Stubble has topped the list as the most attractive facial hair style, while moustaches ranked as the biggest turn-off, according to a new study.
The poll of 2,000 adults attracted to men found that 55% considered stubble — famously worn by actor Chris Hemsworth — to be the most appealing look. It beat out short beards (24%) and longer hipster-style beards (8%).
By contrast, moustaches, like those once worn by Brad Pitt, were seen as attractive by only 3% of respondents. Goatees (7%) and chin strap styles (4%) also scored poorly.
The research, commissioned by grooming brand Wilkinson Sword, also included a second survey of 994 men. That study found 55% of men said a fresh shave or beard trim made them feel sharper, and 34% said it made them feel more masculine.
Professor Tim Andrews, an expert in facial perception, said quick judgments based on appearance are natural. “It’s human nature to judge others by their facial appearance and make assumptions about their personality — even if those assumptions aren’t always correct,” he explained.
According to Andrews, facial hair can influence how men are perceived. Stubble was linked to being outgoing, short beards to intelligence, and clean-shaven men to reliability. On the other hand, moustaches and goatees were often associated with arrogance, while long beards were seen as a sign of laziness.
Among men surveyed, the clean-shaven look remains the most common, followed by stubble, short beards, moustaches, and goatees. Hipster beards and chin straps were the least worn.
About 20% of men said they received more compliments after grooming, and 43% reported always shaving or trimming before a date. Still, many hesitate to try new styles — a quarter worry a new look won’t suit them, and nearly half ignore style suggestions from others.
Some men also admitted their dating profile photos were outdated, with 30% saying their current facial hair did not match their online pictures.
Euan Condron from Wilkinson Sword noted, “It’s been interesting to see how facial hair affects attraction and confidence. While stubble and clean-shaven styles lead in popularity, the key is feeling confident and well-groomed — especially since first impressions matter so much.”
