Eyes are often called the windows to the soul. Their coloration and appearance can greatly influence how attractive someone is perceived to be by others. But when it comes to eye color, which shade is seen as the most beautiful and alluring? Let’s explore what research and surveys have found regarding the most attractive eye colors.
Brown Eyes
Brown eyes are one of the most common eye colors worldwide, with over 55% of the global population having brown eyes. The melanin pigment in greater concentrations gives brown eyes their darker color. There are varying shades of brown, from light honey brown to very dark brown.
Surveys have shown that people tend to find those with lighter brown eyes as more attractive than those with darker brown eyes. The lightness can give a warmth and openness that draws people in. Darker brown eyes may be perceived as harder to read.
Blue Eyes
After brown eyes, blue is the next most common eye color, with about 8-10% of people worldwide having blue eyes. The lack of melanin pigment in blue eyes causes them to appear a light blue or gray shade.
Blue eyes have traditionally been seen as an attractive trait, with many poems and songs praising the beauty of blue-eyed ladies and gentlemen. Surveys reinforce this, with blue often topping the list for most attractive eye color. The rarity and brightness of blue eyes against darker skin and hair can draw attention.
Green Eyes
Only about 2% of the population has green eyes. The green color comes from a combination of a moderate amount of melanin with the rare presence of lipid deposits in the iris that filter light and produce a green hue.
Green eyes are often considered very alluring, as they stand out against more common eye colors. The green shades can vary from light mint green to a deeper emerald green. Participants in studies tend to rate green as one of the most attractive eye colors, especially when combined with dark lashes and hair.
Hazel Eyes
Hazel eyes have a blend of shades, commonly brown and greenish-gold flecks. About 5% of people have hazel eyes. The multi-colored appearance of hazel eyes often captures attention for its rarity and unique beauty.
The brown/green blend also means hazel eyes can change color slightly in certain lighting conditions, which can be quite captivating. Hazel eyes tend to rank high in eye color attraction surveys, as people find hazel eyes warm yet intriguing.
Grey Eyes
Grey eyes are similar to blue in that they have low melanin deposits. However, they display a silver-grey hue rather than blue. Only about 1% of the population has true grey eyes. The silvery color can shine and give an almost magical appearance that people tend to find memorably attractive.
However, some associations with the color grey, such as gloominess, boredom or old age, may also unconsciously influence perceptions of gray eye beauty for some. But the metallic shimmering quality of gray irises still draws interest.
Amber Eyes
Amber eyes are a solid golden or copper color, with little to no ray flecks as seen in hazel eyes. Amber is very rare, present in less than 1% of people. The rich metallic color often resembles a tiger’s eye stone. This uniquely bright eye color sparked notable fascination.
The similarity to the warm, luminous amber gemstone often has people perceiving amber eyes as highly attractive. The golden shine tends to pair well with light and dark hair colors for an eye-catching look.
Conclusion
Across research into perceptions of eye color attractiveness, the more rare colors consistently rate as the most beautiful, including green, amber, hazel and grey eyes. Blue eyes also frequently rank as one of the most attractive eye shades.
However, even the most common eye colors, like lighter brown and darker brown, still received average to moderately high attractiveness ratings. Factors like eyelash fullness, white sclera clarity, and symmetry likely influence perceived attractiveness more than iris color alone. Eye color does not determine one’s personality or qualities either.
But for those curious about which eye shades people find most intriguing and eye-catching, the rare, bright and unique colors often top the polls on eye color beauty and attractiveness.
Conclusion
While certain eye colors like amber, green and blue are perceived as more attractive by many, eye color is just one aspect of a person’s overall appearance. Perceived attractiveness and beauty is highly subjective and influenced by many factors beyond simply iris pigmentation. Personality, confidence, intelligence, style and kindness also greatly influence how beautiful someone is seen by others. So while eye color rarity plays a role in intrigue, it by no means determines true human beauty or attractiveness.
| Eye Color | Global Population % |
|---|---|
| Brown | 55% |
| Blue | 8-10% |
| Green | 2% |
| Hazel | 5% |
| Grey | 1% |
| Amber |
