This is why I’m hot. This is why I’m hot. I’m hot ’cause I’m fly, you ain’t cause you not. This is why, this is why, this is why I’m hot. But not actually, MIMS. Being hot has nothing to do with being fly. Really, you’re hot because you’re extraordinary average. Don’t get me wrong, everybody has their own definition of attractiveness, but in reality, our taste isn’t different as we may believe. When it comes down to it, our attractiveness can almost be based down to a science.
One major part of what defines attractiveness is symmetry. The two sides of your face are supposed to be mirror images of each other, but genetic mutations and environmental pressures often interfere with this process. For this reason, the better your symmetry, the better it appears your genetics to be. Numerous studies, according to FOX news, ask people to rank attractiveness in the opposite sex. Repeatedly, studies show those with more symmetrical features are ranked to appear healthier and more attractive. “It makes sense to use symmetry variation in mate choice,” said evolutionary biologist Randy Thornhill “If you choose a perfectly symmetrical partner and reproduce with them, your offspring will have a better chance of being symmetric and able to deal with perturbations.” See how symmetrical your face is!
In addition, an optimal distances were found. For example, it is strongly preferred when the distance between your eyes and mouth measures 36% of the length of your whole face. It is also preferred when the measurement between just your eyes equals 46% of your faces width (Huffington Post). This is precisely why some people look better with bangs: it shortens the apparent look of your face.
While attraction starts with the face, body shape does play a role. Regardless of size, men tend to have a desired preference for women with significantly narrower waist than hips.. aka the hour glass figure. Which doesn’t come as that much of a shock- just look at Marilyn Monroe or Miss America. According to Fox, “whether person will have enough energy to care for offspring Where fat is deposited on the body is determined by sex hormones, if produces proper amount of estrogen then waist hip ratio will fall into desired range. These women less susceptible to diseases- cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes. Less difficulty conceiving.”
So, before you go getting bangs or loading on the makeup to make your face more symmetrical, remember the cliches: “happiest girls are the prettiest” and you create your own definition of beauty. Whether the distance between your eyes and mouth measures 36% of the length of your face or 400000000000%, beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Interesting post, Sara! I actually have heard about the want for a mate with a symmetrical face before, and the whole hour glass figure being more preferrable for men in finding a mate. I also have heard that the color red makes people appear more attractive, so I researched as to why that is. A study conducted at University of Rochester showed that women who are wearing red are much more likely to be thought of as “attractive and sexually desirable” by men. But why? Scientists think that red mimicks how hormones affect women’s skin, making them blush more during ovulation, showing that they are fertile. Check out more about this here! http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-02/are-women-who-wear-red-more-attractive
I don’t think face symmetry is something often discussed on a day-to-day basis. Personally, I don’t look at someone and say, “Oh his face is symmetrical…he’s pretty cute.” It’s so unrealistic to even think that way. Honestly, I can’t even draw a symmetrical circle, so why would I judge someone based off of symmetry? I found this interesting article that describes not only the facial features of a person being attractive, but a man’s chest and woman’s hip to waist ratio. I never knew these extremely specific features of a person’s body could be viewed as “attractive.”
Hi Sara,
I actually found this post very interesting because I have heard about these statistics before. It just blows my mind about the whole ”symmetrical” thing, because I still really don’t understand what that means. I found this article online that dealt with seeing your face in a symmetrical view, and honestly, I wouldn’t even recognize myself. I have a very round almost baby face, and I’ll probably never grow out of it. In those morphed pictures on the website, it shows the same person but morphed how a symmetrical face is supposed to look, and it’s a bit of an eye-opener for me. I have always been more attracted to guys that have defined jaw lines. Could this subconscious predisposition be what makes me look for that? Who knows. Maybe guys prefer women with symmetrical faces, but did you know that according to this article, girls prefer guys with baby faces? Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.