Every era in pop culture has a fixed code of beauty that most female performers must grapple with in order to survive.
Karachi:
As teenagers, we all spent our nights skimming through the latest fashion magazines or Googling the top actors of the day. It was also a necessary habit to let us know what we wanted.
Little did we know that the expectation of looking attractive and “perfect” would only become an even harder task for both the actors we see on screen as well as in real life. In every era of the . The pressure to maintain a particular set of presentations of faces and bodies while audiences ride waves by replicating cheap imitations becomes their own formula for actors who run otherwise formulaic scripts. .
Is there a defining beauty code for contemporary Pakistani television? Does it meet the heavy burdens that come with modern politics of multiculturalism, anti-colorism, equality and syncretism? Probably yes and no.
they all look the same
Celebrities often change their appearance to stand out from their peers, but ironically, their efforts end in failure as they all transform themselves to achieve the same result.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, veteran Simi Raheal elaborated on the physical traits we look for in today’s celebrities. “The look is really generic. Most women and quite a few men are also called upon to have some shade of color. They also have Botox foreheads, fuller lips and slightly higher cheekbones. Of course. , straight hair is a must for celebrities, not curly hair. Sabert actor.
Raheel then noted how the stars of the time were dissimilar and had individual talents. Actors like Zeba Khanum, Shehnaz Sheikh, Marina Khan, but in today’s world, unless they are very good actors , the impression of the appearance does not take hold.”
Beauty has long been associated with the idea of glamor in colonial times, but many entertainers point out that beauty standards have slowly changed over the years. Actor Ayesha Omar feels that an awareness of colorism has allowed the brand to move towards being more inclusive in its projects.
“Pakistan’s current beauty standards seem to come from our gora complex: having fair skin, being tall, having colored eyes, having a certain body type,” says Omar. told the Express Tribune. There is a growing awareness of colorism and activism. We see standards changing and many brands taking steps to promote more diversity through their projects. hub star.
curly or straight?
Hair is one of the most prominent features of beauty, and for celebrities it has long been considered the norm to have long, silky, straight hair on television. , believes the stars are slowly starting to wear wavy curly hair in public, but in the long run, they’re still “playing it safe.”
Hair color specialist and founder Areeba Farouk one salon Also, celebrities were afraid to try out new styles and believed that it actually held them back. Styles worn by celebrities are very safe.
look younger by the day
The pressure to stay youthful as we age is probably the biggest dilemma most celebrities face. To live up to these highly unrealistic expectations, celebrities spend millions of dollars to look younger than they age. And considering how the media circus and fandom react to a single wrinkle in that perfectly glowing skin, you can’t quite blame them.
Rayheel also said that at her age, looking young is the only big expectation. , I expect actors all over the world to be youthful. Deny.”
There was a time when people thought long before opting for physical alterations to their face or body. It has become very easy.
“Celebrities usually go for two things: enhancing their features to achieve a good side profile and a clear, glassy skin,” said the dermatologist and cosmetologist. Express Tribune in a short conversation. What you do with your body is completely your freedom of choice and choice, but the demand to fit a certain template, the need to look perfect from every angle, ultimately takes a toll on your psyche. It says a lot about how it paves the way for more change… health.
Influence of beauty standards
After reading about all these requirements, they may dismiss it as thinking it’s not in their interest, but the truth is, these beauty standards also have a powerful impact on society. Celebrities also influence how young people see themselves and how they see the world.
Veteran actor Rajael felt that actors should be responsible for setting impossible beauty standards and not promote them, even if that was the demand of the day. I think celebrities have a lot of responsibility to go against these particular standards and instead promote diversity, but of course not, why? , because they’re being compensated for not being worthy of appearing in dramas or future projects,” Raheel said.
Moving forward, Ruswai The actor also emphasized how detrimental beauty standards can be for new talent to rise to fame in the industry. From choosing young actors to play the role of mothers to having certain stereotypes about grandmothers, the media always has a set of rules to follow.”
Do you have anything to add to the story? Please share in the comments below.
