Maura Higgins has faced years of online speculation about whether she has had cosmetic surgery, particularly since she first became a household name on Love Island UK in 2019. However, the reality TV star has not publicly confirmed undergoing major cosmetic surgery.
What Higgins has discussed openly is her dental work, makeup, hair, wigs and other aspects of her beauty routine. In a 2026 interview with Allure, she said she had Invisalign after leaving Love Island and later had bonding applied to her teeth. She also explained that makeup and styling have changed the way her appearance looks over the years.
Quick Guide
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Celebrity | Maura Higgins |
| Rose to fame | Love Island UK Season 5 |
| Love Island year | 2019 |
| Confirmed cosmetic surgery | No major surgical procedure publicly confirmed |
| Confirmed dental work | Invisalign and dental bonding |
| Wigs | Used for styling and managing her naturally curly hair |
| Hair | Higgins says she has had gray hair since age 17 |
| 2026 TV project | Dancing with the Stars Season 35 |
| Other recent show | The Traitors Season 4 |
Maura Higgins and the Cosmetic Surgery Speculation
Maura Higgins became widely known after entering the fifth season of Love Island UK in 2019. Her outspoken personality, humor and distinctive style quickly made her one of the show’s most recognizable contestants.
Since then, comparisons between photographs from her Love Island years and more recent appearances have fueled online discussions about possible cosmetic procedures.
Those comparisons, however, do not establish that someone has undergone surgery. Changes in makeup techniques, dental work, weight, hair styling, lighting, photography and cosmetic products can all affect a person’s appearance.
Higgins herself addressed the subject more directly in 2026. Speaking to Allure, she said that if she decided to have cosmetic work done, she would be open about it. She also joked that she would consider a facelift when she felt she needed one. That statement should not be interpreted as confirmation that she has undergone a facelift or other major cosmetic surgery.
What Dental Work Has Maura Higgins Confirmed?
The clearest publicly documented change concerns Higgins’ teeth.
In her 2026 Allure interview, Higgins said she had Invisalign after Love Island and subsequently had bonding applied to her teeth. She specifically connected the dental work with changes in how her face and overall appearance looked.
This is important because earlier online discussions have sometimes described her smile as involving veneers or implants. Those claims should not be presented as confirmed facts without a reliable source directly documenting them.
Dental bonding and Invisalign are also different from major facial surgery. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment, while dental bonding uses tooth-colored material to alter the appearance of teeth.
Why Does Maura Higgins Look Different From Her Love Island Days?
Higgins has offered several explanations for changes in her appearance that do not involve surgery.
She told Allure that her makeup routine has changed significantly since her Love Island days. She said she used to wear much heavier eye makeup and now prefers a simpler approach. She also noted that learning what works for her face has changed the way she applies makeup.
She also said she has lost weight since Love Island. Changes in weight can naturally affect facial appearance, making comparisons between photographs from different periods particularly difficult.
Professional makeup, tanning, photography, lighting and hairstyling can further contribute to noticeable differences between television appearances and older photographs.
Why Does Maura Higgins Wear Wigs?
Wigs have also become part of Higgins’ recent beauty and television styling.
During filming of The Traitors, she said she brought wigs because her naturally curly hair becomes very frizzy in wet and misty conditions. The Scottish weather and outdoor missions made managing her natural hair particularly difficult, so wigs gave her a faster way to maintain a consistent look.
Higgins has also spoken about having gray hair from a young age. In interviews, she has said she had a patch of gray hair at 17 and uses root products to cover her gray as it grows out.
These comments provide a documented explanation for some of the changes people may notice when comparing her different television appearances.
Maura Higgins’ Career Has Expanded Beyond Love Island
The focus on Higgins’ appearance is only one part of her career.
After becoming famous on Love Island UK, she moved into television presenting, brand partnerships and other entertainment projects. She later appeared on the U.S. version of The Traitors, where she reached the finale as a Faithful.
ABC announced Higgins as part of the cast for Dancing with the Stars Season 35 in 2026. The network also noted her presenting work on Love Island USA: Aftersun and Love Island Games: Aftersun.
She subsequently stepped away from her weekly Love Island USA: Aftersun hosting role ahead of Season 8, with Ciara Miller and Tefi Pessoa taking over the program.
Her Dancing with the Stars debut also attracted considerable attention. During the Season 35 premiere, Higgins and professional partner Mark Ballas received 21 points for their foxtrot, placing them at the top of the leaderboard at that stage of the competition.
What Has Maura Higgins Actually Confirmed?
Based on her own recent interviews, the distinction between confirmed information and online speculation is important.
Confirmed or directly discussed by Higgins:
- She had Invisalign after Love Island.
- She later had dental bonding.
- She has naturally curly, frizz-prone hair.
- She has experienced gray hair since she was a teenager.
- She uses wigs as a practical styling solution.
- Her makeup approach has changed since her early reality-TV appearances.
- She has said she would be open about cosmetic work if she chose to have it.
Not publicly confirmed by Higgins in the sources reviewed:
- A facelift
- Major facial plastic surgery
- A confirmed surgical nose job
- Confirmed facial implants
- A specific surgical procedure responsible for changes in her facial appearance
That distinction matters because photographs alone cannot reliably establish whether a person has had cosmetic surgery.
The Bottom Line
Maura Higgins’ appearance has evolved considerably since she appeared on Love Island UK in 2019, but the publicly documented evidence does not establish that she has undergone major cosmetic surgery.
What Higgins has personally discussed includes Invisalign, dental bonding, makeup changes, hair coloring and wigs. She has also acknowledged that cosmetic work is something she would be willing to discuss openly if she ever decided to have it done.
For now, claims about specific surgical procedures should be treated as speculation unless Higgins herself or a reliable source provides confirmation.
Her recent career also shows that her public profile has expanded well beyond her original Love Island appearance, with work on The Traitors, Dancing with the Stars and other television projects.