Women More Attracted to Men With Stubble

by Terri Potratz | February 11, 2009 at 04:55 pm

2036 views | 13 Recommendations | 20 comments

Researchers have found that women prefer men with short facial stubble over men with clean-shaven faces or full beards. 76 British women aged 18-44 rated the pictures of 15 men's faces, which varied in degrees of hairiness.

The five levels of facial hair were clean-shaven, light stubble, heavy stubble, light beard and full beard. The women then rated the faces on scales of perceived masculinity, aggression, domincance, attractiveness, age, social standing, and whether they would be interested in a long or short term relationship with each man.

The pictures were shown to 76 women who were asked to rate them for masculinity, aggression, dominance, attractiveness, age, and social maturity. They were also asked how desirable each man would be as a short-term or long-term partner. Faces with full beards were judged to be the most masculine, aggressive and socially mature. They were also thought to look five years older.

They were rated the least attractive and the worst choice for a short-term relationship. Men with light beards were considered the most dominant. Those with light stubble were rated the most attractive and as the ideal romantic partner for the short or long term. Clean-shaven men finished bottom for masculinity, dominance, aggression, and social maturity, and they were the least favoured choice as a long-term partner. They came second-to-last for attractiveness.

Their findings are what you might expect: clean-shaven faces appear less aggressive, while fully bearded faces appear most aggressive. These two extremes are the least favoured levels of male facial hair among women.

Because there are cultural differences when it comes to facial hair preference, the researchers are interested in extending this study to other countries to compare results.

As a Canadian female, I can help the researchers out by letting them know that most women I know, including myself, prefer the 5 o'clock shadow on a man.

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chiselwright

at 01:07 on February 12th, 2009

I don't think I've ever given much thought about how others view my stubble; it's just been part of me for more years than I care to remember.

I'm just generally too lazy to shave every day, especially when I get a 5 o' clock shadow just as I step out of the bathroom.

Fripouille

at 03:37 on February 12th, 2009

That's it, done and dusted. I shall shave every two days from now on.

When I think of all those razor blades, blunt before they needed to be! And what about all the money it's cost me over the years!!

This drives me nuts! I mean, I could have used all that money to wine and dine all those beautiful women who would have fallen hopelessly in love with me at first sight!

Why the hell didn't anyone do this research a long time ago?

But there's a problem here too. My girlfriend does not like me to be unshaven. Decisions decisions......

woahhlaylz

at 19:20 on February 11th, 2009

stubble!! haha interesting article.

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158

at 19:45 on February 11th, 2009

I am ssurprised.

I think stubble makes a man look like a sloppy groomer.

ceephlo

at 20:28 on February 11th, 2009

I am surprised too.

In my experience women seemed to have a hard time getting physically close with the stubble. The most common reason was that it was like sand paper. Of course maybe they just had realy sensitive skin.

pcg_100

at 04:07 on February 12th, 2009

This guy is Spanish, maybe of arab descent, since he is a market trader and many traders originate from Marocco

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Strana

at 01:23 on February 12th, 2009

Well that's blown it for me - I shaved this morning

decklid

at 02:11 on February 12th, 2009

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wnd.andreas

at 02:43 on February 12th, 2009

it should only be a snapshot and now ;-)

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wnd.andreas

at 02:45 on February 12th, 2009

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chiselwright

at 04:20 on February 12th, 2009

I should probably get the old hedge trimmer out ... I'm starting to look a bit bushy

poor oligarch (not verified)

at 04:47 on February 12th, 2009

I blame David Beckham for this

Terri Potratz

at 09:02 on February 12th, 2009

It's interesting that so many men are commenting that their partners dislike the stubble. I don't mind it at all, though if you have sensitive skin I understand how irritating it could be to some. When my boyfriend is contemplating a shave, I always urge him to put it off for just one more day!

Jordan Yerman

at 09:29 on February 12th, 2009

I'm vindicated... vindicated by science!

LotusFlower

at 09:59 on February 12th, 2009

In the interests of equality how do people feel about women with stubble?

first shave

of the new year

my ears

Fripouille

at 11:39 on February 12th, 2009

You urge him to put off shaving for a day?!!

Wanna get married?!! :)

Simon Bullar

at 15:31 on February 12th, 2009

Stubble... I like to have a bit of stubble, makes me look older than cleanly shaven. My girlfriend also like it, but at the moment I have let it grow into a nice beard. Problem is she hates it now and is demanding I shave it off, the thing is I'm growing quite attached to it...

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OneOfTheFour (not verified)

at 17:42 on February 12th, 2009

Absolutely. Sexy as hell.

Weakens the knees.

Very light stubble though, 5 o'clock shadow/one day.

And I disagree w/ what was written in the bigger study - that women say their attraction is to the 'stubble' guy for sure, but they wanted their fella to be clean-shaven for sexual pursuits, which sorta leaves a guy in a can't-win situation.

Dr Funk

at 02:12 on February 13th, 2009

What can I say? Being a stubbly man, I sure hope that this is true.

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Keith Ranville

at 05:58 on March 10th, 2009

Well there is only one way to find out! if you are a guy. Didn't they do this study when Miami Vice came out! with this Don Johnson Crocket character made a unshaven appeal to the entertainment world. Of course I only had peach fuzz back then! lol''