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?

Famous Quotes

Meaning is not what you start with but what you end up with.

Peter Elbow

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

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.

So many things are wrong with this article.

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 :)

I'm not Asian, nor do I know much about the different cultures within them, but I feel that this article would be offensive. I highly doubt that every "oriental" (what ever that means) have to same beauty standard and procedures done on themselves.

And, excuse me, but eyelid surgery for a person of Asian descent is NOT always about trying to achieve Caucasian eyes. Maybe that reason speaks to SOME people, but it is very much not the only or primary reason. As much as I want to give you the benefit of the doubt and not blame you for your ignorance, I can't help wondering how you were brought up to think. There seems to be a few possibilities. You either did terrible research and the information in this article are taken from other awfully written articles, or you've internalized these racist perceptions from mainstream American culture.

Recently read an article that says there are still chinese people who practice foot binding for small feet.

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.

Chill. Lol

"Are you shocked? Would you do any of these things?" are the questions Eliza ends her illiterate article with. Yes, I am quite shocked Eliza. I am shock at your incompetence to write a decent article without slandering and generalizing Asian cultures. Do you even know how many different countries make up Asia? Do you even know how many different cultures make up what you call "Oriental circles"? I am shocked at you and the things you were able to type down and share to the world. Would I do any of these things? No, I wouldn't generalize about another person's culture nor would I belittle a person's culture through little sarcastic remarks.

I thought the word "oriental" was racist!

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