Lip Shapes Over the Last Century (1948-2012)

Area of Science:

• Facial analysis
• Anthropometry
• Aesthetic science

Background:

• Lip shape and proportion are key aesthetic features.
• Understanding historical trends in lip aesthetics can inform cosmetic procedures.
• Vogue magazine has historically influenced beauty standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze lip shape trends in British Vogue from 1916-2015.
• To quantify lip proportions using specific ratios.
• To compare lip proportions between males and females over time.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 98 frontal photographs from "Vogue 100: A Century of Style."
• Measurement of four lip ratios: lip thickness-to-width (LTW), upper-to-lower vermillion (ULR), upper vermillion thickness-to-upper lip height (VUL), and lip-to-nose width (LNW).
• Statistical analysis including linear regression and independent t-tests to assess changes over time and gender differences.

Main Results:

• Lip proportions (LTW, ULR, VUL, LNW) did not significantly change over the 100-year period.
• Women exhibited significantly greater LTW and VUL compared to men.
• No significant gender differences were found in ULR and LNW.

Conclusions:

• Lip proportions depicted in British Vogue have remained remarkably stable over the past century.
• Gender-specific differences in lip thickness and vermillion height exist.
• Findings may assist in planning facial rejuvenation, brow aesthetics, and lip tattooing procedures.