The changes in beauty culture in Mexico are deeply intertwined with its complex history, marked by the confluence of indigenous civilisations, Spanish colonisation, and the ongoing construction of national identity. Terms like "mestizo" (mixed indigenous and European ancestry) and "blanco" (white/European) are not just racial categories but also carry historical weight that has influenced beauty ideals. The preference for "blanco" features, particularly lighter skin, has been a lingering effect of Spanish colonisation, where social hierarchies often placed those with more European features at the top. This historical bias created a dichotomy, a clear divide where "Spanish" features were often valorised over indigenous ones.
However, the cultural understanding of these terms extends beyond mere physical appearance. Even everyday food items like "torta" (a type of sandwich; used to described women of plumper figures) and "flautas" (rolled, fried tortillas; describing thinner women) can serve as subtle downplaying of natural features that Mexicans still feel uneasy about when left to their own vices of control of self-perception. These seemingly simple cultural touchstones highlight the "mestizaje" – the mixing – that is central to Mexican identity, even if the aesthetic ideal has historically leaned towards "blanco."
The legacy of the Aztec Empire, a powerful and sophisticated civilisation prior to Spanish arrival, is a crucial element in understanding contemporary Mexican beauty culture. While the lack of readily available resources in the post-conquest era, coupled with periods of political instability, historically hindered a widespread sense of pride in this indigenous past for all Mexicans, this is changing. There is a growing movement to reclaim indigenous heritage, including pre-Columbian aesthetics. The beauty standards of the Aztec Empire, which emphasised clean, healthy appearances, long dark hair, and symbolic body adornment, are being re-examined and appreciated as integral to Mexican identity.
The Spanish colonisation, while imposing its own beauty standards and creating a lasting preference for "whiteness," also inadvertently contributed to the "mestizo" identity that now forms the basis of Mexican nationality. Yet, the clear historical divide between coloniser and colonised has meant that embracing the full spectrum of Mexican heritage, including its indigenous roots, has been a gradual process.
Today, Mexican beauty culture is a dynamic space where the historical preference for "blanco" features coexists with a growing appreciation for the diverse beauty of its "mestizo" population and a burgeoning pride in its indigenous ancestry on a wider aesthetic level [designs and patterns, rather than in honouring physiology]. The visual landscape is a negotiation between ingrained colonial legacies and a conscious effort to embrace a more inclusive and representative definition of Mexican beauty, one that acknowledges and celebrates the rich history as the last self-owned version of their identities. The journey towards fully embracing this multifaceted beauty is ongoing, fueled by a desire to reconcile with the past and forge a more inclusive future.
Digitalisation, particularly the rise of image-based social media platforms, has significantly accelerated the transformation of Mexican beauty standards, especially as Mexico solidifies its position as a top global tourist destination. Platforms disseminate visual trends at an unprecedented rate, exposing current ideals rather than what has been. As Mexico caters to a global tourist market, these platforms become showcases, subtly promoting a more universally palatable aesthetic that may sometimes downplay the unique beauty of its diverse population in favor of more globally recognised trends. This can create a pressure for individuals, particularly those engaged in the tourism sector or online content creation aimed at international audiences, to adopt or adapt to these broader beauty standards. The curated and often idealised imagery prevalent on social media can further amplify certain features and body types, potentially overshadowing traditional Mexican beauty ideals and contributing to internalised biases.
