Perception: our Biological Make-up
‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ is something drilled into us from children, learnt alongside our timetables. Yet for humans (like many animals), natural attraction to others is an uncontrollable urge, evolved over the course of existence to steer our selection to the most suitable beau.
Across the animal kingdom, females are typically pickier than their male counterparts, in terms of who they choose to mate with.
- Shake your shimmy! Male attractiveness in peacocks is determined by the size of their booty feathers- a hallmark of good genes to be passed onto offspring.
- We are the cheeky boys! In orangutans, the Channing Tatum of the community is the one flaunting the fanciest flanges- flappy cheeky pads which like a king’s crown, signal dominance.
Like a magic potion, a combination of hormones and genes unique to us all, represent our limited-edition toolbox. Which have chiselled our faces and bodies into existence. Uniquely sculpting our features with commonalties existing, however no face the same.
In humans, both males and females are equally as choosey; males typically appreciate a good waist- to-hip ratio. Which isn’t hard to believe, when Kim Kardashian, the queen of curves herself, is one of the greatest sex symbols of all time.
Picture perfect: females tend to be attracted to a square, face framed by a sharp jawline. The history of the square face (regarded as the most masculine shape) is an interesting one, thought to have evolved to increase protection during brawls with love rivals. This is a common trend in animal physiques and is very reminiscent of protective structures seen in other animal such as the antlers of male deer.
The attractive features of men are thought to represent high levels of testosterone-a key male hormone. Likewise it has been long assumed that a females’ attractiveness is associated with higher oestrogen levels- a key fertility hormone. A more recent study has suggested, that the interacting effects of both testosterone and oestrogen within the female body could be a key determinant of female attractiveness.
Is it time to stop being a stress head?
Other studies have suggested that in both males and females, the level of cortisol (a key stress hormone) can effect attractiveness. With men finding less stressed women (reduced cortisol) more attractive.
Some argue that in males, cortisol effects testosterone levels within the body to reduce dominance and attractiveness-the dual-hormone hypothesis.
A new study released just days ago has added fireworks to the party. Suggesting the association between perceived attractiveness and testosterone, and then the added complication of stress effecting this association, is weak.
Looks like the jury is still out on this one!
What do our faces say about us?
Controversy-maybe the book cover is more telling than we would like to believe it is.
I can see it all over your face: Our faces are able to create more than 2,800 different expressions, yet a mere 7 of these expressions are common to us all. It is believed that not only do our faces share secrets of our personalities but also about our health due to hormonal and genetic effects which help shape our exterior.
World renowned face profiler Alan Stevens claims (with a lot of speculation) that our facial features can give a just as (if not more) powerful representation of our personality than a written quiz.
Obsession: Breaking the Mould
With massive pressures from society and with social-media influence greater than ever, will we ever be happy with our appearance?
As a society, our unique moulds come under heavy scrutiny… Ourselves our own biggest critic, finding new faults as we work to ‘fix’ our old ones.
As a generation we are obsessed with how we look, constantly comparing ourselves to others and consumed by current trends. I myself are guilty of such.
With the beauty industry worth around £13 billion in the UK alone, physical appearance is becoming one of our greatest investments, as we enter an age fixated by looks and the ways in which we can enhance our features.
Our perception of beauty has undoubtedly been warped. Our perception of not only others beauty but are own, is greatly confused by unrealistic expectations set by society. We are taught to embrace our differences, so why are we so consumed with changing them?
Example one: Facial symmetry
Facial evenness is constantly associated with attractiveness. If you google ‘facial symmetry and attractiveness’ you will find no short fall in studies investigating this relationship.
With that said, it doesn’t come as a surprise that we are obsessed with tweaking our faces to achieve nature’s idea of beauty. Whatever the cost…Whether that be to general health due to risk of infection that come with cosmetic procedures. Or to mental health due to the constant exhaustion that comes with the obsession to fit an unrealistic mould carved by society.
The shape of our nose is a key determinant of facial symmetry. In 2016 3,841 women and 1,037 men underwent rhinoplasty (nose job to me and you) in a bid to own the ‘perfect’ nose.
Our obsession as a generation with cosmetic procedures, whether that be surgical or non-surgical is spiralling out of control. With people jumping on the bandwagon of trends without actually knowing the science and associated risks behind the current crazes.
The science behind two key cosmetic procedures will be discussed separately in subsequent blog posts:
Forget big boobs dominating trends in the naughty nighties, we have well and truly entered the age of the fuller lip. Lip fillers have been the most common, non-surgical cosmetic procedure for the last three years straight- with no sign of being knocked off top position any time soon.
Bootylicious: our Obsession with the Perfect Peach
The Brazilian butt lift- the surgical fix to achieve the famous Kim K booty. The riskiest of all anaesthetic procedures, BBL constantly dominates headlines for all the wrong reasons. Despite the warnings, the procedure is becoming increasingly popular, as we gamble our health to achieve the celebrity seal of approval.
