Research has shown that the presence of facial hair can create an illusion of size. In other words, a beard can make a man's face appear larger than it actually is. This can have a significant impact on how others perceive his weight. Interestingly, this illusion of size is not limited to just the face.
The presence of a beard will increase the profile of the face and head in both an objective and a subjective sense. A beard adds visual volume to the face. But that is not to say that it always makes the face (or the person) look ``fatter,'' as in stockier or more corpulent.
Growing a beard isn't an overnight transformation—it's a journey. The golden rule? Commit to at least three months. No shaving. Resist the urge to reach for that razor, no matter how patchy or awkward things look at first.
3. Attractiveness In a study comprised of both men and women, faces with beards or stubble were consistently rated as more attractive than clean-shaven faces. Read more about this study. It's no surprise that beards make you look better...it's proven that woman are more attracted to beards.
By growing a beard, you can keep your skin looking younger and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Growing a beard can also prevent your skin from drying out. The skin produces natural oils that keep it soft and younger-looking, but it's all too easy to miss out on these benefits if you're clean shaven.
Beards can add a layer of protection to your chin and neck, thus keeping you warm in colder weather. The longer and fuller the beard, the better it will insulate your face. Make you feel more attractive.
Research shows that men with beards are often perceived as more mature and dominant compared to their clean-shaven counterparts. A full-grown beard can give off an aura of wisdom and experience, making others naturally gravitate towards them for guidance.
The study also found that women were not only more attracted to them, but expected to have longer relationships with men rocking a beard.
Beard Growth in Mid-20s to 30s
This is when testosterone, the hormone primarily responsible for facial hair growth, peaks. You'll likely notice your beard becoming fuller and more robust. This is the perfect time to experiment with different beard styles and find what suits you best.
Softening Features: Thin faces often come with sharp, angular features. A beard can soften these angles, making the face appear less harsh and more balanced. This is especially effective with styles that add volume to the chin and jawline.
Overall, you should not grow a beard if you want simplicity, professionalism, or if you want to look younger. However, if you think you'll feel better and more confident with a beard, and don't mind the extra patience and maintenance requirements, then go ahead and grow one!
Rule #5: Clean Your Trimmings
If you have a beard, that means you're a man. And if you're a man, you should act like it and clean up after yourself.
Regularly Trim Your Beard
Even in the early stages of growth, when it comes to how to stop a beard looking scruffy, trimming is key. Not only will it keep your beard tidy, but it will also help to define the shape you want to achieve.
According to Prim & Prep and other online surveys, the stubble beard style or five o'clock shadow is considered by women to be the most attractive.
A beard that adds length to your face will help counter the roundness and create a more oval appearance. Styles such as the extended goatee, Van Dyke, or a soul patch paired with a chin strap can work wonders in achieving this.
The shape of your face—its roundness, squareness, length, and angles—plays a big factor in which beard styles flatter you most. For example, a long, narrow face will not benefit from a long, thin beard. You want to round out your length with a fuller, wider beard—it's geometry.
Most of the time, a closely shaved man looks younger than a guy with a beard and mustache. That said, there are no rules, just keep it well-groomed. If you decide it's time to cover your gray, use a dye that's meant for men's facial hair.
There is no specific ethnicity that can't grow facial hair, but East Asian individuals, such as Japanese and Chinese, tend to have less facial hair and slower growth rates compared to other ethnicities.
According to a study published by Evolution and Human Behavior, the optimal beard length for maximum allure is—drumroll, please—'heavy stubble'!
The results indicated that the women found men with light stubble most attractive; these men were preferred as both short- and long-term partners. However, the women perceived male faces with full beards as the most masculine, aggressive, and socially mature; the women also thought these men looked older.
Their study, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, suggests muscles in men are akin to elaborate tail feathers in male peacocks: They attract females looking for a virile mate. "Women are predisposed to prefer muscularity in men," said study author David Frederick of UCLA.
For the first time in decades more men sport some form of facial hair than not, making the hirsute male the majority. A study by YouGov has found that most men (54 per cent) now say they currently have a beard or moustache, up from 42 per cent in 2016 and 37 per cent in 2011.
Indeed, augmented attraction to facial hair is sometimes the case, with a study on the female perception of men with beards revealing that women rated heavy stubble as the most attractive, ahead of full beards, light stubble and clean-shaven faces.
Traditionally, certain ethnicities have been known for growing thick beards, including those in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and South Asia. Other ethnicities are less likely to have thick, full beards.
Today, beards are still seen as a symbol of 'masculinity' – although we're much more fluid with our appearances, so the exact definition of masculinity is a personal thing. Some men may grow beards to make a statement or express their individuality.