The fox eye is one of the biggest, most controversial beauty trends right now. For a fox eye look, eye shadow and other eye products create the illusion that the eyes and brows slant upwards. This gives the face a slimmer look. And online makeup tips about how to elongate and lift the eye becoming more and more popular. Research from Tanologist shows that searches for “fox eye makeup” went up 319% in the last year.
While one can achieve the fox eye look with makeup, fox eye-lift surgery is becoming increasingly popular. The especially true as more and more influencers and celebrities give the look their seal of approval. But while this procedure is gaining more attention, a lot of confusion surrounds the eye-lift. The trend is raising a lot of questions about whether or not it is problematic, and whether the procedure is even safe in the first place.
HOW DID THE FOX EYE-LIFT BECOME POPULAR?
Like many other beauty trends, the fox eye aesthetic got popular on social media. Models Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner — rumors have it that both have had the fox eye-lift — are often credited for popularizing the look. The makeup side of the trend took off on social media as people were shaving off the arch to the tail of their brows in order to draw in a more lifted end. The fox eye-lift became more popular only after rumors spread that more influencers were undergoing the surgery.
“Social media influencers with great profiles and large followings, along with the Internet and lifestyle media, are the key drivers when it comes to aesthetic trends,” Sydney blepharoplasty surgeon Dr. Angelo Tsirbas said in an interview with BeautyCrew. “In particular, the popularity of Kendall, Bella and the Kardashians are the most requested ‘look’ that many patients are aspiring to.”
WHAT IS THE FOX EYE-LIFT PROCEDURE?
There are different eye-lift techniques that can help achieve the fox eye look. These procedures include PDO threading, blepharoplasty, temporal lift and canthoplasty. The most common used technique is PDO threading, which is commonly used to eliminate smile lines. PDO threading is a non-surgical procedure where dissolvable threads insert beneath the skin. These threads are pulled “to lift and stretch the corner of the upper eyelid back towards the temples.” This raises the brow tail creating a more almond-shaped eye. The type of medical-grade thread used and your body’s natural metabolism determine how long results will last. Typically, results last for about four months to a year.
WHAT IS THE FOX EYE-LIFT CONTROVERSY ABOUT?
As the fox eye trend grows in popularity, more and more have raised their voices to criticize it. The debate is over whether the trend is an example of cultural appropriation. Members of the Asian American community have come out and called out those who give themselves the fox eye look. The claim those who take on the look are appropriating Asian features and turning it into a trend. Westerners have a history of mocking Asians for the shape of their eyes, and Asian critics of the fox eye look believe the trend is an example of “mainstream beauty standards plagiarizing from other cultures.”
Filipino beauty influencer Jordan Santos told Teen Vogue, “It’s upsetting, but sadly not surprising that the same look used by non-Asians to insult Asians for their eye shape is now being used for aesthetic purposes.”
IS THE FOX EYE-LIFT SAFE?
Medical professionals have also raised red flags about the fox eye-lift. Any procedure that involves the eyes comes with risk, whether it’s surgical or not. Aesthetic nurse Lucy Foster described some of the PDO threading risks. She also says that other surgical fox eye procedures come with even higher risk.
“As with all aesthetics treatments, the fox eye comes with its risks, such as pain, bruising and infection, but more invasive techniques, such as the Hybrid Mini Surgical technique hold great risks for clients, such as foreign object rejection,” Foster said.
Because of its trendiness and risk factor, Foster recommends safer alternatives to the fox eye-lift.
“Like many short-term trends, the novelty may wear off once clients consider the cost, longevity and risks associated,” she explained. “Especially as there are many other safer, natural options available for clients who are concerned about the eye area, such as hyaluronic acid fillers for hollows under the eyes and clever botulinum toxin injections.”
Dr. Ricardo Frati of Frati Cosmetic Surgery went on to further explain the risk of PDO threading.
Dr. Frati explained that because the procedure involves inserting foreign objects into the body, not every body will react to the threads the same way. Patients may experience their scar tissue encapsulating the thread. That prevents it from dissolving. According to Dr. Frati, this can cause “disfiguration to the face through ripples and adhesions to the skin.”
The fox eye-lift comes with great risk and controversies over issues of both social politics and safety. It’s crucial to take all criticisms into consideration when deciding whether or not it’s right for you.
