‘Getting snatched’ has become a beauty-world phrase that’s escaped its origins and taken on a life of its own. Born in drag culture and amplified by pop stars, TikTok routines, and red-carpet prep clips, it’s used to describe a face or body that looks lifted, sculpted, and tightly defined, as if everything has been subtly pulled into place.
While those in pursuit of a tightened look may have previously turned to injectables, ‘getting snatched’ is less about dramatic interventions and more about a considered combination of techniques that subtly contour and sculpt, so you look like you – just better.
To get a closer look at the precise art behind getting ‘snatched,’ I tested London’s leading body and facial sculpting treatments, sitting down with some of the world’s leading aesthetic experts for their insider knowledge.
Treatments to get snatched
Celebrity facialist and skincare brand founder Keren Bartov, whose clients include Demi Moore, Gal Gadot, and Victoria Beckham, has seen this shift towards the ‘snatched’ trend firsthand. “There is a clear move away from invasive procedures toward technology-led solutions. More clients are looking for natural tightening and definition without injections,” she says. “The focus is not to change the face, but to restore a precise, naturally-defined structure.”
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Leyen Tran, resident facialist at Singapore-based skincare brand Allies of Skin, echoes this movement. “There’s been a move from aggressive treatments to more intelligent, integrative approaches. Clients are prioritizing techniques that combine visible sculpting with internal balance.”
For body sculpting, some are turning to Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) for an accelerated, non-invasive route to toning. In a typical session, simple movements such as squats, lunges, and core work are performed while electrical impulses stimulate multiple muscle groups at once.
“Many clients use it specifically for toning and sculpting, as it targets deep muscle groups that are difficult to engage with conventional training alone,” says Eladio de Leon, founder of E-Pulsive, which operates EMS studios in London and Zurich.
I tried a session at the brand’s private studio near Mayfair, London. Despite skepticism about what a 20-minute workout could deliver, I was left sweating after a series of simple ab, glute, and arm calisthenics performed in a suit that feels like a full-body TENS device.
The reason EMS is so tiring (and effective), is because it works by activating up to 90 percent of the body’s muscle fibres simultaneously, allowing for a highly efficient full-body workout in around 20 minutes. It recruits a far higher percentage of muscle fibers than conventional training alone, which is why it’s often used for toning and body composition rather than bulk-building.
This turn towards fast-tracking, non-invasive technology seems to have spilled over into facial sculpting, too. At Bartov’s clinics in London and Tel Aviv, future-facing machines play a central role in her sculpting facials. “The snatched look is created through a combination of deep structural work and advanced technologies, alongside proper skin treatment,” she says.
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During each bespoke facial, estheticians will work with the assistance of between 3-5 machines, picked from the London clinics’ 150-strong fleet. For my facial sculpting, we opted for the NuEra Tight, a non-invasive, radiofrequency (RF) device that feels similar to a hot stone massage and is credited as delivering a ‘non-surgical facelift’. The machine uses focal radiofrequency technology to tighten facial skin, reduce wrinkles, and contour the jawline by delivering targeted heat to the dermis and stimulating collagen and elastin production.
“These machines allow us to reach deeper layers of the skin and tissue,” says Bartov. “We target fat cells, collagen, and elastin through controlled heating, encouraging the body to renew and strengthen itself. Improving circulation and lymphatic drainage also contributes to a more lifted appearance – it’s a biological process, not a temporary fix.”
Lymphatic drainage is also a popular route to tightening and achieving a ‘snatched’ look. “The lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked factors in a sculpted face,” affirms Leyen Tran. “What people often read as ‘volume’ or aging can actually be stagnation, fluid retention, and inflammation.”
When trying to achieve a sculpted look, she focuses on lymphatic work, fascia release, and nervous system regulation. “The ‘snatched’ look isn’t about tightness alone; it’s about movement, circulation, and strategic release,” she says.
“The face and upper body store patterns of stress — what we call fight-or-flight muscle memory. This shows up as tension in the jaw, neck, chest, and shoulders, which directly impacts the face.”
“My work blends fascia release, intraoral sculpting, and lymphatic techniques with medical-grade microcurrent and ultrasonic therapies. It’s about knowing when to soften and when to go deeper to properly release the structure.”
“When you restore flow and work with the vagus nerve to bring the body out of a chronic stress response, those patterns begin to release. The posture shifts, the breath deepens, and the face lifts in a way that feels natural,” she adds.
The referral-only London-based facialist Iris Maglanoc, previously lead facialist at Sunday Riley and runner-up of The World Face Matrix Competition, also takes a full-body approach to facial sculpting. Her Bespoke IM Facial combines Golki (a South Korean bone-setting massage), myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and lymphatic drainage.
The emphasis of her approach is on releasing tension and supporting lymphatic flow rather than chasing surface-level results. In practice, that translates to a more defined jawline, reduced puffiness, and subtle lift through the cheekbones and eyes, without injectables.
“When it comes to lifting and sculpting the face, the most effective results come from working with the deeper structures — releasing muscular tension, improving function, and encouraging proper lymphatic flow. A tailored, hands-on approach delivers more visible, longer-lasting results than surface-level treatments alone.”
When I tried the treatment, she began with the back and neck, using the Corefit Body Driver to release deep muscular tension and improve circulation before moving onto the face. She also worked across my scalp, stimulating it to support lift through the upper structures. Overall, Maglanoc spends around 30 minutes working solely on the neck, shoulders, and scalp, before ever touching the face, though, as if like magic, the lift was already visible through the jaw, cheeks, and eye area.
She also puts some of the onus on the individual for maintaining this look. “For lymphatic drainage, consistency is key,” says Maglanoc. “Results come from regular treatments combined with supportive daily habits such as hydration, movement, and maintaining good circulation. It’s not just about reducing fluid retention, but about supporting the body’s natural drainage pathways over time.”
While at-home sculpting techniques are constantly evolving, one that has seen renewed attention – despite its ancient origins – is the gua sha. A traditional Chinese medicine practice and tool, gua sha is designed to stimulate circulation, release tension, and encourage a more sculpted appearance in the skin.
Brands have embraced the ritual, including French skincare Sisley, which created a gold Ginkgo Gua Sha. Movements typically focus on smoothing, lifting, and sculpting the face: sweeping motions across the face and neck aim to improve radiance and reduce puffiness, while more targeted strokes along the cheekbones and jawline help define facial contours. The textured edge can be used over fine lines, while lighter pressure stimulates circulation and key pressure points.
The overall effect is a more relaxed expression, with skin that appears smoother, lifted, and more energised – though experts suggest results are cumulative rather than immediate or permanent.
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