When women are described as handsome, it’s kind of a left-handed compliment. I think of sturdy farm women or other less-than-feminine women when I hear someone describe a woman as handsome. They are attractive, but not in a way that’s particularly sexually appealing to straight men.
I guess many Lesbians I’ve met might be called handsome. They certainly aren’t ugly, but they aren’t attractive in ways that society values women. Quite often, they are what would be described as stocky or husky if they were men.