In a world where there is so much emphasis on an impossible and unattainable ‘perfect’ aesthetic, it’s refreshing to see such an openness today to appreciate and celebrate beauty in all its forms. Women have been praised for their beauty ever since ancient times, but in recent decades, more attention has been placed on celebrating the diversity of beautiful women from all walks of life and cultures. To explore the evolution of beauty, we take a look at the history and power of sexy women, and how it has deepened our appreciation for the unique beauty of individual women.
Definition of Beauty
Beauty is often thought of in terms of attractiveness and physical appeal, with many thinking of it as an individual’s attractive traits, such as their complexion, figure, and other physical attributes. But beauty’s more complex than that. It’s also a perfect balance between proportions, and also a reflection of particular cultural values, beliefs, and ideals.
The definition of beauty is one that has shifted over time, with the cultural definition of beauty being something that is ever-evolving. Beauty is a social construct that is continuously shaped by the broader society we live in, so it’s not surprising that its definition has changed over the centuries. These changing social values have shaped the definition to include a greater appreciation of diversity over time.
Beauty in Ancient Times
In Ancient Egypt, beauty reflected the social values of the time, and Pharaohs were known to spend incredible amounts of time and money on transforming their bodies and presenting themselves in the most appealing manner possible. Beauty was used as a means of power, and so the standard for beauty was definitely an idealized version that was often impossible for most individuals to achieve. For women in Ancient Egypt, beauty was associated with fertility, with fuller figures and voluptuous curves being seen as the ideal.
Beauty in the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the ideal look for women was pale skin and a slender figure. Women with tanned skin and fuller figures were viewed as being uncivilized or of a lower class. Women of the higher classes had access to resources and wealth that allowed them to conform to the ideal, while those of the lower classes would struggle as they lacked the money and resources to maintain the beauty standard and be seen as attractive. This beauty ideal was of course unattainable and almost oppressive in its impact, as it excluded a large amount of people who would never be able to achieve it.
Beauty in the Renaissance
The Renaissance saw a move towards a more layered and eclectic version of beauty. While the ideal was still a fair complexion and slender frame, there was more interest placed in the internal aspects of beauty. This was reflected in art and literature where conversations around personality and intelligence joined physical beauty as criteria for a woman to be considered beautiful. This shift also saw more diverse and individualized beauty ideals being celebrated, both on the small and large cultural scales.
Powerful, Sexy Women
The power that comes with being a sexy woman is powerful and alluring to many. Through the centuries, powerful women have used their attractiveness to gain power, but have also faced much criticism and scorn, as there are often very strict standards as to how women should look and dress in order to be taken seriously. Despite all this, powerful, sexy women have always been able to command respect, using their beauty as a form of authority.
Celebrating Women Today
Today, the concept of beauty is no longer tied to a single ideal, and women from all walks of life and cultures can be celebrated for their beauty. Social media and the internet have been great tools to help spread awareness of diversity beauty and to normalize variations from the cultural standard. Blogs and magazines have been producing more content and featuring faces from marginalized communities, helping to create a more inclusive and diverse definition of beauty.
Celebrity Women Who Celebrate Beauty in Its Many Forms
A number of celebrities are helping to spread awareness and celebrate the beauty of women in its many forms. From celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and Cardi B to Alessandra Ambrosio and Lily Aldridge, these women have used their positions to spread appreciation for the beauty and power of sexy women.
Rihanna
Rihanna is a singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, who is also often credited with helping to redefine the standards of beauty while also pushing the boundaries of fashion. She has been unapologetic in her embrace of her own curves and darker skin complexion, and has been vocal about the need to embrace your individuality and feel beautiful no matter what. She has an incredible following on social media and has been even more active in using her platform to normalize diverse body types and create a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian has used her celebrity to help spread the message of body positivity. As an entrepreneur and reality TV star, Kim has gained respect for her hard work and talent, proving to the world that you can look and feel sexy no matter your body size or shape.
Beyonce
Beyonce is one of the most famous singers in the world and is a long time advocate of loving and celebrating your body. In the music video for her hit ‘Formation’, Beyonce proudly showed off her curves, something that wasn’t always seen on mainstream media before.
Cardi B
Cardi B’s rise to fame has been a testament to how more inclusive beauty ideals can inspire people from all backgrounds to embrace their beauty and overcome self-esteem issues. By simply being herself without conforming to the traditional standard of beauty, Cardi B has inspired a generation of women to be unapologetic of their sexuality and their bodies.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio is best known for her decade long career as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. During her career, Vitoria’s Secret have come under fire for promoting an unrealistic and very narrow definition of beauty. But Ambrosio has been vocal about the need to celebrate diverse body types and that in the world of beauty, there is no one size fits all.
Lily Aldridge
Lily Aldridge uses her platform as a model and influencer to talk openly about the pressures of constantly trying to look perfect, and has been vocal about her experience in battling her own insecurities about her looks. Aldridge is a strong proponent of self-love and acceptance, emphasizing the need to embrace your unique beauty and never feel ashamed of how you look.
The evolution of beauty and appreciation for the diversity and power of sexy women has been embraced in recent decades, but there’s still a long way to go to fully normalize diversity within beauty ideals. The definition of beauty is constantly and continuously changing, and it’s more important now than ever to celebrate the unique beauty and power of individual women and to embrace our own beauty. Social media, the internet, and celebrities have all been great platforms to spread this awareness and unity of women, but there’s still lots of work to be done to ensure that all women can truly feel empowered and accepted by society.
