Guide to Popular Beard Styles Women Prefer
Men are investing time and care in grooming. Beard style is often one of the first things people notice. We wanted to know what women actually want when it comes to facial hair on men. Between March and May 2025, SugarDaddy.com surveyed 8,000 women aged 19 to 30 in the United States. The survey measured how women rate beard styles, understand grooming signals, and match facial hair to attraction. This report breaks down what we learned.
Introduction
Men are given mixed signals about facial hair by friends, influencers, and style columns. The goal of this study was to use direct feedback from women, not assumptions, to explain what beard styles work. Every style was ranked, discussed, and critiqued. Survey questions were a mix of rating scales and open answers. Every respondent confirmed dating men within the last year.
Respondent Profile
Sample Size: 8,000
Gender: Female
Age Range: 19 to 30
Location: All US States with weighted representation for population
Dating Status: Active or recently active within 12 months
Racial/Ethnic Breakdown
Key Results At-a-Glance
Over half of the respondents prefer some facial hair
Well-groomed stubble is the top pick, but is closely followed by a light short beard
Only one in five said clean-shaven was the best look for them
Heavy styles like a full beard or mustache are more polarizing
Chinstraps and heavy goatees are rarely named as attractive
Detailed Findings by Style
1. Well-Groomed Stubble
Chosen by 34% of respondents
Well-groomed stubble got the highest marks. Women said it gives a masculine touch but avoids extremes. They associate stubble with being fun, active, and self-aware, but not trying too hard.
Why women like it: - "Looks good dressed up or down" - "Shows confidence" - "You look like you care, but not obsessed with grooming"
Most said stubble flirts with roughness without appearing messy. The sweet spot is trimmed enough that it doesn't scratch during a kiss, but not so neat that it looks forced.
Breakdown by region: Stubble preference hits a peak in the West at 40% and drops in the Midwest to 28%.
2. Light Short Beard
Chosen by 21% of respondents
Shorter beards that are closely trimmed rank well. Women describe this look as balanced. It is not intimidating. Women see it as a sign of growing up but not getting old.
Quotes: - "Looks confident without being over the top." - "You look mature but not closed-off."
Women connect short beards with a sense of stability. The beard should frame the jaw but stay soft and natural.
Distribution: Short beards see the most support among 27- to 30-year-olds compared to the lower age range.
3. Clean-Shaven
Preferred by 19% of respondents
A visible group of women said they want men to have no facial hair at all. They described the look as tidy and approachable, but also said it can look too young if not styled confidently.
Common responses: - "Love a neat look" - "Shows you care about being clean"
Some linked clean-shaven faces to formal dating or professional settings. Women under 23 slightly favored clean-shaven compared to older age brackets.
4. Full Beard
Chosen by 14% of respondents
A full beard means courage for some but a turn-off for others. Of those who liked it, the reason was depth and a kind of handsomeness that seems classic. Some women see a full beard as a sign that someone can commit to their look. Others see it as hiding facial features.
Quotes from fans: - "Looks like he knows who he is" - "Feels protective"
Negatives: Several respondents said a full beard is "too itchy," "hard to kiss," or "makes him look older."
Full beard support was higher in the South. In that region, 19% picked it as their top beard style.
5. Mustache Only
Chosen by 6% of respondents
This style splits opinion. Some women called it fun, quirky, or even classic in the right context. The mustache-heavy look works for men with lots of confidence and a strong personal style.
Positive feedback: - "On the right guy, it's cool" - "If you can pull it off, go for it."
Negatives: - "Makes you look like my uncle" - "Hardly anyone gets this right"
Interest in mustache-only looks is double in urban areas versus rural ones (8% in big cities, 4% rural).
6. Goatee
Chosen by 4% of respondents
A strong minority likes goatees. Most of these respondents are in creative fields or said they like something "different" but subtle.
What women said: - "Cute if it fits your face" - "Too specific for my taste"
Goatee fans often mentioned style icons or creative types.
7. Chinstrap
Chosen by 2% of respondents
The chinstrap beard style was not popular. Most described it as out of style. Those who liked it said it gives definition to a round or soft jaw.
Comments: - "Feels like a look from high school" - "You have to keep it very sharp to work"
Reasons for Preferences
Why Women Choose Certain Beard Styles
Survey results show women rate facial hair based on:
Perceived hygiene and grooming effort
Match with the man's face shape
Age appropriateness
How the beard feels during close contact
Social cues: Does it fit the setting or event?
What Women Dislike
When asked what beard traits they dislike, women gave direct answers. The most common complaints were:
Dirty or flaky beards
Untrimmed necklines or cheek lines
Food stuck in facial hair
Excessive grooming looks unnatural
Too much perfume or product
Direct quotes:
"If you don't take care of it, don't bother."
"I don't want to see crumbs in your beard."
"If it smells weird, it's a no."
Unkempt facial hair makes women question hygiene and attention to detail.
Grooming Habits: Importance and Expectations
Women linked attractiveness to grooming habits more than beard length. They pay attention to:
Regular trimming
Washing, conditioning, and brushing
Matching beard to haircut and style
Seventy-four percent said they notice when a beard is shaped and cared for. Only 11% said they are fine with "natural and wild" beards.
Some respondents are put off by beards with strange color patches or clear signs of poor care.
Regional Preferences
Key findings by region:
Northeast: Strong support for well-groomed stubble and clean-shaven looks; less interest in full beards.
Midwest: Leaned more toward light short beards and clean-shaven; lower full beard support.
South: Greater acceptance for full beards and mustaches; less stubble enthusiasm.
West: Preference for versatile stubble and creative beard styles, like short goatees.
Urban areas favored stubble and mustaches more than rural places. Rural women were more likely to prefer light beards or to be clean-shaven.
Age Subgroup Analysis
Preferences shifted across the survey's age range.
Younger respondents favored stubble for being simple and approachable. Clean-shaven looks fade in popularity as women reach their late twenties. Women 27 and up see light short beards as more attractive.
Trends: Beard Style and Dating
Facial hair can be a point of conversation or interest on first dates. Forty-two percent said beard style impacted their decision to message someone on a dating app.
Ninety-one percent said they noticed facial hair first or second when swiping on profiles.
Fifty-four percent said they prefer beard styles that are "low maintenance but tidy."
Fifteen percent said they have asked date partners to try a new beard style.
What women said about beard style and online first impressions: - "If I see food or bits caught in the beard, I swipe left." - "Too much effort looks like he cares more about himself than our date."
Women use beard style as a first clue about personal grooming and confidence.
Extended Data Tables
Beard Preferences by Urban/Rural
Influence of Media and Culture
Women see popular figures with stubble or light beards, which affects what they find attractive. However, nearly a third said their preference comes only from personal taste.
Discrete Style Comments
Collected open responses from women show the nuance behind the numbers.
"A little scruff makes you look laid-back."
"Long beards age men by at least five years."
"Short beard feels safe. Stubble is great for a night out or a relaxed meeting."
Women are also quick to point out that the same style can work differently on two faces. They value beard fit more than copying a trend.
Final Q&A Snapshot
At the end of the survey, women were asked about beard style "dealbreakers" on a date:
Cleanliness beats fashion sense for most.
Closing Commentary
The SugarDaddy.com survey pulls back the curtain on women's preferences for men's facial hair in real dating life. Stubble and light short beards are the winners. Clean-shaven faces get steady support, but less as women grow older. Heavy beards or niche styles only work when handled with skill and matched to the person's look.
Women stress grooming more than trends or fashion. Poor care is the real dealbreaker. No beard style can make up for neglect. Face shape, age, and personality all matter, but a neat, well-groomed look never goes out of style.
For men paying attention to dating feedback, this data removes the guesswork. Classy stubble or a short, kept beard is a safe bet. Take care of your beard as you would your smile, and you're on solid ground.