Retrospective Lily

Most would argue that beauty is all in the eye of the beholder; everyone is beautiful to someone! That’s probably true, for the most part.

A few seemingly objective markers of conventional attractiveness include a symmetrical face, clear skin, and a “healthy-looking” body.

But lots of people without these features have no problem getting attention.

Most beauty standards are informed by trends.

Even bodies are judged by what’s hot and what’s not. Remember how androgynous women with boyish haircuts were prized during the roaring 1920’s?

A few years ago, the “slim-thick” shape was ideal (large chest and butt, small waist). In the 2020’s, the pendulum has swung back towards the old saying “thin is in.” So much for body positivity, huh? Thankfully, plenty of curvy women still unapologetically live their best lives!

Trends also dictate the clothes we wear, how we style our hair, how we apply makeup, etc.

I’ve noticed most female social media influencers have the same hairstyle: long, loose waves with a near-center part. I wonder if drastic side parts will be popular by Dec. 2033?

Subtle, “clean” makeup is stylish right now. It’s quite a contrast from the early 2010’s, when beauty YouTubers uploaded tours of incredibly-excessive makeup rooms, and we ladies painted on our faces. The focus has shifted from hiding our imperfections to warding them off – in other words, the skincare industry is surely as big as the makeup industry at this point.

And let’s not even talk the fashion industry! Thanks to “microtrends,” fast fashion companies are producing even more, and consumers are wasting even more. RIP planet Earth.

Anyone who’s been around a few decades will tell you it’s all cyclical; trends always come back. What is now passe will be considered attractive again, eventually.

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Yes, but the beholder in question has a biased opinion, depending on when and where he lives.

Achieving beauty is difficult because the target is always moving. And one must balance the trends vs. personal style and comfort level. For instance, most of us cannot change our body type at will. Some ladies will never give up their not-so-popular, loud shades of lipstick. And I, for one, will not be purchasing a pair of super low-rise jeans, even if they are back from the Y2K era to haunt us.

But, really, a person feeling comfortable in their own skin – confidence – is a beautiful thing.

One of the best parts of aging for me has been growing in my self-assurance. Even if I am older and therefore have a couple more wrinkles, I feel better about myself than ever. I know my worth; I know I am beautiful.

Fun fact: people who smile a lot are perceived as more attractive.

In spite of every other facet of our appearance…happiness is hot!

What’s a trend from your heyday?