While the ‘Instagram face’ continues to be popular, the desire for a ‘natural’ face signals shifting beauty standards
In a podcast, Mohit Suri, director of Saiyaara, revealed as the female lead in his movie, he wanted someone who has not undergone any cosmetic procedures. That is how, he zeroed in on Aneet Padda. He added that while has nothing against people who go under the knife, he was looking for someone who had their natural features.
Recently, Khloé Kardashian said that she has stopped Photoshopping her photos. She admitted that there was a time when she was consumed by the filter culture, but now, she prefers showing up in a more real way.
The Instagram face
Does this mean that the era of the ‘Instagram face’ is over? While cosmetic surgeries have been common in the movie industry, Instagram aesthetics and the pressure to look a certain way have led to a higher number of people opting for lip fillers and botox injections.
In fact, the pursuit of looking your best on the photo app gave rise to the ‘Instagram face’, a beauty standard characterised by facial features like full lips, high cheekbones, a small nose, and a defined jawline.
Subtle is in
When asked if people opting to look more natural signals a shift in beauty standards, Dr. Annamaneni Ravi Chander Rao, head of department of Plastic Surgery at Care Hospitals, says: “I don’t think the ‘Instagram face’ is going away completely, but people’s ideas of beauty are definitely changing. A few years ago, everyone wanted that one specific look, high cheekbones, full lips, sharp jawlines, and perfect skin. That trend became popular because of filters, social media, and celebrity culture.But now, many people, especially younger ones, are moving toward a more natural look. They don’t want to look like someone else. They want to look like the best version of themselves. Even those who come in for treatments often say, “I want it to be subtle, not obvious.”
The doctor added that directors look for a specific kind of face for specific roles. “I understand why a filmmaker like Mohit Suri wanted someone with a natural face. Sometimes in storytelling, natural expressions and features matter more than a polished or enhanced look. That doesn’t mean cosmetic procedures are bad, it just means that for that role, he had a specific vision.At the end of the day, it’s about personal choice. Some people feel confident with a little help from cosmetic treatments, and that’s perfectly okay. Others prefer to stay completely natural. What’s nice to see now is that both options are being accepted and respected.”
This change in preferances also show the desire to challenge societal norms. “The desire for subtle, natural-looking enhancements rather than dramatic changes reflects a more nuanced understanding of beauty. It’s about self-acceptance and self-improvement, rather than conforming to societal norms.The acceptance and respect for both natural and enhanced beauty options signify a positive shift towards inclusivity and diversity in beauty standards,” says the doctor.
