When some clever person in the art department creates a composite face of the ‘ideal’ features as dictated by the world (Angelina’s lips, Jessica Alba’s nose etc) the result can be rather, and surprisingly, alarming.
Now some folks have used a computer program typically used to e-fit criminals to create the ‘world’s most beautiful faces.’
The pictures are the work of The University of Kent’s Dr. Chris Solomon, who is a world expert in facial mapping. Solomon’s research study asked people to compose their idea of the perfect face using E-fit software used by police in the UK. Participants were asked to consider things such as the width of lips, size of nose, facial symmetry (a known typifier of attractiveness) and so on. After the faces had been put together a further 100 people were asked to rate the attractiveness of the faces, which allowed the researchers to define what was the archetype of male and female beauty.
The research was commissioned as part of Samsung’s launch of its Galaxy S6 phone.
Dr. Solomon said of the findings that he was interested in what Britons consider to be the epitome of beauty.
However he was also keen to point out that the faces are not represent a worldview on beauty.
He said: “It’s important to note these are the idealised faces according to those living in the UK, so a study in Asia or Africa for example would no doubt have different results.”
As the brilliant video from The Cut showed us (below), beauty trends and ideals are ever-changing, and it’s lucky that nobody is an ‘ideal beauty’. Because, well, wouldn’t that be slightly off-putting?
