University of Kent’s ‘most beautiful faces in Britain’ study

The University of Kent has performed a two-month-long study to determine “the most beautiful faces in Britain”.

The study was commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of its new Galaxy S6 phone.

The study, led by Dr Chris Soloman, a leading expert in facial mapping, used a computer e-fit programme to create the faces of the most beautiful men and women in Britain. The programme is usually used by UK police to recreate the faces of wanted criminals.

Using an EFIT PhotoFit programme, Dr Soloman and his team asked 100 British adults to create a composite of the perfect face.

Participants focused on a range of features including: face shape, hairline, lips, nose, eyebrows and eyes.

The results were then rated for attractiveness by a further 100 people. Researchers used these findings to create the archetypal faces of male and female beauty.

Participants looked at celebrities across the world to decide the most ideal face. Favourites included: Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, David Gandy and Chris Hemsworth.

Dr Soloman said the study revealed “some interesting results about what Brits consider to be the epitome of beauty” and claimed that “these are the idealised faces according to those living in the UK, so a study in Asia or Africa for example would no doubt have different results.”

The study also revealed key differences between men’s and women’s perceptions of beauty.

Dr Soloman concluded: “For the male face of beauty, women drew a more feminine face than men – women rate a softer jaw-line, slimmer face, fuller lips and clean-shaven look as the most attractive, compared to the more masculine appearance that is considered the most attractive by men.

“Interestingly for the female face of beauty, women rated a sexier appearance as the most beautiful than their male counterparts – women perceived fuller lips, a slimmer face, larger eyes and higher cheekbones as the most beautiful, more so than the male population.

“Overall it would seem that women prefer the clean-cut ‘boy next door’ look while men are not so focused on an overtly sexy look as is often assumed.”