Courtesy of VichyMirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all? Say the mantra, and you’ll have the image of Snow White in your mind – fair-skinned with rose-red lips.

It doesn’t stop there though. A picture perfect for most women, the pale princess is also a symbol of innocence and elegance.

If you can see the connection, then you might understand why our outer appearance, or more specifically, the color of our skin, has always been associated to certain traits and qualities.

Have you ever wondered why the darker-skinned Princess Jasmine and Mulan share the same rebellious character?

Well, some might say: “Those things only exist in Disney’s fairytales, don’t they?” But in fact, these kinds of beauty standards have been around for centuries, as ancient Roman and Greek women did everything they possibly could to whiten their skin. Be...