The journalist Esther Honig conducted a remarkable experiment using an unaltered photo of herself and requested 11 Photoshop experts from various countries to retouch it according to their individual beauty ideals.
This project highlighted the diversity of beauty standards worldwide and yielded 11 very distinct faces. The insight gained is that beauty is subjective and perceived differently in various cultures. It is important to appreciate one’s uniqueness and beauty rather than striving to conform to an unrealistic ideal.
Germany
The result of the Photoshop editing by a German specialist in Esther Honig’s beauty project reveals an interesting facet of the beauty ideal in Germany.
With fairer skin and a slight reddish tint in the hair, this representation aligns with a particular beauty concept prevalent in Germany. It may suggest a preference for a classic, fair-skinned appearance and possibly an inclination towards natural hair colors.
Argentinia
The Argentine version of Esther in Esther Honig’s beauty project emphasizes makeup significantly. Here, a beauty ideal is presented that prefers heavily made-up faces. This illustrates the cultural differences and beauty preferences in Argentina, where makeup is often considered an important means of enhancing beauty.
It serves as an example of how beauty standards can vary significantly in different countries and highlights the diversity in the perception of beauty worldwide.
Australia
The Australian Photoshop expert in Esther Honig’s beauty project took a bold approach by significantly altering Esther’s appearance. Her cheeks glow with a delicate pink, while her eyes take on a striking shade of blue.
This artistic intervention highlights the diversity of beauty ideals worldwide. In Australia, the emphasis appears to be on accentuating the lower part of the face and using vibrant colors to define the concept of beauty.
Bangladesh
In the Bangladeshi version of Esther Honig’s beauty project, they introduced a subtle change to her hairstyle by adding a side ponytail. However, compared to some other transformations, the overall look remained relatively natural.
This choice may reflect a preference for simpler and less elaborate hairstyles in the beauty standards of Bangladesh. It’s a testament to how diverse beauty ideals can be worldwide, even in something as seemingly minor as a hairstyle adjustment.
Bulgaria
In this photo editing experiment conducted by a Bulgarian retoucher, Esther Honig’s image was altered to give her steel-blue eyes and a cool-toned complexion. This transformation highlights the malleability of beauty standards and the influence of regional preferences.
It underscores how digital manipulation can redefine perceptions of attractiveness, illustrating the subjectivity of beauty across different cultures. Esther Honig’s project continues to serve as a compelling example of how photo editing can reshape appearances, offering valuable insights into the complex interplay between technology, aesthetics, and cultural ideals.
Chile
In Chile, an emphasis was placed on jewelry, a fresh complexion, and slightly more almond-shaped eyes in the photo editing process. Additionally, her eyebrows were altered to appear both thinner and somewhat more rectangular in shape. This illustrates how beauty standards in different regions can influence various aspects of appearance, highlighting the cultural nuances in defining attractiveness.
Esther Honig’s experiment vividly demonstrates how image manipulation can reflect and perpetuate these diverse ideals, shedding light on the intricate relationship between beauty and cultural preferences.
Greece
The Greek beauty ideal bestowed upon her long eyelashes and rosy cheeks. This aspect of the photo editing process reflects the emphasis on certain facial features in Greek culture, where full and vibrant lashes and a healthy, flushed complexion are considered attractive attributes.
Esther Honig’s experiment further underscores the variability of beauty standards across different societies and provides valuable insights into the cultural factors shaping our perceptions of attractiveness.
India
An Indian artist perceived a darker complexion, dark hair, and deep blue eyes as particularly beautiful. This perspective highlights the influence of regional preferences on beauty standards. In India, a darker skin tone is often celebrated, and the combination of dark hair and dark blue eyes may be considered attractive.
Esther Honig’s experiment vividly illustrates how diverse cultural perspectives and ideals of beauty can shape the way individuals perceive and enhance attractiveness through photo editing.
Indonesia
In the Indonesian version, Esther was depicted as fair-skinned with large, expressive eyes. This representation highlights the beauty standards prevalent in Indonesia, where a fair complexion and large, captivating eyes are often considered attractive features.
Esther Honig’s experiment continues to illustrate how cultural perspectives on beauty can significantly influence the way individuals are portrayed and perceived through photo editing, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the diversity of beauty ideals worldwide.
Israel
A highly tanned variation of Esther emerged from Israel. This transformation underscores the preference for a sun-kissed complexion in some Israeli beauty standards, where a deep tan is often associated with a healthy and attractive appearance.
Esther Honig’s project effectively demonstrates the diverse interpretations of beauty across different cultures, shedding light on how regional influences can shape our perceptions and ideals of attractiveness.
Italy
Italy provided Esther with a very subtle makeup look and made her eyebrows narrower. This representation aligns with the Italian beauty ethos, which often values a more natural and understated approach to makeup and grooming.
Esther Honig’s experiment underscores the cultural nuances in beauty ideals and how they manifest through image editing, emphasizing the distinct preferences and standards held by various countries and regions.
Kenya
In Kenya, bright blue eyeshadow is considered a beauty enhancer. This preference reflects the unique and diverse beauty standards in Kenya, where vibrant and bold makeup choices like blue eyeshadow are embraced to accentuate one’s features.
Esther Honig’s experiment highlights the cultural variations in defining beauty and how different regions may emphasize certain makeup techniques or styles to achieve their desired aesthetic.
Morocco
The Moroccan Photoshop artist adorned her with a headscarf and almond-shaped eyes. This depiction aligns with the cultural and aesthetic preferences in Morocco, where traditional clothing like headscarves and particular eye shapes are often considered beautiful.
Esther Honig’s experiment continues to emphasize how regional and cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping beauty ideals and influencing the way individuals are portrayed through image editing.
Pakistan
As a Pakistani beauty, she was given dark skin and radiant eyes. This representation reflects the appreciation for deeper skin tones and captivating eyes in Pakistan’s beauty standards.
Esther Honig’s experiment vividly demonstrates how beauty ideals can vary across different cultures and regions, showcasing the distinctive preferences and values that influence the perception of attractiveness in various parts of the world.
Philippines
In the Philippines, Esther remained largely makeup-free, but she was dressed in business attire against a colorful background. This depiction reflects the cultural values and preferences in the Philippines, where a professional and vibrant appearance, often associated with business attire, is considered attractive.
Esther Honig’s experiment continues to illustrate how beauty ideals are influenced by regional and cultural factors, highlighting the distinct interpretations of attractiveness found in different parts of the world.
Romania
Her image underwent the least change in Romania. This observation reflects the beauty ideals in Romania, where a more natural or minimalistic approach to image editing and makeup may be preferred.
Esther Honig’s experiment serves as a reminder that beauty standards can vary significantly across different regions and cultures, highlighting the unique perspectives on attractiveness held by different societies around the world.
Serbia
The Serbian Photoshop professional gave her enormous, turquoise-colored eyes. This transformation demonstrates the artist’s preference for striking and vibrant eye features, which may align with certain aesthetic standards or trends in Serbia.
Esther Honig’s experiment continues to underscore the cultural diversity in beauty ideals and how image editing can be used to accentuate specific features that are considered attractive in different regions and cultures.
Sri Lanka
For Sri Lanka, a touch of green eyeshadow and vibrant coral-colored lips were added. This choice in makeup aligns with the cultural and aesthetic preferences in Sri Lanka, where vibrant and tropical colors may be embraced to enhance one’s appearance.
Esther Honig’s experiment effectively highlights how beauty ideals can be influenced by regional and cultural factors, showcasing the unique interpretations of attractiveness found in different parts of the world.
United Kingdom
A British artist gave her radiant hair, almond-shaped eyes, and a glowing complexion. This transformation reflects a particular set of beauty standards often associated with a more Westernized or European aesthetic.
Esther Honig’s experiment highlights the cultural nuances in defining beauty and how different regions may emphasize distinct features and styles in pursuit of their desired ideal of attractiveness.
Ukraine
Esther remained very natural in the rendition by a Ukrainian photo editor, with an emphasis on maintaining her original appearance. However, her skin texture was noticeably smoothed to achieve a more even complexion. This approach reflects a preference for a natural and unaltered look while still valuing smooth and flawless skin in Ukrainian beauty standards.
Esther Honig’s project underscores the cultural and regional differences in defining beauty and the nuanced ways in which image editing can be employed to meet these ideals.
United States
In America, Esther’s face underwent perhaps the most significant transformation: a narrower nose, dark green eyes, and blonde hair. This dramatic change reflects the diversity of beauty ideals and trends within the United States, where various looks and styles are appreciated.
Esther Honig’s experiment vividly illustrates how beauty standards can differ across regions, even within the same country, and how image editing can be used to create distinct and diverse interpretations of attractiveness.
Venezuela
To the Venezuelan Photoshop professional, a rosy complexion and a soft tone on the lips were sufficient. This choice emphasizes a preference for a natural and delicate appearance in line with certain beauty standards in Venezuela.
Esther Honig’s project continues to showcase the wide range of cultural perspectives on beauty and how image editing can be used to enhance or embody these ideals, reflecting the diversity of global aesthetic preferences.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, Esther’s appearance remained close to her natural state, with only slight enhancements to her skin and lips. This reflects a preference for a more subtle and minimalistic approach to image editing in Vietnamese beauty standards, where the emphasis may be on enhancing rather than drastically altering one’s features.
Esther Honig’s experiment serves as a reminder of the cultural nuances in defining beauty and how different regions may have unique interpretations of attractiveness, even within the realm of image editing.
Esther´s original photo
This fascinating experiment by Esther Honig and Photoshop artists from various countries offers an insightful glimpse into the diversity of beauty ideals worldwide. The 11 different versions of Esther’s portrait illustrate how cultural differences shape perceptions of beauty. Each artistic interpretation not only reflects aesthetic preferences but also reveals the cultural values and traditions of each country.
The experiment powerfully demonstrates that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is multifaceted. It serves as a reminder to appreciate one’s own beauty and not to conform rigidly to a particular ideal. In a world where digital image editing is widespread, this experiment conveys a significant message about the diversity and unique beauty of each individual.
