Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Unusual, Crazy Things Women Used To Do For Beauty Despite Risks

POSTED ON June 18, 2024 •   Entertainment      BY Ebiakuboere England
A Model With Makeup and Silver Accessories Adorned on Her Face- Source Medical Xpress

Beauty has always had a significant impact on one's identity and societal norms. To meet the standards of their day, women have been exposed to severe, somewhat painful, and occasionally life-threatening beauty procedures for millennia.

These behaviors show the extent to which women will go to live up to social expectations. 

Here are some of the most unusual and crazy things women used to do to be considered beautiful.


1. Blackening Teeth in Japan

 Unusual Beauty Standards That Existed For Women

In Japan, from the Heian period until the late 19th century, women practiced a custom known as "ohaguro," which involved blackening their teeth. This was achieved by applying a mixture of iron filings, vinegar, and tannin from tea or gallnut.

The practice was not only considered a sign of beauty but also indicated a woman's maturity and marital status. Despite its unappealing look, black teeth were highly prized because they symbolized attractiveness and social status in historical Japan.

 

2. Wearing Tight Corsets

 Unusual Beauty Standards That Existed For Women

In the 19th century, corsets were a fundamental part of women's fashion in Europe and America. Designed to cinch the waist and create an exaggerated hourglass figure, these garments were laced so tightly that they restricted breathing and caused long-term health issues.

Prolonged use could lead to deformed ribcages, misaligned spines, and muscle atrophy. Despite these risks, corsets remained popular because they provided the desired slender waistline that was synonymous with beauty and elegance during that era​.

 

3. Consuming Arsenic

 Unusual Beauty Standards That Existed For Women

To achieve a fair and radiant complexion, women in the 19th century resorted to ingesting small doses of arsenic. This toxic substance was believed to improve skin appearance, giving it a fresh and youthful glow.

However, arsenic is a potent poison, and even small amounts could lead to severe health problems, including poisoning symptoms and potentially fatal consequences. The pursuit of beauty through such dangerous means underscores the extreme lengths women were willing to go to for societal approval. These dangerous beauty tricks show the extreme lengths women were willing to go to fit in back then.

 

4. Foot Binding in China

 Unusual Beauty Standards That Existed For Women

One of the most painful and extreme beauty practices was foot binding in China, which began around the 10th century and continued until the early 20th century. This involved tightly binding young girls' feet to prevent them from growing, resulting in small, deformed feet known as "lotus feet."

The practice was incredibly painful and led to lifelong disabilities. Despite this, small feet were highly prized. They were considered a mark of beauty and elegance, and could even enhance a woman's marriage prospects.

 

5. Applying Lead-Based Makeup

 Unusual Beauty Standards That Existed For Women

In the 18th century, European women wanted pale, flawless skin like porcelain. They started applying makeup made from white lead which was toxic for them.

This toxic substance provided a smooth, pale complexion, hiding blemishes and giving a youthful appearance.

However, prolonged use of lead-based cosmetics resulted in severe skin damage, poisoning, and even death. The health risks associated with lead makeup were well-known, but even though they knew the repercussions, the desire for beauty outweighed concerns for safety.

READ ALSO
Court orders 'Gangs of Lagos' producers to apologize for cultural misrepresentation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 13, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Isale Eko Descendants Union has expressed its contentment with the court's deci...

READ ALSO
House of representatives advocates for pornography ban, amid concerns for cultural values
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 12, 2025 0

The House of Representatives has instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to prevent...

READ ALSO
LASG unveils Africa’s first AI feature film, Set for Cinematic debut on April 18
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 10, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - Lagos State Goernor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled Africa’s first feature f...

READ ALSO
Portable slams VDM for attempting to involve him in controversial diss track
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 9, 2025 0

Controversial Nigerian musician, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has openly criticized...

READ ALSO
Legal crackdown on TikTok influencers as Kano sentences two for indecent content
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 5, 2025 0

KANO, Nigeria - Two skit creators, Ahmad Isa and Maryam Musa, have received a one-year prison senten...

READ ALSO
Former P-Square manager remanded for alleged theft
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 4, 2025 0

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday placed former P-Square manager Jude Okoye in custody for...

READ ALSO
EFCC charges Jude Okoye with N1.38bn money laundering scheme
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought Jude...

READ ALSO
Consumer protection agency challenges MultiChoice over unilateral price increases
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on MultiChoice Nigeria...

OUR CHANNELS:

Lagos faces severe traffic chaos as Independence Bridge repairs begin after Sallah holiday
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

LAGOS, NIGERIA - Lagos residents faced a challenging situation yesterday as they returned to work fo...


FG signs $174.6M agreement with UNIDO to enhance Nigeria's industry
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have enter...


U.S. shows highest anxiety over AI Job loss amidst technological advancements
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

Despite its advanced status, research indicates that the United States of America (USA) has the high...


Bayelsa communities threaten to halt oil production over security contract dispute
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

BAYELSA, Nigeria - Nigeria’s struggling oil output may be on the brink of another crisis as co...


NITDA Partners Afrovision technologies to bridge job gap for Nigeria’s Tech Talent
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

In an effort to tackle the ongoing challenge of job placement for Nigeria’s expanding tech tal...


Falana advocates for accountability and rule of law
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

Human rights Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on Nigerians to seek accountability from their le...


FG signals tough stance on underdeveloped Oilfields, calls for strategic IOC investments
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The Federal Government expressed its worries on Tuesday about the growing number of idle and underde...


OpenAI valuation hits $300 billion after SoftBank-led fund
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The Japanese telecommunications company, alongside a group of investors, has recently announced yet...


Fuel prices expect to fall below N750 by Year-End - NIPSS
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has said that with Dangote Refinery...


Nigeria imposes N20m fine, 10-Year Jail Term for Ponzi scheme offenders
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 2, 2025 0

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stated that promoters and operators of Ponzi scheme...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu