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What’s a Babyface? (& How to Tell If You Have One)

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Plus, find out if "babyface" is actually a compliment

Co-authored by Aimee Payne, MFA Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: August 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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What does “babyface” mean?

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Babyface Characteristics

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Is “babyface” a compliment?

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Downplaying a Babyface

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Benefits of Having a Babyface

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Babyfaced Celebrities

Has anyone ever told you that you have a babyface? If so, you might not have known whether it was a good or bad thing and what – if anything – you should do about it. This article will cover what it means to have a babyface, the benefits of having one, and how to downplay your babyface if that’s what you want. Read on to learn more!

Babyface Definition

Having a babyface means that your face looks younger than your age due to smooth skin, full cheeks, large eyes, and a lack of facial hair if you present as male. It’s also what pro wrestling fans call the “nice guy” main character of a staged match.

Section 1 of 6:

What does “babyface” mean?

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1
Having a “babyface” means you look younger than you are. Being babyfaced is also associated with innocence or inexperience. On the downside, it may cause some people to see you as more juvenile or immature.
- Older men may use “babyface” as a mildly derogatory term for a young man without a beard.
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2
In pro wrestling, “babyface” refers to the “good guy” in a staged match. This wrestler is the hero and fan favorite. They may be considered a “go-gooder” by some fans. This character is also called a “baby” or a “face.” Dusty Rhodes and wrestler-turned-actor John Cena are examples of popular “babyfaces.” ^{[1]
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Research source}
- The villain in pro wrestling is referred to as the “heel.” The Undertaker and The Rock are examples of popular wrestling “heels.”
- Popular pro-wrestlers often play both “babyface” and “heel” during their careers.

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Section 2 of 6:

Babyface Characteristics

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The overall appearance of a babyfaced person is youthful and innocent. People with a “babyface” almost always appear younger than they actually are with features similar to ones you might see on a baby. Because of this, characteristics that define a “babyface” are: ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Plump cheeks
- Large, wide-set eyes
- Long eyelashes
- Small button nose
- Rounded chin
- No facial hair
- No lines or wrinkles

Section 3 of 6:

Is “babyface” a compliment?

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1
Yes, “babyface” can be a compliment, depending on how it’s used. Almost everyone thinks babies are cute. If someone calls you “babyface,” they could be saying they think you’re cute, too. In fact, babyfaced women are seen as attractive in different cultures around the world. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- However, some people may use the term as a mild or joking insult, especially when commenting on the appearance of a young person who presents as male.
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2
Being called a “babyface” isn’t always positive. While looking younger than you are might seem like a good thing to some, others feel it’s a drawback. They may be passed over for promotions, have their credentials questioned, or be undervalued by authority figures. ^{[4]
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Research source}
- Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a babyface, but if it makes you feel self-conscious or like you’re not being taken seriously, there are a few ways to get rid of a babyface and make yourself look a little older.

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Section 4 of 6:

Downplaying a Babyface

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1
Grow facial hair to age a babyface. Growing facial hair camouflages a round chin and cheeks. There are an almost limitless number of beard styles, so choose a style that matches your face shape and facial hair thickness. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If you have trouble growing facial hair, try using minoxidil (Rogaine) to stimulate fresh hair growth. Rogain was designed for use on your scalp, but has been shown to improve facial hair growth. ^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
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2
Wear more mature-looking clothing and hairstyles. Instead of “kid clothes” like graphic T-shirts and shorts, dress more maturely by choosing sophisticated clothing, shoes, and accessories. Try tucking in your shirt and wearing more items that are tailored to fit you.
- Wear glasses to look more distinguished and professional. Many people assume a person wearing glasses is a few years older than their actual age. ^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Wear your hair up or push your fringe back from your face. Having hair hanging over your forehead and around your face can make you appear younger.
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Adding more muscle and doing aerobic exercises can help lower your body fat , making your face appear slimmer and less “baby-like.” ^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
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4
Use makeup to help your face appear more mature. Combining neutral eyeshadow and blush with a darker lip color is more sophisticated and can make you look more mature. Avoid bright eyeshadow colors, like green or purple, which can appear childish or doll-like when combined with a babyface.
- Use contouring makeup to accentuate your cheekbones. By shading the area under your cheekbones, you create hollows that can make your cheeks appear less round.
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5
Consider face-slimming cosmetic surgery or injectables. Some people get buccal fat removal to create a hollow area below their cheekbones. The cost ranges from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your surgeon. ^{[9]
X
Research source} If you don’t want to have surgery, non-surgical options – including dermal fillers and Botox – can help refine your appearance and make you look older.
- Dermal fillers cost about $682 per syringe, and Botox is between $300 and $600 per treatment. ^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
- Remember, there’s nothing wrong with having a “babyface.” Every face is beautiful in its own way.

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Section 5 of 6:

Benefits of Having a Babyface

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1
People think you’re more honest and trustworthy. Because of this, you’re often able to convince more people to agree with your view, which can come in handy in your career and personal life. If another person perceives you as being honest and kind (another common assuption people make about you when you have a babyface), they are more likely to trust what you’re telling them. ^{[11]
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Research source}
- For example, if you go to a job interview, the people you speak with may be more likely to believe what you tell them than someone who has a more mature-looking face…which could help you land the job!
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2
Having a babyface makes you seem friendly and approachable. Humans are drawn to babies because they are psychologically “hardwired” to want to take care of them. Because people are predisposed to respond to babies’s faces, they may also be drawn to adults with similar features. ^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
PLOS ONE
Online peer-reviewed, open access scientific research journal
Go to source}
- A study showed that when a woman looked at a picture of a baby and a babyfaced man, her brain responded in the same way. ^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
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When someone assumes you’re younger than you actually are, they may also underestimate you. That gives you the opportunity to show off how smart, talented, funny, or accomplished you really are.

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Section 6 of 6:

Babyfaced Celebrities

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Many celebrities are said to have a babyface. This may be because people are drawn to those with younger-looking features like those found on the faces of babies. Additionally, a more natural, apple-cheeked appearance goes in and out of fashion regularly, which may help a babyfaced celebrity become more popular. Here are a few celebrities who have been called “babyfaced” at some point in their careers:
- Sally Field
- Drew Barrymore
- Selena Gomez
- Joey King
- Mandy Moore
- Alexis Bledel
- Michael Pitt
- Thomas Brodie-Sangster
- Michael Cera
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Leonardo Di Caprio
- Justin Bieber
- Sean Astin
- Ethan Embry

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About This Article

Reviewed by:

Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Social Media Marketing Expert

This article was reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones and by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA . Anyah Gilmore-Jones is a Social Media Marketing Expert based in Nashville, Tennessee. An innovative experiential and social media marketer, Anyah is skilled at creating engaging brand experiences and leverages her passion for connecting people and ideas to drive organic growth for purpose-driven brands. As the founder of GROW by Gilmore, a social media strategy company, Anyah develops data-driven social media strategies focused on authentic community building. She has over 4 years of experience spearheading viral campaigns and producing content for brands like HBCU Buzz, Black & Scholared, SHEIN, and Project Art Collective. She received her BA from Howard University in Political Science and Government. This article has been viewed 1,283 times.

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Co-authors: 5

Updated: August 21, 2024

Views: 1,283

Categories: English Dialects and Slang

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