Instead, the women rated a light stubble to be the most attractive, followed by heavy stubble, then light beard, clean-shaven, and the full beard. So at least based on this study, neither clean-shaven nor fully bearded are the most attractive to women, but instead something in between.
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 fact, truth be told, your SO, girlfriends, wives or mothers have all the say when it comes to hair on your face. And turns out, for reasons best known to them, they prefer guys who are clean shaven. Well, yes!
The Clean-Shaven Look Has a Boyish Charm
A shaved face makes a guy look younger and fresher, and suggests an easy-going charming personality. Women tend to find a jovial nature more appealing when choosing a life-partner, than serious or unkempt-looking guys.
Women may find cleaned shaved men more approachable as a man with a clean shave looks younger and less aggressive than a guy with a full beard style. Beard is good, but a clean shave gives man a more well-groomed look. It gives you a look of sophistication, according to some women.
Fast, stylish and low-maintenance, the stubble beard look – otherwise known as “the 3 day beard” – is a great beard style for any man, any occasion, any face shape. Stubble can also add maturity to a youthful face.
Asked who they found most attractive, 35 percent of all respondents said clean-shaven, 14 percent said a man with a beard and mustache, eight percent said only a mustache and four percent said only a beard.
There's also the whole personal taste angle. Some women love a little scruff on the jawline and some just like a clean, freshly shaved look. Whether a person is innately drawn to a beard or likes the feel of it, a partner's preference for facial hair could be as unique as the style of the facial hair itself.
According to the survey, some women actually prefer hairier male bodies than bare male bodies. They feel as though hairlessness on men looks prepubescent and unnatural. The survey also suggests that women prefer male facial hair and body hair because it also makes them appear older and wiser.
The Stubble
Women prefer facial hair to be thick, which is why they tend to find this style most attractive. The study also found that although women saw men with heavy stubble to be less ready to settle down than their full bearded counterparts, they also rated them as the most attractive overall.
Women saw men with full beards to be the most healthy, and the best suited to parenting. As a matter of fact, the study showed that as facial hair length increased, the men were viewed as more masculine. These findings were doubly confirmed by another study published by the Journal of Evolutionary Biology in 2016.
Shaving your beard can help you look younger and more vibrant. After all, you don't want to look older than your actual age. With just a clean shave, your facial skin will appear to be younger than before. You can even use a face moisturizer every after you shave to keep your facial skin hydrated.
It is unusual for CEOs of major financial institutions to embrace facial hair. Richard Parsons, former CEO of Citigroup (NYSE:C) would be a rare exception to the rule. Beards are generally more popular among a younger set of CEOs.
While getting the clean look, keep in mind that the skin should be all warmed up for the razor to pass through it and must be done when the pores are open, which is essentially right after bathing. Contrary to popular belief, the real cleaning should happen right after the shave, not before it.
Beards Highlight Masculine Features
Beards accentuate a man's jawline and cheekbones, hallmarks of classic masculine beauty. They can transform the face, making it appear stronger and more chiseled. Thus, for many, beards enhance a man's attractiveness by amplifying these features.
A clean shave makes you look younger, especially if you use shaving products with skincare benefits. Being clean-shaven feels more refreshing, light, and hygienic after being a bearded man for so long. A clean shave gives you a break from beard grooming.
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. A solid beard tone will look fake.
Clean Shaven
That smooth baby-face makes you look young, clean, and professional. It tells others that you are organized and detail oriented. You're willing to take the time to clean up and shave each morning.
When Gillette patented the first safety razor in 1904, it became easier for men to shave themselves at home. As a result, being clean-shaven became both more convenient and very fashionable. Because personal safety razors use disposable blades, men who shaved every day also had to purchase a constant supply of blades.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when a guy should start shaving. Some will notice their first facial hair from as early as aged nine, while others won't get any until their late teens.
Here's the truth. Facial stubble and beards can look cool at 50 to 70-plus, but so can a smooth, clean shave. The advantage of shaving is that it sloughs off dead cells and stimulates collagen production to keep older skin looking fresh.
For the past few years, men's fashion has been shifting away from full beards towards a more 'natural' look – one that is closer to the modern classic of a clean shave or light stubble. With this shift in men's fashion trends, in 2023, a clean shave or light stubble will be seen as the more stylish and modern option.”
Muscularity is sexy.
In a separate study, women reported that their short-term sexual partners were more muscular than their other partners. The researchers suggest women have fewer requirements for muscular men.
Some girls may like shy guys, while others may not, just as some women may prefer outgoing men to those who are more reserved. Moreover, some women may like certain shy men and dislike others, choosing to focus on a person as a whole rather than a small sliver of someone's personality.