The Psychology of the ‘Anti–Mar-a-Lago’ Face

Demand is growing for the so-called ‘anti-Mar-a-Lago’ face.

The beauty trend, positioned as a direct counterpoint to the much-discussed MAGA makeover, centers on what experts describe as ‘anti-obvious plastic surgery.’

Dr Melinda Lacerna Kimbrell, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of LA Plastic Surgery, previously told the Daily Mail that the defining feature of the ‘anti-Mar-a-Lago’ face is that the individual remains recognizable.

‘The goal is for people to notice that he or she looks rested, healthy and refreshed — not to immediately start counting the procedures,’ she said.

She pointed to Emma Stone, Anne Hathaway and Lindsay Lohan as celebrities who ‘all embody the refreshed-but-recognizable look from a purely aesthetic standpoint,’ reflecting a ‘definite pendulum swing’ toward the style in recent months.

Although the understated look has become a major cultural trend in Hollywood, experts say its appeal may extend beyond appearance and material concerns.

Behavioral scientist and social psychologist Jordan Bridger told the Daily Mail that the ‘anti-Mar-a-Lago’ face is ‘less about beauty than about group signaling.’

‘Faces work as quick identity badges. When a particular look becomes associated with a specific group, people who do not want to be seen as part of that crowd may move in the opposite direction, choosing softer, more “undone” styles.

‘Social psychologists call this distinction-seeking: we choose the markers that communicate who we are — and who we are not,’ he said.

In his analysis, Bridger said two factors help make the trend particularly powerful.

‘First, a look that is obviously done reads as effort, and effort reads as trying to be seen, so the natural look becomes the higher-status signal,’ Bridger explained.

‘Second, people trust faces that move and show expression, so a very polished, still face can come across as guarded, while a lived-in face reads as someone with nothing to hide.’

He added: ‘The irony is that “natural” also takes work, so it is still a performance, just a quieter one.’

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Psychiatrist Sam Zand, founder and CEO of Anywhere Clinic, agreed with that assessment.

He said: ‘One way to understand the “anti-Mar-a-Lago face” is as a response to beauty becoming associated with political identity.

‘Once a particular look takes on that meaning, some people may move away from it to express independence or feel more aligned with their own values.’

The expert, who has more than 15 years of experience, noted that every countertrend carries a degree of tension. ‘Rejecting one beauty standard can create another,’ he said.

‘A preference for a more natural appearance can feel freeing, but it can become another pressure if women are expected to prove their authenticity through how they look.’

However, Dr Zand did add a word of caution, adding that there are still others who have made cosmetic decisions based on ‘aesthetic preference’ alone.

‘We should be careful not to read someone’s politics from their superficial connections,’ he explained.

‘Psychologically, appearance can help us express both individuality and belonging: “This feels like me,” and “These are my people.”

‘Those motivations can exist across political groups, even when the resulting styles look very different.’ 

The anti-Mar-a-Lago face seems to be in contention to the MAGA makeover trend that swept Capitol Hill after President Donald Trump took office.

Defined by copious use of Botox, a Miami-bronze tan, puffy lips and silky smooth skin, several high-profile women have seemingly undergone the makeover, including Kristi Noem, Laura Loomer and Kimberly Guilfoyle.

The Daily Mail previously reported that Trump ‘has long expressed admiration for those who look like they are from Hollywood “central casting,”‘ and the hyper-feminine aesthetic, often seen as a status symbol linked to Trump’s circle, reflects that.

And, at the time, Jordan Conrad, a psychologist based in New York, told the Daily Mail that it was driven by Trump’s leading ladies wanting to reinforce classic feminine traits, with traditional gender roles being a strong belief in the MAGA world.