Beauty standards dictate physical appearance, from hair/ makeup to clothes and body size. The standards are evolving as is the consciousness of the industry …

a woman looking at a dirty mirror
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A More Inclusive Industry

While beauty standards have become far more inclusive than in the past, the consciousness behind the beauty brands seems to be stepping up its game alongside.

The Beauty Industry has had a tight hold on what the definition of beauty is. Unfortunately, many of us in the past have associated these standards with our worth.

Asymmetrical face? Plastic surgery.

Hair too flat? Get a body perm. Not long enough? Extensions, girl!

Want High Cheek Bones? Create the appearance with highlight and contour.

Smooth Skin, tan legs, long lashes… do this, buy that, get this.

And before you know it, these standards change. Think about styles and fads from the 1930’s up until now. We’ve seen so many trends come and go.

woman holding a mirror
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The Rise of Consciousness in Beauty

As we expand our consciousness, we realize there is no set bar to achieve true beauty. It’s exhausting to ‘keep up’ with the ever-changing rules of society.

The majority has begun to rewrite the script.

Isn’t beauty supposed to be about you? Not just the way you look on the outside, but the way you feel on the inside, too.

We don’t want to feel beautiful for the only time frame of a trend, maybe 3-5 years. Everyone wants, but they also deserve, to feel good in their own skin.

Over past years, the majority of the beauty industry’s message to the collective has been redesigned to include everyone, regardless of shape, size, race or physical features or abilities. Finally, a message we can stand behind.

Ethics Rule, Your Beauty Standards Drool

It’s exciting to watch the narrative of the beauty industry’s message change. Companies are no longer advertising only one body type, one age range, or a skewed vision of beauty.

An industry that frequently brought about conversations of eating disorders, addictions, poor mental health, low self esteem and body image issues is catering to us all now.

woman wearing gold accessories
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Environmental Standard of Beauty

Additionally, companies in the industry are revisiting their values and motives of their foundation. Not only is the collective rewriting the narrative of the standard of beauty, we are ensuring consumers have full transparency of products and its effects on the environment.

Beauty production has contributed to our overflowing landfills and increased use of non renewable resources or chemical toxins leading to hazardous health issues long term (Read ‘The Cost of Beauty‘ to learn more). According to the Green Business Bureau, the beauty industry generates up to 120 billion units of plastics packaging per year contributing to the loss of 18 million acres of forest annually.

The Power of Accountability

The only way to continue positive societal and environmental changes in the Beauty Industry (any industry for that matter) is to hold companies accountable.

What changes do you wish to see in the industry? Support companies that exemplify this. Don’t feed into bull shit standards. Many companies say they want to make their valued customers feel good and help out the community. And their every move needs to reflect that.

No false advertising. Reduce the number of toxic chemicals harmful to us. No animal testing. Are they doing their part to help the environment? Or are they part of our overflowing landfill problem? Still using single use plastics? It’s time to get it together, ya’ll. The conscious consumer has developed and new set of standards.

No more companies to half ass their way to high profit margins at the expense of the collective.

Beauty Standards That Connect Us

The standards of beauty were once a dividing factor for us as a collective. Judging others based on what society thought was acceptable or cool.

Thanks to the changing narrative, we are continuously changing the industry to meet the needs of our environment and with our intentions. Our differences are being represented in ads and marketing campaigns. And we are meeting each other on deeper levels.

smiling black visagiste applying makeup on model in studio
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Beauty is acceptance of yourself and others. It’s building each other up, being selfless and supportive.

The collective is setting a new standard of beauty. One that is filled with intention, acceptance, and depth. One that is supportive and selfless when it comes to society and our environment.

What are some things you think need to evolve in the beauty industry? Comment below, or reach out on IG!