Culture of beauty.

The culture of beauty refers to the prevalent standard of physical attractiveness as dictated by popular opinion. Beauty culture usually focuses on certain features, primarily facial symmetry and low body weight, some of which may be rooted in evolutionary biology. However, the mainstream media plays a prominent role in what modern society considers beautiful. Factors that influence the culture of beauty include television, films, magazines, and advertisements. Mainstream ideals of beauty are bound to the history of beauty itself and the use of cosmetics throughout the ages. Since the late nineteenth century, cosmetic companies have used mass-market appeal to persuade consumers, especially females, to buy their products. Cosmetics quickly grew into a billion-dollar industry, bombarding the mainstream media with its visions of beauty and thereby shaping popular views.