Actually, it really IS science. A study had 351 women rate attractiveness of 10 men in the following stages of facial hair: clean shaven, light stubble (5 days unshaven), heavy stubble (10 days unshaven), and fully bearded.
Heavy stubble was viewed as the most attractive, while clean-shaven and fully bearded tied. Light stubble was not viewed as attractive, as it was often too patchy.
And worth mentioning: 5 Year Impact Factor: 4,249.
Also, they used MANova for statistics:-) very topic appropriate.
Link to the full paper.
Happy Friday,
M.