Beauty is a multifaceted concept that offers perceptual experiences to the aesthetic faculty, the moral sense and the human intellect. The standards for beauty vary widely from one society to another and are often influenced by social, political, economic and cultural factors.
For instance, the sex standard for beauty may differ from country to country. In a society where capitalism reigns, ideal appearance may be dictated by social status. Interestingly, the concept of feminine beauty entered a new era with the 15th century Italian Renaissance.
Nevertheless, the concept of beauty remains a highly subjective matter. It varies greatly by society, age, gender and race. Some people believe that physical features are the most important determinants of beauty. While other people feel that beauty is an inner characteristic that can move beyond society’s expectations.
During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci began to paint many different types of faces. He aimed to create a style that resembled the Greek ideal of beauty. His paintings convey a maternal tenderness and mystery.
The ideal face of the time was a symmetrical design that exhibited a high, rounded forehead and smooth, round chin. The lips were full and slightly larger than the upper lip.
According to the ancient Greeks, the mouth was reddish. Antoine Mengs, an art teacher, studied facial proportions. He created a formula that determined the ideal size of the eyes and the distance from the tip of the nose to the lips.
A similar formula was used to determine the ideal length of the face. This is called the golden ratio. Ideal face length is about one and a half times the width of the face.
At the same time, some Victorians were concerned about the harmful effects of lead in their cosmetics. They inherited the myth of the beauty goddess Aphrodite and sought to enhance their beauty with cosmetics.
Several upper class women would smear wax over their wrinkled skin to create an attractive appearance. Cosmetics were also sold at fairs and at home. These products were mainly profitable to the elite and those with capital.
The most important beauty criteria is the symmetry of the face. This can be seen in the way a woman’s eyebrows mimic Queen Elizabeth I’s.
Other aspects of beauty include the colour of a person’s hair and body. Throughout history, the Kayapo people of the Amazon used various hairstyles to differentiate themselves from their peers.
Another feature is a healthy-is-beautiful campaign that started two decades ago. It argues that the best looking person is someone who is well-groomed and healthy.
Another multi-faceted idea for the definition of beauty is the golden ratio. Among other things, this indicates the perfect length of a woman’s face.
Although there are several ways to define beauty, the most appropriate for this article is a combination of elements. By incorporating both the best of the past and the best of the present, the concept of beauty is expanded to offer a more comprehensive definition.