Do Women Like Beards? What Science and Real Women Say

Beards are undeniably a part of today's cultural zeitgeist. From dating apps for beard lovers to No-Shave November—yes, an entire month dedicated to growing facial hair—beards seem to be everywhere. The market is flooded with beard-care products, glitter beards are an actual trend, and there's even a recognized phobia of beards (pogonophobia), and dating apps for beard lovers. If that doesn't prove that beards have made their mark, what does?

Still, plenty of men ask: Do women like beards? The short answer: It depends on the woman, the man, and the style. Fortunately, this isn't just casual barbershop chatter. Researchers have explored women's perceptions of men with beards.

Unlike eyelashes or eyebrows, facial hair has no clear evolutionary purpose. So, are beards just a style choice? Not exactly. 

Because beards are unique to men, they may function much like colorful plumage or complex birdsong in the animal kingdom, as a way to attract mates. And according to science, a lot of factors play into how sexy your beard might be to a woman. We’ve listed them below.

(Also, if you want to make the most of your beard, check out our guides to biotin and beard growth and beard dandruff.)

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. This finding was especially notable among women in the fertile window of their menstrual cycle. However, this increase in perceived masculinity didn’t always translate into higher ratings of overall attractiveness.

Similarly, research from 2020 explored how people perceive bearded vs. clean-shaven men in sales and service roles. Researchers found that people were more likely to describe the bearded men as masculine, knowledgeable, and authoritative.

Why does all of this matter? Well,evidence shows men who appear more masculine score higher with women than men who don’t. But remember, it's about overall masculinity (think body type, persona, posture, etc.), not just facial hair, since preferences for facial features vary from woman to woman.

Beards May Signal Dominance

Early research once suggested that beards signaled “alpha male” dominance to other men. More recent studies, however, argue that the idea may be a little overblown, so there’s no need to slather on beard growth oil to intimidate the dating competition. 

But, newer research still connects dominance and beards, and older science tells us dominant men may be more attractive to women, though this is largely debatable. Either way, growing a beard probably doesn’t hurt.

Beards Can Change How You Appear Emotionally

One study indicates people perceive bearded faces as more aggressive or angry than clean-shaven ones. According to the study, people more easily recognize anger in bearded men, but have a harder time picking up on softer emotions like sadness.

On the flip side, when bearded guys smile, they’re often rated as friendlier and more helpful than clean-shaven men. 

All in all, if you’re trying to impress a woman with your beard, make sure you do it with a smile.

Men With Beards Seem More Caring And Ambitious

This one may surprise you. The 2013 study mentioned above found that men with full beards were rated highest for perceived parenting ability and overall health.

Another study discovered that men who want to work on growing their facial hair may be more motivated to care for children, linking beard growing ambition with nurturing instincts. 

So a bearded guy might catch a woman’s eye if she’s seeking a partner for family life.

Men With Beards Are Perceived As More Mature

In one study, women from two different ethnic backgrounds (New Zealand Europeans and Samoans) perceived bearded men as older and of higher social status, even if they didn't necessarily find them more physically attractive.

While the data points to patterns, individual preferences vary a lot. So, we asked women directly how they feel about beards, and here’s what they said:

Women Like Well-Groomed Beards

• “I love the look of a beard, hate it if they are super long or unkempt.” —Sarah*

• “I like a full beard, but still well-groomed. Not into unkempt, scraggly, or unwashed beards.” —Erica

• “I love beards that are cleaned and kept neat because it shows that a man cares for himself.” —Kelly

• “I feel like it’s a male accessory. It’s fun to see people try different things. Love the ‘beard stache’ and wish my partner could pull it off!” —Anne

Women Find Beards Masculine

Why do women like beards? Nearly all of the 16 women we surveyed indicated, via a multiple-choice question, that they find beards masculine or associate them with ruggedness and adventure.

• “I think beards can look very masculine and draw attention to a sharp jaw. They also seem to make eyes and other features pop.” —Bridget

Some Women Dig the Bald & Beard Combo

• “A nicely groomed beard on a bald man adds interest, just as a good hairstyle does on any person. The addition of color and texture is eye-catching.” —Maggie*

• “I think it can be a good way to complement a man’s facial features and shape, and if it’s a well-kept beard, I perceive it as a positive sign for self-care.” —Kimberly

• “Something about the bald-beard combo tells my lady parts that he wants you to grab and caress his head while nuzzling his beard into your face. I think this may be more of a personal thing about what I want to do with a man — it’s primal.” —Kelly

• “I don’t mind the look, but don’t love it. I think it works better when the beard is fairly short and well-manicured.” —Anne

Some Women Love Short Beard Styles

• “I love how short beards and/or stubble feel to touch and how they frame their mouth,” —Kimberly

• “I don't like a beard that is too long and looks stringy or greasy. Beards need shampooing, too!” —Megan*

• “I really dislike a long, unruly beard, especially if it seems dirty. Short or medium-length beards that are nicely trimmed can be very attractive. A man with a weak chin line is often a bit more attractive with a beard.” Maggie*

Some Women Find Beards Scratchy

• “I love how beards look, hate how it irritates my skin when I make out with a bearded guy. I also hate when guys trim their beards and leave the little beard hairs all over the sink.” —Helena D.

• “It hurts when you kiss!” —Hannah*

Some Women Prefer A Clean Shave

• “I don’t really like beards because it feels like making out with one of those bristle brushes for horses. I’m more attracted to feminine-looking men so a little beard may be okay, but a long beard is too lumberjack for me. Even like a beard like the other Kelce brother, that’s not Travis, it's just too big for my taste,” —Renée M

• Another woman mentioned that beards reminded her too much of her dad, so she wasn’t a fan.

Here’s what we know:

• In the 2013 study above, men with heavy stubble scored highest on overall attractiveness.

• Meanwhile, a 2008 study indicated that light stubble was the most attractive and was also preferred for both short- and long-term relationships.

• On the flip side, research from 2020 found that nearly 44 percent of women surveyed preferred clean-shaven faces, with heavy stubble and light stubble following closely behind.

So, is there a clear winner? Not really. Preferences shift with trends, culture, and personal taste.

It's tough to declare a universal "yes" or "no" to whether women like beards. Here are the key takeaways:

• Preferences vary widely. Some women love a thick, groomed beard, while others prefer stubble or a smooth shave.

• Grooming matters. Clean, well-maintained beards generally win over wild, scruffy ones. Caring for your facial hair with beard balm and beard oil shows self-care and can sharpen your look. You can even get treatment if you have hair loss that affects the beard area.

• Beards convey more than attraction. Women may see beards as signs of masculinity, maturity, or nurturing ability, but others see them as scratchy or hard to kiss.

Ultimately, your confidence and grooming habits may matter more than the presence of hair on your face.