Who would’ve thought that some of the most sought-after facial features, including dimples and light-colored eyes, are actually genetic mutations?
Now that your mind is officially blown, we’re going to take it a step or two further and bring you a list of five of the most beautiful imperfections as a way to celebrate all of our differences.
1. Dimples
Who doesn’t love dimples? Nicki Minaj, Gabrielle Union, LL Cool J and Usher are famous for theirs, but did you know that dimples are actually a genetic mutation caused by a shorter-than-normal zygomaticus major (a facial muscle)? This causes the facial muscles to pull at the skin. The shorter the muscle, the deeper the dimple. And in case you’re wondering, cleft chins are considered to be a genetic mutation as well.
2. Freckles
What do Sade, Jesse Williams, Tamia and Maya Rudolph have in common? They all have freckles. Thought you had to be a redhead to have freckles? Think again. Freckles – and red hair for that matter – are caused by the MC1R gene, which determines pigment of your hair and skin.
3. Gap teeth
Michael Strahan, Bobby Brown, Uzo Aduba and Niecy Nash all rock their gap as they should! While this isn’t a genetic mutation, it is certainly a beautiful imperfection. Orange Is The New Black’s Uzo Aduba even wrote about learning to love the gap in her teeth for Cosmopolitan last year. She wrote:
“I once allowed myself to be persuaded to get a fake piece I could put over my gap for auditions — the kind 6-year-olds wear on Toddlers & Tiaras when they’ve lost a tooth before competing for the title of Grand Supreme (cue dramatic eye roll).
For years, I kept the piece close at hand — just in case. I even wore it to my audition for Blue Bloods. But when I was called to set to shoot the scene, I forgot to bring it. After asking a staffer if I could run back to the dressing room to get it, she radioed the rest of the team, then said, “They say you look great just as you are.” That was a light bulb moment: I’m great … just as I am. I got the job — it was my first TV role — and that same day, I found out I also booked Orange Is the New Black.”
4. Blue eyes
Actor Michael Ealy keeps the ladies swooning with his adorable baby blues. Interestingly enough, even though blue eyes are quite common, they are still considered a genetic mutation thanks to a gene called OCA2. This gene is responsible for how much melanin appears in the eye.
5. Double lashes
The late Elizabeth Taylor was known for her striking eyes. Not only were they violet, but the iconic actress was also born with a double set of lashes – the technical term for it is distichiasis. Caused by an error on the 16th chromosome and most common among dogs, having two sets of lashes can bring on a number of issues, including inflammation and cornea damage.
As for Elizabeth’s violet eyes, those are caused by the genetic mutation Alexandria’s Genesis although there’s been much debate on whether this mutation really exists or not.
