Evolution of the “Ideal” Woman

The “ideal” face and body of a woman is often presented to us as we scroll through social media. Looking through social media, no matter the look or appearance of a woman, someone will always have something to say about it. The evolution of the ideal woman has changed over time with the help of many influences. Technology specifically has helped make this change, as  access to the media is now instant. In many ways, beauty standards have changed through generations due to the ever-changing nature of our culture. Considering Gen Z, there have been current trends that have evolved, but many have also stayed the same. Specifically focusing on the ideal woman’s body type, it has evolved according to societal standards due to digital media. 

How has the definition of beauty changed over the years? It is very important to remember that beauty standards are ever-changing. The ideal body type has changed drastically over the past century. Throughout history, there has been a point in time where just about every body type has been considered to be ideal. Especially in the 1950s, society decided the place, look and feel of a woman. Women were expected to have perfect hair, makeup and clothes –– especially if they were accompanying a man or at work. Working at the time was still uncommon for women, so looking professional was of the utmost importance. Matching outfits and accessories were all the rage, especially when it came to gloves, hats and skirts. Pearl jewelry symbolized a classy woman. Being elegant and put together was necessary in order to be taken seriously. The trend of flawless glass skin was very popular, as a blemish was not acceptable in society. Being “perfect” was the only way to fit the image of an ideal woman. Women needed a sophisticated look, or they would be passed over for the job. While the physical appearance of women was important, their inner beauty was overlooked. During this time, a woman was less about her brain and more about her body. 

Growing up in the 1980s, women began to feel more powerful in deciding what beauty was to them. However, there were still many influences from society, such as the rise of television stars. Women were trying to balance feeling confident and bold on the inside while also presenting that outwardly. The comparison of women took off as the media started to recognize women for both inner and outer beauty as well as skill and intelligence. Television played a critical role in the media in the 1980s, shows like “Charlie's Angels” contributed to the media's perception of women's beauty in television and the changing standards. “Charlie’s Angels” was hugely popular for both men and women. The show showcased the different types of beauty among women. One woman was the star of the show with a tight outfit and heavy makeup. Another woman was known to be “medium” pretty and averagely smart, and one woman was known to be smart with sharp skills. At the time, it was almost as if producers didn’t want to have all positive characteristics in one woman, so they made three characters to portray both beauty and brains. The most important thing people remembered about the show was Farah Fawcett’s iconic hairstyle. This trend lasted for many years and still is known as the iconic ‘80s blowout today. 

TV shows weren’t the only media that women viewed at the time. Many women also looked at celebrities and models for beauty advice, as they were on the front pages of magazines and newspapers. Brooke Shields, an American stress and model, was very influential –– especially in terms of her height. Shields was tall and took risks wearing different hairstyles and clothing, all while her stature made her seem powerful. Many people saw her for a different kind of beauty based on how tall she was compared to other models. It was refreshing to see a powerful woman stand alone and tower over men. Shields became a trend and an inspiration to many women as they quickly began to mimic her bold outfits and extravagant hair. The onset of voluminous, curly locks on both men and women became popular in the late ‘80s. The bigger the hair, the more glamorous you were considered. Hair wasn’t the only thing that was trending; bright and bold colors in fashion and beauty made a statement. High rise workout attire with many patterns and, of course, leg warmers were a huge trend. Neon colors were not only shown in clothing, but also in makeup. Blue eyeliner and mascara were a pop of color and spice to add to your normal makeup routine. 

In the present day, beauty standards and the evolution of the ideal woman have been heavily influenced by social media. Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are all platforms used to showcase one’s beauty, but they are not always used for good. Comparison has always played a part in society, but with the use of social media, many young women have become reliant on social media to stay up to date and see how many likes they have gained on posts of themselves. Social media places a heavy emphasis on having the ideal look or body type, which makes us wonder: are we going backward or forward in time? In this generation, women are respected for their inner beauty as much as their outer beauty. Women are more admired today for the right reasons, such as the beauty of their brains, and not just their outward appearance. Some trends that have taken off in the few short months of 2023 have been the comeback of glass skin, chrome nails, ice rolling, claw clip hairstyle, the “butterfly” haircut, laser hair removal and the “no makeup” makeup look. While these trends are great to add style or color to your appearance, it does not define how beautiful a woman is. Female body types have also evolved throughout time. In this generation, the need to be the perfect slim figure is no longer relevant. Many brands have become more inclusive in women’s body shapes and sizes. Other companies, on the other hand, have continued to advertise the “one size fits all” motto, which is not always true. Trends tend to change rapidly, especially as new media platforms continue to grow. 

While many trends have differed over the years, some have also stayed the same. Trends such as statement outfits or pops of neon color have evolved, yet are still well-loved today. Whether it be in clothing, makeup or jewelry, having a bright pop of color can complete any look. The makeup trend of clean beauty has also remained relevant yet has evolved with the times. In the 1950s, glass skin was known to be perfect, but today the term “no makeup, makeup look” means almost the same thing. The use of makeup to perfect young women’s skin to hide any imperfections is still looked at as part of today’s “normal” routine. Blue eyeliner is also still a trend that has evolved over the years. Blue mascara has not been a fan favorite, but blue eyeliner has continued to be a statement piece that goes with any makeup look. Whether the blue is subtle or bold, a pop of blue can always be seen around town. 

The future of beauty will never stop evolving. Some say that the media will never stop  increasing the rise of trends, and influence of the ideal woman. Advertisements, influencers and financial incomes have a large impact on beauty trends and decisions. The beauty industry itself is worth much more than many realize. This begs the question: who sets product trends, and who sets the standard of beauty? Women are raised to live up to unrealistic standards put upon them by society. It is hard to live up to a look that is unrealistic or unobtainable, especially at a young age. Technology and social media play a powerful role in defining beauty. A phone allows women to see themselves 24/7 in digital media. Technology allows women to gain greater control of their image, including filters and editing to create a fake appearance. The perception of beauty and the ideal woman is guided by cultural influencers as well as people in everyday life. Hopefully, in the future, the idealization of women will come to an end. All women are beautiful regardless of whether you look like the models and celebrities shown in the media. Being different is beautiful.