There's no single answer, as women's preferences vary widely, but studies and surveys suggest light stubble often ranks highest for attractiveness, while well-groomed beards are seen as masculine and mature, and clean-shaven faces appeal for professionalism, with grooming being key for all styles. Preferences depend on individual taste, cultural trends, and whether the facial hair is neat or messy.
"2025 will be all about a relaxed yet well-groomed look. I expect the clean-shaven style to regain popularity – ideal for those who appreciate a fresh, minimalist aesthetic.
Indeed, augmented attraction to facial hair is sometimes the case, with a study on the female perception of men with beards revealing that women rated heavy stubble as the most attractive, ahead of full beards, light stubble and clean-shaven faces.
The 3-month beard rule is a guideline to let your beard grow untouched for 90 days to assess its natural growth, thickness, and potential, overcoming the itchy, patchy "awkward phase" (weeks 2-6) where many men quit too early. This commitment allows slower hairs time to catch up, revealing true density, filling in thin spots, and giving you enough length to decide on styling, making it ideal for seeing what your beard can truly become before making shaping decisions.
The perfect beard length depends on your face shape and personal style. For most men, 10–20mm (about 3/8 to 3/4 inch) is the sweet spot. It is long enough to look full but short enough to stay neat. It is versatile, low-maintenance, and almost universally appealing.
Age is a big factor in beard growth. While most men experience some facial hair growth around the age of 16, it doesn't usually turn into a full beard until the mid 20's. Your beard will continue to thicken well into your 30s and 40s, so if your beard is still patchy in your early 20s, try again in a few years.
Women's preferences for beards vary, but studies and surveys often point to heavy stubble or short, well-groomed beards (like a 10-day growth) as highly attractive, signaling masculinity, maturity, and good parenting potential without seeming unkempt. However, some women prefer a clean-shaven look, while others like longer, neatly maintained full beards, emphasizing that grooming, confidence, and what suits your face shape are crucial, as patchy or messy facial hair is generally disliked.
Your genetics play an important role in your hair quality but there are also lifestyle factors that come to play. A nutritious diet, grooming your beard, and applying medical treatment can all optimise the growth of your beard.
Kissing a bearded partner could affect your skin more than you think, whether it's due to friction, trapped bacteria, or product buildup. The good news is that proper skin care can help minimize irritation and keep skin clear.
(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY If you look at pictures of Fortune 500 CEOs, you might be in for a surprise. Very few have facial hair. In fact, hardly any do. The same is true of American political leaders.
On average, women tend to rate men with some facial hair as more attractive than totally clean shaven faces or very long, unkempt beards. Light stubble and short to medium beards often score the highest for overall attraction, long term relationship potential, and perceived masculinity.
As a result, we asked our 108 ladies which they found most attractive – a clean shaven look, a full beard, or stubble: Clean Shaven: 38.89% Beard: 30.56% Stubble: 30.56%
Beard is a slang term, originating in the United States, which refers to a person who is used, knowingly or unknowingly, as a date, romantic partner (boyfriend or girlfriend) or spouse, either to conceal infidelity or to conceal one's sexual orientation.
Another investigation, looking at whether it would be hygienic to evaluate dogs and humans in the same MRI scanner, found that most men's beards contained significantly more microbes than dog fur, including a greater presence of harmful bacteria.
Your partner's beard can indeed trigger acne by transferring bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to your face. Even well-groomed facial hair can harbor these acne-causing culprits. The friction from coarse beard hair can also irritate your skin, making it more prone to breakouts.
Additionally, different ethnic groups exhibit variations in the pattern, distribution, and density of beard and body hair. Indians, Middle Easterners, and Caucasians typically exhibit higher hair density in their beards and mustaches compared to individuals of Oriental descent.
Muslims seek to follow the noble example of the Prophet of Islam(sa). The Holy Prophet(sa) had a beard and wore a turban, both of which were the custom appearance of men of that age and country.
Although testosterone is a possible cause of poor beard growth, it's important not to overestimate the role it has in the development of facial hair, as the inability to grow a beard is much more likely to be down to genetics.
The "4-week beard rule" is a guideline for new beard growers to wait at least four weeks before significant trimming, allowing natural growth patterns to emerge, revealing potential patchiness, and giving you a better sense of your beard's potential shape before shaping it, while only cleaning up the neckline. This initial month helps avoid resetting growth and provides a clearer picture for styling later.
Social Psychology
A study by Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire found that bearded men are perceived as 38% less generous, 36% less caring, and 51% less cheerful than clean-shaven men. It is thought that clean-shaven men are easier to get on with and integrate better with others.
Beards Make You Look More Masculine
One 2013 study published in Evolution & Human Behavior found that women's ratings of a man's masculinity increased right alongside his level of facial hair.
Not being able to grow a beard is a hard feeling to grapple with, but there might be some science-based reasons for it. Genetics is usually the main reason, but it might also have to do with age, ethnicity, testosterone, underlying conditions like alopecia, diet, exercise, or stress.
What Foods Help Beard Growth?
It could be due to genetics, hormone imbalances, or even health conditions. Genetics: As mentioned earlier, genetics play a significant role in the growth of facial hair. If your family has a history of patchy beards or slow facial hair growth, chances are you may experience similar issues.
Because of these pressures, some LGBT+ individuals may choose to enter relationships with partners of the opposite gender as a way to protect themselves. In this case, the partner is called a "beard." Sometimes the "beard" knows the truth and agrees to help, but other times they may not know.