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Is Kylie Jenner's surgery revelation a setback for beauty standards?

Is Kylie Jenner's surgery revelation a setback for beauty standards?

CNN04-06-2025
Cosmetic surgery has, despite its obvious prevalence, long been taboo among the rich and famous. The few stars who do publicly discuss procedures are usually bowing to intense speculation or pressure to account for changes in their appearance.
Even then, celebrities often share less invasive procedures (Ariana Grande admitting that she previously had lip fillers and Botox), offer medical justification (Zac Efron saying his newly chiseled features were necessitated by a jaw injury) or caveat their decision with regret (Bella Hadid telling Vogue she wished she had 'kept the nose of my ancestors').
So, when 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' star Kylie Jenner detailed her breast augmentation on TikTok this week, it was not just the specificity that surprised fans — it was the jubilant tone and casual, almost offhand manner with which she did it.
Responding to a direct request from content creator Rachel Leary ('please can you just tell me/us/anyone that's interested, what it is you asked for when you had your boobs done?' Leary had implored in a video), Jenner unexpectedly replied with the implants' exact size, type and placement, as well as the Beverly Hills surgeon responsible.
'445 cc, moderate profile, half under the muscle!!!!! silicone!!! garth fisher!!! hope this helps lol,' she commentedwrote in a comment, which has since been deleted.
In some quarters, Jenner's frankness was celebrated as the act of a 'girl's girl' (which is, incidentally, the name that her multi-million-dollar company, Kylie Cosmetics, gave to a shade of lip plumper). 'The people's princess for real,' read one reply on TikTok. 'This is why she's for the girls,' wrote another user.
Being open about body modification makes total sense to me in this day and age… (But) beauty imperatives aren't victimless. They teach us to internalize our external appearance as our worth.
Elise Hu, author of "Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital"
The beauty mogul was also praised by several fashion publications for her apparent openness. Harper's Bazaar heralded a 'new era of plastic surgery transparency,' with the magazine's beauty director Jenna Rosenstein contending that celebrity secrecy is 'gatekeeping the names of reputable, trustworthy plastic surgeons.'
Jenner follows in the footsteps of her own mother, Kris, whose representative last month reportedly took the unusual step of confirming that the star's much-hyped facial transformation (where she appeared to reverse age by decades) was the work of plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Levine. Various other stars have, in this age of bare-all social media, gone public about not only what they've had done, but who carried it out — from Kelly Ripa shouting out her dermatologist (while getting Botox injections) to Amy Schumer publicly thanking the doctor who performed liposuction following her pregnancy. In 2021, fashion designer Marc Jacobs documented his facelift recovery, complete with blood-stained post-op selfies, on Instagram.
For better or worse, Jenner's frank revelation further chips away at the surgery taboo. But some critics see her comment as an overly flippant endorsement of an invasive procedure that can lead to illness or infection and has been linked to BIA-ALCL, a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a cancer of the immune system). Breast augmentations are on the rise in the US: The country's surgeons carried out over 300,000 of the procedures in 2023, up from 212,500 in 2000, according to the latest data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. But so, too, are breast implant removals, which jumped 9% in 2023 alone.
Indeed, Jenner has previously expressed regret about getting implants. 'I had beautiful breasts. Just gorgeous. Perfect size, perfect everything,' she said on a 2023 episode of 'The Kardashians,' recounting the breast augmentation she underwent before the birth of her daughter Stormi in 2018. 'And I just wish, obviously, I never got them done to begin with.'
According to Elise Hu, author of 'Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital,' Jenner's recent admission reflects 'how body modification has become normalized.'
'Being open about body modification makes total sense to me in this day and age, because I understand it as part of a larger culture in which good looks lead to social and economic capital, and 'working hard' means working hard to change your appearance to whatever fits the conventional norm,' said Hu, a former NPR bureau chief in South Korea (where an estimated one-fifth of women have undergone cosmetic surgery), over email.
Jenner's transparency may nonetheless serve to reinforce unrealistic — or for many women, unaffordable — beauty standards, Hu added: 'Beauty imperatives aren't victimless. They teach us to internalize our external appearance as our worth, and in hyper capitalism, offering specific doctors to see or amounts of silicone to buy (and) situate our looks as a matter of choice and resources — that if you have enough money, you can buy an external look that we've (wrongly) equated to worthiness.'
'It also problematizes the bodies whose boobs aren't just right or don't 'fit' one way or the other,' Hu added. 'Kylie offering a 'how to' for her breast augmentation is part of the way visual and beauty industries create a market for 'solving' whatever they've problematized about our bodies.'
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FYI, Amazon Has A 'Most Wished For' Section — And These 42 Items Just Make Sense For Summer
FYI, Amazon Has A 'Most Wished For' Section — And These 42 Items Just Make Sense For Summer

Buzz Feed

time35 minutes ago

  • Buzz Feed

FYI, Amazon Has A 'Most Wished For' Section — And These 42 Items Just Make Sense For Summer

Did you know that Amazon has a fun little section called "Most Wished For," where you can see which products your fellow Amazon shoppers are currently adding to their wishlists? From TikTok-famous beauty items to genius home finds and stylish fashion pieces, here are some items you'll want to add to your cart (or wish list) ASAP! Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder to instantly matte-ify your skin while helping it maintain its natural glow thanks to the blue hyaluronic acid. It even comes in a mess-free, travel-friendly case so you can take it on the go. That's a major upgrade to your summer routine, if I do say so myself. A perfectly beachy crochet swimsuit cover-up, which comes in so many styles that you may have to snag it in multiples — it just makes sense. The loose, breezy fit will be *extra* appreciated on toasty days spent baking in the sun. A pack of waterproof, solar-powered garden lights that'll sway in the wind and illuminate your yard so it's *extra* dreamy at night. These will set the scene for a summer evening that's (seemingly) filled with dancing fireflies! A Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker — you'll be SO glad you bought this when the next heatwave is upon us. Get ready to create delicious single servings of your fave frozen delight at home! Freeze your preferred base for 24 hours, add mix-ins via the built-in chute, and turn on the motor to combine. All the parts nest for snug, easy storage *and* the bowl doubles as a freezable mug! A surprisingly effective instant foot peeling spray want baby-soft footsies for all the sandals you're gonna be wearing but don't have time to visit the salon for a pricey pedicure. Just spray onto clean, dry feet and rub away dead skin! For an extra peeling effect, use an exfoliating mitt! A hidden, plug-in fly trap to get rid of all the flies you accidentally let in the house and wanna get rid of *immediately*. Each one provides 400 square feet of coverage to get rid of fruit flies, moths, gnats, flies, and other summer-related pests by naturally luring them in with a light. A moisturizing Mise En Scene hair serum if your frizzy locks are feeling drier than ever in the heat — this magical product has you covered. It's made with seven nourishing oils, including argan, coconut, olive, apricot, marula, jojoba, and camellia. Reviewers praise this serum for helping to combat dryness! Plus, it smells divine. A mighty useful veggie chopper with four interchangeable blades for small and large dicing, spiralizing, and making ribbons. This will become your must-have kitchen sidekick this season when you're busy making guac, salsa, dips, and more. Get ready to fall in love with meal prep again now that chopping is a breeze! The Owala Freesip that has a clever built-in straw you can sip from, a wide-mouth spout for tip-back drinking, *and* an easy push-button lid to keep everything clean and free of germs while preventing leaks. After this bottle enters your summer hydration orbit, you'll be saying "Stanley who??" A curved SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar, which is a Korean skincare product that'll make you *excited* about the SPF step in your daily routine. The contoured stick covers a wide area so it's easy to apply without any mess. It also goes on smooth and won't leave a sticky residue OR white cast. If you want a lightweight, semi-matte SPF that plays well with makeup, look no further. Or E.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen — when did sunscreen become one of the most expensive items in your cosmetic bag? Enter this affordable find that offers SPF 35, goes on smooth and clear, and doesn't leave any white cast. It works well as a blurring primer to create the ideal base for makeup too! 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Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm because you don't have to spend a fortune on Laneige or other expensive brands to get the summer lippie look of your dreams. These tinted, moisturizing balms are similar to those buttery, buildable glosses you know and love — but at a much more affordable price that'll still leave your lips lookin' *and* feelin' fab. 💋 Some hair tie bracelets when you only wanna wear jewelry on your wrists, which usually leaves you up the creek without a scrunchie on scorching hot days. Not anymore! These clever hair ties double as wrist candy so you don't have to worry about going without in the name of fashion! A pair of lightweight boxer-style shorts if you're seeking a cute, comfy alternative to the $98 Reformation pair you've been eyeballing. This wallet-friendly version is made of a breathable material *and* it has pockets with an elasticized waist so you can kiss leggings and jeans goodbye. Sol de Janeiro hair and body fragrance mist, aka a dream come true for anyone who is already low-key obsessed with their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and is now on a mission to smell like bottled sunshine 24/7. Long live summer! ☀️ A non-slip, heat-resistant silicone grill mat perfectly designed to fit the Blackstone griddle side shelf — it has eight slots that'll hold all your barbecue tools and accessories while you cook up a storm this grilling season. Use it for tongs, spatulas, oils, spices, and more! It's easy to rinse off with soap and water, or you can toss it in the dishwasher as needed. An adjustable, reclining Ostrich chaise lounge complete with holes for your face *and* arms, which means you'll be able to face-down relax anywhere. Whether you wanna bury your head in a book or pretend you're lounging on an island somewhere instead of your backyard, this will do the trick! There's even a pillow cover when it's time to turn over and nap on your back. 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Forget Leopard—Cow Print Is the Surprising Trend of Summer
Forget Leopard—Cow Print Is the Surprising Trend of Summer

Elle

timean hour ago

  • Elle

Forget Leopard—Cow Print Is the Surprising Trend of Summer

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. What is the bellweather for the latest summer trend, you ask? It's not about how many runways feature this design, nor about the virality of it on TikTok. Apparently, the way to know the Next Big Thing is to check if a Kardashian toddler has been spotted wearing it. And since True Thompson (Khloé Kardashian's daughter, for those not in the know) was recently seen donning the now-sold-out Prada Galleria Cow Print Bag, it solidifies what we should have already known: The era of leopard is over, and we have now entered into Cow Print Summer. We're no strangers to wearing animal prints. From snake to zebra, we've seen nearly every faux exotic in stores and on the runways. But in a post-Cowboy Carter world, where Bella Hadid is now a rodeo star and cowboy boots still reign supreme, it should come as no surprise that we've moved past big cats and arrived at bovine prints at last. From Holsteins to Guernseys, cowhide prints (or the real deal in hide form) have made their way to our shoes, bags, jeans, and belts. Whether you opt for a classic black-and-white print or something scattered with neutral browns and tans, the cow print trend is surprisingly simple to incorporate into your wardrobe. A standout bag or pair of sneakers paired with simple blue jeans is enough to do the trick, but you can also opt for a cow print dress if you want to beat the all hat, no cattle allegations. While Western wear is a quintessential summer vibe, cowhide—especially in coat and boot forms—is a trend we expect to spot well into the fall. So, you can officially say goodbye to shearling accessories and leopard spring skirts. Here, find some of our go-to moo-worthy picks if you want to explore the trend. Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.

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