The outer labia are intended to keep everything enclosed safely. However, they come in all different shapes and sizes. There is no "one way" which is correct but anatomically the purpose of the labia majora is to be a barrier or protector.

The feminine "ideal" is for the outer labia (majora) to completely cover the inner (menora). Then when sexually aroused the inner swell, open up and are receptive. Hence, all the literary allusions to flowering.

In actual fact most of us peek out a bit - some a little and some have the inner lips showing all the time. Google labial surgery and you will find some sites that show the entire range. Some are gorgeous and some are really grotesque. Look at some sensual art sites (not porn) and you will get an idea of the range found in women "at rest."

I'm agreeing with what Brandye said. However, my inner lips hang lower. I don't really think one or the other is 'normal' as every girl is different, so both ways are normal. I've heard the outer lips being longer is more common though. I'm just one of the rarities. :P

Fiance and I had too much to drink one night and somehow (have no idea what led to this) we ended up discussing what constituted a "pretty" genital area on a woman. And apparently mine is not very "pretty" which ended up with us in a huge fight. Because honestly other than me his experience is 99% from porn. My argument was that you can't take porn as a measuring stick, otherwise I would have been disappointed when he took his pants off. I can't say that I've seen a lot of women's genitals, but a few, and every one looked different.
I mean do men have an idea of what makes it pretty or not? Like I know what makes boobs, asses, eyes, lips, or stomachs sexy. What makes a pussy "pretty"? He couldn't explain it because he was drunk and I had no desire to open that can of worms again.

And he thinks male genitals are pretty?!

I Know!!!!!!

[quote=nottooblushing;179499]I Know!!!!!![/quote]

Go out and buy some strands of Orchids and put them around your new home, put some next to the bed. Maybe he will get the idea! :)

I'm carrying Orchids in our wedding.

I think with issues like this we reckon anything about the person we love is beautiful that's why logic tells us that beauty is a very subjective quality, and makes it a bit difficult to determine what is not beautiful.

Porn is the absolute worst thing to use as a comparison it is not a genuine sample of what is out there only a carefully selected few that "conform" to what most WANT to see (beautiful or not)

thanks for these brilliant replies. exactly what i needed to hear!