Recent research suggests, however, that beards are indeed appealing, perhaps because of their growing popularity and prevalence in media. What's definitely clear, Dixson says, is that facial hair makes men look more mature, masculine, socially dominant and aggressive.

Most women noted that they found men with beards better looking and wanted to have a long-term relationship with them, while clean-shaven faces were chosen more for short-term relationships. A possible explanation for this could be that beardedness might be considered “a signal of intrasexual formidability and the potential to provide direct benefits to females.”