ABSTRACT In this work we study the connection between subjective evaluation of facial aesthetics and selected objective parameters based on photo-quality and facial soft biometrics. The approach is novel in that it jointly considers both previous results on photo quality and beauty assessment, as well as it incorporates non-permanent facial characteristics and expressions in the context of female facial aesthetics. This study helps us understand the role of this specific set of features in affecting the way humans perceive facial images. Based on the above objective parameters, we further construct a simple linear metric that hints modifiable parameters for aesthetics enhancement, as well as tunes soft biometric systems that would seek to predict the way humans perceive facial aesthetics. Index Terms-Facial aesthetics, facial beauty, soft biometrics, image quality assessment.