We don’t have to tell you that it’s all about facial hair and man buns as of late.
After all, there’s something about the look that suggests raw, uninhibited, and (hopefully) even an artistic side.
Now, science itself has revealed the facial hair that women are most attracted to.
According to a 2013 Australian study (which was apparently ahead of the times), the sexiest beard type is the 10-day old “heavy stubble.”
Not as hot? Clean-shaven, light stubble, or a thick beard.
The researchers found each type of facial hair (or lack thereof) sends a different signal. Apparently, facial hair correlates with maturity and masculinity (duh), but also with dominance and aggression.
According to the study’s authors, Barnaby J. Dixson and Robert C. Brooks, “An intermediate level of beardedness is most attractive, while full-bearded men may be perceived as better fathers who could protect and invest in offspring.”
Aside from the hotness factor, research has also revealed that facial hair has an affect on notions of fertility when it comes to choosing a partner. The more facial hair, the more masculine he is perceived to be.
The findings were the result of showing pictures of 10 men in various stages of the “facial hair lifecycle” to 351 women and 177 heterosexual men.
So, what did the guys think? In contrast to the ladies, the men found full and heavy beards as the most attractive. But light stubble was rated the least attractive by both sexes.
Can we expect a study on the most attractive man buns next?(!)
#NOTABLE
Cover image from: istock.com
Frank Ocean image from: www.stereogum.com
Other image from: pintrest.com
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