Roxy Olin

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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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 larger lower lip is more attractive than a smaller one?

Larger and fuller lower lips are considered more attractive among females, as they signify youth, femininity, and reproductive health. A recent medical publication highlighted that fuller lips in relation to facial width, along with greater vermilion height, contribute to beauty. This finding is supported by another study that explains that a more prominent lower lip has a significant impact on facial attractiveness, as it influences the perception of chin prominence. Similarly, a study stated that women with large lips and average length and width ratios are more attractive than those with narrow lips. Moreover, some researchers noted that aging reduces collagen synthesis and tissue layers, causing lips to appear deflated, thus associating full lips with youth. Additionally, a research study found that the most appealing lip dimensions for women had a surface area 53.5% larger than their natural size and an upper lip to lower lip ratio of 1:2, with a 2:1 ratio being deemed the least 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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Understanding the Enchanting Effect of a Small Bi-Zygomatic Width in Females

Research studies indicate that the bi-zygomatic width, the distance between the two cheekbones, tends to differ between genders. According to a 2019 study by Lakhiani and Somenek, men usually have a larger bi-zygomatic width than women, giving them broader cheekbones. However, this does not diminish the prominence of cheekbones in women. Despite a smaller bi-zygomatic width, women often have a more forward-facing, or anterior, zygomatic prominence, making their cheekbones appear high and noticeable, a trait typically viewed as attractive. Another study aligns with these findings, reaffirming that men generally have wider cheekbones compared to women. Thus, these studies highlight that while women tend to have a smaller bi-zygomatic width, it is coupled with a distinctive zygomatic prominence, contributing to the unique and appealing facial features observed in females.

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