#double eyelids

But Big or double-eyelid eyes = doe-eyed, innocent, sentimental, loving, cute, dreamy, good.

As if Africans don’t have double eyelids.

As if Latinxs don’t have double eyelids.

As if Native Americans don’t have double eyelids.

As if Australian Aboriginals don’t have double eyelids.

As if all Asians only have monolids.

As if Indians don’t have double eyelids.

As if western Asians like Afghans, Pakistanis, Saudis, Syrians, etc. don’t have double eyelids.

Get the everloving fuck out of here with that bullshit.

You can’t blame everything on white people.

Get a life.

What is it?

Double eyelids have been a popular cosmetic trend in East Asia for decades despite the common phenotypical monolid eyes that East Asians often have. While double eyelids have become a widely sought-after look in recent years, their popularization date back to the early 20th century.

Origin

In the past, having monolids was considered a traditional and natural look in East Asian cultures, as seen in ancient Chinese illustrations that depict women. However, with the rise of Western beauty standards and the influence of Western media in the late 1900s, having double eyelids became increasingly desirable. Double eyelids became associated with a more Westernized and fashionable appearance, leading to a surge in the popularity of double eyelid surgery across East Asia. The trend of double eyelids in East Asia can also be attributed to cultural factors: in many East Asian cultures, having bigger and brighter eyes, enhanced by features like double eyelids and Aegyo-sal, is associated with youth, beauty, and femininity.

Today

With the rise of social media and beauty influencers, the trend of double eyelids has only continued to grow in popularity, with many young people opting for the surgery or double eyelid tape to supposedly enhance their appearance.

Problems

Despite its popularity, double eyelid surgery in East Asia has sparked debates about the pressure to conform to beauty standards and the impact of Western ideals on traditional Asian features.  Some argue that it perpetuates Eurocentric beauty standards and creates issues of self-esteem amongst individuals who do not naturally have double eyelids. While the popularity of double eyelids continues to rise, it is important to consider the societal implications of beauty ideals and which cultures and contexts our beauty standards are rooted in.