As one year ends and the next begins, we are endowed with a 12-months? capsule of data to review, evaluate, and form educated analyses about the beauty trends of 2014.
According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) among the top changes in 2014 was the heavy influence of celebrity-inspired requests.
Unsurprisingly, the celebrities we see all the time have a huge impact on the way we think we want to look. (Heralded as examples of beauty, it makes sense that the public would want to recreate an appearance that is universally celebrated.)
The most in-demand looks of 2014? (Do any of these surprise you?)
- Angelina Jolie: lips + cheekbones
- Beyonce Knowles: facial structure
- Kim Kardashian: eyes + jawline
- Brad Pitt: nose (for men)
- Natalie Portman: nose (for women)
These famous, sought after faces show a renewed interest in facial volume (most noteably, the cheeks), as Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Angelina Jolie all have very full, high, defined cheek-bones. Previously celebrity-influenced beauty trends focused more on noses and lips, but as injectors become more and more skillful in the United States, and available dermal-fillers become better and better, it is easier to add natural-looking, flattering volume to the face.
A quick caveat though: before anyone becomes too hung-up on attaining a specific celebrity?s look, it is important to remember that a.) they have a team of lighting and makeup specialists at their beck and call, b.) any pictures you see are likely heavily photo-shopped and altered, and c.) some looks might be unrealistic for you to emulate.
Celebrity faces are an important zeitgeist of a time-period?s aesthetic, but facial-trends should be taken with a dose of reality. Instead of trying to look exactly like someone else, the best results are achieved when you accept what you naturally have to work with, and make changes that will be the most flattering for your face… regardless of whatever the Kardashians or Jolie-Pitts are doing.