Summary:
- Shape: Male eyebrows are typically straight and flat with minimal arching, often aligning with the supraorbital rim. This straighter contour is associated with trustworthiness and is considered attractive due to its masculine appearance.
- Width (Thickness): Naturally thicker eyebrows are generally preferred in men, symbolizing maturity. While darker and thicker brows are hypothesized to be attractive, preferences vary by age—young individuals tend to favor darker brows, while older individuals prefer thicker ones. However, excessive thickness can visually crowd the eye area and reduce attractiveness.
- Contrast: Higher contrast between the eyebrow and surrounding skin (e.g., darker brows) enhances male attractiveness, especially among younger individuals. Low-contrast (lighter) eyebrows are rated as less attractive. This contrast is a sexually dimorphic trait that enhances facial definition.
- Density: Full, densely packed brows are seen as a desirable male trait. They signal masculinity and are a prominent visual cue in male facial attractiveness.
- Grooming: A natural, bushy appearance—especially when straight—is often regarded as appealing. Such brows reflect ruggedness and minimal grooming, reinforcing masculine features and sexual dimorphism.
Overall, the most attractive male eyebrows are characterized by straight, thick, dense, and naturally bushy traits that highlight masculine features and maintain balance within the upper third of the face.
Research:
The characteristics associated with an attractive male eyebrow can be described as follows, noting that the concept of an “ideal” brow is subjective and influenced by factors like age, culture, ethnicity, and fashion.
Eyebrow Shape: Male eyebrows tend to be described as straighter and flatter in contour, with little arch present. They are generally less arched than female brows and may have no arch in the outer third. Some sources state the male brow arches along the supraorbital rim rather than above it. Straight eyebrows have also been related to the perception of trustworthiness, and straight bushy eyebrows are identified as a feature that would attract attention in terms of male attractiveness.
Eyebrow Width (Thickness): Studies on preferences have indicated that naturally thicker eyebrows are preferred in men. One study specifically hypothesized that darker and thicker brows would be rated as more attractive in men, although its results found that the original eyebrow was preferred overall, and within younger participants, darker eyebrows were preferred, while older participants preferred thicker eyebrows. Thick eyebrows are listed as a feature indicating maturity in an attractive man’s face.
An overly thick eyebrow band might visually crowd the eye area or disrupt the balance of the upper third of the face, potentially making the eyes appear smaller or less prominent, which can affect perceived attractiveness.
Eyebrow Contrast: Preferences regarding eyebrow color in men have been explored, with one study hypothesizing that darker brows would be perceived as more attractive for males.
The results of that study indicated that only lighter eyebrows were significantly less attractive than the original for male participants. Within younger participants, darker eyebrows were preferred, and naturally darker eyebrows are preferred in men. Facial contrast, including the luminance difference between the eyebrow and surrounding skin, is a sexually dimorphic trait.
Eyebrow Density: Male brows are noted as being thicker, and heavier, mentioned in the context of male attractiveness. These descriptions suggest that a key visual characteristic of the male brow, as perceived and discussed in the literature, involves a substantial amount of hair within the brow area – in other words, high density or fullness.
Eyebrow Grooming: The research finds that “straight bushy eyebrows” are a facial feature in the upper third of the face that attracts attention or interest when seeking male attractiveness. Bushy eyebrows are suggested to be attractive in males because their fullness, thickness, and natural, unshaped quality are strongly linked in the sources to desirable male traits like masculinity and ruggedness. They enhance sexual dimorphism, distinguishing male faces, and align with a preference for natural, unmanipulated appearances that are characteristic of male brows.
References
- Changes in Eyebrow Position and Shape with Aging. Val Lambros, M.D. Newport Beach, Calif. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19935316/
- The Beautiful Eye. Charles R. Volpe, MD, Oscar M. Ramirez, MD https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16253836/
- The Beautiful Eye: Perception of Beauty in the Periocular Area. Adam G. Buchanan and John B. Holds https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226343365_The_Beautiful_Eye_Perception_of_Beauty_in_the_Periocular_Area
- BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE(BROW) OF THE BEHOLDER: PERCEIVED ATTRACTIVENESS RELATED TO EYEBROW CHARACTERISTICS. A Thesis By RACHEL SALAMONE ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1308-8393 California State University, Fullerton Fall, 2022 https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/3b591h38r
- Aesthetic analysis of the ideal eyebrow shape and position. Esin Yalc¸ınkaya, Cemal Cingi, Hakan So¨ken, Sec¸kin Ulusoy, Nuray Bayar Muluk https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25348339/
- Enhancements in Clinical Practice in the Contemporary. Landscape of Male Facial Attractiveness. Javier Anido 1,*, Nozay Guzmán 2, Marta Serna 3, Jesús Quero 4 and Pedro Santos 5 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384176047_Enhancements_in_Clinical_Practice_in_the_Contemporary_Landscape_of_Male_Facial_Attractiveness
