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CTRESS Natalie Portman and model David Gandy are the most beautiful people alive today – that’s the verdict of a new scientific study which shines a unique spotlight on our perceptions of beauty in the modern age.
The US born film star and British male pin-up were closely followed by Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, Chris Hemsworth and Bradley Cooper in the wide ranging study which also reveals the archetypal faces of male and female beauty. Mobile phone giant Samsung engaged Dr Chris Solomon, a leading world expert in facial mapping, to lead the study which was specially commissioned to celebrate the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6, the technology firm’s most beautifully designed smartphone to date. The two-month long study involved a sample group of a hundred British adults and utilised the latest photofit and facial geo-mapping software to provide a compelling overview of our modern perceptions of ‘beauty’. A sample group of 100 people created a composite of their most beautiful face, taking into account a range of features including eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, hairline and face shape, which were then surveyed by a sample group of a further 100 people utilising the Samsung Galaxy S6 to swipe through these faces and rate their attractiveness. The results allowed the research team to create a series of composite pictures detailing the archetypal faces of male and female beauty, as well as a range of gender differences in our perception of beauty.
the Archetypal Faces of Beauty
Including the celebrities whose features most closely match those of the archetypal ideal of beauty: The study revealed that we find the following the most important factors when it comes to assessing male and female beauty: Female
Male
Almond-shaped, brown eyes: 0.48* distance apart from eye centres, each is 0.23 width Arched, shaped eyebrows: 0.125 distance above eyes Slim, small nose: 0.37 length, 0.1 wide at bridge and 0.25 wide at base Full lips: mouth 0.38 wide Regular, smooth jawline: chin 0.21 length Heart-shaped face: 1 wide at eyes, 0.81 wide at mouth and 1.44 long Brunette hair Near perfect facial symmetry
Oval-shaped, blue eyes: 0.46 distance apart from eye centres Medium-thick eyebrows, straight with curved ends: 0.07 distance above eyes Slim, mid-length, straight nose: 0.38 length, 0.11 wide at bridge and 0.26 wide at base Average lips (neither full nor thin): mouth 0.35 wide Square jawline: chin 0.27 length Oval-shaped face: 1 wide at eyes, 0.88 wide at mouth and 1.33 long Brunette hair Near perfect facial symmetry
*Face width at the height of the eyes = one unit. All other measurements use this unit and are thus a ratio in proportion to it.
Selfridges launches Beauty Workshop Selfridges Birmingham has made its unique Beauty Hall even more covetable with the addition of the Beauty Workshop - a dedicated services area where shoppers can book in and leave with a bouncy blowdry, supermodel brows, a deluxe manicure and supersoft skin. With some of the biggest names in hair and beauty, including Umberto Giannini, Blink, HCLuxSpa and Clarins, the Beauty Workshop
08 the art of beauty & well-being
expands the Beauty Hall offering to provide the most comprehensive range of brands, exclusive products and beauty services anywhere in the Midlands. Customers can visit the Beauty Workshop for a speedy one-off treatment, or they can take advantage of one of Selfridges’ four bespoke Beauty Packages, available from October. For just £35 ‘The Beauty Devotee’ includes a Quick Fix Blow Dry at the Umberto Giannini Blow Dry Bar, an Express Manicure with new luxury nail bar HCLuxSpa and a mini makeover at one of the store’s beauty counters. ‘The Luxe Beauty Lover’, priced