There was a paper here on HN a few months back that compared averaged faces to faces with unchanged bone structure but smoothed skin; the differences in rated attractiveness were apparently negligible (and average faces with bad skin faired poorly). Averaging removes blemishes.
Cartoonists and animators have long contended that some small asymmetries enhance the emotional connection we have with a character --- think of a puppy with one ear that points up, or with a spot over one eye. Sympathy isn't beauty, I admit; I think it might contribute to attraction, though.
some small asymmetries enhance the emotional connection
Small asymmetries. Which, by design must be built on top of something that is otherwise relatively perfect. Otherwise the asymmetry does not stand out, and the whole thing is just a mess.
For example, a mangy old cur with one ear that points up, or a spot over one eye.
Cartoonists and animators have long contended that some small asymmetries enhance the emotional connection we have with a character --- think of a puppy with one ear that points up, or with a spot over one eye. Sympathy isn't beauty, I admit; I think it might contribute to attraction, though.