Every era leaves a signature on the way it defines female beauty. Standards shift, recede, and return, never disappearing entirely, just reshaping themselves to match the cultural mood of the time.
Today, that evolution is unfolding at unprecedented speed. We live in an age where almost anything can be altered, curated, or enhanced, particularly for those in the spotlight. Beauty has become broader, more pluralistic, and more customisable than ever. The 21st century is, in many ways, a modern reflection of Hollywood’s Golden Age, when curvier silhouettes, hourglass lines, and fuller lips dominated the public imagination. These traits still resonate, but they no longer stand alone. The question now is: what nuances define the most compelling version of female attractiveness today?
To find out, the team at PlayersTime examined Maxim’s Sexiest Women lists from 2016 to 2025 and uncovered which physical traits truly characterise the modern ‘pretty woman’.
Female beauty has been a subject of fascination for ages. But what defines the most attractive female profile today? We analysed Maxim’s Sexiest Women lists from 2016 to 2025 to find out.
Here are the top-ranked physical traits and features:
Body:The Best Build
- Slim68%
- Athletic14%
- Average6%
- Mascular6%
- Curvy6%
- Yes32%
- No68%
- Face24%
- Body20%
Most Attractive
Attributes
- Yes64%
- No36%
- In a Relationship56%
- Married22%
- Single12%
- Engaged 10%
- Libra16%
- Scorpio14%
- Aries10%
- Leo10%
- Sagittarius10%
Women with tattoos are a turn-on: almost two-thirds of the celebrities we looked at are inked.
Libra and Scorpio stand out as the most attractive zodiac signs for women.
Having surgery, either body or facial, accounts for almost half (44%) of the analysed profiles, while the rest have none.
Data gathered from Maxim’s Sexiest Women lists between 2016 and 2025 (no list in 2020).
Marital status, age, and physical appearance of the women analysed is accurate as of the year they appeared on the list.
The Survey Methodology
This survey draws on Maxim’s Sexiest Women lists from 2016 to 2025, offering a detailed examination of the women who have shaped contemporary perceptions of beauty. The nominees – ranging from singers and actors to models, were analysed across key categories, including physical features, profession, date of birth, and marital status. Then, all were assessed to identify what defines the modern ideal of female beauty, such as eye colour, hair colour and type, face shape, plastic surgery, tattoos, and other appealing attributes. The data was meticulously organised to provide information on which traits are most common and most desired.
In total, 50 celebrity profiles were reviewed. All information accumulated matches the specific period in which each celebrity appeared on Maxim’s list. To ensure accuracy and enrich the dataset, details were cross-referenced with publicly available sources such as IMDb, Ethnicelebs, and Pinkmirror.
As a result, the Sexiest Woman Study offers a comprehensive view of what modern attractiveness looks like and how contemporary beauty standards are shaped, reinforced, and projected across popular culture.
Across the years, Maxim’s selections have formed a strikingly diverse constellation of celebrities, each marked by their own exceptional appeal. 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. Alongside these enduring figures, emerging talents also contribute to the modern ideal, including athletes like Alicia Schmidt and Coco Gauff, as well as actresses such as Jenna Ortega, among a wider circle of influential women. Together, these profiles reflect a cultural shift that continues to shape the beauty standards of our generation, shifting every time a new fan-favourite captures public attention.
The Most Irresistible Woman
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Brown46%
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Blue28%
-
Hazel14%
-
Green10%
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Other2%
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Dark Brown38%
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Light Blonde22%
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Light Brown14%
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Dark Blonde14%
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Other12%
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Long44%
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Medium42%
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Short8%
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Other6%
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Heart44%
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Square24%
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Diamond14%
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Oval14%
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Round4%
Data gathered from Maxim’s Sexiest Women lists between 2016 and 2025 (no list in 2020).
Marital status, age, and physical appearance of the women analysed is accurate as of the year they appeared on the list.
She might be an actress, a model, a singer, or a businesswoman, each path offering its own distinct expression of beauty, all converging in a single, unforgettable presence. And as the saying goes, the truth often lies somewhere in between: the polished lens of professional photos, the glare of the stage lights, and the glitter that goes hand in hand with the Oscars red carpet.
The traits of the ideal modern woman turn out to be the following: she is tall, long-haired, and dark-featured, opposing many beauty surveys that often favour fair eyes and hair. She is also slim and elegant, standing around 1.72 m, neither too short nor model height, with a heart-shaped, delicate face that embodies feminine beauty in its purest form. Her long, flowing hair moves effortlessly with the breeze, reminiscent of someone like Lily Aldridge, whose profile exemplifies this ideal almost perfectly. The woman of everyone’s dreams may carry a tattoo, a quiet inscription of individuality. At first glance, she may appear ordinary, yet her features possess a refined, enduring beauty.
Feminine beauty remains strongly associated with long hair: 44% of the contestants have it, compared to just 8% for short hair. Across many cultures, long hair has historically symbolised health, fertility, and grace, reflecting its connection to social status and influence, and continues to be seen as a defining element of femininity.
Attractiveness also appears closely linked to relationship status. Most celebrities on Maxim’s list were in a relationship (56%) or married (22%) at the time they were chosen (many still are), while single stars lagged, accounting for only 12% of entrants. This preference suggests that qualities associated with commitment – dependability, loyalty, presence, and mutual support – remain highly valued; women who inspire trust and reliability are consistently admired.
Certain physical characteristics also continue to play a central role. A slim silhouette emerged as the preferred body type (68%), outperforming athletic (14%), average (6%), and even curvy figures (6%). While the hourglass shape remains a prominent fashion trend, particularly for Fall 2025, it is less frequently identified as a defining trait of the sexiest woman, as only 32% of the celebrities on our list have it.
Tattoos, however, have steadily gained appeal, with 64% of the women in the study having decided to put ink on their bodies to show their individuality or beliefs. Recent statistics even claim that American women tend to have more tattoos than men do. Despite occasional religious disapproval, tattoos continue to serve as fashionable symbols that complement and enhance a woman’s individuality and character.
Last but definitely not least, a natural appearance remains highly valued among female celebrities. Those without surgical enhancements account for 56% of the stars on the list, compared to 24%, who are known to have had facial surgery, and 20% are ladies with some type of body procedures. In an era when aesthetic interventions are increasingly common, this preference highlights that admirers favour female stars who maintain a more natural look.
Star Sign Analysis
Astrology has become one of pop culture’s favourite ways to talk about attractiveness without ever using a ruler. Instead of ranking looks, people use star signs to describe energy, confidence, mystery, charm, and intensity. Whether it’s the bold flirtiness of fire signs, the magnetic depth of water signs, or the cool confidence of air signs, astrology gives people a playful vocabulary for talking about what makes someone feel sexy. According to the data in our study, a visible contest for prominence emerges: Libra (16%) edges out Scorpio (14%) for the top spot, though the margin is a mere 2%.
Libras, born between September 23 and October 23, are celebrated for their fairness, charm, and understanding. Libra women, in particular, often carry a soft, magnetic confidence that draws people in, a mix of empathy, social grace, and effortless elegance. Their balanced nature makes them not just attractive but deeply grounding partners who bring harmony to relationships.
Scorpios, born between October 23 and November 21, are known for their intensity, loyalty, and emotional depth. Women born under this sign are frequently perceived as especially desirable, as they tend to seek profound, authentic connections and express a strong, confident emotional presence. Conversely, the Fire Signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, appear toward the lower end of the rankings, even though fire-sign women are traditionally described as some of the sexiest due to their boldness, confidence, and natural allure. As partners, they tend to be passionate, energetic, and adventurous, encouraging spontaneity and boldness. Their fiery nature, however, seems to translate into a different style of charm, one defined less by classic descriptors of sexiness and more by passion, confidence, and momentum.
While there is much more that could be explored, this snapshot of zodiac traits reveals the distinctive qualities that instantly draw one’s attention. Astrology may not be an exact science, yet it offers a lens through which to appreciate female nature, individuality, and the traits that captivate admiration.
Summary
By tracing the women featured in Maxim’s Hot 100 from 2016 to 2025, we see a fascinating tapestry of contemporary allure unfold. Names may change, trends may shift, but certain qualities remain magnetic: statuesque elegance, flowing hair that catches the light, a confident presence, and that elusive mix of youthfulness and sophistication. It makes one wonder: is sexiness simply a reflection of physical traits, or is it the energy, poise, and charisma a woman carries that truly captivates? Across nearly a decade of Hot 100s, one thing is clear: while tastes evolve, the most memorable women exude a combination of beauty, confidence, and undeniable presence that keeps culture watching, talking, and endlessly intrigued.