Beauty standards have always been an ever-evolving concept, constantly changing and often perplexing to understand, especially when looking back at past trends. Over time, these ideals have ranged from what we might consider quirky to downright strange and even dangerous. Some of the most outrageous beauty trends in history may leave us wondering how such practices ever became popular. While many modern beauty standards are unrealistic and unattainable, it's intriguing (and often amusing) to explore how different eras had their own definitions of beauty, many of which would be difficult to imagine or adopt in today's world. Despite the strangeness of some of these trends, they were considered the height of beauty in their time. Here are 18 of the most bizarre and outdated beauty standards from history, many of which we thankfully don’t have to follow anymore.

1. Erotic Piercings During the Victorian Era

The Victorian era is typically associated with modesty, elaborate clothing, and strict social codes. However, hidden beneath the surface, a surprising beauty trend emerged. Wealthy women during this period were known to get erotic piercings, such as nipple piercings, often connected by chains. These piercings were seen as a symbol of wealth and sexual allure, but for men, the trend took a different form. They often pierced the head of their penis, supposedly to make wearing tight pants more comfortable. This particular piercing is known as the "Prince Albert," rumored to have been worn by the Prince of Wales himself, making it one of the strangest beauty trends of the time. It's fascinating that in an era known for its restrained fashion, such intimate body modifications were considered fashionable and a sign of sophistication.

2. The Unibrow Trend in Ancient Greece

In Ancient Greece, beauty was seen through a different lens, particularly when it came to eyebrows. The Greeks actually admired women with a prominent unibrow. Rather than being a source of ridicule, a single, bold brow was considered a symbol of intelligence and purity. Women who did not naturally have a unibrow would often use kohl pigment to draw one on, embracing the idea that a well-groomed unibrow could enhance a woman’s overall beauty. In contrast to today’s trend of perfectly shaped brows, the Greek ideal celebrated the natural, untouched look of a unibrow. It was considered powerful, and for women, an integral part of their beauty regimen.

3. Veiny Cleavage in the 17th Century

The 17th century in England marked a time when women’s fashion embraced the beauty of cleavage. Necklines became plunging, and revealing a woman's breasts was in vogue. However, this physical display wasn’t complete without another odd addition: blue veins drawn onto their breasts. The pale, almost ghostly skin that was achieved through face powders was extended to the chest, and women would paint blue veins onto their cleavage to mimic the look of translucent, aristocratic skin. This look was considered to indicate wealth, as it signified that a woman had the leisure to avoid outdoor labor, unlike the working class. In a strange twist of fashion, these "veins" became an important part of the allure.

4. Blackened Teeth in Japan

One of the most unique beauty trends in history was the practice of blackening teeth in Japan. This tradition, known as "ohaguro," was a common practice among Japanese women from the 14th to the 19th century. Upon marriage, women would blacken their teeth with a mixture of iron filings and vinegar. While this might sound odd today, it was considered a symbol of beauty, maturity, and marital commitment. In fact, blackened teeth were seen as a sign of sophistication, and married women were expected to keep their teeth blackened throughout their lives. For men, it was not uncommon to find blackened teeth, although the practice was more commonly associated with women.

5. The Importance of Men's Calves in the Middle Ages

While women’s legs are considered beautiful in modern times, the Middle Ages had a completely different beauty standard. During this time, it wasn’t women’s legs but men’s calves that were seen as the most desirable physical feature. Men would wear stockings to accentuate their calves, and some even padded them to make their calves appear larger and more defined. King Henry VIII was known for having impressive calves, and this physical trait became a symbol of masculinity and allure. In fact, during the Middle Ages, a man’s calves were often considered just as important, if not more so, than other attributes like strength or intelligence.

6. Beauty Patches in the 18th Century

The 18th century saw a significant shift in beauty standards, as makeup became more common and women began to wear beauty patches. These small pieces of fabric were placed on the face and were often used to convey particular social or emotional signals. For example, a patch on the mouth indicated flirtatiousness, while one on the right cheek indicated that the woman was married. The patches were usually shaped in stars, circles, or squares and were a way to accessorize the face, much like how jewelry or hats are used today. Beauty patches were not just fashionable but also a symbol of social status and refinement. They were part of an elaborate beauty ritual for women, involving intricate makeup and hairdressing.

7. Short Teeth During the Renaissance

During the Renaissance, beauty was considered a combination of various traits, but one of the most peculiar was the preference for short teeth. In fact, a gummy smile was seen as a desirable feature, and women were expected to have short, almost stubby teeth. This was viewed as an indicator of youth and fertility. Many Renaissance women would undergo painful procedures to file down their teeth to achieve this look. This strange preference seems to fly in the face of today's dental trends, where straight, white teeth are seen as the epitome of beauty.

8. Tiny Feet in China: The Practice of Foot Binding

Perhaps one of the most infamous beauty practices in history is foot binding in China, a practice that started as early as the 10th century. This practice was popular among the wives and daughters of nobles and involved tightly binding young girls' feet to prevent them from growing, creating a small, pointed foot. Foot binding began when girls were between the ages of five and seven and continued until their feet were fully deformed. The idea behind this painful practice was that small feet were considered sexually attractive and a mark of high status. The bound feet were referred to as "lotus feet" and were meant to convey delicate femininity, but the procedure was physically disabling, causing lifelong pain and mobility issues for the women who endured it.

9. Skull Shaping in the Ancient Maya

In many ancient cultures, body modification was an important part of beauty and social status. The Maya, who lived in present-day Mexico and Central America, were known to practice skull shaping. This process involved binding an infant’s head to a board or using other devices to reshape the skull as it grew. This practice was carried out on both boys and girls and was intended to create a longer, more elongated head shape, which was considered aesthetically pleasing. Similar practices were also carried out in other parts of the world, such as in the Germanic tribes and among the Inca civilization. This was a way of marking one’s beauty and was seen as an attractive feature.

10. Long Fingernails as a Symbol of Wealth in China

Long fingernails were a significant beauty standard in China, especially during the Qing Dynasty. Both men and women grew their nails to extreme lengths, often reaching 8 to 10 inches long. This practice was seen as a sign of wealth and social status because it indicated that the person did not have to perform manual labor. Some women wore gold nail-guards to protect their nails, but the overall inconvenience of long nails was apparent, as simple tasks like dressing, eating, or writing became extremely difficult. Yet, despite the practical challenges, long nails were considered a symbol of refinement, luxury, and high social standing.

11. Eyelashes Were Out During the Renaissance

In contrast to today's obsession with long, voluminous lashes, the Renaissance and Middle Ages were periods where eyelashes were seen as undesirable. During this time, women would often pluck or remove their eyelashes entirely, as they were seen as a sign of oversexuality. A smooth, bare eyelid was considered the epitome of beauty, and the absence of eyelashes symbolized purity and innocence. This practice was quite painful, as it required pulling out the eyelashes to achieve the desired look.

12. Painted Legs During WWII

During WWII, a shortage of nylon led to a creative solution for women who still wanted to achieve the look of perfectly smooth, tanned legs. Instead of wearing stockings, women began using makeup products to paint their legs to mimic the appearance of sheer hosiery. Some women even resorted to using gravy or other household items when makeup was unavailable. These painted legs were meant to give the illusion of a flawless tan and were seen as a necessary accessory to a woman’s appearance during wartime.

13. Plucking Pubic Hair in Native American Tribes

Some Native American tribes practiced the painful beauty standard of plucking all of their pubic hair. This practice was so ingrained in some tribes that it was considered disgraceful to have body hair. Thomas Jefferson, upon meeting native women, remarked on how the women would pluck their hair as soon as it appeared. This beauty standard was seen as a mark of femininity and purity.

14. The "Divorce Corset" for Separated Breasts

In the 19th century, the corset evolved into an even stranger form to achieve a specific beauty ideal: separated breasts. Unlike the traditional corset that lifted and pushed together the breasts, the "divorce corset" was designed to create a visible gap between a woman’s breasts, a trend that was popular during this time. The corset was named the "divorce corset" because it provided separation and emphasized the contrast between the breasts, leading to broader cleavage.

15. Ancient Chinese Women’s Colorful Eyebrows

In ancient China, eyebrows were a big deal, and women took great pride in coloring them with vibrant pigments such as black, blue, or green. Eyebrow shapes also varied according to the trends of the time. At one point, sharply pointed eyebrows were in fashion, while at another, short, high eyebrows were considered the ideal. Women could even create a "sorrow brow," a look in which the eyebrows were arched in the middle to express a sad or melancholic emotion. These ever-changing trends in eyebrow styles reflected the adaptability and creativity of ancient Chinese beauty standards.

16. Renaissance Women Embraced Receding Hairlines

In the Renaissance, a large, rounded forehead was seen as a symbol of beauty and intelligence. Women often went to great lengths to achieve this look by plucking or shaving their hairlines to create a receding hairline on purpose. A high forehead was seen as an indicator of nobility and beauty, and it was quite common for women to shave parts of their hairline to make their foreheads appear larger. This beauty ideal would be considered quite odd by today’s standards, but it was a highly sought-after look in the Renaissance.

17. The Tang Dynasty's Obsession with Big Cheeks

During the Tang Dynasty in China, women with round faces, big cheeks, and plump figures were considered the epitome of beauty. Unlike the slim figures that are prized in modern beauty standards, women of the Tang Dynasty were celebrated for their fuller bodies, and larger cheeks were considered a desirable trait. This was seen as a sign of fertility and good health. Today, the idea of large cheeks as a beauty standard may seem surprising, but it was an important characteristic for women in the Tang Dynasty.

18. Edwardian Women’s Sway-Backed Look

The Edwardian era was known for its emphasis on the mature female form, and one of the most notable beauty trends was the sway-backed look. Women wore corsets designed to push the hips back at a steep angle, causing their spines to curve and giving them an exaggerated swaying motion when they walked. While the look was considered elegant and graceful, it came at a cost. These corsets forced the body into unnatural positions, causing physical discomfort and long-term damage to the spine. The beauty of the Edwardian era was often painful and restrictive, but it was seen as the height of feminine elegance at the time.