The results indicated that the women found men with light
A new study shows that facial hair says a lot about a man and that attractiveness peaks at the "heavy stubble" phase. Researchers photographed 10 men at four stages of beard growth: clean shaven, 5-day "light" stubble, 10-day "heavy" stubble (shown), and fully bearded.
In 2017 research has found that men with facial hair are found to be more attractive. Full beards seem particularly attractive for long-term relationships.
A study conducted by the Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society found that men with moderately full beards are found most attractive, and men with full beards may be perceived as better fathers who could protect and invest in their children. “Men with beards have a powerful look,” Dr. Harvey says.
The survey also showed that men tend to notice the facial hair more than black pores, open pores, panda eye bags and rough lips. The same survey revealed that many women are concerned with grimy pores the most.
While your daughter may have to wait until she turns 18 for laser hair removal, it can be helpful to educate her about the procedure and its benefits for long-term hair reduction.
The study also found that women were not only more attracted to them, but expected to have longer relationships with men rocking a beard.
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.
Currently 34 per cent of men say they have a beard and moustache, compared to 13 per cent who have stubble, four per cent a beard only, and two per cent a moustache only.
Preferences for Male Facial Hair Among Women
Among the female respondents, 57.19% indicated a preference for men with facial hair, and 42.81% preferred clean-shaven faces (frequencies of women's preferences are presented in Table 1).
The Evolutionary Advantage. Way back in the day, a beard was like a neon sign flashing "strong and healthy." It signalled to potential mates that a man had good genes and could protect a family. Even now, studies show that women tend to associate beards with maturity, dominance, and even higher social status.
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.
High Cheekbones: Prominent cheekbones are a widely admired feature. High cheekbones give the face a sculpted look, adding to the overall appeal. Full Lips: Full, well-defined lips are another desirable feature, particularly for women. A slightly fuller lower lip is often considered ideal.
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.
There's a reason so many men opt for the bald with beard look. For starters, a beard can help define your facial features when styled correctly and balance your appearance when you're balding.
For men with a defined jawline, the short stubble beard is the one you can count on. This style, about 2-4 mm in length, accentuates your natural bone structure without hiding it. It strikes a balance between rugged masculinity and a well-groomed look.
The full beard remains a timeless classic, dominating the beard trends of 2025. Known for its bold, masculine appeal, it's perfect for men who want to make a powerful statement.
Men of all ethnicities can get razor bumps as a result of shaving, but Black men seem to suffer from them more often than people of other races. Up to 80% of men who get razor bumps are Black. As a result, Black men need to be especially careful when shaving to prevent the development of ingrown hairs.
It tells others that you are organized and detail oriented. You're willing to take the time to clean up and shave each morning. You have time for what's important and won't be overcome by the occasional temptation to be lazy. The clean cut look may be youthful, but it's also straight laced.
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.
The pattern indicates that clean-shaven men and those with longer, full beards are considered by women to be best for long-term relationships. Whereas, those with stubble-short beards are seen as more attractive for flings or casual dating.
Barber suggests that this correlation may be due to the fact that men with moustaches are perceived to be more attractive, industrious, creative, masculine, dominant and mature by both men and women, as supported by the research conducted by Hellström and Tekle.