Since the pandemic, my husband has not had a haircut and has not shaved regularly. My favourite look for my husband is clean-shaven and short hair. Fortunately for me, the barber shops opened again in our city a few days ago. My husband loves his beard and told me that many people find beards attractive. I disagree, but decided to see if there was any literature on the topic.

I found an interesting study published in August 2016 in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology that compared computer graphic manipulation to morph male faces varying in facial hair from clean-shaven, light stubble, heavy stubble and full beards. Women were assigned to rate these images for sexual attractiveness and for either short-term or long-term relationships. 

Beardedness was correlated with increased masculinity and may be more attractive when judging long-term relationships and not short-term relationships. 

What are your thoughts on facial hair and haircuts?