In 2014, reality star Kim Kardashian nearly broke the internet when she graced the cover of Paper Magazine. The cover featured a popped bottle of champagne spilling into a glass that sat on her famous butt. As a result, women from all over rushed to the operating table to get a Brazilian butt lift.
What Is A BBL?
A BBL, also known as a Brazilian butt lift, is a cosmetic procedure that enhances the buttocks. During the procedure, surgeons remove fat from other areas of a woman’s body, such as the stomach, hips, or thighs. They then transfer the fat into the butt to produce a larger, more shapely bottom.
Black Woman And The Rise Of The Brazilian Butt Lift
Throughout history, Black women have been teased and shamed for their bodies. Those who were more bottom-heavy were called fat or unkempt. But later, when the media started to praise celebrities like Kim Kardashian or Jennifer Lopez for having a little extra junk in the trunk, many Black women with naturally large hips and butts were left confused.
This disparity in treatment didn’t go unnoticed, with some Black women calling out the double standard. But plenty of Black women welcomed the trend, opting to undergo the procedure themselves.
Is The BBL Era Over?
Recently, Kim Kardashian has been causing a stir on social media as fans noticed that her famous butt is suddenly a lot smaller. In a series of photos, the reality star can be seen with a bottom half that’s more proportionate to her body. And with pictures of her sister, Khloe seen sporting a smaller frame, fans also speculate that she may have reversed her BBL as well.
Other celebrities like singer K. Michelle have also admitted to reducing their Brazilian butt lifts. This leaves many questioning whether the trend is on its way out. Here are five reasons why BBL trend is on its last leg:
Brazilian Butt Lifts Can Be Unsafe
Brazilian butt lifts have recently been making headlines, but not for good reasons. Experts are calling the procedure unsafe, with it having one of the highest mortality rates of them all.
Out of 692 surgeons surveyed in a recent study, 21 admitted to experiencing a patient death following the procedure. According to double board-certified plastic surgeon Luis Macias MD, the reason behind the risk is fat embolisms. A fat embolism occurs when fat enters the bloodstream and blocks blood flow to the lungs.
In May of 2022, NYPD corrections captain Tandra Bowser-Williams traveled to the Dominican Republic for a BBL. Unfortunately, she passed away from a massive stroke days later. Her surgeon, Dr. Hector Cabral, was previously indicted yet still operating without a medical license.
Many women traveled to see him for his discounted prices, but a number of them were left permanently disfigured.
New Trends Are Emerging
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As expected, trends come and go. Some trends, like shutter shades, lasted a little too long. While others, like butterfly hair clips, are making a comeback.
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And as the new wave of early 2000s fashion comes back in style, it can seem like the BBL craze is on its way out. Many women are happy to usher in the new fashion era with belly chains and low-rise jeans. And anyone who has to jump to put jeans on knows that a large derriére and low-rise jeans just DON’T mix.
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Body trends also change over time. From super skinny to voluptuous to athletic, women’s body standards have always changed throughout history. And the Brazilian butt lift trend is no exception. Because as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.”
Body Positivity Is The Move
Unrealistic body trends are just that — unrealistic. They aren’t attainable for most women by just going to the gym or doing extra squats. So instead of succumbing to impossible beauty standards, women have decided to embrace their own beauty. As a result, a new wave of body positivity emerged.
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Celebrities like Lizzo are known for accepting their curves and encouraging others to do the same. Fortunately, many women are following suit. You can find posts and conversations about body positivity all over social media, with some users calling for more representation in media and advertising.
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In 2018, billionaire pop star Rihanna launched Savage x Fenty, an all-inclusive lingerie line that celebrates all body shapes and sizes. As a result of her success, many companies adopted the same strategy. Now, body positivity is more than just a social media movement. It’s affecting real-life change for women all around the world.
BBLs Are Not Affordable
Brazilian butt lifts are not cheap. In fact, for a lot of women, they can cost more than several months’ worth of rent. And with the rising costs of gas and a looming recession, undergoing the costly procedure is just not in the budget.
According to a report from BrazilianButtLift.com, the average price of a BBL will cost you between $2,000 and $12,000. This can vary depending on the region; however, you can expect to pay a minimum of $5,000 for most major U.S. cities.
Some women save up for months and even years to get a BBL, while others dip into their savings accounts to pay for it. But due to its high costs, many women are choosing to forgo the procedure altogether.
Everybody and Their Mama Has One
Ever since social media got ahold of the BBL trend, every woman on our timelines seems to have one. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to scroll through social media and NOT see someone with a BBL. It’s so popular that it’s started to spill into everyday life.
Now you can spot BBLs at the beach, at the club, or in the mall. According to a report from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, requests for Brazilian butt lifts have increased by 77.6% since 2015. And we get it; they’re definitely a look when done right. But for women who prefer to stand out, the trend may seem a little over-saturated.