Who knew that beauty could be defined by numbers? Although we don’t usually think about math when we notice a person’s allure, proportions are apparently a big part of what we perceive as attractive when it comes to appearance.
The Golden Ratio, also called the “Phi Ratio,” is believed to define optimal facial proportions, and it is based on the Fibonacci number sequence, where each subsequent number is the sum of the preceding two (i.e., 3, 5, 8, 13…). Any number in this sequence in relation to the number before it creates the Golden Ratio (e.g., 13:8), which results in approximately 1.618 when divided. The Golden Ratio is an efficient way to organize things and maximize space, and it is found in many patterns in nature, from sunflowers to seashells to pineapples and even in the structure of our DNA. Numbers create beauty, and several studies on attractiveness show that this ratio creates ideal proportions for an aesthetically pleasing face.
A 2012 contest to find “Britain’s Perfect Face” had over 8,000 entries and, after narrowing the selection, asked the public to vote for whom they thought was the most beautiful. After their winner, Florence Colgate, was chosen, her face was analyzed according to the PhiMatrix to determine whether it demonstrated the Golden Ratio. In addition to having the classic signs of feminine beauty (large eyes, full lips, high cheekbones, good complexion), Colgate’s facial analysis showed at least 24 head and facial dimensions that almost perfectly create the Golden Ratio.
Overall, studies suggest that the following female facial characteristics are perceived as attractive:
- Large eyes
- Small nose
- Full lips
- High cheekbones
- Large smile
- Small chin
Although there are many different opinions on how beauty should be defined, what really matters is how YOU feel about yourself. If you are unhappy with your appearance or simply want to enhance your features, please feel free to contact Plastic Surgery Specialists of Birmingham by calling (205) 298-8660 or filling out our online contact form. We offer procedures that can reshape your nose, add volume to your lips, eliminate wrinkles or blemishes, and achieve many other aesthetic goals to increase your beauty and self-confidence.