Beauty standards are influenced by a myriad of factors and it's the ideals which permeate popular culture. And in the modern world, these ideals have grown increasingly unrealistic because of people's ability to nip, tuck, and filter themselves to perfection.
This, unfortunately, has had a knock-on effect on people's self-esteem, especially that of young girls, who are at particular risk of developing serious mental health conditions like anorexia and body dysmorphia.
That's why children's toys have come under fire. Before children are old enough to understand why the Kardashians are famous, they're given unrealistic body expectations from dolls. One Ukrainian artist, Olga Kamenetskaya, who specializes in doll modification and repainting, however, has gone on a mission to change this by giving dolls realistic makeovers. And, as these pictures demonstrate, dolls with human "flaws" are a lot more relatable!
1. Realistic dolls are fierce
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
Okay, admittedly, you'd need false eyelashes and a makeup artist to get this look, but still - it's a look you can get!
2. Aren't those freckles stunning?
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
Ginger hair doesn't get enough credit for looking gorgeous. Hopefully, this doll will help to change this.
3. What a difference a realistic skin tone makes
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
If you ever see someone the same color as the doll on the left, please take them to the emergency room ASAP.
4. Now that's what I call a piercing gaze
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
There's nothing fearsome about the fake looking warrior queen.
5. Realistic dolls accurately reflect race
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
The plastic fantastic ones? Not so much.
6. Not all faces are as impossibly smooth as dolls would have you believe
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
Proof that older men can be sexy. I think he looks a little like George Clooney.
7. No one actually has pink irises
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
Or naturally pink hair for that matter - and trust me, unless you've got a good hairdresser, don't even think about it.
8. No one has perfectly button shaped noses either
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
But just because a guy doesn't look like a Ken doll, it doesn't mean he can't still be handsome!
9. Agent Scully is a real natural beauty
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
Her hair looks so much better now - not to mention her face.
10. Rosy cheeks are the best
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
It's just a shame that normal dolls don't have realistically colored cheeks! Freckles are an important part of the parcel too.
11. Bald women can still be beautiful
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
It's impossible not to get lost in this doll's crystal blue eyes.
12. Proof that dolls would look better with realistic eyes
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
Seriously, toy companies could learn a thing or two from Kamenetskaya's work.
13. Because people, unlike dolls, sometimes have protruding teeth
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
And aren't they cute?! Teeth add a lot of character to a face as well.
14. Those emerald eyes though
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
And those eyebrows! #OnPoint
15. More than one face shape is beautiful
Credit: Instagram / @oli.krolik
It's just a shame that most dolls don't reflect this.
What do you think of Kamenetskaya's creations? While there's no doubt that they still very much look like dolls, the fact that they've got characteristics which some might deem unattractive - like freckles, noses which aren't button-sized, wrinkles and blemishes - will hopefully help to teach any children who play with them to love the skin they're in.
These one-of-a-kind creations are available to buy on Esty and you can see more of Kamenetskaya's work on Instagram.