Charli XCX is arguably the British pop star of the moment, capturing social media attention with her “brat summer” trend, sparked by the release of her sixth studio album, Brat.
However, it’s not just the 32-year-old’s songs that have caught fans’ attention, but also her new, stylish look.
Recent images showing the singer’s raised and highly defined eyebrows have sparked rumours on social media that the star, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchinson, has undergone cosmetic work.
In a post shared on Instagram last weekend, social media user and injector Molly Bailey surmised that the singer may have gotten a “ponytail lift,” also known as a fox eye facelift.
This is a non-surgical procedure that involves inserting dissolvable threads beneath the surface of the skin and stretching them to tighten the corner of the upper eyelids.
Recent images of the singer (pictured in 2024) show her to have a defined, lifted shape to her eyebrows and eyes, which cosmetic doctors say are “most likely” the result of a fox eye lift procedure.
Social media user and injector Molly Bailey guessed that the singer might have gotten a ‘ponytail lift,’ also known as a fox eye facelift, in an Instagram post last weekend.
“Charli has mentioned toxicology treatments in the past, and her glassy skin speaks for itself,” Molly Bailey said in her Instagram post, which received 12,000 likes.
“What appears to be the most noticeable change is her raised eyebrows and the extra space in the upper eyelid. This is likely the result of an endoscopic ponytail lift which is popular with young Hollywood types, an upper blepharoplasty, or the less invasive brow threads plus a non-invasive brow lift. It gives her the cat-eye effect.”
Bailey also expressed suspicions that Charli may have had a rhinoplasty (or nose job) at a young age, as well as “a little” lip filler.
In response, Charli XCX did not deny having undergone cosmetic treatments, posting on Instagram: “Omg I’m obsessed with this shit.”
Now, cosmetic doctors have revealed to MailOnline their thoughts on the treatment the singer may have had done to create her new, more defined look.
Plastic surgeons admit that she strategically applies her eyeliner to enhance and emphasize the lifted look, which could enhance any cosmetic treatment (left). However, even with a new face, her eyes appear to have a lifted shape (right), as seen in the image above in 2024
Fox eyelid lift is a non-surgical procedure that involves inserting dissolvable threads beneath the surface of the skin and stretching them to tighten the corner of the upper eyelids (pictured above, 2024)
“Based on the most recent images, it is highly likely that Charli XCX has undergone a fox eye lift procedure,” Professor Ullas Raghavan, a facial plastic surgeon at Pall Mall Medical, told MailOnline.
‘When comparing the most recent photos to the older ones, there is a noticeable lift at the outer corners of her eyes that was not there before.
‘This type of lift is often achieved through a combination of surgical techniques and cosmetic treatments, such as threads or small incisions that pull the skin upward.’
He admits that she strategically applies her eyeliner to enhance and emphasize the lifted look, which could enhance any cosmetic treatment.
“The overall effect gives your eyes a more elongated and youthful appearance, which is a common goal of the fox eye trend,” she said.
The Fox-Eye procedure, which costs up to £700, is achieved when the eyebrows are tilted upwards.
“There are a few different ways it could have gotten its fox-like gaze,” Professor Raghavan said.
It may have been achieved through various cosmetic procedures, such as dissolvable threads, surgery, or even muscle relaxant injections.
‘The results of dissolvable threads usually last between several months and more than a year, depending on the type of threads.’
Clinics claim this non-invasive procedure can take as little as 30 minutes and has minimal recovery time with mild swelling and bruising for up to two weeks.
While experts suspect the singer may have undergone a “fox eye” facelift, they also say it’s possible to achieve a “lifted” look with Botox and strategically placed fillers.
The fox eye procedure, which costs up to £700, is achieved when the eyebrows are tilted upwards, giving a more lifted appearance to the eyes (pictured above in 2024).
Experts say this defined look (pictured in 2024) may also have been created by non-surgical options like Botox and strategically placed fillers.
However, Professor Raghavan suggests that those who want a more permanent look should consider surgery.
He said: ‘This could involve removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids, or surgically lifting and repositioning the outer corner of the eye.
Strategically placed Botox and fillers could also help make the difference, she says.
‘Botox relaxes the muscles that pull the eyebrows down, while fillers lift the brow area, giving it the desired shape.
‘These treatments typically last several months before requiring a touch-up.’
The singer has also been photographed wearing tape on her face to simulate a snatched look on the red carpet, during the December 2023 fashion awards in London. The singer used neon yellow tape on her temples to raise her eyebrows.
Cosmetic doctor Raja Intkhab, of Derma Aesthetics London, also agrees that Charli’s appearance could be the result of a facelift.
She said: ‘Her eyes look more defined and lifted, which could be the result of a fox eye lift, a procedure designed to lift and tighten the outer corners of the eyes for a more youthful, almond-shaped appearance.
‘But it’s worth mentioning that there are non-surgical alternatives that can achieve similar results, such as radiofrequency treatments that tighten sagging skin.’
The singer had already spoken openly about some of her touch-ups.
In January 2023, Charli took to TikTok to share that she was hoping to receive a Grammy nomination and made a not-so-subtle hint about anti-wrinkle injections.
She captioned the video: ‘I need more Botox before I accept any awards.’
The singer has also been photographed wearing tape on her face to simulate a shaved look on the red carpet.
While attending the December 2023 Fashion Awards in London, the singer was photographed wearing a neon yellow headband across her temples, raising her eyebrows.