The beauty industry is a huge industry, affecting millions of people worldwide. In the US, the beauty market is projected to reach $73 billion by 2025. There are a variety of factors that influence how individuals perceive beauty, including social, cultural, and biological aspects.
Beauty standards have changed over time. People have been under pressure to change their looks to conform to these standards. These standards often take the form of hairstyles, body size, and skin color. It’s important to note that some of these standards are arbitrary and can lead to health risks. However, many people will go to extreme lengths to meet these standards.
Over the past decade, the US beauty industry has seen a surge in consumer spending. Black consumers are a growing group, making up 11.1 percent of the US beauty market. This group is responsible for approximately $6.6 billion of the total beauty market. Although Black Americans are a diverse group, they don’t often see themselves in beauty ads.
Beauty standards are arbitrary and vary greatly from culture to culture. Western society believes that attributes such as clear skin, clean hair, and strong nails are necessary for beauty. While these can be helpful to a person’s appearance, they are also harmful to women. Achieving these standards can lower a woman’s self-esteem and lead to other tangible consequences.
When society judges a person by how they look, it is an automatic process. However, that process is a rudimentary one. Studies have shown that the perception of a person’s attractiveness can change depending on historical, social, and cultural factors.
Women have always been under pressure to meet beauty standards. In the 1990s, the trend was for skinny figures. Other trends included big hair, and skin tone that was pale. Brigitte Bardot was a pin-up girl for a certain generation.
Today, many people still find themselves under pressure to meet beauty standards. Some people choose to undergo drastic measures, such as cosmetic surgery. But, these can be expensive and risky. Another option is to reject beauty as a metric of worth. Having a beauty routine can help, as well. If you find yourself feeling less than attractive, a good posture and smiling can help attract other colleagues and improve your chances of success.
It is important to note that while the definition of beauty varies from person to person, there are universal truths about beautiful people. For example, the eyes should be proportional to the face, and lips should be full. Symmetry is also a key component in determining a person’s attractiveness.
Creating more equitable ecosystems in the beauty industry is not a simple task. Among the key steps to improving equity include better partnerships with Black brands, improved representation in the industry, and better investment in Black-focused products. By addressing these pain points, a major shift could be made in the industry.
Black beauty consumers have a lot to gain from these changes. More research into the Black consumer is needed, as is better partnership with Black brands. Furthermore, increasing the representation of Black people in the industry is long overdue.