Meghan Trainor

Why is a smaller nose width better than a wider one?

A smaller nose width is often considered more attractive among females. Research at the George Eastman Dental Hospital found that a nose width smaller than ¼ of the facial width contributes to the perception of beauty. Another study supported this, with 64.8% of respondents preferring reduced nose proportions in women. Additionally, a study reported that the human nose is sexually diamorphic, with males tending to have larger noses than females, making evolutionary preferences for smaller female noses understandable. Furthermore, a study found that a youthful face often features a small nose, large eyes, and full lips, which can contribute to overall attractiveness. A more recent study investigated the neoclassical cannon theory, which proposes that the ideal female nose width is about one-fifth of the facial width. The findings showed deviations from the theory, but generally, noses closer to the average composite were deemed more attractive.

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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 larger ratio of Interpupillary-Width to Bi-Zygomatic-Width Ratio attractive?

Interpupillary Width is the distance between the centers of the pupils of the two eyes, while Bi-Zygomatic Width is the distance between the most prominent points of the cheekbones. A greater ratio of Interpupillary Width to Bi-Zygomatic Width results in the appearance of the eyes being larger in proportion to the rest of the face, which is considered attractive among females. This is because a larger eye area can be associated with youth, attractiveness, and innocence, and contributes to a more aesthetically pleasing and youthful appearance. Various factors, including eye size, distance between eyes, and cheekbone shape, can influence the size of the eye area.

Females find a larger Interpupillary - Width to Bi-Zygomatic - Width Ratio attractive as it contributes to a more expansive external orbital surface area.A research study asked 80 participants aged 30 to 50 years to evaluate the perceived age and attractiveness of female eye regions using digital images. The study authors referred to another study, which found that people tend to prefer faces with a larger soft tissue orbital area and youthful features, which supports the babyfaceness hypothesis of facial attractiveness proposed by Bashour(2006). This suggests that there is a natural tendency to perceive larger orbital areas and youthful features in the eye region as attractive.

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Why a larger upper height is more attractive than a smaller one?

Fuller lips are considered attractive in women, playing a vital role in facial symmetry and aesthetics. A study found that a larger upper lip height relative to the lower lip’s height (with a 1:1.6 ratio) is particularly appealing, especially among young Caucasians. Full lips are associated with youth, femininity, and strong mating potential. Another study from the University of Michigan’s School of Dentistry discovered that the thickness of the upper lip is an essential factor in creating a pleasant smile. Additionally, the thickness of the upper lip is significantly related to the position of the maxillary central incisor. Some suggested that as people age, collagen production declines leading to thinner and flatter lips. These findings suggest that a more prominent upper lip height contributes to overall facial attractiveness and appeal.

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Why a high set eyebrow is more attractive than a low set?

A high eyebrow type is considered more attractive than a low eyebrow type among females. In a study, subjects from various age groups ranked high eyebrows as the most attractive, with low eyebrows receiving the least preference. According to a study, highly set eyebrows are associated with female features.

Two studies confirm that high - set eyebrows are a sexually dimorphic feature. Some found interbrow height to be significantly greater in females than males.Likewise, a study discovered eyebrow height to be significantly larger in women compared to men.

Furthermore, a research study explains that the attractiveness of eye - to - eyebrow distance is influenced by overall face shape.Shorter, rounder faces are considered most attractive with high-set, curved eyebrows, while square or longer faces are perceived as more attractive with lower - set, flatter eyebrows. This relationship suggests that ideal eyebrow placement varies with individual facial aesthetics.

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