Lookism or Racism

Lookism is discrimination to others based on their looks, and racism is discrimination of others based on their race, clearly both are intertwined as different racial groups have basic facial norms. I will look into how much discrimination is based on facial features and how this could lead to a beauty ideal based on race.

Outer beauty is comprised of health, youthfulness, sexiness, symmetry, averageness and complexion, obviously all these vary from person to person, and race to race. The theory that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' is very true however we have a tendency to pick certain features over others when deciding weather something is beautiful, a vast majority of scientists argue that the deciding factor is symmetry.

Below is an image of facial symmetry, high or low, this research isn't into how beautiful symmetry is, but how we prefer it to a face that's not symmetrical.

The research done by Anthony Stirling showed that the more symmetrical the face the fiercer gender contrast, the male symmetrical faces were far more masculine and vice versa.

Scientists have linked a more symmetrical look to a more natural look, some of society prefer a more perfect and artificial beauty, however many look for 'natural beauty'. A 'panel of experts' (beauty and fashion editors, make up artists, photographers and model agencies) voted on the 100 most naturally beautiful woman, the top ten were;

10 - Elle MacPherson

9 - Helena christensen

8 - Halle Berry

- Halle Berry has been a leading actress in America for a decade or more, she is the only woman of African American decent to win 'best actress'. Could her western influence be a factor to her success? she actively conforms to the mainstream western cultural expectations of skinniness, make up and skimpy clothes, all of which in some cultures would be frowned upon. However she was voted 8Th most naturally beautiful woman ever, and insists on not having any surgery, she spoke out about being 'beautiful' - "Being thought of as a beautiful woman has spared me nothing in life. No heartache, no trouble. Love has been difficult. Beauty is essentially meaningless and it is always transitory." Although Halle clearly is beautiful in the western culture, i will research into weather western cultural expectations would be seen as beautiful in other cultures.

7 - Juliette Binoche

6 - Natalie Imbruglia

5 - Grace Kelly

4 - Angelina Jolie

3 - Cate Blanchett

2 - Liv tyler

1 - Audry Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn represents the beauty ideals of the 50's, smaller hips and a large bust line was considered to be the most beautiful. obviously the beauty ideals have changed over time, once an ideal is reached by many (everyone becomes thin and busty) the ideal changes to something which is harder to retain, from the 60's the ideal has become 'Thin is in'.

This research shows how symmetry could make a more 'beautiful' person, i researched how other celebrities would look if their faces were more symmetrical. These following pictures have been taken from a photography competition to address celebrities facial symmetry;

The above photoes illustrate how beauty cannot be defined as simply as symmetry, Ruskin developed further theories to why someone is beautiful and why someone is unattractive.