Most Attractive Male Characteristic
Attractiveness is a combination of dozens of traits together. Sharp and strong features create an appealing masculine look, but women rarely notice each individual characteristic. She may not notice the shape of your eyes or the angle of your nose. Instead, she sees the largest, most obvious features: your height, your hair, your body shape, and figure. But these large obvious features are difficult to control. You can't make yourself taller, you can't change your body type, you could slim down or work out, but that takes a long time.
Luckily, there's one feature that can give your appearance an immediate boost, and it's something you can control like your height or hair color. It stands out when you enter the room. It's one of the first things women notice about you, but it's also a nuanced characteristic unlike your height or hair color. It's attractive in big ways and in small ways. This all-important feature, this game-changing characteristic, is your facial hair.
Facial hair may be the most divisive physical feature in history. In the Middle Ages, a beard symbolized power, status, and strength. But in the 1700s, beards fell out of favor. High society was dominated by clean-shaven faces. Facial hair was widely rejected until the mid-1800s when beards became popular in the Western world again. Facial hair showed masculinity and authority.
History of Facial Hair
| Era | Facial Hair Trend |
|---|---|
| Middle Ages | Symbolized power and strength |
| 1700s | Clean-shaven dominance |
| 1800s | Beards regained popularity |
| 1900s | Varied styles every decade |
| 21st Century | Trimmed beards back in style |
Through the 1900s, facial hair soared and fell every decade, a new style took over the globe: the chin strap, the goatee, the chevron mustache, the five o'clock shadow. Finally, in the 21st century, full beards came back in style. A trimmed beard, kept short and clean, is the most attractive look for any modern male. Despite a long history of ups and downs, beards are back and better than ever. But it's not just another fad. Beards are scientifically proven signs of male attractiveness. Countless studies have shown the impact a beard can have on your appearance.
Reasons Why a Beard Makes You More Attractive
How does a beard improve your look? Here are 10 research-driven reasons why a beard makes you more attractive:
1. The Strong Provider
This male archetype has been around for centuries, but it's no less attractive now than it was a hundred years ago. Women are attracted to men who can take care of themselves, someone who's strong, ambitious, and capable. According to a 2016 study in the journal Evolutionary Biology, a beard makes you look like a strong provider. In evolutionary terms, facial hair is a sign of power and fertility. Among early humans, bearded men could fight for and provide for their families and communities.
Times have changed, but our biological preferences have not. The same physical features are prioritized in the world today. Beards are still symbolic of strength and fertility. They're just as attractive now as they were centuries ago.
2. Facial Narrowing
You can't change the shape of your face. Some people, no matter how much they exercise, have chubby cheeks or a wide face. Even though you can't change the shape of your face, the beard can. Facial hair will narrow your face. Your cheeks and jaw will appear longer, thinner, and sharper, but only if you trim your beard the right way.
The key is downward growth. Let the hair grow around your mouth and chin while trimming and shaping the sides. This style makes your face look longer and more masculine. It's also important to shave the hair on your neck. A neck beard softens your jawline and gives your face a messier look. So keep your neck hairs under control. Find a clean line under your jaw to shave your beard, and that way, your jawline looks sharp and more attractive.
3. The U-Turn
Some beards significantly improve your appearance, but not all beards are attractive. This comes from a 2013 study in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. In this study, researchers analyzed the attractiveness of many facial hairstyles, from mustaches to long bushy beards. Researchers wanted to see which style women liked the most.
They discovered an odd phenomenon: as facial hair increases, attractiveness increases, but there is a limit to how much facial hair you should grow. A short but full beard was the most attractive to women in this study. As beards got longer, ratings began to fall. Their level of attraction made a complete u-turn. In other words, beards can greatly enhance your look, but don't let your facial hair get out of control.
4. The Age Booster
No matter how old they actually are, some men have a baby face. They have soft features, rounded edges, and a youthful look, but a beard can make you look years older. Many studies, including those we've discussed so far, have correlated facial hair with perceived age. Women assume bearded men are more mature, and that maturity makes them more attractive.
Male maturity is commonly associated with strength, confidence, and social status. That's why many women are attracted to older men. So if you have a baby face, it's time to give your appearance a boost. With a little scruff, you'll look years older and much more attractive.
5. Facial Masking
In many ways, beards are like makeup. Most men avoid using makeup to cover blemishes and scars, but you may still look in the mirror and wish those blemishes would disappear. A beard can make that happen. Facial hair can cover up things you don't want people to see. This is especially true for people with darker hair. Any blemishes around your mouth and chin will disappear under a full beard.
According to a 2018 study in the journal Perception, blemishes have a huge impact on your appearance. Blemishes decrease attractiveness, perceived health, and perceived maturity. So cover up those blemishes with a well-kept beard. Facial hair will not only clean up your look, but it'll also leave a better impression on potential partners.
6. Social Authority
Do beards make you more dominant? They don't change your personality, but they do change the way women perceive you. This comes from a 2008 study in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Researchers asked a sample of women about bearded and non-bearded men: who's better looking, who's more confident, who makes more money? Across the board, bearded men surpassed non-bearded men. They were perceived as social powerhouses. Bearded men appeared more confident, more secure, and more dominant.
But here's the kicker: those women were often looking at multiple pictures of the same man. In some pictures, they had beards, and in other pictures, they didn't. But time and time again, their beards earned higher scores. So what does that mean for you? If you want to change the way others perceive you, then forget the clean-shaven look because a full beard could make all the difference.
7. Potential Parenting
If you're looking for something long-term, a beard will be your best friend. We know that beards make you look more mature. From a biological perspective, facial hair is associated with age, but it's also associated with parenthood and fatherhood. Women perceive you as more mature, so you seem more responsible and well-established. You seem capable of raising and taking care of a family.
The vast majority of the population wants to have a family at some point in their lives, so if you look like a better father, you'll look more attractive. Even if you're not ready for a family, this biological boost still works in your favor. It shows potential partners that you're trustworthy, that you're sensible, reliable, and stable. Who knew a little facial hair could do all that?
8. Increased Desirability
Attraction is more than physical and emotional. Sometimes you find someone attractive simply because other people find them attractive. This happens with celebrities on a regular basis. If they weren't famous, few people would give them a second glance. But how does this strange bias relate to you? Facial hair increases your desirability. In other words, you seem like someone that more women would be attracted to. As your desirability increases, your attractiveness increases. You're perceived as confident, capable, and experienced.
So even if your dating history hasn't changed, women assume you've found success in the dating world, and that makes you a more desirable partner.
9. Competitive Capability
Competition has always played a role in physical desire. Many of the most attractive men are athletes. Not only does competition refine a more attractive figure, but women are also attracted to their competitive ability. This comes from a 2010 study in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. They found that women are more attracted to traits that increase competitiveness. In other words, certain physical features are associated with competition, and facial hair is one of them.
A beard, like bigger muscles and deeper voices, creates the illusion of dominance and capability. Even if you're not a competitive person, a beard will give you a competitive look.
10. A Symbol of Health
In the 1700s, facial hair displayed uncleanliness and poor health, but these days the script has flipped. Our 2013 study, the U-Turn study, discovered another important effect of facial hair. Growing a beard is a sign of good health. Hair growth on your face and your head is associated with good genes, healthy grooming habits, and physical self-care. For many women, these are absolute deal breakers.
Studies show that women prioritize health and cleanliness for serious or long-term partners. A well-trimmed beard shows that you're both healthy and conscious of your appearance. For many women, that's a very attractive pair.
