Before you grow out your beard—or shave it off—you might want to consider how others will see you. When 200 women in a recent studywere asked to rate pictures of the same men with and without a beard, they found a smooth face—think Brad Pitt before the scraggly goatee—more attractive. This is a good thing to know if you’re heading out on a date. But if you prefer respect to physical attraction, consider letting your beard grow out. Both women and men thought bearded men—over six weeks of growth, with no trimming—looked older and more likely to command respect from other men. The wild and hairy look also came across as more aggressive than being clean-shaven. Scientists have long wondered why men have beards. Hair on the face may enhance facial communication or enable men to display aggressiveness. Beards may even serve as a form of intrasexual selection between men—a way to gain the attention of women. Basically a battle of the blades, although in this case it’s the shaving blade. The study only looked at full beard growth, no light stubble.Previous studies, however, found that women prefer men with light stubble to the baby-faced look. So choose wisely before you decide. Fortunately, if you change your mind. Men with full beards have a certain air about them; a respectable, authoritative air. It’s not the look of a fresh up-and-comer. It’s cultured and refined. It’s the look of a man who’s seen the world and has more than a few tales to tell about it. It’s the look of the well-traveled professor, of the doctor who’s saved more people than you’ve even met. And more importantly, it’s the look of The Most Interesting Man In The World.
This style can be very intimidating in social situations, especially when paired with the right persona. A man with a beard always seems to know where he’s going, always knows what he’s doing, and whenever questions arise he’s the one you turn to. It commands respect from both men and women, of all ages.
From a dating perspective, you’re also likely better off with a clean-shaven face than with a beard. In the same way that well-done classic hairstyles for women are going to attract far more men than flash-in-the-pan trends like shaving the sides of their heads, following the beard trend may only work for you while beards are still popular. Barring certain trends, womenhave been shown to find clean-shaven men the most attractive.
You may gain more respect from men for your thick beard, but it’s unlikely to get you any more dates.
There’s also the problem that comes with a trend becoming so popular that it feels like everyone is following it. The more common an attractive trait becomes, the less attractive it becomes, as well. A few years ago, men with beards were much more rare than they are today, leading the way for women who were frustrated with boyfriends who kept s†éáling their favorite honey apricot lavender moisturize to find those few bearded men exceptionally attractive.
Now, though, many social circles are inundated with beards, mustaches, and a few days worth of scruff. Growing a beard isn’t nearly as unique or rare anymore, which means you have to grow an even bushier beard or bigger mustache. The alternative, of course, is to stand out in the sea of beards by rocking the clean-shaven look.
Researchers in charge of studying cultural trends are actually already saying exactly that.
“It appears that beards gain an advantage when rare, but when they are in fashion and common, they are declared trendy and that attractiveness is over,” said Robert Brooks. “The bigger the trend gets, the weaker the preference for beards and the tide will go out again.”
There’s certainly nothing wrong with keeping your beard if you like it and want to do so, but at the same time, there are quite a few compelling reasons to do so. So what do you think? Is it time to embrace the clean-shaven look OR maintain the bearded look? The choice is yours!
