The Ideal of Facial Beauty: A Review

Abstract

In this review article we examine the question as to which parameters of facial attraction are amenable to measurement and which tools are available to perform these measurements. The evaluation of facial images, artistic standards, cephalometry, and anthropometry are discussed. Furthermore, we consider how the attractiveness of a face is influenced by symmetry, averageness and distinguishing features such as dental esthetics or gender specific characteristics. There is a shared concept of what constitutes an "ideal" face. Anthropometric methods are preferable to cephalometric methods in determining the "ideal" face's dimensions, since anthropometric methods are valid, three-dimensional, non-invasive, suitable for a great variety of purposes, and easy to implement. Symmetry and averageness play important roles in determining the attractiveness of a face; although distinguishing features make it extraordinarily beautiful. Such features make a female face appear both child like and mature as well as expressive. Women's preferences as to what constitutes a particularly attractive male face are controversial, since female observers are greatly influenced by their menstrual cycles or their environment when responding to male faces. Finally, allowance has to be made for the fact that the ideal of beauty is subject to certain fluctuations in fashion.

The role of the golden proportion in the evaluation of facial esthetics

“…3,4 These investigations were made using tools that require physical contact (eg, calipers) or using twodimensional photographs and radiographs. The results are variable, depending on the applied method and the analyzed sample, but generally show a weak correlation between attractiveness and golden proportions.…”

3D Soft Tissue Analysis – Part 1: Sagittal Parameters

“…Auch im psychosozialen Kontext wird dem fazialen Erscheinungsbild eine nicht unerhebliche Bedeutung zugeschrieben. So wird ein schönes Gesicht mit Gesundheit, Fitness, sozialer Kompetenz, Wohlstand und Zufriedenheit assoziiert und gilt somit als Schlüssel zum Erfolg [18,20,25]. Zwar gibt es zahlreiche wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen, um die "Attraktivität" eines Gesichtes zu objektivieren, dennoch ist dessen Wahrnehmung immer subjektiv [29].…”

“…Zwar gibt es zahlreiche wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen, um die "Attraktivität" eines Gesichtes zu objektivieren, dennoch ist dessen Wahrnehmung immer subjektiv [29]. Es ist jedoch erwiesen, dass primär unbewusst wahrgenommene Parameter die Beurteilung von Gesichtern stark beeinflussen [18,43]. So scheint die Durchschnittlichkeit eine der wichtigsten Eigenschaften eines schönen Gesichtes zu sein [17,18].…”

A web‐based method for rating facial attractiveness

“…These scores are then correlated with, for example, various angular or linear facial measurements or digital modifications. 2,3 This approach has been extensively used by Farkas 4 and other research groups, such as the Johnston team, 5 to tease out associations between attractiveness scores and anthropometrics, averageness, 6 symmetry, 7 and sexual dimorphism 8 of the human face. Despite the extensive number of facial beauty studies, research has been unable to define facial beauty with more specific parameters.…”