

One woman's Brad Pitt is another's Benedict Cumberbatch—this is just a fact of life. And while the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder isn't exactly groundbreaking, a new study out of Harvard is exposing the science behind why.
Entitled "Individual Aesthetic Preferences for Faces Are Shaped Mostly by Environments, Not Genes," the study concludes that it's largely personal experience and history that account for different perspectives on attractiveness.
Researchers tested 547 sets of identical twins (with identical DNA) and 214 sets of fraternal wins (who share half of the same DNA), providing them with 98 male faces and 102 female faces to rate. The expectation was that the identical twins would have identical preferences for attractiveness, while fraternal twins would be more varied. But the results proved that it was a person's individual environment that carried the most weight.
While a majority of people agreed on universal characteristics of beauty, like facial symmetry and clear skin, there was overwhelming evidence that people also have their own set of codes, whether they're derived from social interactions or even the face of a former lover. The proof is in the numbers as 1) Most people agree on the aspects of attractiveness only about 50% of the
time and 2) People's individual environments accounted for an overwhelming 78 % of the differences in how they perceived beauty.
So next time you get in a screaming match with you friends about the hottest cast member of Game of Thrones—cough Jon Snow cough—just agree to disagree and chalk your differences up to science.
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
Tiffany Haddish Addresses Her DUI Arrest—Kind Of—Just Hours After It Happened
Arrested at 5:45 a.m. on Friday, she still took to the stage Friday night to perform a stand-up routine.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Selena Gomez Isn’t Stressed About Being Single This Holiday Season—Or Ever
“She is just focusing on what’s best for her right now.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Will There Be a ‘Barbie 2’? Here’s What Margot Robbie Has to Say About It
Brace yourselves…
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 32 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Beauty Advent Calendars Make the Perfect Holiday Gift
The gift that keeps on giving.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender