Have you noticed a certain look taking over your screens lately? That ultra-smooth skin, those impossibly high cheekbones, and that ever-present golden tan? It’s not your imagination. A new beauty trend called the “Mar-A-Lago face” has been sweeping through political circles and is now making its way to Hollywood. What started as a look popular among those in Donald Trump’s inner circle has become the latest obsession for celebrities looking to stand out in a town where everyone is trying to look perfect.
The defining features of the Mar-A-Lago look
The Mar-A-Lago face isn’t subtle – and that’s exactly the point. This trending look combines three main features that make it instantly recognizable: excessive Botox that smooths out every wrinkle and expression line, highly visible facial fillers that create exaggerated cheekbones and plumped lips, and extreme tanning that gives the skin a distinct orange-bronze glow. Unlike more natural cosmetic work that tries to enhance features while maintaining a person’s unique look, this style leans into an obviously artificial appearance, almost like a brand or calling card that shows you’re part of a certain group.
Celebrities adopting this trend are spending thousands on these treatments, with some facial fillers costing upwards of $800-$2,000 per session. The look requires regular maintenance too – Botox typically needs refreshing every three to four months, while the tanning regimen involves both spray tans and tanning beds for that signature glow. The combination creates a face that looks pulled and plumped in a way that’s meant to be noticed, not natural. It’s almost become a status symbol, showing that you can afford these high-end treatments and aren’t afraid to show it.
How the trend jumped from politics to hollywood
The Mar-A-Lago face first gained attention in political circles, particularly among figures in Donald Trump’s orbit. People started noticing dramatic changes in the appearances of various political personalities, with before-and-after photos going viral on social media. The look became so associated with Trump’s inner circle that plastic surgeons began referring to it by name. But as with many trends that start in one sphere, it didn’t stay contained for long. Hollywood, always on the lookout for new ways to stand out, quickly took notice of this bold aesthetic statement.
The crossover happened when certain celebrities who had political connections or attended events at Mar-A-Lago started adopting the look themselves. Soon, other stars who had no political affiliations began requesting the same procedures from their plastic surgeons. According to several Hollywood cosmetic doctors who spoke anonymously, clients started bringing in photos of political figures as inspiration, asking for the same exaggerated features. The trend accelerated after Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, as presidential style has historically influenced fashion and beauty trends nationwide. Now, what was once considered an outsider aesthetic has become a mainstream option at plastic surgery clinics across Beverly Hills.
Why celebrities are drawn to this artificial look
In an industry where standing out is everything, the Mar-A-Lago face offers something different from the usual Hollywood beauty standards. For decades, the trend in celebrity cosmetic work has been the “you can’t tell I had work done” approach – subtle tweaks that enhance natural beauty without being obvious. The Mar-A-Lago face rejects this entirely. It’s bold, unmistakable, and impossible to ignore. For celebrities who feel they’re fading from relevance or struggling to get attention in a crowded field, this dramatic transformation guarantees headlines and social media buzz. The look has become a way to signal that you’re not afraid to take risks with your appearance.
There’s also a practical aspect to this trend that appeals to stars who are getting older. Rather than fighting aging with subtle procedures that may not fully hide the signs of time, the Mar-A-Lago face embraces transformation. It creates a new baseline – not trying to make you look like a younger version of yourself, but creating an entirely different look that can’t be compared to how you used to appear. Some celebrities find this liberating. Instead of being criticized for looking older than they once did, they can simply present an entirely new face to the world. This approach has found particular popularity among stars who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s and are now in their 50s and 60s.
The procedures behind the trending aesthetic
Creating the Mar-A-Lago face isn’t a simple one-and-done procedure. It requires a combination of treatments that work together to achieve the signature look. The foundation starts with heavy Botox use, not just in the typical forehead and eye areas, but throughout the face to create that perfectly smooth, expression-free appearance. Next comes the strategic use of fillers – lots of them. Plastic surgeons inject hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane into the cheeks to create those prominent, angular cheekbones. The lips get multiple syringes of filler to achieve that distinctly plumped look, often with a defined border that gives a slightly duck-like appearance.
Beyond injectables, many who want the full Mar-A-Lago effect also opt for thread lifts, where temporary sutures physically lift facial tissue for a more taut appearance. The skin is then finished with that signature tan – usually a combination of spray tan products and makeup. The overall process can cost between $5,000 to $15,000 initially, with maintenance running several thousand dollars every few months. Some celebrities take it even further with cheek implants or fat transfers for more permanent volume. The key is that none of these procedures are done with subtlety in mind – the goal is a dramatic transformation that’s meant to be noticed and discussed.
Critics call it the new “Instagram face gone wrong”
Not everyone is a fan of this new trend. Beauty critics and some plastic surgeons have spoken out against the Mar-A-Lago look, comparing it to what they call “Instagram face gone wrong.” Where Instagram face – the look popularized by influencers and reality TV stars – aimed for a certain kind of filtered perfection, the Mar-A-Lago face pushes beyond that into territory that critics describe as excessive and unnatural. Renowned plastic surgeons who prefer more subtle work have expressed concern about the trend, noting that such obvious interventions can make the face look older and stranger over time, not younger. They worry about the message it sends about beauty standards and what’s considered desirable.
These critics point out that while trends come and go, faces are not so easily changed back. Once fillers and Botox have been used extensively for years, the skin and underlying tissue can change permanently. Some plastic surgeons refuse to create the Mar-A-Lago look for clients, recommending more subtle enhancements instead. They compare it to fashion fads like the extreme thin eyebrows of the 1990s that many later regretted. The difference, they note, is that eyebrows grow back, but faces that have been filled, lifted, and stretched may never return to their original state. This has led to ongoing debates within cosmetic medicine ethics about a doctor’s responsibility to guide patients toward choices that will age well.
The backlash from naturalism supporters
As the Mar-A-Lago face gains popularity in Hollywood, it’s sparked a counter-movement promoting natural aging and more subtle beauty enhancements. Several A-list actresses have spoken out against the trend, advocating for embracing natural features and the normal signs of aging. These critics suggest that the Mar-A-Lago trend represents everything wrong with Hollywood’s approach to getting older. They argue that the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance has twisted into something bizarre – not looking younger, but looking noticeably “done.” The trend has revived conversations about ageism in the entertainment industry and whether women, in particular, feel forced to take extreme measures to remain relevant.
Social media has become a battleground for these competing beauty ideals, with hashtags like #NaturalBeauty and #EmbraceYourAge gaining traction in direct response to the Mar-A-Lago trend. Some celebrities who previously embraced extensive cosmetic work have publicly reversed course, having fillers dissolved and posting makeup-free selfies. They’ve shared stories about feeling pressure to conform to extreme beauty standards and the relief they found in stepping away from that path. This pushback has created an interesting divide in Hollywood, with stars seemingly forced to pick a side in this beauty culture war – either embracing the obvious artifice of the Mar-A-Lago look or making a statement by rejecting cosmetic interventions altogether. The middle ground of subtle enhancements seems to be losing popularity as the debate becomes more polarized.
Hollywood makeup artists adapting to the new look
Behind every celebrity trend is a team of professionals figuring out how to make it work, and the Mar-A-Lago face is no exception. Hollywood makeup artists have had to develop new techniques to work with this distinctive look. Traditional makeup approaches don’t necessarily complement the smooth, filled features of the Mar-A-Lago face. Makeup artists report needing to use different contouring methods to work with the already-enhanced cheekbones and lips. They’ve also had to adapt their foundation techniques to match and enhance the tanned skin without making it look artificial or mask-like. The challenge becomes creating makeup that complements rather than competes with the dramatic structural changes to the face.
Some makeup artists have become specialists in working with heavily enhanced faces, developing signature techniques that have themselves become sought after. These experts often use special high definition foundation formulated to look natural on screen despite being applied to unnaturally smooth skin. They’ve pioneered methods for creating the illusion of natural texture and dimension on faces that have had those elements removed through procedures. Interestingly, this has led to a boom in specialized makeup products marketed specifically for use on faces with fillers and Botox. Beauty brands have noticed this trend and begun creating product lines targeted at this growing market – foundations that work well on smooth, plumped skin and bronzers that enhance rather than overwhelm the already-present tan.
How the trend affects casting decisions
The rise of the Mar-A-Lago face is creating interesting challenges for casting directors and filmmakers in Hollywood. When actors dramatically change their appearance, it affects how they’re perceived for roles. Some casting directors have admitted that the extreme look limits what parts can be offered to these celebrities. Period pieces become particularly problematic – it’s hard to cast someone as a 1950s housewife or a medieval queen when they have a distinctly 2020s cosmetic surgery look. For contemporary roles, the Mar-A-Lago face can also present continuity problems. If a celebrity gets additional work done during filming, their appearance might change noticeably between scenes, creating headaches for directors and editors.
This trend has created a split in casting opportunities. Stars with the Mar-A-Lago look tend to be cast in roles where their appearance makes sense – reality shows, certain types of comedies, or roles specifically written for characters who would have extensive cosmetic work. Meanwhile, actors who maintain more natural appearances find themselves favored for dramas, period pieces, and character roles. Some producers have even included clauses in contracts requiring actors not to make significant changes to their appearance during production. The result is a kind of visual typecasting that’s creating two distinct categories of performers in Hollywood. For celebrities contemplating this look, the decision now comes with career implications beyond just changing their appearance – it might fundamentally change the trajectory of the roles they’re offered going forward.
The Mar-A-Lago face trend shows no signs of slowing down as it continues to spread from political circles into mainstream Hollywood. Whether you find it fascinating or concerning, it represents a significant shift in how we think about beauty, aging, and self-presentation. As with any trend, it will eventually evolve or fade away, but the celebrities who have embraced it most extremely may find themselves permanently marked by this moment in aesthetic history. Only time will tell whether the Mar-A-Lago face becomes a defining look of this era or a cautionary tale about the risks of following beauty trends too far.
