beauty standards

A set of dark brown fingers is cradled by a pair of light brown hands; the hands are painting the nails on the figure, the sharp nails being coated in a chrome-like red, appearing revitalized as yellow sparkles shine around it. An orange ring lies down the middle fingers, while the background blends into a hazy cloud of blues and purples.

The History of Nail Art: From Past Traditions to Future Innovations

Allegra Walker, University at Albany - SUNY

How has the culture and beauty standards surrounding nail art shifted and developed from 3000 B.C. to the modern day?…

March 20, 2024

The heads of three women with dark skin float against a yellow void. Most of them are disconnected from their bodies, free floating -- except for one whose hand holds a sparkling orange drink -- against an ethereal rainbow glow with transcendent looks on their faces, creating a sublime effect.

The Soft Girl Era & it’s Popularity Amongst Black Women

Allegra Walker, University at Albany - SUNY

The Soft Girl era is not just a trend about aesthetics or fashion — it's a movement of empowerment and self-affirmation for Black women.…

March 9, 2024

Jockstraps and Muscles are for the Girls Now, Actually

Archie Wagner, University of Iowa

“Love Lies Bleeding” promotional materials subvert gender expectations with female stars performing masculinity.…

March 7, 2024

In an article about body neutrality, three multicolored silhouettes stand against a beige background.

Why You Should Consider Body Neutrality

Katherine Hollis, New York University

This emerging movement emphasizes a holistic understanding of the self.…

October 11, 2023

In this article about growing old, a woman in a green dress with signs of aging on her skin sits behind a table.

Aging: A Curse or a Miracle?

Isabelle Brookshire, Whittier College

The pursuit of physical beauty does not define one's worth or the essence of who they are.…

August 11, 2023

In article about plastic surgery, illustration of woman with dotted lines dividing her face on a pink background

Celebrities Must Be Transparent About Plastic Surgery

Kylie Clifton, Loyola Marymount University

The line between false appearances and real beauty has never been more blurred.…

October 1, 2022

In an article about clean girl makeup, an illustration of a girl with the look.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How To Master Clean Girl Makeup

Saba Bazzi, Wayne State University

How to achieve makeup that looks and feels fresh, effortless and refined.…

July 24, 2022

Bella Hadid’s Teenage Plastic Surgery Reveals Society’s Obsession With Obtaining the ‘Perfect’ Nose

Lena Bramsen, The New School

After disclosing she had a nose job at the young age of 14, the famous model is now kindling discourse about Eurocentric beauty standards on the internet.…

April 15, 2022

An article about Y2K fashion returning potentially being harmful.

The Return of Y2K Fashion Doesn’t Mean the Departure of Body Positivity

Elizabeth Dewit, University of Pittsburgh

As popular trends from the late '90s and early 2000s resurface, many rejoice over the nostalgia of the fun clothing styles. But some are concerned about the toxic beauty standards that came with them.…

July 4, 2021

Webtoon ‘True Beauty’ Reveals the Dark Side of Society’s Beauty Standards

Sammi Looi, Baruch College

Despite the digital cartoon's setting of South Korea, its lessons for eschewing superficiality apply across the globe.…

January 28, 2021

Lee Su-hyun’s Debut Solo Track “Alien” Highlights the Beauty of Being Different

On ‘ALIEN,’ Lee Su-hyun Highlights the Beauty of Being Different

Sammi Looi, Baruch College

One half of the brother-sister duo AKMU, the musician is spreading a message of positivity with her debut single.…

November 10, 2020

in an article about pretty privilege, a photo of makeup brushes in front of a makeup mirror

Why Are People Talking About Pretty Privilege?

Imani Benberry, Columbia University

Oftentimes fitting conventional, beauty standards gets you more opportunities in life. Here’s how this concept affects young adult women.…

September 27, 2020

in an article about radical self acceptance, a person standing on a scale

Why It’s Time to Shift From Body Positivity to Radical Self-Acceptance

McKenna Uzelac, Columbia University

The body positivity movement still maintains that beauty is important, but this new movement inspires self-love regardless of physical appearance.…

September 26, 2020

Illustration of a woman with light skin in an article about the skin lightening cream, Fair & Lovely

Fair and Lovely Skin Whitening Cream Is Perpetuating Colorism

Farah Javed, CUNY Baruch College

The skin whitening cream perpetuates the notion that lighter skin is better than darker skin.…

July 29, 2020

in article about working out when you have disordered behaviors, photo of person silhouetted against sunset

Setting Realistic Workout Goals That Won’t Lead to Disordered Behaviors

Audrey Martin, Boston University

Setting exercise goals is great for getting in shape and improving athletic ability — but when taken too far, these innocent attempts to tone up can turn into unhealthy obsessions.…

July 14, 2020