What Is Mar-a-Lago Face? Plastic Surgeons Explain

If you catch a glimpse of conservative women on social media or television, you may notice that they closely resemble one another. Given that nepotism is rampant in the Trump administration, some might assume that these women are related. However, it’s not genetics that makes these women look alike. Part of it is something called “conservative girl makeup,” but that’s not the only thing.

In addition to all that, conservative women are embracing a cosmetic surgery trend known as “Mar-a-Lago Face,” named after the exclusive golf club President Donald Trump owns in Palm Beach, Florida.

According to Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel, a board-certified plastic surgeon at SoCal Plastic Surgeons, Mar-a-Lago Face “refers to a recognizable combination of facial features and plastic surgery enhancements, often modeled after Ivanka Trump’s signature look.”

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We asked some top plastic surgeons and PR professionals what’s involved in getting Mar-a-Lago Face, how much it costs, and what it signifies.

Even if you can spot Mar-a-Lago Face from a mile away, you might not be able to articulate precisely what makes it so distinctive.

Dr. Jeffrey Lisiecki, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Jeffrey Lisiecki Plastic Surgery, explains that the look is characterized by overfilled cheeks that are high and firm, full lips and very taut, smooth skin.

Nykiel added that women who have Mar-a-Lago Face also tend to have a slightly elevated hairline, brows that are full and well-defined, and eyes that are wide, open and almond-shaped with a subtle upward lift. Additionally, he says that their noses have narrow nasal bridges with a refined, balanced tip. They also usually have bright white teeth that are often enhanced with veneers and a jawline that is strong and defined, sometimes with a slightly angular structure, he elaborated.

Achieving Mar-a-Lago Face isn’t easy. It typically involves a combination of surgical procedures and injectables, Nykiel said.

According to Lisiecki, the amount of work required depends on how much a person has aged to begin with, and their natural features. However, to obtain the signature look, most people need a facelift, eyelid surgery, fillers, Botox and laser treatments, he said.

It’s likely that some people also get chin or jaw implants to create a defined profile, added Dr. Arnold Breitbart, head plastic surgeon at Long Island Facelift. While it’s impossible to know what type of cosmetic surgery each individual with Mar-a-Lago face has undergone, “Some combination of these procedures results in the distinctive, sculpted appearance associated with this trend,” Breitbart said.

However, getting these procedures is only the beginning. Without regular maintenance, Mar-a-Lago Face starts to disappear quickly. Maintenance includes regular Botox injections and other procedures, such as laser treatments, to maintain the skin’s smooth appearance. Keeping lip and cheek volume up also requires regular fillers, Lisiecki explained. Usually, those with Mar-a-Lago Face also need revisionary surgery to tighten up tissues that loosen over time, he said.

The cost of achieving a Mar-a-Lago Face varies based on the extent of the cosmetic interventions. The fees that plastic surgeons charge for various procedures also differ significantly. Nevertheless, Nykiel estimates that it costs upwards of $90,000 to achieve the look, with the cost rising even higher if a woman uses a top, in-demand plastic surgeon.

He explains that on average, a woman who covets Mar-a-Lago Face can expect to pay $15,000 for a brow lift, $30,000 for a face lift and neck lift, $12,500 for an eyelid lift, $20,000 for a nose job, and $10,000 for a fat transfer to her face. Many people also require weeks of recovery in between surgeries, Breitbart said. To complete the look, women will likely pay several thousand more on Botox, fillers, neuromodulators, microneedling, facials, peels, laser treatments and medical-grade skin care products, Nykiel said. These additional costs can easily add up to another $2,500, for a grand total of over $90,000.

And the spending doesn’t end there. Mar-a-Lago Face requires regular maintenance with several procedures and treatments. These ongoing costs easily add up to approximately $625 per quarter, Nykiel said. Plus, the “surgical lifts are typically refreshed every 10 years,” he says. This adds tens of thousands more to the cost of maintaining the look.

Mar-a-Lago Face is usually accompanied by other markers of conservative style. “Nothing casual or undone here. It’s as curated as a Palm Beach tablescape,” explained Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette and image consultant. Aside from plastic surgery, women with Mar-a-Lago Face often have “perfectly coiffed, often blond, hair enhanced with extensions,” eyelash extensions and “flawless makeup with an emphasis on contour and eyes,” Whitmore said. To complete the look, these women often wear form-fitting couture clothing, designer shoes and handbags. “The overall look suggests wealth, access, privilege and attention to appearance, she said.

Although style is personal, it’s also social, Whitmore said. “In certain circles, particularly those surrounding President Trump and the Mar-a-Lago scene, this look seems to communicate more than just beauty,” she explained.

Women may chase Mar-a-Lago Face because “a shared aesthetic can say, ‘I’m one of you,’ or ‘I’m part of the club,’ without ever speaking a word,” Whitmore said. The look can also exude confidence and control, she explained. Whitmore also thinks that the “Palm Beach effect” is partly responsible for the rise of Mar-a-Lago Face among conservative women everywhere — Mar-a-Lago is located in Palm Beach, where “the local culture celebrates class and glamour,” she said.

Even though Mar-a-Lago Face is currently sweeping Washington, D.C., and beyond, it’s not unusual for a signature look to emerge for certain groups, said Jason Mudd, CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. “This trend reflects a broader truth in public relations and public image. Proximity to power often shapes appearance,” he explained.

Whether in politics, tech or media, “individuals in elite circles tend to adopt unspoken visual norms to align with those in influence,” Mudd said. Mar-a-Lago Face is “about the human instinct to belong, signal loyalty, and match the aesthetic of a powerful brand,” he said.

According to Mudd, distinct looks in elite environments often evolve to reflect what is valued in that industry. For example, high fashion is valued in media, minimalism in tech, and luxury in finance. Mar-a-Lago Face, and the broader Mar-a-Lago look now popular among conservative women, “is just another iteration of the same pattern, adapted to its own ecosystem,” he said. The distinctive Mar-a-Lago look “likely reflects what’s valued in that environment, which is polish, discipline, presence,” he explained.

And a whole lot of money.