What Makes Eyes Look More Feminine? Scientists Break It Down

Researchers wanted to find out which eye features make a face seem more feminine. They asked 763 people to look at pictures and pick which eyes looked more feminine. Some of those people were transgender or nonbinary. The study looked at different parts around the eyes, like eyelid creases, brow shape, and the outer corners of the eyes.

The survey ran from early 2023 through September 2025. Participants saw two images at a time. The images were almost identical except for one small detail. Some pairs differed in how high the eyelid crease sat. Others changed how much of the upper eyelid showed, how deep the area above the cheekbone was, how the outer eye corner angled, or how the brow curved. People had to choose the more feminine-looking option.

Results showed that most people preferred an upward tilt at the outer corner of the eye. That feature got almost unanimous support. But other traits were more split. About 64% of participants said a fuller upper eyelid mattered more than a higher crease. Two-thirds of cisgender participants liked a deeper sulcus area. Almost all transgender respondents wanted that fuller upper lid instead.

When people typed their own descriptions, they kept mentioning three things. Long eyelashes. An arched brow. An upward outer eye corner. Transgender women more often chose the fuller upper lid and a smoother brow curve compared to cisgender participants. This tells us that typical beauty standards might not match what transgender and nonbinary patients actually want.

These findings could change how doctors plan eye surgeries for people seeking gender-affirming procedures. The research suggests that surgical approaches should consider identity-specific goals rather than relying only on traditional norms derived from cisgender aesthetics.