50 Genius Ways to Be Instantly More Attractive (part 2).
26. Pull Your Shoulders Out.
In addition to standing up straight, Dr. Egbogah recommends actively "pull[ing] your shoulders back and out." This, she says, is a "power pose," and while women find it attractive because is "emphasizes the chest," men find it desirable as well as it exposes the "
sensual inner wrist."
27. Hang Out with Attractive People.
While conventional wisdom says to hang out with people less attractive than you are in order to fare better by comparison, doing so won't actually boost your attractiveness. According to Kenger, when someone looks at people within a group, their brain "averages out the faces," when considering the group's attractiveness. To appear more desirable, then, it helps to be surrounded by others who can help—by their addition—to increase your groups' average attractiveness level, rather than dragging it down.
28. Don't Wear Clothing That Is Too Big.
Though fashion trends may ebb and flow—emphasizing one cut one day and another the next—it's never a good idea to wear clothes that are too big for you, says Jack Vitel, a relationship coach and founder of the relationship blog RoadToSolidity.com. While it may be part of a larger ensemble, or a symptom of your desire to go back to the '90s, the effect it will have is only to make you appear "stubby" and "without shape." Regardless of era, he says, "fitting clothing is the way to go."
29. Mirror Your Partner.
Prefacing his tip with the warning "don't make it weird," Caleb Backe, a Health & Wellness expert at Maple Holistics, recommends adopting a partner's body language to increase your attractiveness to them. While this should be done subtly—after all, no one likes actively being overtly mimicked—doing so "shows them that you're paying attention" as well as validating them, making you seem more attractive in return.
30. Wear Clothing That Accentuates Your Favorite Features.
Don't be afraid, says Darlene Corbett, a licensed therapist and author of Stop Depriving The World Of You, to wear clothing that "accentuate[s] your bodily attributes." While you might be the type to prefer understated accents to in-your-face statements, there's no harm—and quite a lot of good—to be gained from dressing to your strengths. If you've got it, after all, you might as well flaunt it.
31. Grow a Beard.
While stubble is proven to be the most widely attractive form of facial hair, there's a niche for other designs, as well. Specifically, says Kenger, if you're looking for something "long-term," go with the (short) beard. As a result, he says, "you'll be perceived as more trustworthy."
32. Wear Rimless Glasses.
Similarly, while glasses were shown to decrease attractive in most wearers, they had their upsides too—specifically those of the rimless variety. Particularly, says Kenger, they made wearers appear "more intelligent and trustworthy." Like many decisions in life, says Kenger, "it's all a tradeoff."
33. Get The Right Haircut.
While there are endless varieties of popular new haircuts being trotted out each day, more important than anything is getting a cut which fits your face. Just because everyone else has a pompadour doesn't mean you should, too, and many of those wearing that trendy style would probably be better with a different cut, as well. You wouldn't wear the same shoes as your neighbor, after all, so why have the same haircut?
34. Groom Appropriately.
You don't need to spend "tons of time and money," says Dr. Christine Carpenter, a psychologist and dating coach at Evolve Dating Consultation, but it's important to pay at least some attention to your grooming and style of dress. At the very least, she says, "look like you put in some effort." Failing to do so, she warns, doesn't come across as unique or rebellious—like it may have when you were younger—but instead "broadcasts low self-esteem."
35. Have Your Hands Out.
Ever found yourself on camera or film and wondered: "What do I do with my hands?" Well, apparently that's not the only time to be asking yourself that perplexing question. In order to appear "strong," says Dr. Carpenter, and attract the gaze of a possible mate, it's important to have you hands at the ready and "available for action." While it may seem the epitome of cool to stroll down the block with your hands in the pockets of a trench coat, apparently it's not the most effective way to attract a partner.
36. Hold Your Head Up.
Attractiveness, says Corbett, "start[s] with how you project yourself." For her, this means maintaining a posture that keeps your head held high. As long as you don't take the opportunity to literally look down your nose at others, she says, the position "exudes a sense of confidence," and "not arrogance."
37. Don't Worry So Much.
Sometimes the best way to attract others is to simply let your guard down. While violating too many of the rules of attraction will likely end up poorly, ignoring a few here and there in an effort to appear more real can help endear you to others who themselves are likely just as confused as you are.
38. Keep Your Wardrobe Updated.
Clothes don't make the man, but they can help undo him. While it's not crucial, as Dr. Carpenter says, to remain "on the cutting edge of the latest trends," that doesn't mean it's okay to non-ironically dress like a character in an '80s movie just because you don't want to go shopping. "It doesn't take much," Dr. Carpenter says, to avoid "com[ing] across as lazy and sloppy," and a little effort goes a long way.
39. Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously.
While your strengths are what initially draw the gaze of others, it's your weaknesses that endear them for the long-term. To really up your attractiveness, then, it can be helpful to take yourself a bit less seriously, and be able to enjoy a joke or two at your own expense—and maybe even by your own hand.
40. Add Some Color To Your Face.
In the same way that bright clothing draws attention to a prospective mate, so does color on the face. To increase attraction, then, try some bright blush or a colored lipstick—anything that really makes your face pop as compared to plain ole skin.
41. Ask Questions.
While your own accomplishments and goals are sure to help gain the approval and respect of others, it can be even more appealing to appear interested in learning about the accomplishments and goals of your prospective partner. Instead of trying to woo solely by your own merit, try asking questions and learning about what makes them tick. After all, there's nothing quite as endearing as someone being interested in you.
42. Work On Your Personality.
"Studies show," says Kenger, that "judgments of physical attractiveness are influenced by familiarity, liking, respect, and talent." To boost your appearance, then, try "improving some of your personality traits," like staying positive and being agreeable. In addition, he says, while it isn't a pageant, it can't hurt to "show off some of your talents."
43. Be Confident.
"Self-esteem instantly makes you a more attractive person," says Backe. While this isn't something that can be done overnight, performing some of the associated behaviors—making "solid eye contact," engaging in "more free body language," and generally being "less guarded"—is a good start.
44. Work on Your Humor.
"Ask anybody to name the top quality they look for in a significant other," says Backe, "and you'll be surprised at how many people answer, 'a sense of humor.'" In addition to being "fun to be around," he says, this is because funny people are considered "more social and intelligent." Off-the-cuff cleverness not exactly your thing? Come with a few memorized jokes in hand and try working them into conversation—nobody has to know exactly where you got your sense of humor from.
45. Wear The Right Makeup.
Contours, highlights, thicker-than-thick eyebrows: there's no shortage of makeup trends to go around. However, just like a haircut, there's usually a makeup regimen which makes sense for each individual, rather than just the blanket "look" that graces most social media feeds. So, before deciding on what products to use, and how to use them, get to know your own face in all its pre-made-up glory.
46. Relax Your Face.
Though a stern countenance can appear mysterious, it can also ward off the very types of interactions its appeal hopes to lure. To instead appear more "approachable," says Dr. Carpenter—and the kind of person that someone can just walk up and talk to—try "relax[ing] your facial muscles." And don't fret—you can always get your jaw workouts in later.
47. Camouflage Your Least Favorite Features.
Just because an outfit or a piece of clothing is fabulous doesn't mean it has to be fabulous on you. We all have affinities for certain parts of our bodies—and less so for others—and the garments we put on them should reflect that fact. "When one says 'yes to the dress,'" Corbett explains, it should be to an outfit "which flatters," and not one which, despite its own elegance, "detracts."
48. Find People Who Share Your Values.
"Similarity," says Kenger, "creates a bond and reinforces our own beliefs." As a result, we tend to "find people who agree with our values and beliefs" more attractive than those who don't. To boost your attractiveness, then, you may just need to find a more like-minded pool of applicants.
49. Smile.
"It seems mundane," says Carpenter,"but [smiling] really counts." While you shouldn't make an effort to appear happier than you really are, she says, there's no harm in "present[ing] a side of yourself that others feel would be pleasant to be around." And if really, deep down, you're "broody or dark," she says, don't worry, others will "find this out" eventually.
50. Nod Your Head.
According to one 2017 study, when a subject nodded their head they increased their "attractiveness, likability, and approachability." So, while you may not agree with everything your date is saying, it's a good idea to nod your head like you do regardless. And who knows? Maybe after you two fall madly in love, they'll actually convince you to their point of view, making the constant nodding a whole lot easier.
