This Photoshop Experiment Examines Global Beauty Standards
Vasiliki Marapas — September 12, 2014 — Pop Culture
References: huffingtonpost & refinery29
Journalist Priscilla Yuki Wilson decided to conduct a follow-up to the Photoshop experiment Esther Honig carried out earlier this year. Curious to see how beauty standards differed across geographic locations, Honig asked retouchers from all over the globe to Photoshop her face to better reflect their countries' overall standard of attractiveness. The submissions varied enormously, from different hair and colors, to excessive, over-the-top makeup and extensions.
Wilson essentially carried out the exact same experiment, save for one crucial difference: Wilson is biracial, Honig is not. Wilson was interested to see how she -- being of Japanese and Black descent -- would be received by these countries.
The submissions, like Honig's, were enormously varied; however, as Wilson notes herself, Honig's face was considered more of a "blank canvas," that the retouchers could add to. In contrast, many of the submissions Wilson collected involved altering her physical features, from face shape to skin color. She explains, "I found that my face actually challenged the application of [Photoshop] in this instance. As a biracial [woman] there is no standard of beauty or mold that can easily fit my face."
Wilson essentially carried out the exact same experiment, save for one crucial difference: Wilson is biracial, Honig is not. Wilson was interested to see how she -- being of Japanese and Black descent -- would be received by these countries.
The submissions, like Honig's, were enormously varied; however, as Wilson notes herself, Honig's face was considered more of a "blank canvas," that the retouchers could add to. In contrast, many of the submissions Wilson collected involved altering her physical features, from face shape to skin color. She explains, "I found that my face actually challenged the application of [Photoshop] in this instance. As a biracial [woman] there is no standard of beauty or mold that can easily fit my face."
Trend Themes
1. Diverse Beauty Standards - The Photoshop experiments highlight the varying beauty standards across different countries and cultures, creating opportunities for the beauty and fashion industry to cater to a more diverse audience.
2. Challenging Photoshop's Limitations - The biracial Photoshop experiment reveals the limitations of the software in representing individuals with unique and diverse physical features, inspiring innovation in digital editing technologies.
3. Celebrating Individuality - The experiments emphasize the need to celebrate and embrace individuality instead of conforming to a single standard of beauty, opening up opportunities for the self-care and wellness industry to promote self-acceptance and diversity.
Industry Implications
1. Beauty and Fashion - The beauty and fashion industry can explore diverse beauty standards and adapt their products and marketing strategies to cater to a global audience with unique preferences.
2. Digital Editing Technologies - The digital editing industry can develop new technologies that better accommodate diverse physical features and offer more realistic representation in digital media.
3. Self-care and Wellness - The self-care and wellness industry can promote self-acceptance, diversity, and individuality as a core message, providing products and services that empower individuals to embrace their unique beauty.
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