I’ve grown up with a lot of pressure from family members who think that I should fix my single eyelids. They often said, “oh, you would be so much prettier with double eyelids.” To whose standards? I refused and refused for 30 years. One time, I was visiting home for holidays and I was bothered again by my mom who thinks that I’m still a single due to my single eyelids. Perhaps, she was desperate but, I finally had it at that point and I had to make a big fuss about it so it would stop at some point. I’ve repeated that I see no point getting my eyelids done and snaped off at her and we got into a big fight we never had with each other – well, we ended with “I love you” so that wasn’t so bad.) I have thin eyes, so what? Somehow it’s a part of my face and me and I’m comfortable with them. Anyway, after that incident, my mom never mentioned about it ever again. whew~
Then, I was explainig to my friends in E. Village what happened and they had no concept of it or couldn’t comprehend the difference between double eyelids and single eyelids in person. “What do you mean? What eyelids?” They honestly couldn’t tell the difference. I tried to explain but, they still didn’t get it. So I pointed some photos of asian actresses in the street and told them, she’s done it & she’s done it…etc. They still were clueless by the way. Funny.
I find the beauty of being eastern is being eastern, not trying to look like a western model you see on the TV shows. Yes, I grew up with TV shows that only showed big eyes and long blond hair girls and yes, I’ve grown up with TV shows with many actresses got their eyelids done themselves. Still, I don’t see the reason why everyone should do it. There are some asians who have double eyelids naturally and they are beautiful on their own ways. Genearlly, I find it interesting how signle eyelid comform shape and how it contains dark eyes whithin if you look close. I like looking at old portraits of women in history to see how they looked. It’s actually fascinating how beauty has changed in the society.
Anyway, for people who have no clue what double eyelids and single eyelids mean like most of my friends in New York, here is a photo that shows the difference in close up.
I’ve decided to write further on this subject. Here is double eyelids vs. single eyelids – Part 2
August 24, 2006 at 12:10 am
hmmm, that example on the left looks familiar.
August 24, 2006 at 3:30 pm
You think!
September 26, 2006 at 10:26 pm
hey, in my opinion, single eye lids are just as pretty as double ones.
October 29, 2006 at 3:31 am
it’s ridiculous to like a girl because of her # eyelids
November 23, 2006 at 12:43 am
I agree with you both Hassan and lightlight.
Thanks for the comments.
December 14, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Do your parents both got single eyelids or they both have doubles? im just concerned.
December 15, 2006 at 12:40 am
Hi Mike,
My parents have single eyelids but, my mom has done double eyelids procedure like many other women in her generation.
To make it clear for some people might MISUNDERSTAND that I’m interested in this procedure done, which is absolutely no no no way! Apparently, I like the way I look with single eyelids and all other features that are asian. I wrote this series of blogs because it’s all about how you perceive things and it seems ridiculous to me in some sense.
December 16, 2006 at 3:14 pm
The thing about double-eyelid is that the person who has it is seemingly more dimensional int their facial expression in comparison to single eyelid- who look natuarally stoic. Biologically, it doesn’t really bother me that much, but perceptively, its had a pretty gradual effect. honestly, as an Asian male I have single eye-lids and am only bothered by it becuase of the occasional, and random superficial comments from friends and aquaitances mentioning such things to me. I guess it really gets to me and makes me self-concisous from time to time. although there is no need to to apply any make-up, it’s basically aesthetic sense and in a society where the beauty norm is double-eyelid. the operational procedure freaks me out and, from various testimonials, could result in complications and risk. So basically, I’m torn b/w making a decision.
December 25, 2006 at 6:58 am
Wow, I had no idea this was even an issue. I just randomly stumbled across the concept of eyelid-modification surgery from wikipedia. I had no idea that there even *were* different types of eyelids, let alone surgery to change them. I stared at the photos on this website: http://www.beautifuleyes.com/cosmetic-surgery/asian.html
trying to find a difference before I even noticed anything. It’s like a crease in the upper eyelid, right? I don’t know where you live, but if it’s in America, you can take it from this American male: NOBODY CARES ABOUT EYELIDS AND THEY DO NOT AFFECT YOUR ATTRACTIVENESS IN THE LEAST. Tell that to your mom and good for you for not wasting money on what is possibly the most pointless surgery I’ve ever heard of.
March 1, 2007 at 12:45 pm
as much as i hate to say it, even though i have single eyelids, double eyelids DO lookbetter. ppl woudln’t get surgeries and desires for doubleeylids for no reason
March 17, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Hey there!
My name is Christine from Toronto, and i just wanted to say good for you sistah! I’m doing a presentation on this topic for my class and i stumbled across your blog. I too have grown up with “if you got double eyelid surgery you’d be so pretty!” by my aunt. I finally flipped out and said “i LIKE my eyes” (which i do) and now she’s shut up her verbal diarrhea.
take care,
Christine
March 19, 2007 at 11:26 am
I am not Asian (I am white European) and I personally think that the single eyelid found commonly on Asian people is very beautiful. I find it so strange that the ‘fashion’ to look western could lead to people thinking it was prettier to have a fold in their eyelid.
I also have to say that just because people do get cosmetic surgery to change their appearance – that does not mean that everyone thinks that the changes make the person more beautiful. In the same way I am sure I would not find footbinding appealing – but there was a place and time when it seemed unacceptable not to bind your daughters feet.
My vote is for you to keep your single eyelids just how they are – to my western eyes you look just great.
July 29, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I’m Asian here, and I have double eyelids, which occasionally become inner double eyelids, or even at times, single. I’ve been wondering what people from Europe and other places in the world would think about single eyelids and Asian eye styles , but I guess I figured that single and double eyelids as well as different eye styles are beautiful in their own way. And I just want to say, thanks for boosting up my self-esteem. I never even imagined people with big eyes admiring eyes that were smaller and have single eyelids.
March 29, 2007 at 11:38 am
I am finding this conversation pretty interesting. I have two daughters adopted form China ages 4 adn 6 and one daughter I am pretty sure is single lid, the other is harder to tell, or am I just an idiot? One daughter looks like she has slight double. Is that possible?
I think they are both beautiful and I never really considered this way of thinking about eye lids. I am certainly interested in learning and hearing more from the Asian community.
April 4, 2007 at 5:43 am
Thank you for everyone who left great comments!
Patty, I think it’s possible for Asians to have natural double eyelids (of course!) I think there are more double eyelids among Chinese compared to Korean (Honestly, that’s what I think but, I don’t have research that backs it up here yet) I do have friends who have double eyelids naturally. They are not as defined as surgical double eyelids you might see in the photos of asian celebrities but, they seem much natural and subtle.
There are still big number of people with great desire to be looking like a western barbie doll where they would make their eyes rounder and bigger and make their jar narrower surgically…which takes more than just double eyelids procedure… well, that is another long story.
April 8, 2007 at 6:05 pm
hi, i’m fourteen and have considered the surgery for a while. one of my eyes is double and the other is single. i had never really noticed this until i looked at all my friends, (most of which have double eyelid) and felt inadequate, just because i didnt have a line across my eyelid. My mom is neither encouraging or discouraging of my decision, that it is solely up to me. i’ve tried all the tapes and glues out there, and realized that in the long run the only make your eyes droopier, so girls, DON’T USE THEM. now my eyes look even MORE uneven. as to the surgery, i guess i have now officially decided against it. I never noticed before whether my eyes had it or not, and by not noticing i was even MORE confident. besides ladies,
if you get surgery then you can say bye to any type of beauty pageant, because your beauty is “unreal.” doesn’t that just destroy the whole point of “enhancing your eyes” in the first place? I have considered, thought, dreamt, tried everything. And have now learned to except myself for who i am, instead of what i can be. Besides, think of it this way. your going to get stitches near your eyeball because you want a little line there. is it truly worth all the pain? and when you do get double eyelids, it will be fake, not hereditary. not real. so, if you ask me, i think everybody is perfect the way they were born- and that’s a fact.
April 18, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Interesting topic. I think most people find the blending of Eastern and Western features beautiful because both have admirable attributes. One day, far in the future, and blended features are the norm, there will be a desire to look pure. Anyway, as a westerner I had no idea this was an issue. I was looking for information on the differences of eyelids between asian races, which I’ve yet to find. My very good korean friend, now passed on, once explained a difference of the eyelids between himself and the different asian races. I’m sure it’s a difference of degree but would like to learn what it is. Does any one have time to assist in this inquiry?
May 1, 2007 at 2:27 am
I completely know where you’re coming from. I’m an Asian female with single eyelids & my parents (my MOTHER especially) have wanted me to undergo double eyelid surgery for the longest time, even hauling me to the plastic surgeon even though I’m not even 20 yet.
I firmly refused on the principle that I wish to be seen for who I am & what I’m capable of doing in my life, not for how pretty I look or how attractive my eyes can be. I have no intention of being imperious but I do believe that too many women out there care too much about how they look to the point where they don’t fully see what they can be outside of physical beauty.(I hope that made sense)
May 5, 2007 at 4:43 am
I understnad what you`re going through. People would always say to me; “If you had double eyelids, your eyes would look so much bigger & prettier” but they just have to learn the fact that we`re not going to change ourselves. I mean, who cares? Many people with single eyelids can still be beautiful.
May 28, 2007 at 6:22 pm
How do you get no eyelids? Glue isn’t working..
May 29, 2007 at 5:40 pm
wow..you guys offer a lot of encouragement. thanks a bunch! i was having class today and this white/native american guy in my class pointed out my single-eyelid. he kept making fun of me or w/e, so i decided to look it up, and here i am. i feel better to be myself now. i do think doubles are prettier so you can put on make up, but im alright with what i’ve got.thanks for putting up this blog.
May 29, 2007 at 5:43 pm
riko: what do you mean “how do you get no eyelids”?
June 28, 2007 at 4:41 am
i am with sigle eyelids and i’m happy with it though sometimes it thought double eyelids looks better but i’ve never have the thought to do surgery or use whatsoever to have double eyelids. i love how the way my eyes look.
August 5, 2007 at 7:29 pm
you know you can get double eyelids done temporarily without surgery.
you just have to buy this eye thing from a chemist, but i think they only sell it in Asia.
But you can do it yourself using false eyelash glue and something pointy…it works!
August 14, 2007 at 11:49 pm
How can you tell which actors/actresses have the surgery done?
August 16, 2007 at 1:58 am
After reading the interesting comments above, I feel the need to add on some input as a asian girl(from Hong Kong)who have undergo the surgery!
First of all, I want to make clear that I didn’t initially undergo the surgery because of my parents nor did I request the surgeon to make me a Caurasian. Back in my childhood, the naive minded me actually didn’t take note of my single eyelids when I was little even if my asian aunties and cousins was making fun of my single eyelids. Thinking back it was pretty depressing that even asian with natural double eyelids is also prejudice against single eyelid people of their own race!
My concept of having the procedure done was first developed at the age of eleven; when I was sent to the UK to study abroad. I can still remembered the pain of being called Chinks, Chinaman, Gooks at the first week of term in my Prep School where I have no idea that these terms are insults until I looked up the words a month later. The racist comments continued for two years with racist nursery rhymes, slant eyes pulling until I finished the course there.
With these experiences, I have determine to get the double eyelids done before the history repeats itself in my secondary education. And I must say that with the difference of the crease, I am more accepted in my new school and have never been shouted chinks on the streets since the surgery. Some of you might say that this is an extreme case and it is more about confidence than looks; but I personally think that Westinisation do affect our perception of beauty.
As for those who are concern with the scarring and the ‘obvious artifical’ look; I can tell you that the techinques have been refined so much after all this years that it looks very natural. I also feel that the surgeon in US are very conservative with the surgery and so the results might not seem so dramatic, but I think that some of you might change your mind after seening the pics below in a Taiwanese plastic surgeon’s website:
http://www.b-c-c.com.tw/Anaplasty.asp?id=20&sid=72&pic=1
August 16, 2007 at 3:28 am
I think single eyelids if you have them keep them, me I have double eyelids but seriously if one has single keep them
August 18, 2007 at 5:19 pm
hello… why many people wants to have a double eyelids anyways???
what is good about having double eyelids??? thank you…
August 26, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Are eyelids coincidental?
I have 3 creases on 1 eye, 2 on the other. I am full asian, and my relatives vary in eyelid type.
Are there natural environmental causes to my situation? Right now, I am near sighted and wear both contacts and glasses.
I notice in my earlier photos that I once had dbl-eyelids similar to the one in the photo above (right).
August 28, 2007 at 5:33 am
I just want to say kudos to fourteen-year-old Vivian!!
Growing up, I definitely had issues with my looks, as do most girls, but I’ve never had an issue with my eyes (I have single eyelids). I think as adults, especially Asian American women, we have the responsibility to encourage the young to embrace who they are and love what they look like! This eyelid issue is more than skin deep. To anyone who says it’s just about beauty, they’re just lying to themselves. It stems from a deep rooted insecurity about being Asian. For centuries, Asians have been fed the stereotype that “whites are better” — first by colonial masters, then by the media, and sadly by our families as well.
We need to get rid of this colonial mindset and embrace who we are and LOVE our eyelids — whether or not they’re single or double. You’re ALL beautiful, every single part of you!!
August 28, 2007 at 4:19 pm
personally, i think double eyelids are much prettier. i am not asian, i am caucasian and i believe that asains should get surgery so that their eyes can look just like ours. ok fine not EXACTLY like ours but seriosuly, you should get double eyelids do us ALL a huge favor.
September 3, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Ignore rachel, she’ an a**hole. I never noticed the single eylid before, it’s strange that it means so much to asian people when most westerners either don’t notice or don’t care.
I wouldn’t bother getting the surgery tho, at least not for the reason of trying to copy a western ideal of beauty. It’s just not worth it.
September 20, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I have double eyelids, but recently, like the past month or two, they’ve kind of turned into single eyelids. I still HAVE double eyelids, but unless I raise my eyebrows, only one shows.
Anyone know why?
April 25, 2009 at 10:11 am
wow I have the exact same case as you!
Well, mine haven’t exactly turned into single eyelids – my left one is fine and I’m happy with it, but my right one goes into single mode, unless I raise my eyebrows. But once I blink again after that, it goes single again.
October 14, 2007 at 5:51 pm
I’m 100% S. Korean, and I have single eyelids. I like my eyelids very much, and I actually don’t know anyone who’s had the surgery, save for a loads of actors and actresses. But, seriously, I think the idea of having surgery just so you can “look Western/White” or have bigger, brighter eyes is kind of silly.
Sure, they are pretty, but what will you think the same way when you’re 40? Or 50? By then, would you seriously care about what your eyelids look/looked like anymore?
Also, single eyelids means I don’t have to mess around with mascara and worry about poking my eyes with that brush. The only problem I have is eyeshadow, and that’s it, really.
On a strangely related issue…
I wish there were more Asians in fashion magazines. But, of all the reasons why we’re not in fashion magazines or anything… is it because of our eyes? We’ve been a part of American History, and have been there for so long, and yet I see more African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, and (of course) Caucasians in all these magazines but NEVER any Asians. That bugs me. (Mind you, I’m American, not UK or the like. I don’t know the situation there.)
As much as I love my single eyelids, do eyelids really affect people’s perception of us? I grew up with the squinty-eyes taunt. Ugh. I mean, yes it does make us stick out, but why don’t whites care about their long pointy noses, for instance?
Does some perception of beauty matter that much? In any case, I’m just throwing out whatever pops into my head. Don’t mind me, I’m just a babbling teenager. ^^;
Also, don’t get the surgery. I don’t think your eyes determine your chances of landing a guy. Seriously, all of the Asians I’ve seen have single-eyelids. The only problem I have with these Asians is the fact that they are usually couples. So, yes, eyelids can’t be an immensely important factor in a guy’s perception of the ideal girlfriend. That would just be silly! “I dated you because of your double eyelids.”
That’s almost like saying we should slap on some blue eye contacts, now! >_>;
May 6, 2009 at 6:25 am
Well, I don’t think it’s the eyelids that prevents more East Asians from entering fashion world.
Fashion industry now wants someone who is TALL. Asian girls usually aren’t that tall. And not to mention that their legs are short and instead longer torso. If anything, they would prefer single eyelids so that the models look more “exotic” and oriental and what not.
October 15, 2007 at 3:47 am
My parents say the same thing about my eyelids (I’m Chinese). The strange thing is that over time, my eyes will eventually become double eyelids on their own. I can already see a slow change. My mom had single eyelids until she was 25 and then hers slowly changed to double eyelids. I’m the same way. Crazy huh?
Personally, I prefer my single eyelids better, but I can’t stop growing up!
October 15, 2007 at 4:57 am
[...] I know don’t see or notice a difference. I think the obsession is completely an Asian thing. Here is someone who has also dealt with family/cultural pressure because of having single [...]
November 19, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Hey this is all very interesting. Personally, i wake up in the mornings with “double eyelids” but after a while, i go back to single eyelids.
LMAO! =)
November 26, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Hey, i got single eyelids too:) But sometimes my left eye goes to double eyelid, and it gets very annoying. But I got a question? How can you do nice makeup with single eyelid?
-Thanks:)
November 29, 2007 at 6:57 pm
my left eye is double eyelid a
and my right eye is single
it looks reali weird to me
cos when i smile one eye is alot bigger than the other
however my friends didnt understand until i pointed it out
and it just really annoys me cos in pictures i can cover up half my face and by sides look different
April 25, 2009 at 10:15 am
hey mine is the same. To get my right a double, I raise my eyebrows and widen my eyes at the same time. Then when I let go, my right one gets double…until I blink
December 5, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I think Asians are SOOOO cute…
I also have single lids (well almost-a faint double lid shows)…BUT I’m North African in origin, and i’m always told my eyes look slightly chinese, and I embrace it and take it as most flattering compliment-truly.
Just stop obsessing about your eyes..they are lovely…on an aditional note, not all Caucasians have beautiful eyes..:-)
December 10, 2007 at 1:53 am
My friend had hers done in the summer and it looks really nice and natural. Im not so confident about my single-eyelids either, but i dont think i would actually get them done. There’s always that risk and side effects no matter how advanced things have become.
As for applying make-up to the eyes, Buttercup, I have to put quite a lot of eyeliner on because the skin folds in. So when you open ur eyes, it just looks like a line. It looks horrible if you leave it alone like that, so what i do is to put eye shadow over it (the skin and liner interface) so that the line looks a bit smudged, giving it a more natural look. It takes a lot of practice before getting it right but it works for me.
I guess an “advantage” to single eyelid is that you can control the shape of ur eyes when you put on eyeliners….if you know what i mean.
December 29, 2007 at 5:03 pm
as a eurasian i have always been envious of my younger sister’s more balanced appearance-
one looks spanish
the other looks chinese
i look neither and both!
(or as many tell me – like a manga anime lol apparently this is a compliment)
i am double lidded, but often thought id look prettier with single lidded eyes as i am quite self-conscious about my big ‘boggly’ eyes.
the grass is always greener on the other side isnt it?
January 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
check out this site for single eyelid makeup.
http://girltalkgear.blogspot.com/2007/07/cat-eyes-to-fish-tails.html
hope you like it
February 4, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I’m Asian and everyone in my family have double eyelids except for me. my right eyelid is kinda double though but only just if that makes any sense!
well if i didn’t have so much skin and fat i would have double eyelids you can clearly see the crease when i lift up up skin. the crease is about 3-5mm from the eye.
i don’t like my eyelids because they make me look kinda angry/tired. does anyone else have this problem?
February 9, 2008 at 2:13 am
I understand what your sayong angel. My left eye is has some creases where as my right eye doesn’t so I look really weird.
Anyway, I’m so glad I found this site. Early this night my friend was using me as an example to point out to her new boyfriend that asians’ don’t have double lids (which isn’t completely true) and weird it was. I was so pissed and can of humiliated.
February 22, 2008 at 11:46 am
Hello…
B4 I tot single eyelid is cool..or maybe it juz me??huahaha
btw Yeah~ Im proud of my Double Eyelid..Im lucky to be a Mixed Blood…hahah..LMAO
February 23, 2008 at 6:26 am
lol,(Chinese) i have single eyelid and it always make me look angry/pissed and my parents/relatives keep saying you would look so much better if you had double eyelid, i sort of want to have double eyelid cos double does actually look better.
Kevin Chan: lol! same here, sometimes in the morning ones single and the others double, thought it was only me, freaky though,
March 17, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I have never even heard of this concept of single/double eyelids until reading about it in a forum. What the hell is the difference? It all looks the same to me. Am I the only one who thinks single eyelids look better? Actually, I don’t even care, they lo.k the same.
March 26, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Double eyelid makes your eyelashes more noticeable
March 27, 2008 at 8:08 pm
To be honest, looking at this example…single eyelid looks cleaner. Double eyelid looks like another wrinkle. I’d have to see the entire face to compare the difference in beauty.
March 31, 2008 at 10:19 pm
This makes me a little sad reading this.
I’m not exactly sure why, maybe because this is a total degration of humanity if we are forced down to talking about the shape of our eyes. And whether or not it is beauty.
Is really the reason behind all of this JUST beauty; more along the lines of some egotistic excuse to feel so insecure I think.
I think that ’single’ eyelids are beautiful. I think that ‘double’ eyelids are beautiful as well. ‘Double’ eyelids are much more commercialized, so that is probably why we are more compelled to that specific look.
Eye lid surgery is the whole concept of “Don’t bite off more than you can swallow”
There are the social standards that Asians have to put up with (society/family/friends), and then your own personal benefit which I think definitely out weights any other.
Full Korean
Age 22
Single/Double eyelid- N/A (because that should not, and does not determine my feelings about this subject)
April 3, 2008 at 8:59 am
thank you all so much for all the comments! this totally boosted my confidence. i am a chinese-american, and i have one double eyelid on my right eye, and a single eyelid on my left eye. i googled this issue as i felt very self concious about my eyes. when i take pictures, i would turn my head to an angle so that it would capture my double eyelid, and not the single. however, when i take yearbook pictures, i have to look straight in to the camera and it turns out very bad because one eye appears larger than the other. my friend pointed this out to me, and that made me even more self-concious. but, i was wondering if there is any make up that can help my single/double eyelid so that it would be even?
April 7, 2008 at 7:22 pm
That’s cool! I’m Korean and my mom actually tells me NEVER to do the surgery! hahaha!
however, my mom’s sister (my aunt) lives in korea and tells me, “if you come to korea, i’ll take you to a place and we can get your eyes done!”
i of course, do NOT want that!
she also tells me, “your lips are perfect and your nose is just perfect. if you just get double eyelids then you’ll be perfect!!!”
HAHAHA!!! What a funny aunt! Are you sayin that my eyes aren’t PRETTY!?!?! hahaha
Well, I will never do the surgery!!
Thanks for the encouragement! 
April 7, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I have single eyelids but to tell you the truth, the only reason I want double eyelids is to apply makeup. Yes, people go “oh, you look fine!” or “just put on thicker eyeliner.” But really, they don’t understand. I love who I am and I love my eyes. There are many times when I just get so frustrated because my eyes always look bruised with all the heavy black eye shadow. Very funny. So in the end, I do want double eyelids.
I also don’t think people should automatically say no when people choose to do the surgery. Just because people do the surgery does not mean they do not embrace their culture. You will remain Asian no matter what that such a small surgery does not completely change a person. Many Asian people already have double eyelids. Having double eyelids can tremendously boost people’s confidence.
Just don’t go over the top like many Asian celebrities, especially Korean ones, to have the “Western face.” I’ve seen celebrities that have had surgery on their jaw bones and even their nose. I find that to be very upsetting because that just means they really dislike the Asian face.
April 15, 2008 at 12:26 am
so glad that i found this forum im dealing with the same problem right now i used to have single eyelids when i was a child but since i was 16-17 i got occasional double eyelids but sometimes it just goes back to single eyelids but since i was in college due to heavy amount of work and lack of sleep my eyes were more occasional to have double eyelids but as i get more rest my eyes go back to single eyelids which is really bothering me right now. im thinking about getting surgery but im still concerned about risks and failures and in general double eyelids DO LOOK BETTER, well in my case i feel more confident with double eyelids.
April 19, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I’m not Asian, but just found out about the double-eyelid last night from some student I supervise. I couldn’t believe it. I would think most people wouldn’t want to get things done in order to feel “beautiful” by another culture’s standards. I admit I’m against plastic surgery in general unless it’s to address a deformity or some other actual health issue. But I could not imagine doing something in order to look more like another culture.
I think when most people get these kinds of surgery done, it hasmore to do with an inside problem than a outside one. They look to others too much for validation or even to other cultures. I understand the pressure, even from within one’s own race, to conform; as a Black person in the USA. So many Blacks striaghten their hair because Western mainstream culture says our natural hair isn’t beautiful.
I say be proud of who you are inside and out. Even beyond cultural traits, people need to take more pride in themselves as individuals. People feeling pressured not to be happy with who they are is why we have anorexia, bulmia, high suicide rates, botox, or people who get compulsive plastic surgery done.
April 29, 2008 at 8:22 am
Please educate yourself before immediately claiming that Asians are trying to be more ‘Westernised’. Refer to my comment on part 2.
May 6, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I think most people do have it wrong. Most asians go to get the operation done to make themselves look better, not to make themselves look Caucasian. My mom suggests my sister do this, i don’t get why, but i know its not because shes wants her to look white, thats for sure….
May 8, 2008 at 1:24 am
I’m a korean girl with double eyelids so I really don’t have that much trouble….but I do believe that single eyelids are beautiful in there own way. The reason why most korean girls want eyelid surgery is due to the fact that having big eyes(double eyelids) is considered beautiful in Korea. Along with having a small face. Also being fair.
May 8, 2008 at 7:37 pm
im a 13 year old vietnamese gurl
i’ve seen alot of azn ppl tryin hard to afford surgery 4 double eyelids…
y?
there iz not difference in a single eyelid or a double 1!!!!
i hav double eyelidz but thtz jux natural…
y would sum1 love a person jux 4 his/hers eyelidz?
iznt it the personality tht countz?!?!?!
tiz iz jux sad…;___;
May 21, 2008 at 1:00 pm
My asian friend got the WIDE DOUBLE-EYE LID surgery a couple of years ago, and now part of the WIDE DOUBLE-EYE LID is fading away and the lid is sagging, so she has to go back and re-do it. I think she looked a lot younger and innocent with her SINGLE EYE-LID, but of course it depends on the person’s look.
June 12, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Hi. Im half mongolian and have single eyelids and am very concerned bout the connection between my beauty and my eyelids.
People have double eyelid surgery because single eyelids:
- makes ur eyes look smaller
- which blocks the top and the bottom part of ur iris
- which makes u look violent/angry/not kind
- which makes u less attractive
westernisation has got nothing to do with it. and most asians have single eyelids because of the climate – windy/sunny
so i really want to hv the surgery but of course am afraid to risk myself.
im also concerned about the eyeshadowing thingie but check this out..she has got single eyelids but is still very pretty
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/alimaa/55.jpg
June 14, 2008 at 9:39 pm
i dont see why some people make a big deal out of what they think looks better, especially if thay are putting you down down on how you look. I mean, who are they to say how you should look and what you should do, being yourself is the biggest beauty you can ever accomplish.
June 16, 2008 at 11:38 pm
(This has nothing to do with whether or not I find blepharoplasty right or wrong.)
Why do most people automatically assume asians want surgery for the purpose of “westernizing” themselves. It could be due to any reason and I don’t believe it’s a person’s job to judge why or why not someone had it done.
July 1, 2008 at 7:42 pm
dont copy what i said!!!!!!!!! Get your own damn mind.
July 17, 2008 at 11:07 am
Both are beautiful.
July 20, 2008 at 4:24 am
Well.. I plan on getting double eyelid surgery when high school is over. I’m asian by the way. I’m choosing against getting it during my high school years just because I don’t want my friends or other people judging me for getting surgery. I’ve actually talked to them about it and they told me that it was stupid and “I look fine”. When does looking fine ever cut it? It kind of pissed me off that my friends were against it. That friend that said that to me had a TINY gap in her tooth, took two years as her best friend to find it, and she was going to get surgery to get rid of it. So what’s the difference between me getting eye lid surgery. Braces are pretty much the same thing. You put metal in your mouth, and for eye surgery all you get are stitches. People get them for the same reason, because they want straighter teeth or “bigger” eyes. It’s just that braces are more widely excepted, because crooked teeth find themselves in every culture, whereas single eyelids are mostly found in Asians.
Anyway, I think that this whole argument is stupid. Personally, I could care less if someone said that I should be true to myself or some shit like that. I mean people wear make up. Who cares if you “like who you are”, I like who I am. I just want double eyelids. I look Asian, so getting double eyelids isn’t going to make me white or something. I just want my eyes to not curve up at the ends. It’s easily fixed with eyeliner, but I have to layer it on. Then I get shit about how I wear too much eyeliner. So I’ve found a solution to my eyeliner problem, double eyelids. I just want to know how long they last… Anyways, if any of you guys get double eye lid surgery, I applaud you. For those of your who don’t, I applaud you. Do whatever you want. Because I don’t think it reflects your self esteem or your character at all.
August 1, 2008 at 3:23 am
I’m asian and I have naturally “double lids” on both of my eyes, and people always think i’m half asian because I have more features that i guess are more western too. I just found out about Blepharoplasty being the number one surgery in Korea and a lot of asia and I was shocked! I can’t believe so many asians like Jackie Chan are doing this. I want to be unique and one of the few asians who have a crease in their eyes.
August 4, 2008 at 3:27 am
I think single eyelids look very exotic and pretty!
=)
I have one single eyelid and one double… kind of odd but I like it.
Way to go for being happy with yourself. Being happy makes you one of the most beautiful people in the world. And if your family thinks your biggest problem is your single eyelids, then you’ve got great things going for you! lol
September 20, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Hmm… I feel alone.
Is there anyone out there who can be either double or single which-ever s/he chooses? I can make my eyes double or single, WITHOUT any surgeries, eyelid tapes or glues. I can also make one eye double and one eye single. Anyone out there has my versatility?
October 19, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Test message
Sorry me noob…
October 30, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I think the eyelid surgery…is just stupid…
November 5, 2008 at 7:25 am
its sad how so many asians (im no racist, im azn myself) are doing everything they can do be more ‘white’. i mean, this eyelid surgery is just stupid. my friends didnt even notice the difference until i pointed it out to them! anyway, i wouldnt mind if ppl got it to make their eyes bigger, but i find (correct me if im wrong), that many asians are doing it to look more western! =.=
i have single lidded eyes, but my eyes arent small, they’re pretty average. who wants big, puppydog eyes anyway? they will only get very droopy as you get older.
my dad is double and my mum single btw. my brother has both
November 7, 2008 at 1:22 pm
well, thing is, asians want single eyelid while caucasians want otherwise
humans will always cease to be happy will they =X
November 7, 2008 at 1:27 pm
sry my bad mixed up, thing is, having single eyelids doesnt mean u wont look good, it depends on whether you have knice eyes or not
November 11, 2008 at 2:16 pm
im half white and half chinese, I have blond hair, blue eyes, caucasian eyes but I have inherited my height rom my chinese mother, so natrually, I am quie short.
November 16, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I wanted to comment on this whole double eye lid thing. Most of us Caucasians know nothing about it, but I really don’t get it and honestly can’t tell the difference. ONe thing I will say is I heard a radio guy in the US comment, all these Asian girls want to get surgery on their eyes, do these girls know how beautiful most Caucasian males think they are, just the way they are?
I just thought I’d say I don’t think Caucasians necessarily think Asians are more beautiful if they have double eyelids or single eyelids.
November 23, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Why do you try to fix something that is not broken? Any surgery can be very risky, and the shape of eyelids alone does not contribute to ones attractiveness.
I loved it when people admired my natural double eyelids, but it is really no big deal. Both single eyelids and double eyelids can look beautiful IF/When their demeanor ups with grace, education, and altruistic love. There are just too many occasions when a Pretty looking person reveals his/her ugly nature accidently. So it is not the shape of ones eyelids that is important rather it is your on-going effort in developing your personality within..just 2 cents…..
December 15, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Hmmm,
I am a white guy from Canada, and I love single eyelids, and Asian colour skin. But, soo many of my students want to get double eyelids and lighten their skin. This is stupid, but what do white people do? they use dangerous tanning beds to make themselves darker.
December 25, 2008 at 8:31 am
I think double eyelids a pretty (but if the eyes are too big then that isn’t as pretty) double eyelids with small eyes are really pretty. Single eyelids with big eyes are really pretty (that is quite rare thos)
December 31, 2008 at 5:48 pm
[...] googled around for eye refs and stumbled upon some interesting tidbits. Apparently, Asians of older generations believe that having double eyelids is more attractive than [...]
January 1, 2009 at 3:15 am
I’m caucasian and I like the look of single eyelids. I understand that double eyelids occur naturally among some Asians and that this was considered desirable long before Westernization. Still, I think there are many that have been convinced that beautifual women have to have double eyelids.
It actually annoys me to see almost all Asian models and actresses with double eyelids. In addition to that, it appears that many modeling agencies choose Asian models with caucasian-like features and pale skin.
Of course, like the double eyelid thing, white skin has been considered the ideal long before Westernization. Dark skin was considered to be an indication of low status. However, I for one would like to see more Asian models, actresses, singers, etc. with darker skin and single eyelids.
I generally find Asian women to be very attractive, so It seems odd to me that so many attempt to eliminate the very features I find so appealing.
I’m not a fan of skin whitening or eye tape, and I definitely don’t like surgical alteration of the eyes. However, they are not my eyes. Ultimately, women should do whatever they want to do. If it makes them feel better about themselves…OK. But my personal preference is for Asian women that look Asian.
February 22, 2009 at 2:32 am
Bravo, Blake. and ditto, i feel the same way.
February 25, 2009 at 8:33 am
[...] in Asia, the procedure is equally common in the west, as can be seen in one rather interesting blog here. Equally scary is that after a few minutes searching forums you can find literally hundreds of [...]
March 12, 2009 at 3:49 am
Yeah, I support your decision not to get them fixed. Single eyelids are a recessive trait, very rare. It will give you an interesting look!
March 14, 2009 at 10:49 am
could someone answer this question for me pls? im an asian high school girl.a guy i know got eyelid surgery claiming thick eyelids affect vision.is this true cause i have single eyelids and im sure theyre thick.they obscure my eyelashes and make me look angry all the time anyway.
May 21, 2009 at 1:15 pm
single eyelids are common in one race, asians. that’s why once you have single eyelids they’ll tease you as chinks.
they’re not trying to be westernized by getting 2 eyelids because…
double eyelids are common in many many race not just westerns… such as american caucasian, english, brazilians, spanish, italians, arabs, egyptian, persians, even some blacks.
that’s why these people don’t care about 2 eyelids because they see it often. unlike chinese/asians don’t see 2 eyelids that often and once they see it it’s on tv or foreign people which are models.
but in asia philippines has the most 2 eyelids people because of their heritage, got colonized by spaniards, japans and americans. and refuge of poor arabs, chinese, and english.
so people here don’t really care about eyelids. but i was surprise and didn’t know that surgery was that popular in japanese, korean, and chinese people that they will even tease you if you don’t get surgery. here in philippines when you took surgery people will tease you that you’re fake and plastic-man/woman and have low self-esteem. so people here are cautious before taking surgery.
and i thought those beautiful korean actors/actress are natural… i found out they’re not just by googling.. but i love them having 2 eyelids really is prettier. but having 1 eyelids doesn’t make you less of what you are. because you can be beautiful in your own special way.
July 22, 2009 at 3:40 am
it just depends on what kind of eyes you have. some eyes are pretty, some aren’t. and those which aren’t can also be double eyelidded as well as single. i am korean, and i have single eyelids. my friends in uk have never noticed the eyelid thing until i actually pointed it out to them… sure double eyelids may make your eyes bigger, but what is the point if it makes you less attractive? think about it… not all big eyes are attractive. it just depends on your general facial proportion. it’s truly a pity that nearly all the models and celebrities in east asia project “big eyes, small face, white skin and thin” as objects of beauty and envy of others, when people can be as even more beautiful without them.
when i returned to korea, i was one of the very few people without double eyelids, and i was annoyed by the fact that everyone wants to look the same. and if everyone becomes “beautiful” fulfilling those criteria, then the whole definition of “beautiful” will disappear since there won’t be anything to compare it with. if everything considered “ugly” disappeared e.g small eyes, then where is the distinction between beautiful and ugly?
Excuse my rant.
July 26, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I’m part asian, and i have one single and one double. I’m considering surgery on one of them to even them out. ( I don’t care if i have both single or both double, its just annoying to have two different eyes)
September 3, 2009 at 6:35 am
single or double eyelids, both are beautiful by their own way…
I’m a malay and the funny thing is I kept staring at others eyelids to see whether they are single or double…*lol*
seriously, I hardly find any malay with single eyelid though we are asians….
September 3, 2009 at 3:24 pm
How much is the double eyelids surgery anyways?
September 21, 2009 at 9:21 pm
what’s the difference
October 29, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I’m American, and I never knew the diff between mono, double & hooded till a few weeks ago. Come to find out I have double eyelids. I have always been in love with the Asian eye look, the mono lid.. I wish surgery wasn’t so costly cause I would love to have eyes like that!!!!
October 31, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Erm… i think Double eyelid do makes your eyes look bigger and nice but single eyelid have their neautiful side.It depends on your desire. My mother actually have single eyelid when she’s young but she wanted double eyelids so she started to stick double eyelids tape. After months, she one of her eye became double eyelid. Then another eye of hers become double too after she had a fever. Double eyelid also can be form without surgery. i am trying this method too! ^^