Our Research
GoodSide's analysis is built on peer-reviewed research in facial aesthetics, perception psychology, and computer vision. Here are the key papers that inform our methodology.
Best Photo
Research on facial features, hair analysis, skin detection, and dental aesthetics used in photo quality assessment.
Key Research
The neurobiology and evolutionary foundations of the perception of beautyCranial Hair and Perceptions of Men's Attractiveness, Personality, and Other EvolutionaryAnalysis of Hairline and Forehead Sexual Dimorphic Aesthetics in 60 Celebrities Using Artificial IntelligenceGray hair influences perceived age and social perceptionsPerception of dental appearance and aesthetic analysis among patients, laypersons and dentists
Best Angle
Research on facial symmetry, proportions, neoclassical canons, and cross-cultural beauty standards.
Key Research
Facial Attractiveness: Beauty and the MachineAre human preferences for facial symmetry focused on signals of developmental instability?Neoclassical facial canons in young adultsInter-Ethnic/Racial Facial Variations: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-AnalysisThe Relative Contribution of Jawbone and Cheekbone Prominence, Eyebrow Thickness, Eye Size, and Face Length to Evaluations of Facial Masculinity and AttractivenessEvidence from Meta-Analyses of the Facial Width-to-Height Ratio as an Evolved Cue of ThreatEsthetic preferences of European American, Hispanic American, Japanese, and African judges for soft-tissue profilesThe Impact of the Philtrum on Facial Attractiveness, Perioral Proportions, and Perceptions of Facial Aging
Best Expression
Research on smile aesthetics, emotional expressions, facial radiance, and their impact on perceived attractiveness.
Key Research
Happy guys finish last: the impact of emotion expressions on sexual attractionReconsidering the Duchenne Smile: Indicator of Positive Emotion or Artifact of Smile Intensity?The Eight Components of a Balanced SmileFacial radiance influences facial attractiveness and affective impressions of facesSubmental-Cervical Angle: Perceived Attractiveness and Threshold Values of Desire for Surgery10 commandments of smile esthetics
Best Pose
Research on body posture, contrapposto, camera angles, and their effects on perceived attractiveness.
Key Research
Becoming sexy: Contrapposto pose increases attractiveness ratings and modulates observers' brain activityCues of upper body strength account for most of the variance in men's bodily attractivenessAttractiveness is influenced by the relationship between postures of the viewer and the viewed personWhat you see is what you get: webcam placement influences perception and social coordinationThe science of attraction
This is not an exhaustive list. Our analysis synthesizes findings from these and other sources to provide actionable insights.