Inner and outer beauty: exploring female beauty in contemporary China

Based on 20 semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study explores young Chinese women’s understandings of female beauty. It reveals that participants’ beauty are not limited to outer (waizaimei, 外在美), but rather foreground the importance ‘inner beauty’ (neizaimei, 内在美). The data found these concepts have a symbiotic relationship whereby each affects other. According findings, inner and oppositional both important for participants gain ‘empowerment’. Yet placed higher value which was seen as enabling them resist pressures standards. article argues, however, discourses free influenced by variety dominant such state interest industry. In regard, needs interrogation cannot simply be perceived tool empowerment. discussion sheds light understanding in relation gender feminism context. provides culturally grounded approach China adds feminist about