Helen Hunt

Why is a larger ratio of Mouth Width to Nose Width attractive?

Studies suggest that the ratio between mouth width and nose width plays a significant role in determining a person's perceived attractiveness. Specifically, research such as the study titled 'Differences in horizontal, neoclassical facial canons in Chinese(Han) and North American Caucasian populations' has shed light on the ideal mouth-to-nose ratio.According to this study, it is generally considered more attractive for the mouth width to be approximately 1.5 times larger than the nose width.In other words, if the mouth is of a similar size or smaller than the nose, it may not be perceived as attractive.These findings provide valuable insights into the importance of the mouth-to - nose ratio when evaluating facial attractiveness.

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Why larger eyes are considered more attractive?

Sexual selection and male mate choice favours females with dimorphic sexual ornaments; features such as “neotentic faces, high-pitched voices, and fatty breasts and hips attract male investment” (Puts, 2010). Neotenic features (or a baby-like facial resemblance) such as big eyes, small round faces and high voices are thought to attract male care and affection by exploiting the primal male impulse to protect infants. This concept is further bolstered by many scientific studies. Men, simply, prefer women with big eyes. Out of the many studies of facial aesthetics and mate choice preferences, a woman’s eye size (and nose size) are often found to be the biggest influences for her overall facial attractiveness (Przlipiak et al, 2018). When the eye is lengthened horizontally, it creates the perception that the eye is bigger (Zhao et al, 2019).

The Medical University of Białystok conducted an experiment, digitally increasing the eye size of female participants to increase their attractiveness(Przlipiak et al, 2018).These researchers further cemented this finding, by also showing that reducing the eye size also decreases attractiveness.There is a general consensus across scientific literature that “wider eyes make females more attractive” (Baudouin and Tiberghien, 2004; Przlipiak et al, 2018) and that overall “larger eyes[are found to be] more attractive” (Geldart et al, 1999; Baudouin & Tiberghein, 2004; Matsushita et al, 2015).

In a conference paper presented by Mitsuhiro & Kitaoka, (2016) eye roundness(calculated as eye height / eye width) and the proportion of the eye covered by the iris compared to the whole eye both increased the perceived likeability, attractiveness and beauty of females. Interestingly, larger eye size not only increases the attractiveness of women but also supplements her perceived social characteristics: such as making a woman appear more honest(Atoum and Al - Simadi 2000), competent and warm(Goncalves et al, 2015).Together, by increasing both the impression of positive social characteristics, and overall female beauty; longer eye length has a strong and well-demonstrated effect on female attractiveness.

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What makes a shorter chin more attractive than a longer one?

A study at School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, UK by Perrett found that “very attractive female faces have more feminine features (a smaller chin and higher cheekbones)”.

The scientific paper by Thayer et al showed that males typically have “larger and more projecting lateral tubercles at the base of the chin” and this longer and broader chin phenotype is used to help us discern males from females.It should come as no surprise then, that females with longer chins are typically rated as less attractive, as this is more fitting with the attractive male face shape.

When men were asked to rate the attractiveness of women in a study (Cunningham et al 1986), an interesting observation developed: they preferred baby - like features.A small chin, a small nose and big eyes were not only preferred, but dictated the men’s likelihood to date, help and be sexually attracted to these women.The study quotes “Smaller chins were found to be desirable for women”.

Valenzano et al(2006) show that, Sexual differences in the female during their foetal development usually result in “horizontal reduction of the chin, [and] forward movement of the gonion(jaw angle)”. This aesthetic change in the developing female’s chin, helps create an ‘attractive shape’.

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Why is a smaller Bi-gonial width attractive among females?

Research has shown that a smaller bi-gonial width, the distance between the jaw’s two angles, is deemed attractive in females due to the resulting narrower facial appearance. Little et al. (2011) suggested a smaller bi-gonial width might be seen as attractive in females because it’s a pronounced female trait. Additionally, Jung et al. (2018) discovered that both male and female participants found a slimmer, tapered jawline or a more confined lower face attractive, associating it with feminine and aesthetic qualities. Lakhiani and Somenek (2019) added that a narrower mandibular width gives females a softer jaw angle, which is more obtuse by around 2.7 degrees compared to men, offering a gentler, feminine look. A 2022 study by Moradinejad et al. revealed that a narrower bi-gonial width, ideally less than the zygomatic width, is universally preferred. With 127 participants assessing images, professionals found a 72.53% intergonial to inter-zygomatic ratio most appealing, while the general public favored 74.45%, suggesting a universally narrower preference.

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Why is a shorter mouth length better than longer one?

The study at University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA by Schmid (et al, 2008) finds that “smaller noses, a larger distance between the eyes, and smaller widths of the mouth are desirable traits for females.”. Some studies have found that women with a small mouth were rated attractive, because they are supposed to demonstrate high oestrogen levels and thus optimal fertility hormone profiles (Fink et al, 2005 : Thornhill & Gangestad, 1999 : Johnston & Franklin, 1993).

The mouth length (or intercommissural width) plays a vital role in the perception of female beauty. In a study conducted by Przlipiak et al, (2018), 40.7% of participants preferred a digitally reduced mouth size when examining a female face. This preference for a smaller mouth in women was also higher than the preference for enlarged lips (29.1%). Another study (Fan et al, 2012) used computer simulations to investigate human preferences for each facial feature. They reported that a fascinating interaction occurs when we assess the attractiveness of mouth width. We prefer mouth width to correspond to interocular distance (or the distance between the eyes) at a ratio of 1.618. In other words, we find mouths that are over 1.5 times wider than the gap between our eyes the most attractive. So we should in general, prefer smaller mouth lengths especially when the eyes are set closely together.