People recently named Beyonce their 2012 "Most Beautiful Woman" (burnishing their multicultural credentials following J. Lo last year), and of course, there's been the usual flurry of people shaking their heads over the silly notion that something as subjective as beauty could be given such a definitive title. But over in England, chip-shop waitress Florence Colgate, named "Britain's Most Beautiful Face" in a cosmetics-company contest, appears to have science to thank for her victory.

The eighteen-year-old Colgate, a student and weekend waitress at a fish-and-chip shop, has damn-near mathematically perfect looks — her enviably-proportioned face apparently possesses the "optimum ratio" between mouth, eyes, chin, and forehead. (Something the ancient Greeks figured out for us. Thanks, ancient Greeks.) Colgate now joins the company of such auspiciously-proportioned celebrities as Elizabeth Hurley, Shania Twain, and Jessica Alba.

You might think that, with a 32.8% relative distance between eyes and mouth, and a distance-between-eyes ratio of 44% (a 46% ratio relative to the width of the face is said to be ideal), Colgate was some narcissistic monster admiring herself in the mirror all day. But no, in interviews, she appears humble, unfazed by the responsibility that comes with being the literal face of an entire idea of beauty. Colgate says she's planning on studying business management, but she wouldn't mind a career in modeling either, and with such science-approved looks, she stands a pretty good chance.

Commentarium (15 Comments)

Apr 25 12 - 4:24pm
A.

She's indeed pretty, but I'm trying not to kid myself that the blue eyes and blonde hair played no part in her selection as "the most beautiful".

Apr 26 12 - 5:19pm
And why...

...wouldn't her "blue eyes and blonde hair" figure into the criteria?

Apr 25 12 - 5:58pm
GeeBee

Interesting that one of the "Want More?" items at the bottom features the Daily Mail columnist who thinks she's beautiful. Compare and contrast the pictures. Someone should send the DM woman the link to this.

Apr 25 12 - 7:43pm
Thinkywritey

She is very pretty. I'm going to be sad when I start seeing her caked with makeup.

Apr 25 12 - 10:59pm
nn

She's already wearing plenty of makeup in that photo... duh.

Apr 26 12 - 2:59pm
Rupert

Don't be jealous...!!!!!

Apr 25 12 - 10:22pm
LT

Very pretty but to my eye, hers is a look I see often and therefore is pretty boring to me. Go beyond looks though and she seems like a very nice young girl. I think yahoo had the video interview with her, not sure though. Seemed very sweet and genuine.

Apr 25 12 - 11:28pm
Thinkywritey

@nn Have you seen "fashion" makeup? She's wearing normal person makeup in those photos, not one giant slab of black eyeshadow.

@LT I think the same thing about Beyonce. Just looking at her is kinda...unremarkable.

Apr 26 12 - 11:50am
moops

Stupid, everyone knows Britain's most beautiful face is the Queen, 'cuz she is on money.

Apr 26 12 - 12:27pm
Nick K

Nothing stunning but, hey, we are talking about England.

Apr 26 12 - 6:41pm
Dubs

She looks older than eighteen..... anyone agree?

Apr 27 12 - 9:47pm
True Patriot

It's the outfit. Put her in jeans and a t-shirt, let her eyebrows grow back in, and she could probably pass for as young as 15.

Apr 27 12 - 10:21am
Lisa

Is that Jessica or Elizabeth?

Apr 27 12 - 6:45pm
Perigee

It's both. Jessica on the left, Elizabeth on the right.