The Evolution of Adorable
Although cute and cuteness are relatively new terms, their meaning is something deeply rooted in humans. There’s a reason why you change your voice when you decide it’s time to speak to that cute kitten, why you want to pinch a baby’s cheek, be perceived as adorable or be a full-blown doll look alike. The seed of the science of cuteness was planted by Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian zoologist. He believed that adorable creatures and objects cause an innate release of parental instincts and described their features as the attributes of cuteness.
Even Mickey Mouse went through a progressive juvenilization, so called neoteny, thanks to his creators who followed Lorenz’s principles. The Mickey we know today was adjusted to be adorable by increasing his eyes size, head length and cranial size. Mickey’s arms, legs and nose were thickened, his legs jointed, and his ears were moved back.

More recent studies have disagreed with the paternal instincts as the sole cause of our fascination with cute. Not only did the appreciation of adorable serve an evolutionary purpose but also, it is considered to be a major motivator for sociality. As the authors claim: “Cuteness is as much an elicitor of play as it is of care. It is as likely to trigger a childlike state as a parental one.”
Some experiments have apparently demonstrated that viewing cute faces improves concentration and fine motor skills. Others, by using magnetic resonance imaging scanners, have demonstrated that seeing cute creatures stimulated dopamine release in the brain. Moreover, people tend to attribute warmth to baby-faced individuals and to rate adorable faces as more sociable than less adorable ones. On the whole, features that amplify cuteness are proven to reinforce social interactions.
The Evolution of Cute Fashion Looks
It’s only logical that humans would express this tendency towards cuteness through fashion, as they do for many others. The cute look has transgressed all rules and has managed to give its followers a plethora of options to choose from. Going against the parole “One size fits all”, 21st century fashion culture provides all girls, either bubbly or more gloomy, a chance to express their adorable side.
Indeed, if you’re not keeping up, this progression might seem overwhelming. Barbie aside, the new female aesthetics range from E-Girl, Pastel Goth to Kawaii Doll, Fairy Kei and even Creepy Cute (Gurokawa). They all include expressionist costumes, bold colours, doll eyelash extensions and a certain softness and gentleness that’s undeniable, even when it’s a bit dark and twisted.
How Can I Look Like a Doll?
Use Doll Lashes

American naturalist, poet an philosopher Henry David Thoreau said that “The eye is the jewel of the body”. Well then, who doesn’t want bigger jewels? We’ve been styling them since 4000 B.C., have glued them and even inserted them with needles. Eyelash beauty is a real thing and faux eyelashes may have a curious history but they certainly never seize to shock and amaze.
The 21st century woman can choose from cat eyelashes to China or Russian doll eyelash extensions, made either from 100% human hair or synthetic silk. Easy to apply and even easier to take off, single or double-layered, they come in individual or multi packs. There are even vegan and cruelty-free doll eyelashes that mimic the traditional Mink lash.
You can wear beautiful faux eyelashes to make your eyes stand out, and everyone else’s to pop out when you give them a glance.
Play With Make Up
There is more than one answer to the question: How do you do doll make up? It all depends on which doll look you’re trying to achieve. No matter your choice, you should start off by prepping and priming your skin. A setting spray will lock in your make up and leave you worry-free for the rest of the day.

Pastel eye shadows are the essentials for any doll. If you’re trying to give your make up routine a twist, graffiti make-up is the way to go. Remember to use an eye primer so your shades can stick and shine. For those famous Barbie lips, ultra-shiny and juicy gloss with a berry shade is the way to go. If you’re going for the Pastel Goth look, choose a black or pastel lipstick shade. For the E-Girl look, apply blush at the tip of your nose.
For those that want to look like darling fairies, try the “sleepy” look. This Fairy Kei trend is achieved by applying lots of glitter or an excessive amount of blush under the eyes. And if you want to be extra cute, remember to use vegan and cruelty-free make up.
Dress Up to Doll Up
If you feel like a classic doll and you want to achieve a porcelain doll look, there’s no room for concern. You don’t have to go overboard when it comes to clothes, elegance is simple and simplicity is key. Your “cherry on top” are your make up and accessories. If you feel a bit more adventurous, the famous Lolita dress might be the right choice for you.
As for the ambiguous and rebellious types, you’re in luck because the repertoire is big and pretty colorful. Perhaps a black or baby pink corset with skull leggings? Or maybe pre-torn stockings with Doc Martens, Chuck Taylors or doll-inspired shoes? Those button up shirts and pastel pullovers could looks super-cute with bonnets or a petticoat.
Accessorise

From Lolita umbrellas and Lolita bows to spiked accessories and fishnets, the options are vast. You can’t go overboard with accessories when it comes to doll looks, as long as you stick to your chosen lane. You could finally wear that pastel-coloured wig you’ve been dying to try but never dared because it didn’t match your current style.
As for those that are going for causal but cute, you can always rely on basic accessories, like a necklace or sunglasses, to help you where your clothes couldn’t. Make people stop & stare, doll up and pop up on everyone’s radar.