1. Women often prefer average faces over perfect faces
A classic finding in attractiveness research is averageness bias
Researchers created composite faces by averaging many faces together those averaged faces were rated more attractive than most individual faces
Because they signal genetic diversity and health
So trying to look extreme and sharp isn’t always optimal balanced proportions matter more
2. The “slight imperfection affect”
Studies have shown that faces that are too perfect can feel unnatural
Small asymmetries and some flaws can make appear:
• more human
• more thrustworthy
Perfect symmetry sometimes looks artificial
(Similar to the uncanny valley effect)
3. Voice attractiveness changes how your face is rated
Research shows when women hear an attractive male voice they rate the same face as more attractive
Since i found a study from University College London that suggest voice pitch and resonance influence perceived facial attractiveness
Traits women prefer:
• slightly lower pitch
• resonant tone
4. women rate men more attractive when they are surrounded by other women
They call this mate choice copying
Research shows women often rate a man more attractive if he is seen interacting positively with other women
A famous study by Benedict Jones
Demonstrated this effect
5. Women prefer slight facial stubble
A well known study by Barnaby J. Dixon
Found that heavy stubble was rated most attractive for men
Clean shaven faces were usually rated:
• more thrustworthy
• but less sexually attractive
6. “The cheerleader effect”
People appear more attractive in groups
This phenomenon was demonstrated by Drew Walker and Edward Vul
This happens because:
• your brain averages the faces in the groups
• this smooths imperfections
7. Eye contrast matters more than eye color
Many guys think eye color matters a lot
But studies show contrast around the eyes is more important:
• darker lashes
• defined eyelids
• clearer sclera (white of eyes)
This increases perceived attractiveness and health
Sources:
- Judith H. Langlois & Lori A. Roggman (1990) — Attractive Faces Are Only Average, Psychological Science
- Benedict C. Jones et al. (2007) — Social Transmission of Face Preferences Among Humans, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
- Barnaby J. Dixson & Robert C. Brooks (2013) — The Role of Facial Hair in Women’s Perceptions of Men’s Attractiveness, Evolution and Human Behavior
- Drew Walker & Edward Vul (2014) — Hierarchical Encoding Makes Individuals in a Group Seem More Attractive, Psychological Science
- David I. Perrett (2010) — Facial attractiveness: evolutionary, cognitive, and social perspectives, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B
