Radio journalist Esther Honig sent her picture to Photoshop experts in 27 different countries for a project she calls Before & After. Keeping the fact that beauty standards are illuminated by Photoshop here in the U.S., she wanted to “examine how these standards vary across cultures on a global level.”
The results (down below) are fascinating. While the results are largely based on the perception of the person doing the Photoshop, that perception is influenced by the nuances of local and global beauty standards. Almost no “beautiful” renditions are dark skinned, and most have European features. This project really shows how “beauty” standards first introduced to other nations via colonialism has upheld and done harm to women across the globe.
Take a look for yourself and tell me what you think in the comments.
Argentina
Bangladesh
Morocco
Pakistan
Philippines
Serbia
The first photo in the set is the one by the Photoshop expert in Indonesia. To see the entire project go to Esther's site.
Photos via estherhonig.com.
Gwen Berumen is former BUST intern and is currently in limbo. You can find her on Twitter @gwehdolyn and listen to her on the podcast she co-hosts, Sad Girls Club.
