were encourage to look like White women by