Science has given us the airplane, a new planet in our solar system, and skin care ingredients like vitamin C. But it's also given us really silly "scientific studies" like this one, that used science and geometry to determine that model Bella Hadid is the most beautiful woman in the world.
Don't get me wrong. Bella Hadid is indeed, drop dread freaking gorgeous, and she is conventionally beautiful by most worldwide standards. But the idea that women's faces can be distilled into a formula is incorrect at best and profoundly sexist at worst. But it also begs the question: is Bella Hadid really more beautiful than, say, Beyoncé? Or Saoirse Ronan? Or me when I'm feeling my look during out a night out with pals? The answer is no, and here's why.
Dr. Julian De Silva, a cosmetic surgeon, used the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi to come up with his conclusion.
The science of De Silva's conclusion is based on the geometric theory of the Golden Ratio, an ratio that has been used since time immemorial to compose works of art. Mathematically speaking, the Golden Ratio is defined is 1.618:1. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is considered one the finest examples of the Golden Ratio employed in artwork, which makes it so pleasing to the eye.
Needless to say, although Hadid is beautiful, her face is a different kind of beautiful than the Mona Lisa.
Hadid has gotten a lot of work done, too.
In addition to the Golden Ratio, it's said that facial symmetry and proportion also form san aesthetic basis for beauty. But we all know that human DNA is rarely perfect, so the chances of someone having naturally perfect facial structure? Pretty low. Which is why celebs use makeup contouring and get cosmetic surgery: to achieve an aesthetic facial balance that looks best in photographs. It's also why celebs can look otherworldly without makeup on or in person â their glammed-up beauty doesn't occur naturally in our everyday world.
Hadid has denied getting plastic surgery or using cosmetic fillers. Still, her facial symmetry is really perfect, and one wonders if it is the product of great genes, a great physician, or some combination of the two. I want to make this very, very clear: I am not, in any way, judging Hadid for *possibly* getting cosmetic enhancements done on her face, just simply pointing out that she *may have.*
Still, there's plenty of other beautiful in this world. PLENTY. Like Beyoncé, who embodies aspirational beauty.
There's objective beauty, and then there's Beyoncé. Clearly, she's physically beautiful, but her beauty extends way past her facial features. Beyoncé's artistry, her profound devotion to her craft, her revolutionary truths (moms can be sexual beings, too!), and commitment to personal and social responsibility is what makes her the full package of aspirational beauty.
There's also the kind of beauty you see in someone you love.
Romantic, familial, and friendship love makes you see the beauty in someone. It doesn't matter what they look like, how much makeup they're wearing, how they smell (OK, maybe this one matters a tiny bit), when you love someone, they're the most beautiful person on the planet. Heart eyes emoji forever.
There's also the beauty you see in yourself.
Beauty is also innate and inherent in yourself. When you look in the mirror, you're not just seeing your face and body, you're seeing the total sum of your life experiences, your memories, your failures, your accomplishments, your dreams, everything. That is so beautiful. Your body is the vessel that takes you through your life, and it's a vessel that deserves to be loved and respected.
As someone who once struggled with body dysmorphia, I know how feeling beautiful seems more like trying to kick a soccer goal past Megan Rapinoe â this, to say, impossible. If you're someone who has a hard time feeling beautiful, practice cherishing the body and face you have as your earthly vehicle to experience the world around you. So take those selfies! Put on your favorite neon makeup and freakum look. You'll see your beauty arise from there, I promise <3
And anyway, Christina Aguilera wrote an entire song about this!
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY
WORDS CAN'T BRING YOU DOWN, OH NO
Feel these words, believe them, sing them in the shower!
