THE CONSTRUCTION OF FEMALE BEAUTY UNDER MEDIA INFLUENCE: PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS

Abstract

Beauty standards have evolved over time, and with the rise of social media, new ways of perceiving, sharing, and relating to one's own appearance have become part of daily life. This study aimed to analyze the influence of social media on the construction of female beauty standards, while also considering the social representations involved in this process. An integrative literature review with a qualitative approach was conducted, involving searches on SciELO, PePSIC, and Google Scholar for publications from 2016 to 2026. Following the search and selection criteria, 17 sources were included in the analysis and organized into three categories: the social construction of beauty standards; the media's influence on the construction of beauty standards; and thinness as a representation of the female beauty ideal. The studies reveal various relationships between media, the body, and beauty, touching on issues such as body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, acceptance, digital influencers, and appearance filters. The analysis also highlighted how traditional beauty references persist, even as new ways of representing the female body begin to gain traction on social media.