About Forma: Facial Anatomy Research & Sources
Forma is an independent editorial atlas for people who want to understand facial anatomy, aesthetic measurements, and the limits of “ideal” ratios before they interpret a photograph or discuss a procedure.
What the atlas does
Each topic names its landmarks, shows the exact values reported in a source, and then explains what those values can and cannot support. Preference studies, observational samples, clinical conventions, and forum claims are labeled separately. That distinction matters: a selected celebrity average is not a population optimum, a classical canon is not a surgical prescription, and an online estimate is not a validated measurement.
Editorial method
We prioritize peer-reviewed papers, PubMed records, open-access clinical reviews, university records, and established anatomy references. We preserve competing findings when methods or populations disagree instead of collapsing them into one universal face. Community discussions are included as examples of claims people make, not as medical evidence. Source links open directly so readers can inspect the original paper or record.
Use, safety, and privacy
Forma is educational and does not diagnose, rate overall attractiveness, or recommend a procedure. A measurement photo is processed in the browser for the current session. Community uploads are separate: they are published only when a registered account explicitly submits them, and a contributor can delete their own contribution. For surgery or functional concerns, bring the original sources and your questions to an appropriately qualified clinician.
Source library
These are the references currently used across the 27 facial topics. The atlas shows the relevant citation beside each claim.
- Evidence-based Nasal Analysis for Rhinoplasty: The 10-7-5 MethodBrito, Avashia & Rohrich · clinical review · 2020
- Rhinoplasty Tip-Shaping SurgeryStatPearls · clinical reference
- Role of Artificial Intelligence in Determining Ideal Nasal Tip Projection in Diverse PopulationsOriginal study · 2024
- The ideal nasolabial angle in rhinoplasty: a preference analysis of the general populationPreference study · 2014
- Defining the ideal nasolabial angleSurvey · 2012
- Ideal Nasal Angle Preferences Among Japanese PeopleObservational preference study · 2025
- Nasofrontal Angle and Nasal Dorsal AestheticsNaini et al. · 2016
- The ideal male jaw angle—An Internet surveyMommaerts · 2016
- Assessing the influence of chin prominence on perceived attractivenessNaini et al. · 2012
- Analysing chin prominence in relation to the lower lipNaini et al. · 2019
- Influence of chin height on perceived attractivenessNaini et al. · 2012
- Mentolabial angle and aestheticsNaini et al. · 2017
- Submental-Cervical Angle: Perceived Attractiveness and Threshold Values of Desire for SurgeryPreference study · 2016
- Using Artificial Intelligence to Quantify Sexual Dimorphism in Aesthetic FacesLiu, Salinas & Sharaf · 2023 · 42 celebrities
- Do the neoclassical canons still describe the beauty of faces?Anthropometric study · 2010 · 50 female models
- Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryK.J. Lee’s Essential Otolaryngology · clinical reference
- New “Golden” Ratios for Facial BeautyPallett, Link & Lee · 2010
- Does 3-dimensional facial attractiveness relate to golden ratio, neoclassical canons, “ideal” ratios and “ideal” angles?Zwahlen et al. · 2022
- The perception of lip aesthetics in the context of facial proportionsKempa et al. · 2024 · 101 observers
- Influence of ethnicity on aesthetic preferences for lip characteristics in Caucasian male and female facesOriginal preference study · 2024
- The Ideal Chinese Lip: Impact of Lip Contours and ProportionsYang et al. · 2024 · 303 observers
- Quantitative investigation of the esthetic impact of lip prominence in relation to the esthetic lineNaini et al. · 2021
- Is it possible to define the ideal lips?Clinical review · 2018
- The Relative Contribution of Jawbone and Cheekbone Prominence, Eyebrow Thickness, Eye Size, and Face LengthMogilski & Welling · 2018 · 922 observers
- Facial shape affects self-perceived facial attractivenessOriginal study · 2021
- Understanding the impact of eyebrow and lateral canthal height on the perception of character traitsRating study · 2025 · 2,081 participants
- Analysis of Hairline and Forehead Sexual Dimorphic Aesthetics in 60 Celebrities Using Artificial IntelligenceObservational study · 2023
- CT measurement of the frontal sinus—gender differences and implications for frontal cranioplastyAnatomical study · 2010
- Changes in ocular globe-to-orbital rim position with ageAnatomical study · 1999
- The ideal auricular protrusion—An interactive perceptual pilot studyPilot study · 2020
- Facial Landmarks Determination with Different Digital Scanners: An In Vivo StudyAnatomical landmark reference · 2026
- In-depth ratio discussionLooksmax.org · individual forum post · 2021
- 38 facial ratios and proposed measurementsLooksmax.org · user-created guide · 2024
- Ideal facial ratios and proportionsLooksmax.org · user-created guide · 2019
- Discussion of Jeremy Meeks’ canthal tiltLooksmax.org · forum discussion · 2025
- Proposed ideal ratiosLooksmaxxing.com · forum guide · 2023