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Science of Attraction
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I read through the link posted on Monday about the science of attraction and facial symmetry. As someone who does not have the most symmetrical nose, aka I have a tiny bump in the upper nose area, I wonder if that plays a role in my physical attractiveness to others. Does anyone agree or disagree with the relation between facial symmetry and beauty? (I have read previously that a majority of models and celebrities are known to have symmetrical faces). Maybe this is why plastic surgery rates are so high? Just a thought.
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Hi annie13!
Here are my thoughts: If models have more symmetrical faces, they probably got their jobs because their faces can be photographed from any angle and it's always consistent. I have heard that many Hollywood stars, however, have a specific side of their face that they always want the camera to film them from so we don't see what they perceive to be their less-than-perfect side.
It's so easy to obsess over what we think are our flaws. I know I do. I so admire Julianne Moore. I've read that she doesn't see the point in plastic surgery or procedures and wants to age gracefully. I think we need more role models like her for our daughters....and ourselves! -
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. There's a show on TLC about buying wedding dresses (I can't remember the name.) In an ad for the show, they ask a bride what she wants to look like on her wedding day and she says "Barbie." It seemed like such a strange answer to me. Why would you want to look like a doll? But if you look at the covers of magazines and tabloids, what do you see -- pictures of women who look like Barbie. And each other. You can't even tell them apart. So they're all pretty in a generic, symmetrical kind of way but none of them are what I would consider stunningly beautiful. I think symmetry is part of the equation, but many women thinks it's all of the equation. "If I didn't have this bump on my nose, I'd be more perfect and therefore more attractive." Plastic surgery is relatively cheap and available to all, so every starlet in the world can have enormous breasts, a perfect nose, unnaturally straight white teeth and unnaturally straight blond hair. But if you look at the women we all admired when we were young and the women we admire now, they're all quite beautiful in their own unique way.. and they're all flawed (except for Jaclyn Smith; I don't think it's possible to take a bad picture of her.)
I think the bottom line is that there are many things that determine how attractive you are; the least of which is NOT how you percieve yourself and the greatest of which is NOT how symmetrical your features are. If you focus on the things that you think are flaws then everyone else will focus on them too. If you focus on the things about yourself that you love, others will do the same.
Does anyone here watch "What not to wear?" Stacey London has a Roman nose and a grey streak in her hair. I love that she hasn't had either fixed. I suppose she'd be closer to some standard of perfection if she did, but I don't think she'd be more attractive.
That said, if there's something about yourself that you really dislike and you can afford to get it fixed, then go for it. It will probably make you more attractive, not because you've got a more perfect [insert whatever you got fixed here] but because you feel better about yourself. Confidence is as important as symmetry. -
Kudos, PurpleRules.
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PurpleRules--nicely stated. I agree 100% which is why I would not undergo any form of plastic surgery. I like me for me. Is that a song lyric?
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While people with symmetrical perfect faces looks pleasant, it's those unique little imperfections that makes a woman beautiful. I remember seeing this female patient at the doctor's office when I worked as a medical assistant, and she took my breath away. She looked so unique and different that I found her to be sooo beautiful..
The funny thing? After she left, my coworker turned to me and in this really dramatic voice, said that the woman looked really odd and weird.
I really didn't know what to say... so I just said.. um.. sure.. . -
I agree... I watched this America's Next Top Model show the other day and there is a girl named Heather on the show. She has some form of autism and walking down the street most people would not stop and gasp at her beauty, but I happen to think she is stunning and especially when they do her hair and makeup for photoshoots. And I still don't understand how Kate Moss became such a top model, I find her hideous lol.
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The Non-Blonde mentioned an actress in her blog who was both ugly and beautiful. She reminded me of one of those drawings that are two things at once; you look at it and you look at it and all you see is the old crone and then all of a sudden you see the young woman. I couln't find the post. I'll look again today.
Many models aren't beautiful or even pretty. I suppose if you're a walking clothes hanger, being beautiful isn't necessarily an asset. You'd want to complement the clothes, not distract from them. I also think we're in the middle of a "boring Barbie clone" trend. I hope it ends soon. I'm not a big Amy Winehouse fan but at least she doesn't look like everybody else.
Speaking of Barbie clones, who are "Heidi and Lauren?" Should I know who they are? They make me feel old. I kind of understand the Kate Moss thing. I've seen her look fabulous. Most of the time, she looks like she slept in her clothes and didn't comb her hair. And when she's at a function and is all dressed up, she's usually holding a beer bottle... Very classy. -
^Heidi and Lauren.. you would only know them if you read Perez Hilton or actually watch MTV......
they are.. barbie clones.. 1 has fake boobies too!! -
I read a GREAT book a few years back by Chuck Palahniuk called Invisible Monster. REALLY a good book. The cover has a picture like what PrupleRules is describing. You look at it the right way and she is beautiful and you flit it over and look at it upside down and you see the old "ugly" crone.
Apparently there are a few covers for the book now. I read it specifically for the language part more than the high fashion model part...but I really ended up liking it a lot
PurpleRules--I would be at a classy function witha bottle of beer too...only mine would be something like Guinness. I love love LOVE beer and ales. I like cocktails too, but I want a good beer over anything....thanks to Mr. Stryker...he has taught me well :) -
On the morning of a friend's wedding, she asked her mother if she had any advice or words of wisdom. (She (the bride) meant advice for a happy marriage or that sort of thing.) Her mother said, "Don't you dare let me see you drinking out of a beer bottle today. If you have to have a beer, at least put it in a glass." Truly, words to live by.
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Yes, they probably are. Fortunately we had a keg at our wedding. I truly never thought there was anything the matter with a bottle....:wink:
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A keg at a wedding! Cool. I just went to one where waiters brought out over 200 cheeseburgers while the Jimmy Buffet song "Cheeseburger in Paradise" played. At 11:30 pm, it was a nice touch.
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Left Brain--we had our ceremony and reception at the same amazingly beautiful and classy manor house and we have a photo of our guests during the ceremony and everyone has a drink. It was one kick-ass cocktail party!
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I think of this when I do make up or fix my eyebrows. I try to get it to look symetrical I think it do look nicer. Some not symertical things are cute like my dimple.
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