For years, the debate over who holds the title of the world's most attractive woman has fueled magazine covers and online arguments. Instead of crowning a new winner, a recent data-driven study took a different path. It analysed nearly a decade of popular 'sexiest' lists to identify the recurring physical and personal traits that define contemporary appeal.
The Statistical Blueprint of Modern Attractiveness
Researchers at PlayersTime meticulously combed through Maxim's annual Hot 100 lists from 2016 to 2025, excluding 2020 when no list was published. They categorised a wide range of attributes including age, height, hair colour, eye colour, face shape, body type, relationship status, tattoos, and history of cosmetic surgery. The goal was to create a nameless, statistical composite of modern sex appeal.
The findings paint a specific picture. According to the data, the woman who aligns most closely with the current ideal is most likely to have brown eyes and long brown hair. She typically possesses a heart-shaped face, stands around 172 centimetres (5 feet 6 inches) tall, and has a slim, rather than athletic, body type. Contrary to assumptions about Hollywood beauty standards, the data suggests she has probably not undergone cosmetic surgery, with only 44% of the women studied having had procedures.
Other notable patterns emerged. An overwhelming 90% of the women featured were in relationships, engaged, or married, with only 12% listed as single. Age clustered tightly, with 29 years old identified as the statistical 'ideal', though many close matches were older. Even astrology played a curious role, with Libra appearing as the most common zodiac sign, followed by Scorpio.
Which Celebrities Match the Data-Driven Ideal?
No individual fits the profile perfectly, which underscores the limitation of reducing allure to mere data points. However, PlayersTime identified several high-profile celebrities who come remarkably close. Dua Lipa and Hailey Bieber reportedly match around 90% of the criteria. Shay Mitchell and Emily Ratajkowski follow at roughly 80%, falling short mainly due to age or zodiac sign rather than physical attributes.
Other stars land lower on the scale due to small deviations. Olivia Culpo and Zendaya each score about 70%; Culpo for lacking tattoos, and Zendaya for exceeding the 'ideal' height. Kendall Jenner and Lily Collins sit at around 50%, aligning on some features but missing multiple other data points. The analysis found that 68% of women had slim body types, 64% had tattoos, and nearly half had heart-shaped faces, with brown hair and eyes dominating the lists.
Aleksandra Dimitrova, a data analyst at PlayersTime, noted that the findings reflect a cultural shift. "What’s striking about 2025’s beauty conversation is how dark, classic features, rich brown hair, deep eyes, and strong silhouettes are increasingly defining public preference," she said. She credited trendsetting celebrities for driving this shift, pairing these physical traits with cultural influence and charismatic presence.
The Incomplete Equation of Allure
The same analytical method was applied to People magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' lists from 2017 to 2025, resulting in a male composite favouring brown hair, brown eyes, an athletic build, a trimmed beard, height above 183cm, and tattoos. This year's winner, Jonathan Bailey, is noted to align closely with that profile.
Despite the precise data crunching, the study ultimately arrives at a familiar, human conclusion. While it maps trends, it cannot isolate or fully explain the essence of attraction. PlayersTime acknowledged the limits of this anatomical reduction. "Names may change, trends may shift, but certain qualities remain magnetic," the team concluded. "It makes one wonder: is sexiness simply physical, or is it energy, poise, and presence that actually captivates?"
The decade of data confirms that patterns exist and ideals recur. Yet, no single face, no matter how famous, ever quite completes the equation, leaving the mystery of allure intriguingly intact.
