Even before Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex with her marriage to Prince Harry, she was a style icon. Women around the globe have copied her signature messy bun, her modern and streamlined fashion choices—and her nose. Many plastic surgeons have said they’ve had several patients requesting rhinoplasty in order to replicate Meghan’s regal nose.
All About Meghan’s Nose
The duchess’s nose is distinctive. It is straight, with a small “button” tip that gives Meghan her signature look. What’s so interesting is that her nose is not the typical “perfect” nose—rather, there is a nasal hump, albeit very slight, along the side of it.
Natural-Looking Beauty Ideals
The demand for nose jobs that mimic Meghan’s nose are, of course, an indication that celebrities are often held up as standards of beauty—and of course, it’s not surprising considering that the duchess has become a subject of worldwide fascination ever since her romance with Prince Harry became public. But it’s worth noting that the interest in copying her nose—and to some extent, her casually imperfect updo and her subtle makeup palette—may indicate that women are gravitating towards more natural standards of beauty. In other words, perfect may be too perfect, and it’s the little flaws that add character and make each woman look unique. As she has in so many other ways, Meghan may be a trendsetter in a shift towards natural beauty. In fact, the most recent annual survey from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that when patients come in for any kind of cosmetic procedure, one-third of them said that their biggest fear was that they would look “unnatural” after the work was done. It also dovetails with another beauty trend, the “no makeup” look, in which makeup is strategically applied to highlight, not mask or hide, facial features.
Would Meghan’s Nose Work for You?
One of the reasons why Meghan’s nose is so attractive is that it fits her face. Her nose works in harmony with her other facial features to create a one-of-a-kind beauty. However, that means the same nose may not look right on your face. That is one of the hazards of using a celebrity or public figure as your ideal when going into a surgical procedure such as rhinoplasty. While photos of celebrities can be a good guide to help communicate to your doctor what you want, you should also be somewhat flexible and understand that your other facial features may require a different type of nose to create an overall pleasing appearance. Also, women of color such as Meghan should take care to not erase all traces of their ethnicity during a nose job. They will want a surgeon who is experienced in ethnic rhinoplasty, which takes into account all of a woman’s facial characteristics.
What to Look for in a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Whether you want Meghan’s nose or a different look altogether, you will need to find a highly qualified surgeon who is an expert on rhinoplasty. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that you look for board-certified facial plastic surgeons, which means that they have passed stringent tests to ensure they are experts in their field. Ideally, the surgeon has also graduated from an accredited medical school and is up-to-date on the latest techniques for rhinoplasties. You will also want to look at the facility where the rhinoplasty will be performed to ensure it meets safety standards and is accredited and licensed by the state.
Your surgeon should also make sure you are fully prepared for a rhinoplasty. That can include taking a thorough medical history, conducting a comprehensive consultation to review your options and outline potential outcomes and risks, giving clear and concise instructions on how to take care of yourself before and after your rhinoplasty and suggesting lifestyle choices you may need to make before you undergo the procedure, such as quitting smoking or abstaining from supplements or medications that could cause complications. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also suggests a checklist of questions you should ask prospective surgeons during your initial rhinoplasty consultation. Finally, make sure your plastic surgeon will give you a nose that works in harmony with your facial features—just like Meghan’s does—to enhance your own natural beauty.