Celebrity Faces Science Says Are Beautiful
Beauty, they say, lies in the eye of the beholder. It's a concept that reminds us of the diverse perceptions that grace our world, where the appeal of a face may vary from person to person. Yet, scientists remain intrigued by uncovering the underlying patterns of beauty beyond personal taste. Can a face be objectively perfect? Is there a mathematical formula for captivating visages?
In our quest for answers, we explore the world of scientific beauty, where esteemed doctors Kendra Schmid, Chris Solomon, Julian De Silva, and Riccardo Frati aim to reveal the captivating science behind female celebrity faces. Dr. Schmid's approach, based on 29 key facial points, accounts for symmetry and proportions (via HuffPost). Dr. Solomon's innovative study, using a computer program to create the face of the world's most beautiful woman, sparks intrigue (via Telegraph). Dr. De Silva presents us with the idea of dividing a face into sections, driven by the Golden Ratio or Phi, while Dr. Frati also backs up this theory, claiming that the ideal face proportions are 3:2:3 (via The Sun).
Yet, while these studies provide intriguing insights, they don't examine every single Hollywood star. The world of beauty is vast, and many stunning ladies remain scientifically unassessed. Acknowledging the lack of diversity in these studies, we hope to see change in the future. As we embark on this journey into scientifically analyzed beauty, let's remember that perfection isn't absolute. Slight imperfections always have and always will hold a unique charm of their own.
Kate Upton
According to Dr. Kendra Schmid and her formula from a 2013 study, Kate Upton scores a stunning 7.46 out of 10 points in the Science of Gorgeous department. So, what's the secret behind her mesmerizing looks? Well, it's all about that magical word: symmetry. Dr. Schmid uses a formula based on 29 different face points, measuring the perfect distances and proportions between each feature (via HuffPost).
Miley Cyrus
Based on the same Dr. Kendra Schmid formula from 2013, Miley Cyrus scores a solid 7.36 out of 10 on the Beauty-o-Meter (via HuffPost). Cyrus is known for her stunning facial features, with her eyes particularly standing out — which is why finding her name in a study on celebs with pretty faces isn't surprising at all.
Angelina Jolie
Dr. Kendra Schmid's fantastic formula gives Angelina Jolie a score of 7.13 out of 10 — considering that Jolie has been hailed as one of the most stunning women on Earth for years, it's slightly surprising that her score wasn't even higher, per HuffPost. Nonetheless, she clearly has a scientifically pretty face and definitely a very symmetrical one.
Lena Dunham
When Dr. Kendra Schmid's formula hit the scene in 2013, Lena Dunham's appearance on the list turned some heads — not because she lacks beauty, but because she doesn't fit into those traditional cookie-cutter norms (which we're all about ditching, by the way!). According to HuffPost, Dunham proudly scored a fabulous 6.82 out of 10 on the scale, proving that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and vibes!
Natalie Portman
E-FITs created by Dr. Chris Solomon in a 2015 study (typically used to generate images of wanted criminals) were used to create the faces of the "most beautiful man and woman in the world." The study lasted two months and involved the delicate crafting of a composite of the perfect face using the EFIT-V PhotoFit software — which is usually utilized by the U.K. police (via Telegraph). According to Dr. Solomon, the end result looked very close to Natalie Portman, making the star one of the most beautiful women in the world. Portman's perfection doesn't stop there — in 2019, Dr. Julian De Silva conducted a study in which Natalie Portman's face scored a 90.51% of the Greek ratio of Phi, making her face pretty much ideal (via L'Officiel).
Amber Heard
According to the Golden Ratio, which Dr. Julian De Silva used for his 2016 study, Amber Heard has the most perfect female face. Per Us Weekly, Heard's "eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, chin, jaw and facial shape were measured, and 12 key marker points were analyzed and found to be 91.85% of the Greek ratio of Phi, which is 1.618," Dr. De Silva's study claims. Apart from this, the actor also has the most perfect nose, with a score of 99.7%. To get the score for a nose, Dr. De Silva reveals that one must "measure the length of the nose from its widest point to the middle of the eyebrows, and divide that by the width of the nose at its widest point."
Kim Kardashian
Considering that Kim Kardashian has been known for her beauty for her whole career, it would be surprising if she wasn't considered scientifically pretty. According to Dr. De Silva's Golden Ratio study from 2016, Kardashian scored 91.39% of the Greek ratio of Phi (via Us Weekly). That year, Kardashian was also declared as having the most perfect eyebrows, with a score of 94.85%. "There was only one likely winner of this," Dr. De Silva notes to Us Weekly. "Kim Kardashian's eyebrows are crafted to perfection. There were two calculations performed. One length of eyebrow from tip to tip divided by length from tip to arch." In 2023, the reality television diva scored slightly less in Dr. De Silva's study, with 91.28%. "She received high scores for the shape of her brow area and chin but was marked down for her lips and overall face shape," Dr. De Silva wrote in his study published on London Facial Plastic Surgery.
Kate Moss
Now, let's marvel at the beauty of supermodel Kate Moss! According to Dr. Julian De Silva's 2016 study, Moss hits the Golden Ratio charts with an amazing 91.06% of the Greek ratio of Phi, per Us Weekly. The Golden Ratio works its magic on her eyes, nose, and lips, all aligning with mathematical brilliance. Moss has got that enchanting, timeless beauty, and it seems as if science agrees.
Emily Ratajkowski
No one is surprised to see that single girl era spokesperson Emily Ratajkowski is scientifically pretty. According to the 2016 study by Dr. Julian De Silva, Ratajkowski's face is a symphony of beauty, scoring a fabulous 90.8% of the Greek ratio of Phi (via Us Weekly). And that's not all — when it comes to her nose, Ratajkowski lands a sparkling third place with an enviable 99.56%, just behind Amber Heard and the iconic Marilyn Monroe. And her luscious lips? With a stunning 96.7%, Ratajkowski triumphs over stars like Kylie Jenner and even the iconic Angelina Jolie, proving that her lips are pure perfection!
Kendall Jenner
Kim Kardashian's younger sister Kendall Jenner is also known for her stunning facial features. In Dr. Julian De Silva's 2016 study, the stunning model scored a fabulous 90.18% of the Greek ratio of Phi, meaning she is a certified beauty (via Us Weekly). It certainly seems as if scientific gorgeousness runs in the family!
Scarlett Johansson
In 2019, actor Scarlett Johansson scored a whopping 90.91% of the Greek ratio of Phi in Dr. Julian De Silva's study (via L'Officiel). From her bewitching eyes to her flawless nose, lips, and every captivating feature in between, Johansson's face is clearly like a masterpiece crafted by the gods of beauty, and we actually didn't even need science to confirm that.
Katy Perry
Just looking at singer Katy Perry, we can immediately tell that her face is super symmetrical, and Dr. Julian De Silva can confirm it. According to his annual study, in 2019, Perry scored an amazing 90.08% of the Greek ratio of Phi, proving that she is indeed a true beauty icon (via L'Officiel).
Cara Delevingne
Another model with a scientifically gorgeous face is Cara Delevingne, the queen of beautiful thick eyebrows. In Dr. Julian De Silva's 2019 study, Delevingne got a stunning score of 89.99% of the Greek ratio of Phi (via L'Officiel). Of course, with her edgy charm and flawless skin, the perfection of her stunning face gets even more enhanced!
Meghan Markle
According to a 2021 study by Dr. Riccardo Frati, Meghan Markle's ratio is a mesmerizing 3:2:3 — which is the ideal face proportions (via The Sun). "For the Golden Ratio, basically the face is put into thirds, and it studies how big the forehead is and the gap from the eyes to the top of the lips," Dr. Frati reveals to the tabloid. "Meghan has a Disney face," he adds.
Jodie Comer
The winner of Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study is actor Jodie Comer — our current Golden Ratio goddess whose face is 94.52% accurate to the Greek Golden Ratio. "She had the highest overall reading for the positioning of her nose and lips, with a score of 98.7%, just 1.3% away from being the perfect shape," Dr. De Silva says in his study (via London Facial Plastic Surgery). The doctor added that Comer also had the highest score for "nose width and length" and scored highly for "the shape of her lips and the position of her eyes."
Zendaya
The runner-up in Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study is Zendaya, who scored 94.37% accurate to the Golden Ratio. "I also found out that Zendaya's lips were particularly striking. [They have] a score of 99.5%, just 0.5% away from being the perfect shape. Furthermore, her forehead features a high score of 98%. However, her nose positioning in relation to her lips and the shape of her eyebrows received lower scores," Dr. De Silva revealed in the study (via London Facial Plastic Surgery).
Bella Hadid
We would all be shocked if model Bella Hadid's beauty hadn't been scientifically proven, as the star's siren-eye look has been emulated through makeup techniques worldwide. According to Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study, Hadid's face is 94.35% accurate to the Golden Ratio, giving her third place for the year. "Specifically, her eyes and chin received the highest scores, with 99.7% for the position of her eyes and 99.7% for the shape of her chin. They're only 0.3% away from being the perfect shape. The only aspect where she did not score as well is the shape of her eyebrows," Dr. De Silva notes in his study published on London Facial Plastic Surgery. In 2019 and 2022, Hadid was also declared the most scientifically beautiful woman in the world (via Instagram and The Business Standard)
Beyoncé
According to the Golden Ratio, Beyoncé got a 92.44% score in Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study. "Her face shape scored 99.6%, the highest mark on the list. Her eyes, brow area, and lips also received high scores. The only area she scored lower on was the position of her nose in relation to her lips," Dr. De Silva reveals in his London Facial Plastic Surgery published study. Beyoncé also scored 7.28 out of 10 points in Dr. Kendra Schmid's formula from her 2013 study (via HuffPost), proving that no matter what method you use, Queen B is one of the most stunning women in the industry.
Ariana Grande
Not only can she hit those high notes, but Ariana Grande is also shining on the Golden Ratio charts! According to the 2023 study by Dr. Julian De Silva, Grande scored a sensational 91.81% accuracy to the Golden Ratio (via London Facial Plastic Surgery). Of course, with her beautiful eyes, adorable nose, and that signature high ponytail — we didn't doubt this score for a second. "Her forehead and chin received high scores. However, she received lower scores for her eyebrows and the larger-than-average gap between the top of her lips and her nose," Dr. De Silva explains (via London Facial Plastic Surgery)
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is also sizzling on the Golden Ratio radar — in Dr. Julia De Silva's highly anticipated 2023 study, Swift's facial beauty scored a dazzling 91.64% accuracy to the Golden Ratio (via London Facial Plastic Surgery). Of course, with her delicate features, no one is surprised to see the musician mentioned on the list. "I found out that her chin and lips received high scores. However, her eyebrows received a lower score, which kept her from scoring higher overall," Dr. De Silva notes in the study published on London Facial Plastic Surgery.
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn's beauty could mesmerize us for days, and having scientific proof of her gorgeousness just makes everything make even more sense. In his 2023 study, Dr. Julian De Silva reveals that Dunn's facial features score an impressive 91.39% accuracy to the Golden Ratio. "My evaluation revealed high scores above 97% for her eye position, face shape, and the almost perfect gap between her lips and nose. However, Dunn scored lower for her chin and nose width and length," Dr. De Silva explains (via London Facial Plastic Surgery).
Deepika Padukone
There's no denying that Deepika Padukone is a timeless beauty, no matter what science says. Luckily, it seems as if science agrees — Padukone scored a fantastic 91.22% accuracy to the Golden Ratio in Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study. "She had the highest overall score of 95.2% for the beautiful shape of her eyebrows," Dr. De Silva notes in the study (via London Facial Plastic Surgery). "However, she was marked down for the width and length of her nose and the shape of her forehead."
HoYeon Jung
Last but certainly not least, we have one of South Korea's biggest stars, HoYeon Jung. Dr. Julian De Silva revealed in 2023 that Jung's face is 89.63% accurate to the Golden Ratio. "Her striking eyes and perfectly positioned nose base and lips width earned her high scores," the doctor points out in the study published on London Facial Plastic Surgery. "However, her overall score was slightly lower due to her chin, forehead, and eyebrows."