The Painful History of Beauty

Throughout history, women have endured painful, dangerous, and even deadly sacrifices in the name of beauty.

Corsets – Beauty That Took Their Breath Away
In the 19th century, corsets became a fashion must-have and a symbol of elegance. Women willingly wore them to achieve the coveted "wasp waist."

However, the tight lacing severely deformed bones and internal organs. Many women suffered from constant shortness of breath, fainting, and even necrosis due to lack of circulation. Doctors only later realized that corsets contributed to serious health issues and premature deaths.

Lotus Feet – The Most Painful Beauty Standard
One of the most horrific beauty traditions lasted in China until 1939.

Girls as young as four years old had their toes (except for the big toe) tightly bound to the sole of their feet with strips of cloth. The smaller the foot, the more "beautiful" a woman was considered.

Over the years, repeated bone fractures and deformities left women unable to walk without assistance. This practice led to chronic infections, circulatory issues, and sometimes even fatal blood poisoning.

Arsenic – Poison for the Sake of Beauty
To achieve bright, sparkling eyes and pale, aristocratic skin, women in the past turned to arsenic, despite its well-known toxicity.

Ingesting small amounts of arsenic lightened the complexion, but the poison accumulated in the body, causing organ failure and early death.

During the Victorian era, emerald green dresses became a fashion statement, but their vibrant color came from arsenic-based dyes. Wearing these dresses led to dizziness, allergic reactions, and poisoning—yet women accepted these risks for the sake of fashion.

[femtales_ai]

Extreme beauty standards may be history, but pressure to conform isn’t. Remember—true beauty is being yourself.

[mimstarkgaryen]

as someone who got her degree in Fashion History and Fashion Design, its a breath of fresh air to see people finally acknowledging that clothes are important and a part of either who we are and who we want to show but its also not what matters the most, that would be the person wearing it and their behavior!

[mimstarkgaryen]

btw, I am completely in love with your channel ❤

[RaithlynForrester]

These who don't know what Lotus feet were:
This was a beauty trend from old China. Back then the beauty trend Was to have small feet, so basically they binded the feet of young girls so tight together so that they could fit into very small shoes, which caused lifelong ealking problems

[hotsaucehallelujah]

Many accounts show corsets aren't actually painful. They are only painful if worn improperly

[aria-songs]

Lotus feet were a sign of being born from a rich family in China. The smaller your feet were, the more eligible to marry. And they had to he carried around all the time.Note that this was only done to women and girls starting the age of 4 or 5. (I think). And many of these women died from fires in traditional chinese theatres (made of wood mostly), because they couldnt run. They always relied on ppl carring them around.

[esracelik-T]

Nobody is ugly. You need plastic surgeries, cosmetics, make up, makeover etc. Today's pain.

[Shalom]

I worn corsets and not everyday bud to dresses! Im Rockabilly woman!😊