Nathalie Azoulai, a novelist living in Los Angeles, has been studying how cosmetic surgery affects the way people look in the city, especially the trend toward achieving a youthful appearance. She points out that the fear of aging and the longing for eternal youth, which were key themes in Oscar Wilde's 19th-century novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, are still very much present today. However, unlike in Wilde’s story, where rejuvenation was a fantasy, modern individuals can now achieve a younger look through cosmetic procedures. This theme was also explored in the 2000s television series Nip/Tuck, which focused on the lives of plastic surgeons and their patients. Azoulai conducted an ethnographic study of young women in Los Angeles, spending time in local bars to observe the changes in their facial features. She describes this look as "the Californian angel face," which she says is often achieved through procedures like botox injections, hyaluronic acid fillers, liposuction, and rhinoplasty. These treatments are widely available, with beauty clinics and treatment centers found throughout the city, making such transformations more accessible than ever. According to Azoulai, the pursuit of a younger face is an ongoing process that deeply influences the lives of those who undergo these procedures. She raises important moral and ethical questions about the implications of such transformations, noting that they challenge traditional views on integrity, narcissism, and feminism. While she acknowledges that women may have other concerns beyond their appearance, she does not dismiss the trend, suggesting it reflects a cultural moment where people seek to erase the visible signs of aging, often in response to a collective sense of impending change or crisis. Azoulai also questions how the pursuit of aesthetic perfection through surgery affects a person’s self-awareness and sense of identity. She argues that cosmetic surgery doesn’t just change a person’s physical appearance but also alters how they experience their own faces and the continuity of their lives. Her observations in Los Angeles highlight a broader cultural trend where the desire for a new face is linked to the pursuit of individuality through widely accepted beauty standards.