These GIFs Show The Crazy Difference Between North and South Korea Beauty Standards Over The Years

The difference in beauty standards (and hairspray usage) in North and South Korea

Beauty Standards in South/North Korea

by Emma Gannon |
Published on

Cut.com have released their latest 100 years of beauty video and we're entirely fascinated by this one, which shows how beauty norms have developed in Korea over the last 100 years. The distinct difference in standards for female beauty between North and South Korea shows the clear effect of politics on how we look.

In 1910s and 20s, Korean beauty focussed on ornate decorations and hair accessories, with clear basic make-up on the skin.

1910s

1940s

20 years later, it was all about the bold brows, bold lip and slightly wavy hair.

1950s

Post-Korean war, here's where the big changes start to come into effect - the difference in style is instantly pretty evident.

1960s

South Korea goes even more feminine with bolder eyeshadow and lipgloss - mimicking contemporary American trends. For North Korea it's minial make-up and plain accessories.

1970s

South Korea experiement with bold hair accessories, big earrings and party sunglasses. In North Korea, a plain sunhat - reflecting the country's continuing reliance on agriculture (hoop earrings aren't massively practical if you're working in the fields all day). **

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1980s

South Korea discovers extreme hold hairspray, where in North Korea the look was a little more... low key.

1990s

South Korea's 90s was full of butterfly clips and general mad hairstyles, whereas North Korea's hairstyle is tidy and conservative. **

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2000s

For South Korea the uber-gloss beauty look returns - whereas North Korea brings back the (massive) military hat.

2010s

Modern day beauty standards for both are still pretty different - South Korea it's all about the false eyelashes and in North Korea make-up is kept minimal and simple.

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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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