Our world is vast, and so are the many ways different cultures define beauty.
While I grew up exposed primarily to Western ideals—where slim figures, symmetrical faces, and smooth skin often take center stage—I’ve come to realize there’s an extraordinary variety of expressions out there.
Traveling (both physically and through books) taught me that what one culture deems beautiful might leave another scratching its head.
And in that difference lies a precious reminder: beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all.
In this piece, I’d like to introduce you to eight cultural traditions that challenge the Western concept of “ideal.”
Each tradition reveals how history, environment, community values, and even spirituality shape what people consider visually appealing or significant.
My hope is that by sharing these practices, we can all expand our appreciation for the mosaic of human diversity—and maybe even question how we came to hold our own beliefs about beauty in the first place.
1. The Kayan neck rings
Let’s start with one of the most visually striking traditions: the neck rings worn by Kayan women in parts of Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand.
These brass coils create the appearance of an elongated neck—something that’s often seen as graceful and alluring within their communities.
Visitors from Western countries sometimes describe this practice as “bizarre” or even “painful,” but for many Kayan women, it’s an emblem of cultural pride.
These rings symbolize femininity and group identity. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s also a way of preserving heritage in a rapidly changing world.
Whether or not we personally find it appealing, the tradition underscores the idea that beauty can be a form of communal expression.
It’s fascinating to think about how deeply beauty standards can be woven into cultural identity—this goes far beyond superficial style choices.
2. Mursi lip plates
The Mursi people of southwestern Ethiopia practice a form of body modification that often leaves outsiders amazed: lip plates.
Young women may have their lower lip pierced and gradually stretched to hold a clay or wooden plate.
In Mursi society, a large lip plate can be associated with maturity, social standing, and even desirability in marriage.
Western onlookers sometimes view lip plates as overly extreme.
But if we step back, it’s clear that this practice is no stranger than, say, undergoing painful cosmetic surgeries to alter one’s appearance in modern cities.
A lip plate is more than an accessory—it’s a centuries-old statement of individuality and cultural belonging.
3. Maori facial tattoos (Ta Moko)
In New Zealand, the indigenous Maori have a rich tradition of Ta Moko—intricate facial tattoos that convey a person’s lineage, social status, and life story.
Far from mere ornamentation, each spiral or line carries deep cultural significance.
It’s often said that Ta Moko isn’t about “looking pretty”; it’s about externalizing the wearer’s identity, experiences, and ancestry.
When Western explorers first encountered the Maori, many were taken aback by these facial markings.
Some even saw them as “savage” or frightening, revealing how quick we can be to judge practices we don’t understand.
However, Ta Moko is a profound spiritual and social tradition that redefines beauty as a tapestry of cultural narrative rather than something purely ornamental.
In my view, that’s a form of art and self-expression that challenges the Western emphasis on uniformity.
4. Geisha makeup in Japan
If you’ve ever seen a geisha in her full regalia, you know it’s a mesmerizing sight: the elaborately styled hair, the richly embroidered kimono, and of course, the iconic white makeup.
Historically, a geisha’s makeup served practical and aesthetic purposes—stark white faces were intended to be visible by candlelight (before electricity lit up the stage or tea house).
Over time, this look became emblematic of refined beauty, poise, and artistry in Japan.
Although contemporary Japan embraces a wide range of styles (including street fashion and global trends), the geisha aesthetic has endured as a symbolic form of elegance.
It’s intriguing to consider that what’s seen as “natural beauty” in Western contexts—tanned skin, minimal foundation—runs counter to this particular tradition.
Sometimes, beauty can mean painting your face in a way that pays tribute to centuries of performance artistry and cultural heritage.
This is beauty that tells a story, not just a set of facial features.
5. Wodaabe men’s beauty pageant
This one flips the script on what many Westerners might expect.
In the Wodaabe tribe of Niger, the men take center stage in elaborate beauty pageants called the “Gerewol.”
They dress in vibrant costumes, adorn their faces with bright makeup, and perform dances to catch the eye of potential partners.
One hallmark is accentuating the whites of their teeth and eyes—these are seen as the height of attractiveness.
Why does this challenge Western standards?
Because the focus is on male beauty, performed and celebrated publicly.
It’s a communal celebration that upends the notion that women must be the primary keepers of elaborate beauty rituals.
During the Gerewol, it’s the men who spend hours perfecting their look, practicing their moves, and stepping out in hopes of capturing someone’s heart.
To me, that’s a powerful reminder that our ideas about who “should” wear makeup or fuss over appearance are not universal truths but cultural constructs.
6. Scarification among the Karo
In parts of Ethiopia (particularly within the Karo tribe), scarification is a revered form of body art.
Through careful incisions in the skin, patterns and designs emerge that carry cultural or personal significance.
While Western beauty ideals often stress smooth, flawless skin, scarification intentionally adds texture and design as markers of beauty and identity.
I recall watching a documentary where a Karo woman proudly displayed her scar patterns, explaining that each curve or swirl represented important milestones—such as transitions into adulthood or achievements in family life.
This tradition reframes “flaws” into features to be celebrated. If we see scarring in Western contexts, we often think of accidents or trauma.
Among the Karo, scars can symbolize strength, resilience, and community bonds.
It’s a reminder that the stories written on our bodies can be celebrated rather than hidden.
7. Mentawai teeth sharpening
On the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, there’s a practice of teeth sharpening believed to enhance beauty—and, in some interpretations, connection to nature.
The process is not for the faint of heart: a shaman or local practitioner uses a crude instrument to chip away at the teeth until they form sharp points.
Yes, it can be painful, but many Mentawai women say they’re happy to undergo it in order to feel more aligned with their cultural traditions.
Here’s where I sometimes ask myself: would I endure physical discomfort to align with a cultural standard of beauty?
It’s easy to dismiss this practice as “extreme,” but then I remember the range of cosmetic procedures we accept in Western culture—from injections to surgeries.
One woman’s tooth-chipping might be another woman’s rhinoplasty.
The Mentawai tradition is deeply connected to identity, bridging the natural and spiritual realms.
Whether you agree with it or not, it challenges the idea that beauty should be “painless” or purely aesthetic.
8. Bigger body ideals in Mauritania
Finally, let’s talk about Mauritania, where larger body sizes have long been considered a hallmark of beauty.
Historically, a fuller figure was associated with wealth, fertility, and status.
In some cases, young girls were sent to “fattening farms” to gain weight rapidly—a practice that’s now losing ground but still recognized in certain areas.
While Western fashion magazines often tout slender figures, Mauritanian culture has (at least traditionally) placed value on the exact opposite.
Reading about this custom made me reflect on how body shape is seldom just about health—there’s an entire cultural narrative behind it.
As photographer and creator of the acclaimed Humanæ Project Angelica Dass puts it:
“Beauty is a social construct that functions in a dynamic of comparison with ‘the other’. This search throughout our history tries to reach an ideal that is impossible, and women mostly suffer from this pressure.”
When we see how drastically ideals can differ, it underscores that chasing a “universal” body shape is a futile exercise.
Beauty is less about a specific measurement and more about cultural context, personal choice, and evolving ideals.
Final thoughts
We’ve just glimpsed eight striking examples of how cultural beliefs forge unique paths to what people find beautiful, and I’m sure there’s a lot more out there.
It’s easy to label something “strange” when it clashes with our own understanding of attractiveness, but these traditions remind us that our views aren’t absolute truths.
They’re shaped by upbringing, media, community expectations, and personal experiences.
Why not take a moment to question any rigid ideals you hold about appearance?
Whether it’s the size of someone’s waist or the choice to modify one’s body in a particular way, there’s a bigger cultural story underneath.
Each of these traditions offers an invitation to expand our empathy and curiosity.
After all, in a world as diverse as ours, isn’t it more rewarding to celebrate the many forms that beauty can take, rather than trying to fit everyone into a single mold?
