Eye Appeal V. Buy Appeal

So I have been happily focused on assembling a nice set of 1893 to 1950s Commemorative halves and concentrating on slabs 63 or 64+ (when affordable) since I am very concerned about counterfeits and until my grading of raw coins improves I think slabs are a better alternative. I am also buying some raw coins to use for grading experience comparing against the slabs. I know there are some fake slabs out there but I think buying primarily on ebay from high feedback sellers will keep me safer. Also bought some good reference books which may turn out to be my best investment. There are some amazing posts here of outstanding high grade coins some frosty white and some with amazing toning. My conclusion is that for me- eye appeal wins over grade in many cases. Some of the 66 or 67 graded coins with black mark blemishes or what I feel is odd toning, blackish rim toning etc strike me as less appealing (to me) than say a 60 or 63 that is frosty and clean. I admit I am not an experienced collector and wondering what others feel about this. Am I overthinking the eye appeal issue. Also, once in a slab is toning basically done or could it still change appearance? I am not necessarily accumulating for "investment" purposes so the eye appeal to me seems to guide my purchases. thoughts?