Dear Anon-O-Box,
I usually keep a small, and trimmed, beard since I look like I’m 15 without it. I’ve always been told that the majority of women dislike facial hair on their dates. How much validity is there to this and am I seriously hindering my dating efforts?
Doesn’t Want to Look Like Wesley Crusher
Dear Not-Wesley,
What’s wrong with Wesley Crusher? He’s so adorable. (Then again, I’ve always been more of a Picard girl myself…) Oh right, we’re not playing Screw, Shoot or Marry using the stars of TNG. I’m supposed to be answering your question about facial hair.
Well, here’s the deal…
The Science
A study done last year in the UK asked women aged 18 to 44 to judge photos of men that had been digitally altered to show stages of furriness ranging from clean-shaven up to full beard.
It came to the following conclusions:
- Women preferred men with stubble over bearded and clean-shaven men.
- Stubbly-faced men were seen as more masculine, dominant, and mature.
- Men with stubble were also seen as the best romantic partners.
- Fully bearded men were judged to be more mature (and 5 years older than their actual age).
- Lightly bearded men were seen as dominant.
- Clean-shaven men scored at the bottom for nearly every category.
Of course, these are UK ladies. I wonder if US ladies would have the same opinions! Looking at some of the sexy men in the movies and on TV, there are certainly many that sport stubble or facial hair of some sort.
My Advice for You
If you feel you look too young without a beard, keep the beard. The older, more masculine look will probably be a safer bet than looking like a teenager.
Keep your facial hair groomed and under control, though! A little stubble is one thing. A full grown neck beard is another.
If you are doing online dating, I’d recommend including at least one picture of yourself with your “alternative” facial hair (or lack thereof). That way, women can see you both ways, and if she really likes your clean-shaven babyface, she can convince you to shave once you’ve been dating for a while.
Happy dating, not Wesley!
About Anon-O-Box
While I don’t have any experience with the opposite sex and facial hair (something we can all agree is more than a little off-putting), I’ve been bearded, mutton-chopped, goateed and clean shaven. All I have to go off of is the hopefully honest opinion of my wife.
When I grew a beard on a whim, she loved the way it looked, and you’re right — it does age a person (which has benefits for 20- and 30-somethings tired of being treated like an intern at work). Although my wife never admitted it, though, I don’t think she ever liked the way it felt.
For what it’s worth, I shaved it off a few weeks ago and her kisses have been much more intense. : ) … I hope that counts for something.
I think that E is right — include a clean shaven profile pic in addition to your bearded one.
.-= Josh´s last blog ..The Craziest Heads of Man-Hair in Science Fiction =-.
Ok first. I absolutely adore Wil Wheaton. He is my total dream geek. Next would be Leonard from Big Bang Theory. So if you look anything like Wesley than that’s not a bad thing. It depends on the man. A groomed goatee can be very sexy. =) (as long as you keep the maintenance up).
Here’s my catch-all statement: all men are sexier with facial hair. There’s something rugged and primal about the whole thing and I agree with Not-Wesley: a lot of men look like 15 year olds without the hair.
I’ve always been a fan of facial hair. All of it, any of it.
And the feel has never bothered me.
But I’ve been told I’m weird.
=)
Facial hair is always an odd call. I can lumberjack out in a week if I don’t watch it, but I keep a neat and trimmed and it seems ok. There are definitely some girls who don’t like it, but it all depends on the girl’s tastes.
Personally, I am a fan of beards. Trimmed is better – and I really like the scruffy stubble look, but an actual beard is less prickly. I’m not a fan of the clean-shaven look – plus it’s really easy to go from clean-shaven to painfully prickly in the space of a day.
I’m really not too picky as long as a guy sticks to a look and keeps it cleaned up.
But E — fluctuating a look is fun and only takes a couple weeks to regrow a short beard! Plus, it keeps the Feds on their toes, constantly having to update my wanted posters.
.-= Josh´s last blog ..The Craziest Heads of Man-Hair in Science Fiction =-.
I definitely do like the scruffy look on some guys….but I get crazy-bad beard burn, so I’m kind of on the fence for this one.