A talented actress, the “Queen of Hollywood” and one of the style icons of the last century - all this is Elizabeth Taylor. The beauty and grace of Liz, as her fans affectionately called her, was admired all over the world, but only the most devoted of fans knew that Taylor owed her success in part to an unusual genetic mutation.
The fact is that nature awarded the actress with a double row of eyelashes, which further emphasized her extraordinary eyes and neat facial features. Distichiasis - a developmental anomaly in which an additional row of eyelashes appears behind normally growing ones - is most often observed in animals, but also occurs in humans. The FOXC2 gene is considered responsible for this.
Doctors say that despite the obvious safety of the mutation, it nevertheless has its disadvantages. So, if a person’s eyelashes are quite hard and long, distichiasis can be accompanied by tearing, inflammation and itching, and often vision problems caused by increased pressure on the eyeball.
"Most of these problems are not serious and can be treated with eye drops or special ointments," Aaron Fay, an ophthalmologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, explains to NBC. “Some people with this genetic mutation are also advised to wear contact lenses to protect the surface of the eye.” More radical treatments include removing excess hair with tweezers, electrolysis, or a freezing procedure that destroys specific hair follicles.
Distichiasis can occur in both men and women. Moreover, sometimes this happens at birth, as in Elizabeth Taylor, and sometimes the mutation begins to manifest itself at a more mature age.
Research shows that distichiasis occurs much less frequently than other eyelid abnormalities, including trichiasis, an abnormal growth of eyelashes toward the eyeball that causes irritation and serious injury to the cornea. It is also interesting that you cannot always determine it using a mirror, since sometimes it is impossible to do this without specialized equipment.
By the way, the lavender shade of the eyes is another anomaly that is often mentioned when Taylor is mentioned - most likely, it is not an anomaly at all. This question has already been raised by scientists, and they came to the conclusion that the film star’s eyes were actually dark blue, and the lighting on the set and the right makeup gave them an unusual color.
Elizabeth Taylor, an incredible beauty and talented actress, called the “Queen of Hollywood,” during her lifetime was known as the owner of eyes of rare beauty. However, not everyone knows that Elizabeth Taylor’s world-famous violet eyes are nothing more than the result of a mutation in the genes of the legendary actress.
Disease history
When Elizabeth was born, her parents immediately noticed her unusually thick eyelashes and took the girl to the doctor. He explained to the concerned parents that the child’s eyelashes grow in two rows, and there is nothing wrong with that. Six months later, Elizabeth Taylor's eye color changed to purple. The reason for this was a rare mutation with the beautiful name “Alexandria origin”. According to medical research, violet eye color does not affect visual acuity in any way, but causes heart disease in 7% of its owners. In Elizabeth Taylor's case, heart problems were the cause of her death.
Illness or gift?
It is known that Elizabeth Taylor's first appearance on set caused a stir around her eyes. Someone thought that her mascara was applied too thickly to her eyelashes, and the girl was asked to remove the makeup from her face. They did not immediately believe that this was a natural feature of the young actress.
Perhaps it was her eyes, unusual and amazing, that allowed Elizabeth Taylor to get closer to her success in the film industry and made her the dream of the strong half of humanity. However, at the beginning of her professional journey, Elizabeth Taylor's appearance only prevented her from proving her high acting talent. She had to work very hard to gain recognition not only as a true beauty, but also as a great actress, capable of successfully portraying on screen the images of famous women from different eras: Helen of Troy, Cleopatra and many others. Elizabeth Taylor won three Oscars, two of which she received for her participation in films, and one special for her humanitarian work.
Violet eyes that have captured many men's hearts
It is not surprising that such an extraordinary beauty as Elizabeth Taylor was constantly surrounded by the attention of men. She was married eight times, which always caused heated gossip in society. In the cult film Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor's violet eyes, highlighted by jet-black eyeliner, forever captured the heart of her husband-twice, Richard Burton. All the men in Elizabeth Taylor's life showered their beloved with jewelry, some of which were exclusive. One need only mention the famous Peregrine Pearl (a gift from Richard Burton), which once belonged to famous royalty.
Elizabeth Taylor is one of the most beautiful actresses in the world. The charm of the legendary actress is truly her distinctive feature and the reason for this is a genetic mutation. This mutation was visible even in infancy; the frightened parents even took Elizabeth to the doctor and showed her unusually thick eyelashes with horror. The doctor reassured the parents, explaining that the child had a double row and there was nothing to worry about. A little later, at 6 months, her eye color changed. To the extraordinary, rare, or rather, the rarest - purple.
The reason for this color is again a genetic mutation called “Alexandria origin”. From birth, such people have a normal eye color (blue, brown, gray), but when 6 months pass, a change begins closer to purple.
The process takes about six months and during puberty the color becomes darker or mixed with blue. Violet eye color does not affect health; a person sees as well as other people. Studies have shown that 7% of Alexandria Origin owners are highly susceptible to heart disease. For Taylor, these problems were the cause of her death.
She was born on February 27, 1932 - the queen of Hollywood, the most famous brunette beauty of the 20th century and simply a great actress - Elizabeth Taylor.
When she appeared in the studio for her first screen tests, she was asked to remove the makeup from her eyes; the directors thought there was too much mascara on her eyelashes. And they did not immediately believe that this was her natural feature.
Taylor was able to prove that she is not just a beautiful “accessory” for cinema. She won three Oscars. Her first golden statuette was won by her role as an elite prostitute in the film Butterfield 8 (1960). The second award went to Elizabeth for her work in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), where she played the vulgar brawler Martha. And in 1993, Taylor received an honorary Oscar for her humanitarian work.
One of the main films in the actress’s career was “Cleopatra” (1961). Firstly, Elizabeth received $1 million for her reincarnation as the Egyptian queen - a fee that was considered simply unheard of at that time. Secondly, 65 historical costumes for Taylor cost almost $200 thousand - such a budget has never been provided to any film actor.
Finally, it was this film that introduced “Cleopatra eyes” into fashion, that is, strong black eyeliner and long arrows.
Elizabeth is famous for her numerous marriages. She walked down the aisle eight times, twice with the same lover - Richard Burton. This man is considered the main man in Taylor’s life. They met on the set of Cleopatra. The whirlwind romance ended with a wedding in 1964.
After 10 years, Elizabeth and Richard divorced, but a year later they married again. The second marriage lasted only a year. Taylor and Burton's relationship was turbulent not only in life, but also on screen. Together, the actors starred in 11 films, including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Taming of the Shrew.
One of Elizabeth's closest friends was Michael Jackson. Taylor was the godmother of the musician’s two eldest children and communicated very closely with him. They say that it was Taylor who called Jackson the “King of Pop,” after which this title was assigned to Michael forever. In addition, the artist actively defended her friend from all attacks and accusations of child molestation. History has shown that Elizabeth was right, as the singer was later found not guilty. Jackson's death was a terrible blow for Taylor.
Elizabeth loved gems and jewelry. Most often, she received such gifts from her husbands, especially from Burton. In particular, Richard presented his beloved with the famous pearl La Peregrina, the previous owners of which were the daughter of Henry the Eighth, Mary Tudor and the Spanish queens Margaret and Isabella. “I wanted this diamond because it was incomparably beautiful and should have belonged to the most beautiful woman in the world,” Burton once admitted.
Another famous donor of jewelry to the artist was Michael Jackson: Elizabeth received from him an exquisite ring with sapphires and diamonds. It is not surprising that in December 2011, Taylor’s jewelry collection went under the hammer for an impressive $116 million (with a preliminary estimate of $20 million).
Throughout her life, the artist was plagued by injuries and illnesses. She broke her spine five times. Back problems began after filming the film National Velvet (1945), when young Liz fell from a horse. In addition, Taylor underwent surgery on her hip joints, had a benign brain tumor removed, and at various times she suffered from addiction to sleeping pills, painkillers and alcohol. And this is not a complete list. “My body sometimes drives me crazy,” the actress admitted.
Here is a small selection of her photographs, very interesting and sincere. In some, she poses for a pin-up, this beautiful Taylor, in others, she is a charming and happy mother with her baby, in others, a deep inner breakdown is visible.
At the end of February 1932, Elizabeth Taylor was born in London - a little girl with violet eyes and huge double eyelashes. Having seen a rare natural phenomenon, doctors diagnosed the newborn with distichiasis. Back then, no one could have imagined that the girl would become a great legendary actress, and that her strange but beautiful eyelashes would bring her worldwide fame.
Elizabeth Taylor is an Anglo-American actress of the last century, whose appearance was admired by all men. She was an enigmatic legend, a talented and beautiful “Queen of Hollywood.” Most women envied her beauty and uniqueness, many tried to imitate and be like her. Elizabeth was an object of admiration, a standard of beauty. The most important mystery was hidden in the look of the actress - a goddess, and her thick dark eyelashes and rich eye color kept the secret for many years.
Purple eyes and double row of eyelashes
Elizabeth lived brightly and spectacularly. She coped with any role. Everyone remembered the bright image of Cleopatra, which associated the actress with a mysterious look and expensive jewelry. For this role, the actress received a fee of $1 million.
She climbed the first rung of the career ladder at the age of 11. The girl with dark eyelashes was brought to the set for the first time to participate in the film “Lassie Come Home.” The director thought that the young actress had too much makeup on, and he sent her to wash her face. Everyone was surprised when it turned out that Liz didn’t have a drop of makeup on her face: nature gave the child bright eyes and fluffy eyelashes in two rows.
So, in 1943, she gained fame thanks to the mysterious look of her deep violet eyes and thick eyelashes.
At the age of 16, Taylor gained fame all over the world. Like a true star, she behaved boldly, tragically and happily throughout her life. Liz was late for meetings and events, threw tantrums, and pretended to be sick. She got away with everything. Men loved her, and women idolized and envied her. The actress was friends with Michael Jackson, and during the decline of her film career she supported her husband, a senator.
Taylor received three Oscars, and in 1999 her name was in seventh place on the list of the brightest stars in cinema history. Films starring the living legend are considered golden classics of cinema.
According to Time magazine, the violet-eyed actress was considered a "magnificent jewel." She lived with a serious spinal injury suffered in her youth during a fall from a horse while filming. Numerous whims, marriages, novels and adventures made her more attractive and charming. The purple iris and double row of eyelashes helped the actress win the hearts of new fans.
Reasons for the actress' double eyelashes
Under normal conditions, eyelashes grow along the edge of the eyelid. Behind the hairs are the meibomian glands, the secretion of which falls on the eyelid, lubricates the skin and prevents the eyelid from getting wet from tears. The upper eyelid contains 40 gland pores, the lower - 35. If hairs begin to grow through the pores, we can talk about pathology.
Eyelashes growing in an extra row are considered a genetic pathology that can lead to problems with the eyes and vision. Depending on the direction of hair growth, pain and irritation of the eyeball may be observed (when the hairs are directed towards the cornea) or no harm to the patient (if the eyelashes grow in the direction of the main ones).
Elizabeth's second eyelashes were growing in the right direction. They became the actress's assistant for life, without causing any discomfort.
Distichiasis - description of the disease
The genetic disease, first described by the German ophthalmologist Blatt in 1924, was called Blatt's distichiasis. Symptoms of the disease are considered to be an additional row of eyelashes on the upper and lower eyelids.
The disease manifests itself in extremely rare cases and does not depend on gender, age, or skin color.
Doctors make a diagnosis at birth. The disease can appear after parental eye diseases. The following are considered dangerous:
- blepharoconjunctivitis is a chronic disease associated with inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane of the eyes and skin of the eyelids;
- Lymphedema is a disease accompanied by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
Distichiasis in humans can appear as a result of a mutation at the genetic level. Research by scientists has shown the relationship of the disease with other forms of disease in the body: type 2 diabetes mellitus, spinal cysts, heart disease.
Double eyelashes can also occur in animals, particularly in special breeds of dogs. Boxers, retrievers, collies, dachshunds, bulldogs, pugs, Labradors, and terriers can become carriers of double rows of eyelashes.
The prevalence of the disease among people is known: 1 case per 1 million. People diagnosed with tristichiasis and tetrastichiasis (varieties of the underlying disease) must treat the pathology so as not to lose vision and not damage the eye cornea. In childhood, the extra eyelashes are thin and look like fluff. Over time, they thicken and become tougher.
The direction of the second row of hairs is of two types. When eyelashes grow normally, the patient has no painful symptoms. On the contrary, his eyelashes appear thick and fluffy. Girls with such diseases do not need to use eye cosmetics. It is worse for patients whose second row of eyelashes is directed into the eye.
Hard bristles will irritate and scratch the eyeball, causing pain and discomfort. In some cases, the patient's vision may deteriorate.
The second row of eyelashes with the wrong direction can be removed surgically. There are several ways:
- Laser removal. Under the influence of the laser, the hairs become thinner with each subsequent session, but are not completely removed.
- Electrolysis. The electric current is stronger, the effect is better, but the eyelashes also grow back over time.
- Cryotherapy. This method allows you to get rid of hair by quickly destroying the hair follicle under ultra-low temperature conditions.
How to artificially achieve the effect
Every girl dreams of her eyelashes being long and fluffy. In the last century, it was difficult to imagine that eyelash extensions and the use of colored lenses would become commonplace.
Elizabeth Taylor's genetic mutation helped her gain popularity and success. The successful placement of the second eyelashes made the star's gaze luxurious - bewitching, serious and mysterious.
A girl who wants to be like a Hollywood actress - a legend, can achieve the desired result.
- Violet or deep blue eyes can be achieved by using colored lenses. They began to be produced in the early 80s, so the purple color of the star's eyes was created by nature.
- You can get eyelash tattooing by choosing the size and shape of the arrow or simply filling the space between the eyelashes. To create such an image, you should carefully study customer reviews of the artist and choose the right specialist.
- You will get a magnetic, bewitching look if your eyelashes are naturally long and beautiful. It is enough to apply voluminous mascara on them, draw an arrow, and the result will not be long in coming.
- When nature has rewarded a girl with problem eyelashes (short, light, straight), you can go to a beauty salon and have hair extensions to the desired volume, correct the shape of the eye shape, or emphasize natural beauty. False eyelashes do not require additional cosmetics: your eyes will look great in any situation, at different times of the day. You can swim in a pool or river with hair extensions. The sea, however, is within reason.
Eyelash extensions require constant care, correction and expense. If a girl handles artificial eyelashes carefully, correction can be carried out a month after extensions. Depending on the shape of the eyelash curl, correction is carried out after 4 – 6 – 8 weeks.
Eyelash extensions can be done in a beauty salon or at home. There are two techniques: beam and ciliary. At the client’s request, the master can glue eyelashes with rhinestones, colored ones, etc.
Eyelash extension techniques are different. Classic, squirrel or fox, 2D-5D techniques, Hollywood look - it all depends on the desire of the client and on the skill of the lash maker. Technologies are updated every day, forcing specialists to keep up with the times.
A competent cosmetologist will advise and select an individual look. If a girl likes the look of Liz Taylor, the extension specialist will give your shape the necessary volume and force you to pay attention, which will make the client more self-confident.
Eyelash row and smooth transition of lengths (video):
Eyelash extensions step by step (video):
Conclusion
Elizabeth Taylor died in Los Angeles at the age of 79. Fans remember her image, her mysterious look and luxurious double row of eyelashes. Girls dream of imitating the great actress. An experienced master is able to radically change the client’s appearance, making her look like a Hollywood star. It is important to contact a good specialist and choose suitable eyelashes. Everything else is a matter of technique.
An ophthalmologist named Blatt in 1924, which is why the disease is also known as Blatt's distichiasis. Ordinary eyelashes in humans grow along the eyelid, along the edge of the eyelid edge; this row contains the openings of the meibomian glands. With distichiasis, eyelashes also grow from these eyelashes, in some cases this is the only symptom of a disease that does not cause any further health problems, in others this anomaly is associated with certain difficulties. For example, distichiasis can lead to eye inflammation, watery eyes, irritation, erosion and corneal ulcers. Sometimes with this disease, eyelashes grow directly through the conjunctiva, which causes pain and unpleasant consequences. As a result, laser hair removal or other methods of eyelash removal have to be performed.
One of the most common causes of distichiasis is hereditary, but in some cases the disease develops for other reasons, for example, it may accompany another disease, such as blepharoconjunctivitis - swelling of the eyelids - or lymphedema - excess fluid accumulation in the eyelids.
Scientists have proven that such an anomaly is often associated with other diseases - diabetes, heart defects, spinal cysts.
Frequency of distichiasis in nature
Among animals, distichiasis is most common in dogs of certain breeds. Retrievers, dachshunds, shih tzus, Scottish shepherds, boxers, and bulldogs are most often affected by this disease. A double row of eyelashes is also found in terriers, Labradors, Dobermans, spaniels, and pugs. It is much less common to find distichiasis in other animals.
In humans, this anomaly is also very rare, the exact numbers of its distribution are unknown, this disease occurs in approximately one person in a million. The double row of eyelashes is not always noticeable; in many cases these are very thin and light eyelashes, similar to fluff. They grow almost touching the eye, and if they become hard during puberty, they begin to cause concern. In such cases, they are removed along with a strip of cartilage, and the defect is eliminated by replacing the mucous membrane with a flap. In some cases, distichiasis does not bring such concerns and even gives a person benefits, since this anomaly makes the eyes expressive and beautiful.
The most famous owner of double rows of eyelashes in the world is actress Elizabeth Taylor, whose enchanting gaze played a significant role in her success.
Even less common are varieties of distichiasis such as tristichiasis and tetrastichiasis: these are three or four rows of eyelashes growing behind normal eyelashes. Such a number of hairs in the immediate vicinity of the eye almost always leads to damage to the cornea, so these diseases must be treated.
