Does Growing a Beard Change Women’s Attraction to You?

At 25, I made the decision to grow out a clean, solid beard for the first time. The experience has been eye-opening, to say the least. While some might argue that the change has had little to no impact on how women perceive me, my direct observations suggest otherwise. In this article, we’ll explore how growing a beard can affect your attraction status with women.

How Growing a Beard Affects Attraction

According to my experience, growing a beard has led to a noticeable change in the kind of attention I receive from women. Specifically, I have found that my clean, well-groomed beard has attracted a different demographic of women:

Less attention from younger women and girls around my age More attention from women in their mid-30s or older Occasionally, I feel invisible among younger women or women around my age

While it is true that women still show interest in me, my beard has not made all of them change their minds. Some women are genuinely impressed, while others find it off-putting. It’s essential to learn to take both compliments and criticisms gracefully.

A Personal Observation

I started growing a beard about three years ago on a whim. Given my position as a school employee, having a bit of facial hair seemed to align with my appearance standards. Interestingly, I received positive feedback from several young women, including three junior high school girls, who commented on how good it looked on me. These women were definitely not my targeted demographic, leading me to speculate that they might be supporting single mothers or aunts.

Similarly, married women have also complemented me on how distinguished and attractive my beard looked. While this feedback is flattering, it might not be the ideal demographic for impressing other single women.

A Slight Digression: A Unsettling Past Experience

As a side note, this experience brings to mind a slightly unsettling incident from my past. During a period when I lived in England for about six months to participate in chess tournaments, I briefly dated a young woman. When I mentioned that I was normally clean-shaven, she responded with surprise, followed by a deflating line: "Ugggh, you'd look terrible without your beard." Her comment highlights the sometimes polarizing effect that a beard can have on perceptions.

Understanding Women’s Attraction to Beards

Ultimately, the evidence suggests that having a beard can significantly change women's attraction to you, particularly in terms of the demographic. Beards are not just a visual enhancement; they have functional benefits as well. For instance, a well-groomed beard can protect the face from UV rays, offering practical advantages. Additionally, the male equivalent of breasts, women often want to touch and feel beards to experience what they don't have themselves.

By addressing the different reactions and understanding the underlying reasons, we can better navigate these changes in attraction.