It was once widely believed that standards of beauty were largely cultural. New research suggests, however, that our views of what is attractive are remarkably consistent, regardless of race, nationality, or age. Recent studies have shown that, although the preference for individual features may vary somewhat between cultures, the proportions of facial attractiveness are the same for all ethnic groups. An attractive face exhibits a high degree of bilateral symmetry. In other words, the right and left sides of the face closely match one another.
Facial proportion is another important concept.
Facial plastic surgeons have long known that a well-proportioned face may be divided into roughly equal thirds by drawing horizontal lines through the forehead hairline, the brow, the base of the nose, and the edge of the chin. Vertically, the face may be divided into fifths, each approximately the width of one eye. Averageness is another important factor in facial attractiveness. In general, the faces we consider most attractive have relatively average features. Some scientists studying aesthetic appeal believe that our judgment of what constitutes beauty is wired into the human brain for evolutionary reasons.