11 Silly Beauty Standards Modern Women Are Done Following

Throughout history, every culture has defined beauty in its own way. Yet even today, many unrealistic standards persist — quietly influencing how people view themselves and often undermining their confidence, especially among young women. Since real beauty can’t be boxed into rigid expectations, we’ve compiled a list of 11 outdated ideals and trends that women should no longer feel pressured to follow.

1. Shaving peach fuzz

For years, women were told to wax, shave, or bleach every trace of facial hair to appear “smooth” and “feminine.” But peach fuzz is completely natural — everyone has it. Embracing it means rejecting the idea that real skin should look airbrushed or childlike.

2. Not having any wrinkles

Wrinkles are dreaded by many because it’s one of the most obvious signs of aging. There are many factors that can contribute to their appearance, like, for example, facial expressions.

Hollywood star Emilia Clarke has been known for her expressive eyebrows and facial muscles. And when talking about plastic surgery and injectables, she said, “I’m not someone who’s ever going to want to go in and get serious stuff done on my skin.”

3. Covering stretch marks

There are many causes for stretch marks, but something that it’s important to clarify is that they are normal, and around 50% to 90% of women have them. These marks are not harmful to your health, and nothing will happen to you if you choose to keep them.

Actress Jameela Jamil, in an emotional post, shared on social media some thoughts she had on the matter. Jamil said, “Stretch marks are a normal, beautiful thing. I have stretch marks all over my body, and I hereby rename them all babe marks.”

4. Hiding armpit rolls

Armpit rolls are a common bodily feature that can be found in people of all shapes and sizes, although they have often been seen as a cosmetic flaw, subjected to shame. So it’s time to accept and embrace different kinds of bodies because diversity makes life more interesting.

5. Covering postpartum stretch marks

According to a health article, between 50% and 90% of people who are pregnant develop stretch marks. This happens because the body has to rapidly stretch to fit the baby, and it can happen to anyone. A couple of years ago, actress Katie Holmes posted a pic proudly showing her stretch marks, and some of her fans thanked her for being authentic.

6. Having slim cheeks

Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about slim cheeks and what celebrities might do to achieve that kind of look. This can make people that want to look like famous stars endure risky cosmetic procedures. Treating our bodies like fashion trends can take a toll on them later on, and before committing to a treatment or surgical procedure, we should assess the risks that come with it.

7. Removing armpit hair

As time passes by, more women are getting comfortable with their body hair, to the point where some of them don’t shave their armpits anymore. As the hair on our bodies naturally grows every time we stop shaving, it shouldn’t be frowned upon by society. Thankfully, more people are embracing their natural beauty.

8. Removing facial hair

Just like armpit hair, facial hair has been the topic of conversation in recent years, as having a unibrow was not considered pretty, according to society’s standards. Thankfully, there are people who are fighting back against the idea that body hair is ugly.

Actress Yara Shahidi is one of them, since she decided to let her unibrow grow, saying, “Growing out my unibrow was also a turning point for me. I remember coming out of the pool and seeing the black streaks on my arms. I naturally had a lot of hair and felt really insecure about that in that moment.”

9. Feeling bad for being too tall or too short.

Actress Gwendoline Christie said in an interview, “I’d been told, just simply because I was a tall woman with somewhat unusual looks, that I would probably never work on-screen,” Luckily, Christie didn’t listen to the negative comments and landed her first big role as Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones.

10. Wearing makeup

While wearing makeup should be every woman’s choice, being able to not wear it, even to important events, should be acceptable too. Some years ago, singer Alicia Keys received backlash after not wearing any makeup to the VMAs. However, Keys responded with a social media post, writing, “Y’all, me choosing to be makeup free doesn’t mean I’m anti-makeup. Do you!”

11. Hiding cellulite

As a plus-size supermodel, Ashley Graham radiates confidence and authenticity, often sharing unretouched photos of her body. Her mission is to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote body positivity by proudly embracing her natural appearance — no filters, no airbrushing. She openly shows her stretch marks and cellulite, proving that beauty isn’t about perfection but about self-acceptance and confidence in one’s own skin.

Don’t miss our other article showcasing celebrity women who couldn’t care less about society’s beauty standards and confidently celebrate their individuality.