For decades, cosmetic procedures have played a major role in Hollywood beauty culture, from fuller lips and defined cheekbones to smoother complexions and expressions that appeared almost completely frozen.
Now, however, an increasing number of celebrities seem to be stepping away from fillers and Botox, choosing instead to showcase their natural features.
The entertainment industry appears to be undergoing a subtle beauty reset. Some actors are embracing facial movement as an essential part of their performances, while other high-profile figures are championing individuality and a less rigid approach to looking youthful.
The change has been dubbed the Great Deflate.
After years of being told that fuller lips, more sculpted cheeks and flawless skin represented the ideal look, stars including Kylie Jenner, Kristin Davis and Megan McKenna have discussed procedures they later decided to dissolve, reverse or remove.
The trend has now prompted fans to ask whether it may even be reaching the upper ranks of celebrity royalty.
Nicole Kidman has recently fueled speculation after appearing more relaxed in a series of public appearances. There is no confirmation that the actress has ever had dermal filler, but her changing look has nevertheless attracted attention.
So what do aesthetic and surgical specialists think? Four experts offer their views on eight women currently in the spotlight…
Then: Nicole Kidman previously acknowledged trying Botox before later saying she regretted the decision
Now: There is no confirmation that Nicole Kidman has reversed cosmetic work, but fans have speculated after seeing recent footage in which the actress appeared noticeably more relaxed
Nicole Kidman has become the latest celebrity to leave fans questioning whether she is embracing a softer, more natural appearance.
The 59-year-old actress, who has previously said she tried Botox and later regretted it, appeared to show more facial movement during a recent appearance on The One Show with her Practical Magic 2 co-star Sandra Bullock.
Neither Kidman nor her representatives have confirmed that she has reversed cosmetic treatment—or that she has undergone such work in the first place. Even so, recent footage has encouraged fans to examine her appearance closely.
Beneath a video message Kidman recorded for Lane Cove Public School in August, one amused viewer commented: ‘[Oh my God,] did her face actually move (a little)?’
Dr Tom Kamal, an aesthetic doctor and founder of The Dr Tom Clinic, said: ‘In the earlier image, Nicole appears to have greater fullness around the mid-face and under-eye area, which may be consistent with filler.
‘In the newer image, that fullness appears reduced, leaving her features looking softer and more natural.
‘What is interesting is that she does not appear to have experienced major volume loss. This could indicate that, rather than abandoning filler altogether, she may be opting for smaller, carefully placed amounts to retain volume without creating an overfilled appearance.’
Then: Kristin Davis, 61, has openly discussed dissolving her fillers after becoming unhappy with changes to her face, alongside the harsh online criticism she faced
Now: The Sex and the City star has recently embraced a more pared-back appearance, suggesting that a subtle approach can sometimes have the greatest impact
Kristin Davis, 61, has spoken candidly about dissolving her fillers after feeling uncomfortable with the way her face had changed. Her decision also came amid a wave of cruel comments directed at her online.
She told The Telegraph in 2023: ‘I have done fillers and it’s been good and I’ve done fillers and it’s been bad. I’ve had to get them dissolved and I’ve been ridiculed relentlessly. And I have shed tears about it. It’s very stressful.’
Lately, the Sex and the City star has been sporting a stripped-back look – proving that sometimes less really is more.
Anastasia Koles, Aesthetic Nurse and founder of ALTA Medi Clinic London weighed in: ‘Kristin has spoken openly about having facial filler dissolved after being unhappy with some of her previous results.
‘You can really see the difference in the more recent image, with less fullness through the face and much softer, more natural contours.
‘It’s a good example of how reducing excess volume can actually make the face look more balanced and rejuvenated, rather than relying on adding more filler.’
Courtney Cox
Then: In the past, Courteney Cox, 62, admitted that she became so accustomed to having fillers that she failed to notice how much her face had changed
Now: It was only after looking at photographs of herself that the Friends star realised she no longer ‘looked right,’ prompting her to have the fillers dissolved in 2017
In the past, Courteney Cox, 62, admitted that she became so accustomed to having fillers that she failed to notice how much her face had changed.
It was only after looking at photographs of herself that the Friends star realised she no longer ‘looked right,’ prompting her to have the fillers dissolved in 2017.
These days, it appears the actress is much more comfortable with ageing – and has made no secret of wanting her face to move hand-in-hand with time.
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In 2017, she told New Beauty: ‘I’m as natural as I can be. I feel better because I look like myself. I think that I now look more like the person that I was. I hope I do.’
Anastasia commented: ‘In earlier pictures, Courteney’s face appeared fuller and slightly puffier, which can sometimes be associated with filler. More recently, her face looks much more natural, but without obvious signs of significant volume loss.
‘That could suggest that rather than stopping filler altogether, she may have moved towards smaller, more strategically placed amounts to preserve volume without creating heaviness.’
Then: Melanie Griffith has been open about her experience with cosmetic treatments, including injections to tackle signs of ageing in her 50s
Now: The 69-year-old actress eventually admitted her face had become too altered and decided to have the work dissolved
Melanie Griffith has been open about her experience with cosmetic treatments, including injections to tackle signs of ageing in her 50s.
The 69-year-old actress eventually admitted her face had become too altered and decided to have the work dissolved, telling Net-a-Porter’s Porter magazine: ‘I didn’t [realise] until people started saying, “Oh my God, what has she done?!”
‘I was so hurt I went to a different doctor and he started dissolving all of this s*** that this other woman doctor had put in. Hopefully, I look more normal now.’
Professor Ali Al-Hussaini of Elevate Medical & Aesthetic Clinic, said: ‘Melanie appears to have less facial filler than in previous years, particularly through the cheek area, which could suggest that some filler has been dissolved or allowed to wear down.
‘The result is a softer, less overfilled appearance, with her natural facial contours coming through much more clearly. It’s a good example of how reducing excessive volume can create a more natural, healthier-looking result.
Kylie Jenner
Then: Kylie Jenner’s decision to dissolve her lip filler in 2018 marked a significant change from the look she had become known for
Now: While her once-full lips helped fuel a major beauty trend, especially on social media, Kylie, 29, has since moved towards an overall more natural appearance
Kylie Jenner’s decision to dissolve her lip filler in 2018 marked a significant change from the look she had become known for.
Responding to a fan who’d noticed a dramatic change in the TV star’s appearance on Instagram, she wrote, ‘I got rid of all my filler’, adding two flushed face emojis and one smiley face emoji.
While her once-full lips helped fuel a major beauty trend, especially on social media, Kylie, 29, has since moved towards an overall more natural appearance.
Anastasia: ‘Kylie appears to have less facial filler than in previous years, which could suggest that some product has been dissolved or simply allowed to wear down.
‘That said, she still has very balanced facial volume, so it’s quite possible that she has since had smaller amounts placed more subtly and strategically.’
Molly-Mae Hague
Then: Molly-Mae Hague, 27, has also stepped back from the heavily enhanced look she embraced before she first appeared on Love Island in 2019
Now: In October 2020, the reality TV star sensationally announced she dissolved her lip filler and documented the reversal of some of her cosmetic treatments
Molly-Mae Hague, 27, has also stepped back from the heavily enhanced look she embraced before she first appeared on Love Island in 2019.
In October 2020, the reality TV star sensationally announced she dissolved her lip filler and documented the reversal of some of her cosmetic treatments in a YouTube video, saying she had gone ‘too far’ and wanted to feel more like herself.
Dr Tom said: Molly-Mae Hague: Molly-Mae has spoken publicly about having her cheek, jaw and lip filler dissolved, and her face now looks much softer and more natural.
‘She may have since had a very small amount of filler placed strategically, but if so, it’s subtle enough that it would be difficult to determine from photographs alone.’
Megan McKenna
Then: Megan McKenna has also moved away from the glamorous ‘Essex’ look she was once known for
Now: The 33-year-old revealed she underwent several rounds of dissolvent to remove her filler and has spoken about wanting a more natural appearance
Megan McKenna has also moved away from the glamorous ‘Essex’ look she was once known for.
The former TOWIE star, 33, previously revealed that she became ’embarrassed’ by her lip fillers as they’d prevented her from being taken seriously as a singer while pursuing a music career in Nashville.
During an appearance on Loose Women in 2019, the 33-year-old revealed she underwent several rounds of dissolvent to remove her filler and has spoken about wanting a more natural appearance.
Dr Tom said: Megan McKenna: Megan’s lip profile has noticeably changed. Her lips look less filled and more defined, which gives them a much more natural shape.
‘Her face also appears fuller and slightly puffier in the previous picture, whereas now her features look softer, more refined and more natural overall.’