History of Beauty
There
is evidence that a preference for beautiful faces emerges early in child
development, and that the standards of attractiveness are similar across
different genders and cultures. Symmetry is also important because it suggests
the absence of genetic or acquired defects[citation needed.
Although
style and fashion vary widely, cross-cultural research has found a variety of
commonalities in people's perception of beauty. The earliest Western theory of
beauty can be found in the works of early Greek philosophers from the
pre-Socratic period, such as Pythagoras. The Pythagorean school saw a strong
connection between mathematics and beauty. In particular, they noted that
objects proportioned according to the golden ratio seemed more attractive[citation
needed]. Ancient Greek architecture is based on this view of symmetry and
proportion.
Classical philosophy and sculptures of men and women
produced according to these[which?] philosophers' tenets of ideal human beauty
were rediscovered in Renaissance Europe, leading to a re-adoption of what
became known as a "classical ideal". In terms of female human beauty,
a woman whose appearance conforms to these tenets is still called a
"classical beauty" or said to possess a "classical beauty",
whilst the foundations laid by Greek and Roman artists have also supplied the
standard for male beauty in western civilization[citation needed].
Human beauty
Main article: Physical attractiveness
The
characterization of a person as “beautiful”, whether on an individual basis or
by community consensus, is often based on some combination of Inner Beauty,
which includes psychological factors such as personality, intelligence, grace,
politeness, charisma, integrity, congruence and elegance, and Outer Beauty,
(i.e. physical attractiveness) which includes physical factors, such as health,
youthfulness, facial symmetry, averageness, and complexion.
Standards
of beauty are always evolving, based on what a culture considers valuable.
Historical paintings show a wide range of different standards for beauty.
However, humans who are relatively young, with smooth skin, well-proportioned
bodies, and regular features, have traditionally been considered to be the most
beautiful throughout history.
A
strong indicator of physical beauty is "averageness", or
"koinophilia". When images of human faces are averaged together to
form a composite image, they become progressively closer to the
"ideal" image and are perceived as more attractive. This was first
noticed in 1883, when Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin, overlaid
photographic composite images of the faces of vegetarians and criminals to see
if there was a typical facial appearance for each. When doing this, he noticed
that the composite images were more attractive compared to any of the
individual images.
Researchers
have replicated the result under more controlled conditions and found that the
computer generated, mathematical average of a series of faces is rated more
favorably than individual faces. Evolutionarily it makes logical sense that
sexual creatures should be attracted to mates who possess predominantly common
or average features.
A
feature of beautiful women that has been explored by researchers is a
waist-to-hip ratio of approximately 0.70. Physiologists have shown that women
with hourglass figures are more fertile than other women due to higher levels
of certain female hormones, a fact that may subconsciously condition males
choosing mates.
People
are influenced by the images they see in the media to determine what is or is
not beautiful. Feminists and doctors have suggested that the very thin models
featured in magazines promote eating disorders, and others have argued that the
predominance of white women featured in movies and advertising leads to a Eurocentric
concept of beauty, feelings of inferiority in women of color, and internalized
racism.
The
black is beautiful cultural movement sought to dispel this notion. Mixed race
children are often perceived to be more attractive than their parents because
their genetic diversity protects them from the inherited errors of their
individual parents.
The concept of beauty in men is known as 'bishōnen' in
Japan. Bishōnen refers to males with distinctly feminine features, physical
characteristics establishing the standard of beauty in Japan and typically
exhibited in their pop culture idols.
Effects on society
Beauty
presents a standard of comparison, and it can cause resentment and
dissatisfaction when not achieved. People who do not fit the "beauty
ideal" may be ostracized within their communities. The television sitcom
Ugly Betty portrays the life of a girl faced with hardships due to society's
unwelcoming attitudes toward those they deem unattractive. However, a person
may also be targeted for harassment because of their beauty. In Malèna, a
strikingly beautiful Italian woman is forced into poverty by the women of the
community who refuse to give her work for fear that she may "woo"
their husbands.
Chinese
Jade ornament with flower design, Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 AD), Shanghai Museum.
Researchers
have found that good looking students get higher grades from their teachers
than students with an ordinary appearance. Furthermore, attractive patients
receive more personalized care from their doctors.[citation needed] Studies
have even shown that handsome criminals receive lighter sentences than less
attractive convicts.[citation needed] Studies among teens and young adults,
such as those of psychiatrist and self-help author, Eva Ritvo, show that skin
conditions have a profound effect on social behavior and opportunity.
How
much money a person earns may also be influenced by physical beauty. One study
found that people low in physical attractiveness earn 5 to 10 percent less than
ordinary looking people, who in turn earn 3 to 8 percent less than those who
are considered good looking. Discrimination against others based on their
appearance is known as lookism.[citation needed]
St.
Augustine said of beauty "Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that
the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the
wicked."
A
Natural Way To Exfoliate
Sea
salt removes dry, flaky, dead skin.
Wet
face (or anywhere on the body), apply a couple of tablespoons of sea salt, then
GENTLY massagewith a wet washcloth or fingers. Focus on the T-zone and cheeks,
but avoid the eye area.
After
one or two minutes, rinse with cold water to tighten the pores. It is important
to do this regularly, or face-creams will not penetrate.
You
can do this maximum once per week.
Fruity
Lip Gloss
2
Tbls solid shortening
1
Tbls fruit-flavored powdered drink mix
35
mm film container
Mix
shortening & drink mix together in a microwave safe bowl till smooth!
Place
in microwave on high for 30 seconds until mix becomes a liquid!
Pour
into clean film container, or any other small airtight container!
Place
mix into fridge for 20-30 minutes or till firm!
Dark
Circles Under Eyes...
To
lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth
and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes.
Wipe
off the residue and apply an eye cream.
Home
made Facial Mask
Face
mask for dry skin
1.
Take 1 tbsp olive oil and mix with 2 tbsp of fresh cream, leave it on the face
for 10 minutes and then wash your face with warm water.
2.
Mix 1 tbsp of honey with 15 drops of orange juice and 1 tbsp of fuller’s earth
and add 1 tbsp of rose water. Mix well and apply on the face, wash off after 10
miuntes.
Face
mask for oily skin
1.
Mix a tbsp of honey with 1 egg white and apply thickly on the face and neck.
Leave for 10 minutes and wash off.
2.
Mix 2 tbsp of papaya pulp with 10 drops of lemon juice and leave it for 20
minutes and then rinse well.
3.
Take fresh juice of any of the fruits (orange, sweet lime, watermelon or
papaya) and apply on the face as a mask. This is very relaxing, it cleanses the
skin, closes pores and stimulates blood circulation.
Carrot
Facial Mask
Ingredients
Needed:
2-3
large carrots
4
1/2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Cook
carrots, then mash. Mix with honey. Apply gently to the skin, wait 10 minutes.
Rinse off with cool water.
Glowing
Facial Mask
You
will love your radiant skin after using this recipe...
All
you need is:
1
tbsp fuller's earth
1
tbsp honey
Mix
and put on face for 20 minutes then rinse off.
Honey
Facial Mask
Perhaps
the best facial mask is honey.
Place
a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores. Smear on honey,
and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Rinse
off with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.
Use
once a week.
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