Why do some faces appear more attractive than others? Science has the answer

India Today

5 days ago

Ever noticed how, in a crowd, some faces instantly grab your attention? It's not just makeup, lighting, or Instagram filters. While beauty is deeply personal and culturally shaped, scientists say that our brains are hardwired to find certain proportions, patterns, and symmetries more attractive. And at the heart of it lies a number that's been called "divine"-1.618, also known as the Golden Ratio.advertisementThis ancient mathematical principle has fascinated artists, architects, and now even plastic surgeons. But can something as mysterious as beauty really boil down to geometry? Let's break it down-scientifically.THE GOLDEN RATIO: A QUICK REFRESHER
Phi, pronounced "Fye," equals approximately 1.618.This ratio appears repeatedly in nature spirals of seashells, sunflower seed patterns, and yes, even the human face.
A face is said to be closer to "ideal beauty" when the:Length of the face divided by its width 1.6Distance between the eyes and mouth, eyes and eyebrows, etc., reflect this ratioIt's no surprise then, that faces perceived as attractive often reflect this harmonious balance.REAL STUDIES THAT BACK IT UP1. The London University StudyIn 2009, researchers at Royal Free and University College Medical School in London studied facial attractiveness using measurements and symmetry. They found that faces adhering more closely to the Golden Ratio were consistently rated more attractive by participants.2. University of Toronto, 2006Another study, published in the journal Vision Research, revealed that people's brains process symmetrical faces more quickly and positively-suggesting we're neurologically inclined to prefer them.3. Dr. Stephen Marquardt's Beauty MaskA maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Marquardt created a "beauty mask" using the Golden Ratio to demonstrate ideal facial proportions. He tested this across ethnicities and cultures, and found that universally admired faces-from Angelina Jolie to classical sculptures-fit the pattern remarkably well. SYMMETRY: NATURE 'S SHORTCUT TO BEAUTY?
While no human face is perfectly symmetrical, those with near symmetry are more likely to be perceived as attractive. That's because symmetry may act as a visual shorthand for genetic health and biological fitness.A 1997 study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that people with more symmetrical faces reported fewer illnesses, linking facial symmetry with perceived and actual health.BEAUTY IS ALSO CULTURAL (AND EVOLVING)advertisementOf course, mathematical ratios aren't the whole story. Cultural ideals of beauty shift over time-from the curvier figures of the Renaissance to today's diverse beauty standards that celebrate individuality, scars, freckles, and unconventional features.Moreover, in East Asia, large eyes and pale skin have historically been considered beautiful, while in parts of Africa and the Middle East, facial tattoos or fuller features are admired. Even in the West, imperfections can become iconic. Think Benedict Cumberbatch's asymmetrical face or Cindy Crawford's mole. What they "lack" in symmetry, they more than make up for in character, charisma, and confidence-which, many argue, are just as magnetic.SO, IS BEAUTY REALLY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER?In part, yes. But studies show that our brains are programmed to respond positively to certain mathematical and biological cues. Symmetry and the Golden Ratio offer a glimpse into the science of why we're drawn to some faces more than others-but that's only half the story.The other half? It's shaped by culture, emotion, memory, and connection.- Ends