I think we have bred ugly women out of the gene pool for millennia. Men are said to be very visual when seeking a partner whereas women have traditionally prioritized looks and even age somewhere down the list and well below security. Personally I think it's true. I've seen a lot of beautiful women with homely guys with hair and without.
And, a recent theory suggests a wide facial width to height ratio suggests greater testosterone levels in males, and that women are attracted to masculinity. I think there could be some truth to it.
I think societal trends play a huge role also on what is attractive and what is not.
Example an *** and thighs like J Lo in 60s, 70s and 80s even part of 90s would have been seen as ugly.
Same can be said for Angelina Jolie lips--if you look at old classic films you never see white women (even attractive black women Lena Horn for example) with huge lips. This did not become a trend in fashion industry until late 70s early 80s and really became huge in 80s/90s etc.
Large breasts in 20s 30s and 40s was not deemed attractive (Jean harlow) , but then in 50s, 60s (marilyn manor) voluptuous became more of a standard. Athletic, active looking women became more of a trend in late 70s into 80s.
In cave man days--you guys would not have much choice it was probably mostly 'scent' (we did not shower back then we probably smelled musky male/female a good distance away and that probably triggered arousal in men at least)
And it was based on what we would consider in modern times as rape (i am using the word loosely but basically I doubt Caveman Bill was asking Cavewoman Jill if she wanted to procreate)
If you saw a woman you probably just took advantage of opportunity as it presented itself.
I doubt all these criteria was even important.
As we evolved as a society these things became more relevant...If anything I think its been our societal evolution that has contributed to our selective instincts.
If a caveman who was horny saw a 35 year old woman (old lady for those times) I really doubt he selectively said "Nah" I will pass she does not have a good waist to hip ratio and she has some wrinkles...He bent her over and fucked her and went on his merry way.
Other than tits and hips society has a huge role in what we deem as acceptable in attractiveness..
I think a lot of who we are attracted to has to do with our ego as well both men and women and how others will perceive and judge us based on mates.
Many men will f*** women in secret--even having great sex with them--BUT not deem that woman attractive enough to bring around friends or family for whatever reasons (ugly face, fat body, old, different race etc) because they don't want to be judged by that woman who they think society would believe is beneath standards and won't reflect on him well.
I am not saying women don't do this either but personally don't know any--but I know a lot of men over years who are friends who have done this and openly talked about it. I do know girls back in 80s who were secretive when f*****g outside race (In ny 80s this was really taboo) or same sex.
But seriously who knows--none of us are anthropologists who specialize in early man and mating practices to have an authentic unbiased outlook and I am sure even amongst people who devoted their life to this study--they cant even know for sure, they just have various hypothesis...I do know an anthropologist from years ago but I am embarrassed to ask her about this because how do I explain the context lol. 'I was on this mens forums and blah blah blah....'