There are two important aspects of beauty. While emphasizing the objectivity of beauty with the definition “Beauty is the balance between shape and volume”; Its subjectivity is also emphasized as “beauty is the characteristic of a living thing, a concrete object or an abstract concept that gives a sense of perceptual pleasure and satisfaction”. With its general definition; It can be defined as “beauty is the combination of qualities such as form, proportion and color that delight the appearance of a human face or other object”.
Interesting results have been obtained in physiological studies on vision in humans and focusing on an object while the eyes are looking at an object. When we look at an object, our eyes focus on certain areas rather than the whole object. These are called the focal points of the object. We know that while the eye is looking at an object, it first focuses on one point and then focuses on the others with its short and rapid movements. These points are no more than 2-3 areas of the object.
It is known that the focal points when looking at the face are the angles and slopes of the face. While doing this, angles and slopes that we are not accustomed to are noticed before.
Percent focus points
When the face is viewed from the side, the corners of the mouth, the inner and outer angles of the eyes, and the angular points of the face attract more attention.
Focus points when viewed from the side
Notable focal points when viewed from the front
Focus points that attract our attention when looking at the face from the front
The most prominent concave and convex slopes are focused when viewed from the side and obliquely. The nasal root area, the area between the nose and the upper lip, the labiomental area between the lower lip and the chin, and the area between the chin and the neck are the most prominent concave curves, while the tip of the nose, lips and chin are the most prominent convex structures. The flattening or reversing of these concave and convex areas, which make the face look aesthetically beautiful and attractive, causes an undesirable aesthetic appearance on the face.
In the lateral and oblique view, we focus on concave and convex slopes.
Depending on aging and congenital or post-traumatic facial deformation, points, convex and concave slopes and lines on the face change. When looking at the face, these changes are focused more and more attention is drawn. For example, an irregularity on the back of the nose is immediately noticeable.
Irregularity on the nasal dorsum attracts more attention.
Sometimes the presence of points and curves that should not be on the face can be remarkable. For example, the appearance of jowl-tickle in chin convexity with aging.
In the first picture, the edge of the jawbone is regular, but in the second picture, the jowl-tickling developed due to old age, and this is more noticeable.
The angle of the existing concave or convexity on the face can be noticed in the change. For example, in the picture below, since the developmental lower jaw is behind, all curves of the face profile are affected.
Congenital posterior development of the chin; It changes all the contours of the face.
The absence or flattening of concavity or convexity curves that should be on the face can also attract visual attention. For example, when there is no concavity at the root of the nose and this place becomes flat, it is called “Greek Nose”. This causes an unattractive and unattractive appearance in the profile image of the face.
The disappearance and flattening of the concavity that should be at the root of the nose causes an unattractive visual appearance with the “Greek Nose”.
The displacement of the anatomical points on the face gives the face an attractive and unattractive appearance and draws more attention when looking at the face. For example, as in the picture below, the lower placement of the nasal root causes the nose to be perceived as shorter and attracts more attention.
The placement of the nasal root lower than the area it should be causes the nose to appear short and aesthetically ugly.
The eye seeks the perfect symmetry and proportions in the objects it looks at. When looking at the face, the face should be symmetrical and proportional. A symmetrical and proportional face is perceived as more beautiful and attractive.
Asymmetrical structuring in the midline of the face, especially on the back of the nose
Beauty contests convey the message that beauty is a universal value and that all women should pursue it, as well as turning women into an ideal by placing them on a pedestal and objectifying them. The woman, who is the main element of beauty contests, is in close relations with fashion. Its introduction to the society through the media has been an important indicator that directs the perception in the society.
In today’s world where globalization is intense, beauty contests; It helps us to be informed about the changing understanding of beauty in the society and social changes can be observed. Studies to be carried out on beauty contests also provide an opportunity to evaluate the changing understanding of beauty and fashion trends of the period.