Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Beauty

This Instagram artist is giving classic beauty icons cosmetic surgery

Picture Audrey Hepburn with a plumped-up pout. - by Kathryn M
  • 24 Jan 2019
This Instagram artist is giving classic beauty icons cosmetic surgery

A few weeks ago, as I curled up on the couch in front of late-night TV, Alicia Silverstone sashayed onto my screen. She was the It-girl of my youth, the star of Clueless with the big doe eyes and tumbling dirty-blonde hair. Now more than 20 years later in an interview with Seth Meyers, she looked equally radiant – and yet something about her appearance was perplexing, almost jarring. Then it struck me: her top lip was thin.

It was something I hadn’t seen on commercial TV since BK (before Kardashians), never mind the fine lines on Silverstone’s forehead.

I grabbed my phone and Googled the actress in her Cher Horowitz heyday. Again, there was that fine top lip that curled under coyly – a top lip that gave the actress character and charm, and a top lip that suited her fine-featured face. A face so beautiful you couldn’t look away.

aliciasilverstone View Profile
114.8k likes - View Post on Instagram
Baby me

Today, we live in an age where high-profile pouts tend to range from pillowy to positively duck-like, a trend explored by Instagram artist Mat Maitland who takes images of old-Hollywood icons and gives them a makeover based on 2019 beauty ideals: fuller lips, chiselled jaws, contoured noses, plumped-up cheeks and tight foreheads.

The results are unsettling, even garish, but intriguing to say the least…

Audrey Hepburn
matmaitland View Profile
2,319 likes - View Post on Instagram
Audrey Hepburn 2018 #matmaitland
Marilyn Monroe
matmaitland View Profile
3,123 likes - View Post on Instagram
Marilyn 2018 #matmaitland
Princess Diana
matmaitland View Profile
2,157 likes - View Post on Instagram
Princess Diana 2018 #matmaitland

The images, Maitland told PAPER, are not supposed to make a statement against plastic surgery. "Some people might look at this series and believe that I am making a hard commentary on cosmetic procedures. This isn't the case at all," he said. "I've always been fascinated by people who push beauty to the extreme … Cosmetic approaches to beauty were previously restricted to celebrities and the mega wealthy but these have now become more attainable. Everywhere you look there is evidence of these contemporary ideals of beauty. You can observe the new normal across the world.”

The new normal indeed: in 2017 about 500,00 cosmetic procedures were carried out in Australia, including $350 million dollars' worth of Botox injections (according to SBS The Feed). And plastic surgery is no longer the sole domain of sexagenarian starlets – in today’s image-obsessed selfie society, a growing number of women and teenage girls see surgical and injectable cosmetic enhancements as a regular part of their beauty routine. A quick jab on one’s lunch break, if you will.

Of course every era has had a desired “look”, but never has it been so monolithic as today’s raven-haired, teeny-waisted, collagen-pumped ideal. Coquettish Audrey and curvy Marilyn could co-exist side by side in the '50s, something we should remember as we increasingly seek to look the same (and to mimic an Instagram filter at that).

Now look again at Maitland’s images. Do the made-over women look more beautiful? More sexy? More engaging? Perhaps Insta-filter perfection isn’t so perfect after all.

This article originally appeared on marie claire

Kathryn M
Kathryn M

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

These skin clearing clay face masks will transform your skin

These skin clearing clay face masks will transform your skin

What Really Goes Into One Of Kylie Jenner's Insta Snaps

What Really Goes Into One Of Kylie Jenner's Insta Snaps

Kylie Jenner gets epically called out by this famous actor for her 'plastic surgery'

Kylie Jenner gets epically called out by this famous actor for her 'plastic surgery'

Kylie Jenner's nurse exposes EXACTLY what she's had done to her face

Kylie Jenner's nurse exposes EXACTLY what she's had done to her face

{headline}

{headline}

Kylie Jenner addresses her 'insecurities' on daughter Stormi's lips

Kylie Jenner addresses her 'insecurities' on daughter Stormi's lips

Kylie Jenner has removed all her fillers and fans are shook at her new appearance

Kylie Jenner has removed all her fillers and fans are shook at her new appearance

Kylie Jenner confirms she's using cosmetic fillers again revealing her new look

Kylie Jenner confirms she's using cosmetic fillers again revealing her new look

{headline}

{headline}

The reason why Kylie Jenner removed her lip fillers

The reason why Kylie Jenner removed her lip fillers

This is the latest body trend blowing up on Instagram

This is the latest body trend blowing up on Instagram

Carla from Bankstown on your must-have Mardi Gras accessories

Carla from Bankstown on your must-have Mardi Gras accessories

25 Next-Gen Small Businesses To Follow On Instagram ASAP

25 Next-Gen Small Businesses To Follow On Instagram ASAP

Is Social Media Lying To Us About Nose Jobs? We Found Out

Is Social Media Lying To Us About Nose Jobs? We Found Out

This Is How Celeb Plastic Surgery Affects Us Way More Than We Think

This Is How Celeb Plastic Surgery Affects Us Way More Than We Think

Our Fave Body Positive Insta Tips From Self-Love Queen Ariella Nyssa

Our Fave Body Positive Insta Tips From Self-Love Queen Ariella Nyssa

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%