
Growing Out a Light Beard Can Make a Huge Difference
In a 2013 study conducted at the University of New South Wales, 177 heterosexual men and 351 heterosexual women were shown images of 10 men in different conditions: clean-shaven, light stubble, heavy stubble, or full beard. Participants provided ratings on various traits, including attractiveness. The results indicated that women found heavy stubble to be the most attractive beard length. Authors Barnaby J. Dixson and Robert C. Brooks explained, “Facial hair correlates not only with maturity and masculinity but also with dominance and aggression.” They further stated that an intermediate level of beardedness is perceived as the most appealing.