Recently, a survey conducted by Research International found that only 4 per cent of Chinese women consider themselves beautiful.

Are you a beauty?

The research company conducted a survey on behalf of Dove. They questioned 2100 women aged 18 to 45 from ten countries and regions in Asia.

The result shows that Chinese women's judgment of themselves is greatly affected by fixed standard of beauty as well as views from other people, especially their loved ones.

Eighty per cent of Chinese women say they use make-up to make themselves more attractive, and more than 50 per cent of them prefer to use products that can make their skin whiter; 45 per cent of Chinese women think they are overweight; 70 per cent of women think they were at their most beautiful before they were 30 years old.

The survey also shows women's attitude toward media and advertisements. 40 per cent of women say they feel less confident when seeing perfect models in magazines. 64 per cent of Chinese women think that the media and advertising industries tend to establish an unrealistic standard of beauty.

Western culture is also influencing Asian women's view of beauty. 49 per cent of Chinese women think that western women are more attractive than Asian women.