A new study by the University of Queensland in Australia found that women are more attracted to men with beards — which is very good to know, since bearded men are a dime a dozen these days. But it’s the reason women gave for why they’re attracted to men with beards that matters: because it makes them appear more dominant. In other words, beards make men appear masculine.

Unfortunately, we’re in the midst of a full-blown war on masculinity‚ which may very well be why beards are in vogue. As the study revealed, beards give the impression that men are masculine. But are they?