Why Do Pretty Eyes Make Guys So Attractive? Experts Weigh In

Why are men with pretty eyes attractive?

Pretty eyes stand out from the crowd. Pretty eyes are literally eye-catching! The eyes are one of the first things we notice about someone, as they play an important role in non-verbal and verbal communication. When you spot a guy with bright, sparkling eyes, you may be more likely to look closer and note all the other things that make him attractive, from his physical features to his winning personality. Research shows that we pay the most attention to the eyes more than any other facial feature. So, it’s no surprise that you notice them first in a person you find attractive! Meet the wikiHow Experts Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS, is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience. He specializes in working with families and couples and treating a variety of psychological disorders. Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT, is a licensed relationship therapist and co-founder of The Modern Love Box. She specializes in relationship therapy, intimacy building, and existential exploration. David Chambers is a dating and relationship coach and founder of The Authentic Man, which helps men build deep and meaningful relationships. Michelle T. Sterling is a personal style and color analysis expert, and the founder of both Sterling Style Academy and Global Image Group, with over 20 years of experience.

Pretty eyes reveal his inner self and character. There’s definitely some truth to the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” Clinical psychologist Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS, agrees, saying, “Our eyes are the gateway to our inner thoughts and perspectives.” Locking eyes with a guy with pretty eyes may be able to tell you a lot about his personality and intentions—do his eyes convey sincerity, kindness, wisdom, and confidence? If so, you’re probably going to find him attractive! If he’s looking back at you with attentiveness and interest, you’re bound to find him attractive, too. We communicate a lot with our eyes, and eye contact from a guy can tell you a lot about whether he’s into you. Eye contact also plays an important role in attraction. Making eye contact with someone can promote feelings of trust and improve your connection, leading to increased intimacy and attraction. Licensed relationship therapist Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT, agrees that we use our eyes to catch someone’s interest and flirt. She says the “intentional locking of eyes and holding it for a few seconds at a time…sends a signal that you're interested in somebody.”

His eyes show his warmth and humor. The eyes are one of the biggest ways we express ourselves. When you look into a guy’s pretty eyes, you can read a lot about how he feels and communicates, which can be super intimate and alluring. And, according to dating and relationship coach David Chambers, the specific emotions and qualities you see in his eyes can make him more desirable. Chambers explains that enthusiasm, passion, humor, empathy, confidence, and self-awareness generally make a man more attractive. For instance, a twinkle in his eyes can communicate his zest for life and ability to laugh at himself, which can be super charming. A calm but focused gaze, on the other hand, can tell you that he’s self-assured and curious about you, which is super sexy.

Pretty eyes make you feel seen. Looking into someone’s eyes is a super intimate act, as your eyes do reveal a lot about your truest self and barest feelings. And that intimacy and connection you share can lead to increased feelings of attraction. So, simply looking into a man’s beautiful eyes and feeling understood and assured by them can make him more handsome and enticing. Chambers explains that attractive people tend to make you feel seen and understood, which is why they’re so charming. He says, “They reflect back parts of ourselves…[that] we may not see in ourselves. And they reflect it back to us in a way that make[s] us feel like, wow…I don't see that about myself.”

Their eyes are putting the attention entirely on you. Simply getting the attention of a man’s beautiful eyes can make him seem more attractive! It’s no secret that having someone’s eyes on you and feeling like you’re fascinating to them is alluring. As Chambers says, “People love to be in the company of people that make them feel really interesting.” He explains that while we may think that “to be attractive, we need to be the most interesting person in the room,” it’s really “the people who make us…feel special, that are really attractive to us.”

You might associate his blue eyes with good health. There may be a biological reason why a guy with pretty eyes is so appealing. Clear, bright eyes are associated with healthiness and youth, both of which increase attraction. So, even if it’s subconscious, a man’s sparkling eyes can nudge you to think that he’s handsome.

You just find him attractive! A funny thing often happens when we like someone—we tend to find everything about them attractive. And attraction is pretty much entirely subjective (meaning it differs from person to person). So, a guy with pretty eyes might be handsome not for a specific reason, but simply because you dig his entire vibe!

What makes eyes attractive?

Sclera whiteness The sclera is the white part of the eye that surrounds the iris. Research shows that we find people who have clear and bright scleras more attractive than people who have reddish or yellowish scleras. The clarity of the sclera suggests that someone is healthier and more youthful, which are both major factors in attraction. Biologically, a healthy and youthful partner indicates better reproductive success.

Pupil dilation Dr. Brown explains that, “When we find someone attractive, it’s our pupils that give our interests away. Almost instantly, our pupils begin to dilate and reveal our internal desires.” It turns out that the widening of our pupils is also mutually attractive—men and women tend to rate the opposite sex as more attractive if their pupils are wider.

Limbal ring The limbal ring is the dark outline around the outer edges of the iris. Research suggests that we find people more attractive when they have thick, noticeable limbal rings as opposed to faint or nonexistent ones. The limbal ring tends to fade and become thinner as you age, so it’s likely that dark rings are more attractive because they’re associated with youth and reproductive fitness.

Iris color No eye color is more attractive than another, as eye color attractiveness is largely based on personal preference, says personal style and color analysis expert Michelle T. Sterling. However, that means your preference for eye color can make someone more appealing. If you think green eyes are striking or love the warmth of brown eyes, you just might find someone with these eye colors more attractive. Sterling adds that eye color rarity can play a part in attractiveness, too. She says, “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.” Sterling also explains that “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.”

Eye size and shape In general, larger eyes are generally viewed are more attractive. However, when it comes to eye shape, that’s more down to personal preference. Some people like the sultry look of hunter eyes, while others like the sweet look of downturned eyes.

Eyelashes Eyelashes frame the eyes, so they can help influence the eyes’ attractiveness. Some research shows that long and thick lashes are an attractive trait, which may come as no surprise since mascara and eyeliner are so popular. However, attractiveness is still largely based on your preferences and cultural background.

Do men like women with pretty eyes?

Yes, men typically find women with pretty eyes attractive. Eyes are a pretty universal trait that can increase someone’s attractiveness, no matter their gender! Lots of guys agree that they like pretty eyes on women due to the depth and emotions they can convey. They also enjoy the feeling of a woman’s beautiful eyes really looking at them and making them feel seen.