Study defines 2025's 'sexiest woman' as a 29-year-old brunette in a relationship with tattoos

A new study analyzing Maxim magazine's Hot 100 lists over a decade finds a portrait of the "sexiest woman" in 2025: a 29-year-old brunette who is in a relationship, often tattooed, with dark eyes and long hair.

Researchers from PlayersTime compiled data from the Hot 100 lists from 2016 through 2025, coding attributes such as age, height, body type and facial features. They identified a consistent profile: dark eyes, long dark hair, and a height around 5 feet 6 inches (172 cm). The team also noted that women who are in a relationship or married tended to be perceived as more desirable, as did those with tattoos. "Whats striking about 2025's beauty conversation is how dark, classic features, rich brown hair, deep eyes, and striking silhouettes are increasingly defining public preference," said Aleksandra Dimitrova, data analyst and author at PlayersTime.

The study further details the profile: brown eyes, long hair, and a heart-shaped face are common among those deemed most attractive. The researchers found that 64 percent sport tattoos, and the majority have long or medium-length hair. Body types skew toward slim, with 68 percent classified as slim and 14 percent as athletic; about one-third exhibit an hourglass silhouette. Around 44 percent had undergone some form of body or facial plastic surgery. In terms of social and relationship status, nine in ten were in a relationship, engaged or married, while about 12 percent were single. The Libra zodiac sign (September 23–October 22) emerged as the most common among the sample.

In identifying individual celebrities who fit the profile, the study highlighted several names and their approximate matches. Dua Lipa and Hailey Bieber each register about a 90 percent match to the ideal, while Shay Mitchell and Emily Ratajkowski sit around 80 percent. Olivia Culpo and Zendaya are listed at about 70 percent, with Kendall Jenner and Lily Collins at roughly 50 percent. Sofia Carson and Ana de Armas round out the list at about 40 percent. The report notes that Emily Ratajkowski embodies eight of the ten defining traits but falls short on age and zodiac sign, which keeps her at an 80 percent match. In some cases, height also excludes certain stars; for example, Zendaya is listed as a touch tall for the benchmark.

The full dataset reveals how perceptions of attractiveness have evolved over the last decade. In 2016, Maxim featured Margot Robbie and Irina Shayk; 2017 saw Emma Watson; 2019 highlighted Sophie Turner; 2023 included Beyonce and Taylor Swift; 2024 featured Miley Cyrus; and 2025 rounds out the decade with Ashley Graham among others. PlayersTime noted that the selections form a diverse constellation of celebrities, each contributing to a shifting standard of mainstream beauty. "Icons such as Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé have set the standard for mainstream beauty through their style, presence, and the way their curves define attractiveness," the blog post said.

Beyond surface traits, researchers point to ongoing discussions about how high visibility of beauty can influence perceptions of relatability. A separate line of research has identified a so-called 'beauty backfire' effect, in which extremely attractive individuals may be perceived as less relatable. The study of 2025, however, emphasizes cultural influence: trendsetting celebrities, media representations, and ongoing fashion and beauty narratives continue to shape what is considered desirable.

Together, the findings illustrate a culture-and-entertainment landscape in which public taste evolves in step with celebrity norms, social media visibility, and the Imperative of authenticity that comes with a modern-to-postmodern beauty ideal. The study underscores how the defining look of 2025 blends classic features—dark hair and eyes, heart-shaped faces, and proportional silhouettes—with contemporary markers such as tattoos and relationship status, signaling a beauty standard that is as much about personal narrative as about physical traits.