Should You Prefer Men With or Without Body Hair ?

In recent years, the debate over male grooming has been a hot topic. From beards to chest hair, and everything in between, preferences seem to vary greatly. In an effort to shed some light on these varying perspectives, we’ll delve into the findings of several studies exploring women’s perceptions of male body hair and men’s own views on grooming.

Women’s perception of male body hair

The numbers speak volumes

According to a study conducted by Ifop in partnership with O’Barbershop, half of the women surveyed preferred men clean-shaven while 45% found bearded men more attractive. A ‘three-day stubble’ was liked by 33% of women, albeit only sported by 24% of men. Interestingly, though 8% of men adorn a ten-day beard, it was favored by a mere 4% of women.

Detailed demographics

Before we progress to our next section focusing on facial attractiveness and grooming habits, one thing is clear – personal preference plays a significant role when it comes to choosing the right look.

The masculine face: bearded or bare for appeal ?

The allure of the three-day stubble

The same Ifop study reported that three-day stubbles were preferred by 33% women, suggesting that a little roughness can indeed add charm. However, only 24% men actually maintain this style.

The paradox of the ten-day beard

Despite 8% men favoring a ten-day beard, only 4% of women showed a liking for this style. This discrepancy points to an interesting disconnect between what men think is attractive and what women actually prefer.

Moving onto another intriguing aspect of male grooming – the debate on chest hair. Does it hold a certain masculine appeal or is smooth the new sexy ? Let’s explore.

The female preferences for a hairy or hairless torso

Smooth over scruffy ?

In a study by Gillette, an overwhelming majority of women (76%) preferred their partners to have a smooth, hairless back, with 75% favoring hair-free shoulders. However, fewer women (39%) liked shaved legs and only 40% preferred a groomed bikini area.

Grooming habits of men

Interestingly, nearly half (48%) the men surveyed admitted to shaving regularly, mainly their chests (45%), groin area (38%), back (26%), abdomen (25%) and shoulders (20%). Their reasons varied from maintaining hygiene to feeling comfortable at the beach and wanting to look appealing.

As we delve further into male grooming habits, let’s examine how partners feel about men’s grooming choices.

Male grooming: what do partners truly think ?

High expectations for women ?

An Ipsos study for Wilkinson found that while almost six out of ten men felt that society demanded too much from women in terms of depilation, an overwhelming 86% still preferred hair-free women. The preference was particularly high among younger males aged between 25-34 years at 93%, but this figure decreased with age, falling to 79% for those aged 55 and above.

Changing trends in male grooming

Trends amongst men are gradually evolving towards controlled grooming. Three-day stubble and ten-day beard styles are gaining popularity. Hair on the back, shoulders or groin area is less favored and increasingly being removed. While women generally prefer groomed men, some do appreciate a certain degree of chest hair. Underarm hair removal can help limit body odor but there seems to be no hard and fast rule when it comes to hair on legs and arms.

To wrap up our exploration into this hairy situation, let’s summarize what we’ve learned about the world of male grooming and female preferences in this arena.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to male grooming, evidence suggests that most women favor men who exhibit some form of grooming or control over their body hair. Men, on the other hand, hold varied – sometimes contradictory – views on female depilation. Ultimately, whether sporting a rugged beard or a smooth chest, the key is to embrace individual preferences and feel comfortable in your own skin.