The Science of Beauty
The Science of Beauty
What is beauty?
We all know it when we see someone regarded as ‘beautiful’. But what is it that makes them so attractive?
The science of facial attractiveness
Studies across different cultures confirm that women are seen as beautiful if they have smooth skin, big eyes and plump lips – features which are at their best in your early twenties, when fertility is at its highest. And scientists believe that this combination of characteristics has evolved over time to ensure the continuation of our species.
The central facial triangle
Aesthetics experts speak of the eyes and lips as making up the ‘central facial triangle’, where we focus our attention when looking at someone’s face. From before the time of Cleopatra, women have instinctively known about this, and used make up to accentuate their best features.
Creating facial balance and beauty
To create facial balance it is important to establish harmony between the nose, the chin and the cheek eminences. Beauty is associated with a regularity of the facial features where:
- high cheekbones are universally desirable
- emphasis on the eyes and cheekbones directs attention towards the eyes
- accentuation of the mid face decreases the significance of the nose and the chin
- enhancement of the mandible and mid face lessens the magnitude of the nose
Skilful application of make up can create some of these effects, but we know this is only temporarily And there are limitations to what make up can do. The way to achieve a longer lasting balance of youthful looks is by introducing or restoring volume, whether to enhance what nature gave you in the first place or to rejuvenate, revitalise and soften the signs of ageing.