7 Shocking Oriental Beauty Ideals You Would Not Believe ...

Oriental culture is fascinating, don’t you think? The architecture and way of life is interesting and the food is to die for. As with any culture, the people who live in Oriental regions have their own set of beauty ideals that may differ greatly from other parts of the world. While we might not understand them, the Oriental population have some shocking beauty ideals that you might not believe. Who are we to judge though? Here are some that you might understand and others that are probably going to blow your mind.

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Face Shrinking

The Japanese people have invented a sauna mask that is designed to shrink the wearer’s face. It works by covering the face, except for the eyes and ears. The idea is that the heat from the mask induces heavy sweating and reduces the size of the face. The results are likely temporary, but could give you the slim face you want for a special occasion.

Teeth Molds

You’d think everyone would want straight, white teeth, right? Not so in some Oriental circles. In fact, some people wear a mold that gives them the appearance of having a snaggletooth. Beauty definitely changes from place to place, doesn’t it? The molds snap onto your real teeth and can change up your look when you want them to.

Double Eyelid

Did you even know such a thing existed? The Caucasian eyelids are apparently a coveted thing in some Oriental cultures. I’m not sure why because I think Asian girls are gorgeous. But, for those that want the double eyelid look comes the eyelid trainer device. It’s worn like a pair of eyeglasses and it is supposed to train your eyelids to get bigger every time you blink.

Young Looking Cheeks

We all want to look young and fresh and the Oriental women are no exception. In fact, many of them use anti-aging cheek stretchers. They are worn for about 15 minutes per day and are supposed to eliminate wrinkles and keep the cheeks looking line free. The stretchers are reusable and machine washable.

High Nose

Many Oriental women want a nose that sits higher on their face. I guess I don’t understand the need to change your nose because I have never seen one that was so awful that it should be different. However, for women who want to lift their nose is the handy High Nose Beauty Lift device. It’s worn on the face and is supposed to reshape the nose so it looks perky and high. Would you try it?

Bagel Head

Who doesn’t love a bagel, right? The Oriental love them so much that having a bagel shape on the forehead is a growing beauty trend. It’s achieved by having saline injections in the forehead to create the bagel shape. The look is about extreme body modification, which is popular in some Oriental cultures. The look is temporary and will fade after several hours.

Long Legs

Long legs as a beauty ideal aren’t shocking, but the lengths that many people will go to to get them is. In China, some people have undergone leg lengthening surgeries where metal rods are placed in their legs so they appear taller. Height is a beauty ideal that many cultures understand, but using such drastic measures to get there is shocking to some people.

Are you shocked? Would you do any of these things?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I love all your articles! This may offend some people but don't fret over that simple error of the title. Being politically correct all of the time is simply impossible and, in my own opinion, quite crazy.

I read and re-read this article more closely several with the intention and hope of finding some bit of politeness from the blogger, but I only felt more uncomfortable each time. There are seriously some racist snarky critiques in this article, and here are just some that I'm going to list: 1. "You’d think everyone would want straight, white teeth, right? Not so in some Oriental circles." -- What the fuck is 'Oriental circles'? How rude. 2. "Double Eyelid. Did you even know such a thing existed? The Caucasian eyelids are apparently a coveted thing in some Oriental cultures. I’m not sure why because I think Asian girls are gorgeous." -- Okay, this one is just a big fat mess. This is like saying, "OMG I LOVE your hair!" to an African American person or "OMG your Asian eyes are so cute!" 3. "Who doesn’t love a bagel, right? The Oriental love them so much that having a bagel shape on the forehead is a growing beauty trend." Sarcasm? Really? This writer is bad-mannered. The shit in this article should be added to the list of "The Things White People Say".

This was really weird for me to read as an Asian

I feel that this article is not accurate and tries to generalize. Please keep in mind every culture has a few outliers.

Ok- I thought about it overnight and read a few articles. I think the main reason why people are complaining is that the term oriental is Eurocentric and highly alienating for an Asian American like me. The word itself casts "orientals" as foreigners, exotic and bizarre... The article's wording also enforces this. People also may feel it generalizes "orientals" as a whole rather than a set of races with different beliefs and culture. (Again, that the culture is somehow odd or bizarre just because it is different from American and European cultures.) I understand that the author meant no harm, and I don't blame them. I'm just explaining why it may have felt a little offending or insensitive to readers. Hope this helps. P.S. neecey- with all due respect, people are upset for specific reasons. maybe we should try to understand each other and why we feel this way rather than brushing it off.

Those people doing these are minority. 😑

I agree with Andi, "oriental" culture doesn't actually mean anything. I thought it was actually an article on traditions on the Middle East! You probably do mean well but a course on post colonial discourse is much needed here :)

Oriental is not an antonym to Westerner. The term 'oriental' was designed during a time period when Asians were seen as subordinate. It's a derogatory term that was used to label and fetishize people of Asian descent. The term 'Oriental' is not synonymous to 'Asian' or 'Asian American', much akin to the term 'nigger' being an inappropriate term to use in place of 'African American'. Both 'Oriental' and 'Nigger' are Eurocentric terms, and it is exactly that fact that makes those terms inappropriate to use. People are offended, and instead of being defensive, you should reflect on your ignorance. If you know anything about the history of Asians in America, or the history of America and this country's treatment to non-white ethnicities, you would be well aware of what is offensive and what isn't. Your response and several others' on here is quite shocking and disappointing. "Stop getting upset over non-issues"? I think you need to take an Ethnic Studies course and open up your mind to these REAL matters about race and relations in America.

Interesting article. Just a thought about the opening line though. There are thousands of oriental cultures so saying "the oriental culture" is a little... off putting. I know you do use the plural form later in the piece but that opening threw me. Each Asian culture is very different from the next. If I was, for example, Thai, I think it would make me uncomfortable to be told I'm no different from Japanese, North Vietnamese, or Indian. I love your articles Eliza, and it seems you're a very kind and open minded person. This phrase could have been worded a bit better, that's all.

Why would people want to go to such extremes to change their bodies. Embrace what you have and love yourself

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