It’s no secret that eyes are often the first thing people notice about someone new. The vibrant colors, unique patterns, and expressiveness all draw us in. So when it comes to attraction between the sexes, it’s only natural that eye color plays a role. But is there one eye color that men find most attractive? Let’s take a look at what science and surveys have revealed on the subject.
How Important is Eye Color in Attraction?
Eye color isn’t necessarily the most important physical trait when it comes to attraction. Other factors like facial symmetry, skin complexion, hair, smile, and body type also influence a person’s overall attractiveness. However, eye color can contribute to initial impressions and some studies show that certain colors are preferred overall.
One study found that when shown photos of women with different eye colors, but otherwise identical features, men rated those with blue eyes as more attractive. This indicates that eye color itself plays a role, separate from other facial features. Another study concluded that people with rare eye colors like green, blue, or hazel were perceived as more attractive overall than common brown eyes.
So while eye color alone isn’t the sole determining factor of attractiveness, research suggests it can influence perceptions and preferences during initial attraction stages. The uniqueness or rarity of some colors appears to increase their desirability.
Most Attractive Eye Colors for Men
| Eye Color | Level of Attractiveness |
|---|---|
| Blue | Most attractive |
| Green | Very attractive |
| Hazel | Attractive |
| Brown | Less attractive |
So which eye colors specifically do men find most attractive? Here’s a quick overview of what studies and surveys have found:
Blue Eyes
Across multiple studies, blue is consistently ranked as the most attractive eye color. One study asked men to rank digital photos of women’s faces and found blue was considered most appealing. Another had heterosexual men view images of women with either blue, green or brown digital eye colors, and blue was again preferred. Research suggests this may be because blue is associated with novelty and youthfulness.
Green Eyes
Like blue eyes, the green eye color is relatively uncommon, which drives desirability. Green isn’t rated quite as attractive as blue overall, but multiple surveys found it a close second choice. Interestingly, one study found green was the top choice for women evaluating other women’s attractiveness, while blue remained number one for men.
Hazel Eyes
A mix of brown and green, hazel eyes are also perceived as quite attractive but rank lower than pure green or blue eyes in research studies. Their multi-colored appearance is part of the appeal. Additionally, hazel eyes are often associated with people of European descent, which may increase their desirability among some populations.
Brown Eyes
The most common eye color, brown ranks lower in terms of universal attractiveness for men. However, familiarity likely plays a role since different populations tend to have preferences for more prevalent eye colors within their group. Several studies in places like Turkey and China found brown eyes considered most attractive.
Why Are Certain Eye Colors Seen as More Attractive?
There are a few theories as to why men are drawn to particular eye colors like blue and green:
– Rarity – Less common eye colors stand out and are perceived as exotic. Novelty can trigger interest and attraction.
– Association with youth – Features like lighter eyes and smooth skin are often signs of youth and fertility, desirable qualities evolutionarily speaking.
– Reflects personality – Although inaccurate, people form impressions about others based on eye color stereotypes like blue being kind or green being creative.
– Contrast effect – Lighter eye colors like blue stand out against darker facial features providing contrast which is aesthetically pleasing.
So a combination of novelty, associations, stereotyping, and color contrast likely all contribute to the preferences men have for certain eye colors. While not necessarily rational, these factors subconsciously influence initial attraction.
Conclusion
Research indicates that eye color plays a small but significant role in interpersonal attraction between men and women. While not the sole determiner of attractiveness, studies consistently show that men find blue eyes most attractive, rating them higher than brown, hazel, or green eyes across various metrics. The novelty and youthful associations of lighter eye colors underlie much of their appeal and desirability.
Of course, attractiveness depends on far more than just eye color. And perceived attractiveness of any particular eye color varies between cultures and ethnic backgrounds. But when it comes to universal appeal, blue ranks number one followed closely by green, then hazel, with brown eyes considered somewhat less attractive on average. So while the eyes may be the windows to the soul, their color provides a glimpse into human nature and behavior in the complex dynamics of attraction.
