Chinese Beauty Standards: A Reflection of Culture and Heritage

Today, we pull back the curtain on unique Сhinese beauty standards, stepping into a world where ideals are painted not in broad strokes, but with the finest of brushes, each line, each curve, each color imbued with deep, symbolic meaning.

From the innocent charm of the 'first love face' to the provocative allure of the 'fox face'; from the ethereal elegance of the 'goose egg face' to the enigmatic 'catfish face'. We’ll navigate the nuances of skin care practices, a testament to the timeless pursuit of luminous, youthful skin. We will map the contours of the desired body, etched by cultural norms, social media challenges, and an unwavering penchant for grace.

The penultimate stop on our journey takes us to the world of cosmetic surgery, a realm where beauty is not only embraced but artfully crafted. The grand tapestry culminates in understanding the repercussions of these beauty ideals on the career and marital prospects in Chinese society. But, remember, as we wander through this landscape, beauty, as always, remains in the eye of the beholder.

Facial Beauty: The Ideal Chinese Face

First love face (初恋脸, chūliànliǎn)

The "First Love Face" (初恋脸, chūliànliǎn) refers to a type of facial look that invokes the feelings of sweet, youthful, innocent first love. This term is often used to describe female celebrities or characters who give people a feeling of warmth, youth, and innocence.

Physically, the 'first love face' is typically associated with soft, delicate features. These may include large, round, sparkling eyes, a small, straight nose, plump lips, and a roundish face. The skin is usually pale and flawless, further adding to the youthful and innocent appeal.

For example, the Chinese actress and singer, Zhou Dongyu, is often associated with the 'first love face'. With her youthful appearance, rosy cheeks, and expressive eyes, she perfectly embodies the innocence and warmth that this term is known for.

Catfish Face (鲶鱼脸, niányúliǎn)

If you've ever come across a catfish, you'll be familiar with its elongated face and streamlined body, a distinctive look that's given rise to the term "catfish face" in Chinese Beauty Standards.

The Catfish Face is typically characterized by a thin, pointed chin coupled with wide, high cheekbones. This creates an oval-like face that narrows toward the chin, much like the head of a catfish. The eyes tend to be almond-shaped, adding to the overall mysterious allure of the face.

The Catfish Face is often linked with a certain enigmatic and sensual beauty. The wide cheekbones and pointed chin bring a distinctive look that stands out, embodying a non-traditional form of beauty that defies the usual preference for softer, more rounded facial features.

A well-known figure with a catfish face is Chinese actress and singer Fan Bingbing. Her distinctive features – the prominent cheekbones and slim, pointed chin – are often highlighted in her various roles, adding to her charismatic on-screen presence.

Fox Face (狐狸脸, húlíliǎn)

Those with a fox face are thought to have a quick mind and a charismatic allure.

Fox faces are typically long and narrow, with sharp chins and almond-shaped eyes. The overall shape gives the impression of a sleek, angular face, which some may find particularly mesmerizing.

An example of a celebrity with a fox face is Chinese actress Yang Mi. Her long, angular face and distinctive eyes encapsulate the sharp beauty associated with the húlíliǎn. As a successful actress and businesswoman, she also embodies the intellectual charm often associated with this facial type.

Goose Egg Face (鹅蛋脸, édànliǎn)

The Goose Egg Face is considered a classic symbol of beauty. It aligns with traditional notions of femininity and elegance, and is often associated with gentleness and kindness. Those with a goose egg face are seen as being approachable and friendly, with a beauty that's comforting and familiar.

As you might have guessed, the goose egg face is characterized by its round and smooth shape. It features a wide forehead, full cheeks, and a gently rounded chin. The overall look is one of softness and balance, without any sharp angles or prominent features.

An example would be the famous Chinese actress, Liu Yifei, who's often hailed for her classic beauty and 'Goose Egg Face'.

Frog Face (青蛙脸, qīngwāliǎn) - The Quirky Charm

Those with this face shape are seen as cheerful and fun-loving, possessing a unique charm that sets them apart.

The frog face is characterized by a wide, round face shape with a flat nose and large, prominent eyes. The mouth is often small and bow-shaped, adding a cute, playful twist to the overall look.

An example of the frog face is Chinese actress and model Angelababy. Her large eyes, small mouth, and round face shape lend a playful, youthful look that many find captivating.

Shoe Horn Face (鞋拔子脸, xiébázǐliǎn)

The Shoe Horn Face describes a face shape that is broad at the top with prominent cheekbones and narrows down to a pointed chin, similar to the shape of a shoe horn. Those with this face shape are seen as unique and individualistic, embodying a beauty that's not easily forgotten.

Chinese actress Tang Wei is a great example of the Shoe Horn Face.

Skin Care Practices

Having a fair, flawless, and youthful-looking skin is an essential part of the Chinese beauty standard. The concept of "白富美" (bái fù měi), meaning "white, rich, and beautiful," reinforces the desirability of fair skin. This standard may be attributed to historical and cultural factors where lighter skin was associated with wealth and leisure, while darker skin was linked to laboring outdoors.

Body Standards

In terms of body standards, a slim and petite figure is highly valued in Chinese society. This preference is encapsulated in the popular Chinese idiom "一百斤不过头" (yībǎi jīn bùguò tóu), meaning "not exceeding 100 jin (50 kg)".

Collarbone Challenge (锁骨挑战, suǒgǔ tiǎozhàn)

This challenge involves women demonstrating how many coins they can balance along their collarbones. The more coins they can balance, the more 'ideal' their figure is perceived to be. Some women have even managed to up the ante and balance heavier objects, like bottles!

A4 Waist Challenge (A4腰, A4 yāo)

The A4 Waist Challenge is another beauty trend that emphasizes thinness as a beauty ideal. This challenge involves women comparing the width of their waist to the width of an A4 piece of paper, which is about 21 centimeters or 8.27 inches wide. According to this challenge, if a woman's waist can be completely concealed behind an A4 paper held vertically, she possesses an 'ideal' slim figure.

Iphone 6 Challenge (“Iphone腿”挑战, “iPhone tuǐ” tiǎozhàn)

The Iphone 6 Challenge is a digital-age beauty trend in which women compare the width of their knees to the width of an Iphone 6, which is 2.64 inches wide. The premise of the challenge is that if a woman's knees are narrower than the Iphone 6, her figure is considered 'ideal'.

Belly Button Challenge (反手摸肚脐挑战, fǎnshǒu mō dùqí tiǎozhàn)

The Belly Button Challenge involves reaching one's arm around the back to touch the belly button. According to the standards set by this challenge, those who can touch their belly button in this manner are deemed to have an 'ideal' slim figure. This challenge has sparked criticism for promoting unrealistic and potentially unhealthy body standards.

Cosmetic Surgery in China

Cosmetic surgery is on the rise in China as it becomes increasingly common for individuals to resort to medical procedures to align themselves with societal beauty standards. The market has witnessed explosive growth over the years, fueled by a desire to gain a competitive edge in both the workplace and social circles.

Popular Procedures:

Double eyelid surgery (双眼皮手术, shuāng yǎnpí shǒushù) is the most popular cosmetic procedure. It creates a crease in the eyelid that is typically absent in East Asian individuals. It is often seen as a means to make the eyes appear larger and more 'open,' aligning with conventional beauty standards.

Rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping surgery, is another commonly requested procedure. A higher nose bridge is often associated with beauty in China, prompting many to undergo rhinoplasty.

V-line surgery, also known as mandible contouring or jawline surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that involves reshaping the lower face to create a more feminine and softer facial contour. This surgery is most commonly performed in East Asian countries, including China, where a small, v-shaped face is considered desirable.

The Impact of Beauty on Career and Marriage

In the job market, it is not uncommon for employers to specify physical attributes in job descriptions, such as height and weight. Job interviews often involve a level of 'appearance assessment,' where candidates are evaluated, consciously or unconsciously, based on their looks. Industries like hospitality, air travel, and entertainment place a high value on physical attractiveness. There are even cases where job seekers resort to cosmetic surgery to increase their chances of landing a job.

In the context of marriage, physical beauty is often perceived as a form of 'capital.' I'll elaborate on the 2017 study from Xiamen University.

The study, which was based on an analysis of a nationally representative survey of Chinese families and individuals, found that in Chinese marriages, men with lower educational attainment compared to the national average are more likely to compensate by marrying women who are considered more attractive based on prevailing beauty standards.

It's essential to remember that true beauty is not defined by societal standards but by individual uniqueness, health, and well-being. As an old Chinese proverb goes, "Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."