What Makes Each Eye Color Attractive
Hazel Hazel eyes are a unique blend of gold, green, and brown. Hazel eyes can seem to change colors in different lighting, giving them a cool “chameleon” effect that people often find attractive. Hazel is frequently cited as the most attractive eye color because of these qualities. Hazel eyes are often one color around the pupil, another in the center of the iris, and a darker shade around the edge. Meet the wikiHow Expert Michelle T. Sterling is a personal style and color analysis expert, and the founder of Sterling Style Academy and Global Image Group. She has over 20 years of experience and is formally trained in image, color, and style.
Green Green eyes are the rarest eye color—only about 2% of people in the world have green eyes. Like hazel eyes, the appearance of green eyes can often shift based on lighting or even what the person is wearing. The beautiful color and rarity make green eyes one of the most attractive eye colors. Green eyes are sometimes confused for hazel, but hazel eyes tend to have more brown.
Blue Blue eyes are often considered a classic sign of beauty—and no wonder. They can range from icy pale blue to a rich ocean blue and everything in between. This is another relatively rare color, with only 8–10% of people having blue eyes. Many people find blue to be the most attractive eye color because of the rarity and variety of lovely shades. It’s believed that blue eyes have only been around for about 6,000 to 10,000 years. In one study, men with blue eyes were found to prefer photos of women with blue eyes over those with brown eyes. Other participants, including women and brown-eyed men, did not demonstrate the same preference.
Brown Brown eyes might be the most common color, but that doesn’t mean they have to be plain. Brown eyes have depth and richness, and can even make people look more trustworthy. Many people find rich, dark brown eyes to be extremely alluring. People with brown eyes have more melanin in their iris, resulting in the darker shade.
Amber Amber eyes are sometimes confused with hazel, but they’re actually a unique shade all their own. While hazel eyes have flecks of green or even blue, amber eyes are a rich blend of brown and gold. This unique golden hue is considered to be attractive by many. This is a rare color—only about 5% of people have amber eyes.
Grey Grey eyes sometimes look pale blue, but they usually have hints of brown and gold. This unique shade can give eyes an attractive, intense look, and is especially striking in people with darker skin tones. The rarity of the grey eyes makes them quite attractive to many people. Grey eyes are also rare, with only about 3% of people having this color.
Factors Influencing Eye Color Attractiveness
Rarity and cultural preferences are the biggest factors. “I think a lot of it comes down to contrast, uniqueness, and personal preference,” says Sterling. “An eye color that’s rare in a certain area often feels striking, and how it pairs with someone’s hair, skin tone, or even what they’re wearing can really make it pop,” she explains. On the other hand, some studies have found that people are most attractive to others with their own eye color. Some people might find certain eye colors more attractive because they’re the predominant color in their region. “Of course,” adds Sterling, “cultural trends and personal associations are a big factor, too—what we hear or see in media or connect with emotionally or find unique often shapes what we find appealing.” Some studies have found that having a bright sclera (the white area outside of your iris) is actually a better predictor of attractiveness than the color of your eyes. Conventional beauty standards in the West often tout blue eyes as being the most desirable. This, combined with the rarity of blue eyes, could play a part in why many people identify blue as the most attractive eye color.
The Science Behind Eye Color
Your eye color is determined by melanin and complex genetics. “It’s all about genetics and melanin levels in the iris,” says Sterling. “Brown eyes have more melanin, while lighter colors like blue and green have less, with the light scattering in the iris creating those shades.” She explains that there isn’t one eye color gene, either. “Several genes interact to determine the exact color, which is why it doesn’t always follow a simple pattern from parents to kids.” Specifically, scientists have discovered that eye color is actually controlled by at least 10 genes. Interestingly, blue eyes are actually the result of a lack of pigment—the iris scatters light in such a way that it appears blue, much like the sky.
Comments
0 comment