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Will hairy faces jump the shark? Study rates attractiveness of men with beards

theconversation.com

BEARDS STILL RULE

Though a recent Australian study claims that women find beards less attractive when there are lots of beards to choose from, the women of the University of Missouri-Kansas City apparently don’t concur.

Of five women who spoke with The Star about beard preferences on a recent weekday on campus, all said they prefer at least some sort of scruff on a guy’s cheeks — evidence that the beard’s reign likely isn’t done yet.

“I prefer beards because it makes guys look more mature. But not disheveled beards, because I’m not into hipsters.” — Leslie Young

“I think they’re more attractive. More and more guys are wearing beards, and I think it’s because it makes them look older. If I see someone who has a beard and then they shave it, it’s like ‘baby face.’ ” — Allie DeRaedt

“I like when there’s not a full caveman beard, but when it’s trimmed and they take care of it.” — Marina Shortino

“You have to be able to pull it off. If you can pull it off, go for it.” — Natalia Chavez

“I like the scruffiness; it makes them look manly. Maybe not a really long (beard), but I’m down for the scruffiness.” — Megan Newton

This story was originally published April 25, 2014 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Will hairy faces jump the shark? Study rates attractiveness of men with beards."

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