Beards are on-trend right now and there's hardly a guy who hasn't at least dabbled in growing one. But do women actually like beards? We decided to put everyone's mind at rest and go to the source — by actually asking women their real opinions on facial hair.
This post may have affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission on purchases through the links (at no extra cost to you). This does not change our opinion but does help support the site. Thank you!
Apparently, there are some (extremely) strong opinions in both camps, so read on.
Team Beard Love
These women gave a resounding "yes!" to their love of a sexy beard. Whether it's better for kissing or giving a distinguished masculine edge, they love the bearded look.
The most attractive beards are those that are well-groomed.
"In my personal experience, I have found that the most attractive beards are those that are well-groomed, healthy-looking, and complement the man's overall appearance.
A beard that is well-maintained and shaped can enhance a man's features and add to his attractiveness. On the other hand, a scraggly, unkempt beard can have the opposite effect."
— Akirashanti Byrd / Owner / Curl Centric
Heck, yes!
"In answer to the question "Do Women Really Like Beards?" I can say heck, yes! I enjoy the rugged look of a beard and I feel it makes a man look more distinctive.
My favorite type of beard is a little longer than close-cropped, but after encouraging my husband to keep growing his beard out and now he has a beard that reaches down to his chest, I can also say I enjoy longer beards, as well."
— Angela Propes / Owner & Maker / farragio
A beard makes your jawline appear stronger and more mature.
"Women perceive men with beards as more aggressive and manly, which are both potentially some of the qualities my clients look for in a partner.
Because they provide the appearance of an older man, beards are also popular with ladies who appreciate social awareness and respect. Additionally, it makes your jawline appear stronger and more mature."
— Sameera Sullivan / Relationship expert / Sameera Sullivan Website
Beards will forever be on trend!
"I like my man with a scruffy beard. I like it clean and well-groomed but scruffy. The most attractive facial hair is the beard + mustache combination, there's just something aesthetically pleasing about the alignment. It makes any man more attractive.
The worst thing about a beard or being shaven is hair bumps. It's a real turn-off for me. Beards will forever be on trend. I wouldn't want my man without one. In my opinion, a nicely scruffy beard is always a fashion-forward beauty staple."
— Pilar Scratch / Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist / Instagram Pilar Scratch
Lumberjack beards are the best beards on the market.
"I prefer men with beards! Lumberjack beards are the best beards on the market. A full beard like a lumberjack gives off groomed, grown men vibes. The best thing about beards is their overall appearance. The worst thing about beards is when men want to shave it off but you're not sure how they will look without it.”
— Shantise Michelle / Celebrity Hairstylist / Instagram Shantise Michelle
I like the heavy stubble bearded men.
"I like men with beards more than men with clean-shaven faces. I like the heavy stubble bearded men, which is particularly about 10 days of not shaving. It is a dominant style that shows the maturity and aggression of a man."
— Alice Rawling / Hair Stylist & Chief Editor / Hairdo Hairstyle
Beards are likely to remain popular in the coming years.
"There is no one answer to this question, as women’s opinions of beards vary greatly. Some women prefer men with beards, while others find them scruffy or unkempt. However, the majority of women seem to prefer a trimmed and tidy beard over a lumberjack beard or scruffy stubble.
The best thing about beards is that they can make men look more masculine and powerful. Beards can also make men seem older and more distinguished. The worst thing about beards is that they can be itchy and difficult to maintain.
Beards are likely to remain popular in the coming years. They are seen as a symbol of masculinity and power, and many women find them attractive. However, as always, personal preference will vary."
— Rebecca Keller / Head of Diversity, Health & Lifestyle / Debt Bombshell
Team Clean-Shaven
These ladies are all about the clean-shaven look. Whether it's for smoother kissing or avoiding the lumber-jack vibe, these women would like you to shave your damn face already.
The Clean Shave style is gaining popularity.
"It has been proven that women perceive a clean-shaven appearance to be more beautiful than a beard; nevertheless, while a beard style may earn you more respect, it is unlikely to result in more dates. The Clean Shave style is gaining popularity.
However, some women still find guys with beards attractive. Here are some of the most attractive male facial hair:
- Faded Beard
For males with square and oval faces, this look is ideal. It is accomplished by blending the sideburns and beard into the hair.
- Viking Beard
Choose this short style of the Viking beard if you like minimum maintenance. Alternatively, if you prefer to flaunt a sharp beard, consider styling your beard such that it points downward. Men with triangular faces and tapering chins should choose this.
- Short Boxed Beard
The short boxed beard is an angular variant of the corporate beard with a bit more hair around the chin, which helps to highlight the sharper edges of the boxed beard and emphasize the jawline.
The beard fashion trend for fashionable men this year will be distinctive and lovely. There are many possibilities today for medium haircuts, long hairstyles, and short hairstyles with shaving. You can definitely make your personality stand out by choosing one of the beard styles."
— Hannah Sanderson / CEO & Founder / Clever Canadian
Beards make me not want to kiss a guy.
"Beards can make a look… and also break the deal. Beards make me not want to kiss a guy. (For plenty of people, it’s the opposite, so do you, beard guys!)."
— Laurie Parres / Founder / Words Delivered
Beards just bother me hygienically.
"I do not like bearded men. In my opinion, men that are not clean-shaven do not look as professional and well-groomed.
Being a single woman right now who doesn't like beards is hard. As a little bit of a germaphobe, beards just bother me hygienically.
I also think that most men who chose to grow a beard don’t seem to accept the responsibility of upkeep that comes with having a nice-looking beard.
Keeping the bread trimmed, clean, and oiled is really the only way bread looks good. If a man has an unkempt beard, part of me just assumes that that beard is probably dirty too and I don't want to kiss them. That may be harsh, sorry.
Also as a woman, being with a man with a beard can be pretty painful. Having a long make-out session with a bearded man can result in “beard burn” which can take a few days to heal especially if you have sensitive skin.
If I was forced to choose a beard look that I prefer it would be a trimmed 5 o'clock shadow, a little scruffy."
— Rochelle King / Founder / Doodle Dog Daily
I don't like guys with beards so hopefully, they go out of style.
"I like guys with light facial hair and sideburns. The worst is that beards can smell like food someone was eating. I don't like guys with beards so hopefully, they go out of style."
— Denise Styless / Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist / Instagram Denise Styless
I'm over the whole beard trend.
"The worst part about meeting a man who has a beard is that he can never shave it because you don't know how he'll look without a beard. Have you ever dated a man with a beard who turned into a boy after shaving?
Frankly, it's jarring. It's much better to begin dating a guy who doesn't have a beard and then ask him to grow a beard. That way, you'll know what he looks like without a beard, and with a beard."
— Lauren Crain / Digital Marketer / Health Labs
Final Thoughts - Do Women Really Like Beards?
Women’s opinions of beards vary greatly.
"There is no one answer to this question, as women’s opinions of beards vary greatly. Some women prefer men with beards, while others find them scruffy or unkempt. However, the majority of women seem to prefer a trimmed and tidy beard over a lumberjack beard or scruffy stubble."
— Rebecca Keller / Head of Diversity, Health & Lifestyle / Debt Bombshell
It ultimately depends on the individual man and the style of beard they choose.
"In my opinion, men with beards can be attractive, but it ultimately depends on the individual man and the style of beard they choose. I think that well-groomed, neatly trimmed beards can look polished and sophisticated, while scruffy, unkempt beards can give off a laid-back, carefree vibe.
One of the best things about beards is that they can help to add definition and shape to a man's face, giving him a more masculine appearance. On the other hand, the worst thing about beards is that they can be difficult to maintain and can sometimes make a man look unkempt if they are not properly groomed."
I think it totally depends on the person.
I live in the mountains of North Carolina, and there are lots of men who look pretty darn good with a gnarly beard.
My boyfriend is the most handsome man in the world to me, but his beard just a few days after he's shaven is my favorite. As long as men are confident with their decision to grow it out or keep it short, they'll look handsome no matter what!
Other than facial hair....is it weird that I like back hair?!
— Joanna Faith Williams / Fashion & Lifestyle Influencer / Instagram & Pinterest
This is a wonderful question with varied answers.
The truth is, it depends on the man and it depends on the beard. If a man can't grow a proper man beard, clean-shaven is preferred. If the beard is covering a man's lips in any way, clean-shaven is preferred.
If a man can't take care of his beard, clean-shaven is preferred. If the beard is longer than a quarter-inch, clean-shaven is preferred. With all that said, I do prefer a beard to be clean-shaven for two reasons.
One, I am attracted to the masculine look, and, two, a beard is easier on my chin. Many men's clean-shaven face actually destroys my chin when kissing for extended periods of time.
My boyfriend right now is currently creating some kind of darken callous on my chin. Come fall, he'll be growing a beard to protect my chin.
— Vanessa Valiente / Personal Fashion Consultant, Wardrobe Stylist & Writer / Vanessa Valiente / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
Regular care is essential for keeping a beard looking good.
"I could not live without my beard, plus it hides my double chin. So here's my answer to this question: What’s essential in keeping a beard looking good?
- Cleanliness: Keeping your beard clean is important for maintaining its appearance and preventing irritation. Use a beard shampoo and conditioner to gently cleanse and nourish your beard.
- Trimming: Trimming your beard regularly can help to keep it looking neat and well-groomed. Use a beard trimmer or scissors to keep the length and shape consistent.
- Moisturizing: Using a beard oil or balm can help to moisturize and condition your beard, reducing dryness and promoting a healthy, shiny appearance.
- Styling: If you want to style your beard, consider using a beard wax or pomade to shape and hold the desired style in place.
- Regular care: Regular care is essential for keeping a beard looking good. This includes washing, trimming, and moisturizing your beard on a regular basis, as well as paying attention to any issues such as dryness, split ends, or dandruff."
— Carl Ashfield / Sell my Watches
Make sure your neck gets some attention.
"Make sure your neck gets some attention. A beard or mustache sometimes extends down to the neck. It's up to you to decide where your neckline begins, but most barbers agree that it's around two fingers above Adam's apple (if you have one) or where the back of your neck meets the bottom of your face.
Even if you plan to let your beard grow long, shaving below the neckline is a necessary step in maintaining a neat appearance and avoiding the formation of a neckbeard. To avoid irritating the skin in this area, shave with the grain rather than against it after applying shaving cream, gel, or oil. To avoid skin discomfort and ingrown hairs, your blade should always be sharp."
— Katie Adam / Mental Health First Aid Trainer / Skills Training Group
Bearded men are far and away preferred over clean-shaven men!
"As a USA Today bestselling romance author, I am an expert on what women want with respect to men’s facial hair. In August 2022, I polled my readers on this very question, and bearded men are far and away preferred over clean-shaven men - at least in my reader's fantasy lives!"
— Danika Bloom / USA Today bestselling author
The 5 o’clock shadow stubble - never goes out of style for me.
"I have been around men's grooming for a long time - what will never go out of style for me? The 5 o’clock shadow stubble - as long as the neckline is sharp and cleaned up. You look like you are just the right amount rugged but probably own a nice suit and smell good. A no-go? the neck beard."
— Alexia Donovan / Director of Client Services / Barber Surgeons Guild
I love good scruff!
"I love a good scruff! If you’re bold enough to grow a beard, make sure it compliments your style and take the proper steps to maintain it well. By utilizing shampoo, conditioner, oils, and balms, you can take a beard from sad to rad overnight. Facial hair, or lack thereof, is a statement piece that pairs well with fashion. I don’t see it going anywhere soon."
— Stacia Kelley / Artistic Director / Sport Clips Haircuts
In the end, like everything in life, it boils down to confidence and personal preference. If you want to try a beard, find a beard style that fits your personality.
A few women might not mind the lumber-jack look but most will be happier if it's tidy and well-cared for.
Meanwhile, if you feel better clean-shaven, just own it and know that beards will (eventually) go out of fashion. Upgrade your shaving routine to make it an enjoyable ritual and banish ingrown hair and razor burn.
On the fence? Stubble is your friend. It's rare to find something simultaneously sexy, simple and stylish but there you go.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.