Men and women alike ask the question “what makes an attractive man?”. There is a multitude of attributes that make a man attractive. On a physical level, facial features, height, physique, apparent status, personal hygiene, and body language all play key roles in a man’s desirability. On a psychological level, flirtatiousness, kindness, humor, power, loyalty, and wisdom also play their parts in a man’s attractiveness.
Although we might not feel comfortable about admitting it, most of us are strongly influenced by the physical attractiveness of our prospective partners.
A study done by Swami & Furnham in 2008 found that the only important determinant for liking a partner was his / her physical attractiveness and that no other characteristics mattered (even money, humor, or intelligence!!!)
You’re bound to have heard the phrase “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” (the romantic notion that each of us has our idea of what is attractive), but interestingly this is not true. It is generally agreed upon which people are deemed attractive and this agreement spans across cultures and even includes the views of children.
So without further ado, here is our listicle of what makes an attractive man. In this list, we’ll furnish you with some actionable tips and tricks to speed you along your way to improve your looks and appear more handsome.
What makes an attractive man?
Skin
To kick things off, let’s talk about your epidermis. There’s a ton of research that suggests that looking after your skin is one of the best ways to improve your appearance and boost your good looks.
Top ways to make your skin glow:
- 1 – Keep out of the sun. Too much sunshine can lead to age spots and wrinkles. If you have to go out in it, slap on some SPF 15+ sunscreen and cover up the rest of your body with loose clothing.
- 2 – Be gentle at wash time. Keep away from strong soaps, shave gently without pressing too hard and moisturize regularly if you have dry skin.
- 3 – Eat lots of fruit & veg. And get some whole grains and lean proteins, too. And while we’re on the subject, keep your skin looking tip-top by drinking plenty of water to keep it hydrated.
- 4 – Lay off the ciggies. blah, blah, blah…Yes, we know you don’t want to hear it but in the interests of full disclosure, we have to mention that smoking makes your skin look older and gives you wrinkles.
Physique
How many times have you thought “is my body desirable to women?”.
Millennial dudes have had to deal with the pressures of body image like no generation before. The gyms are now full of men desiring a ‘gym body’ to stay attractive to women.
Women still like men with broad shoulders, which probably dates back to our Stone-Age ancestors’ tastes. Wide shoulders are still seen as masculine and strong which can make a lass feel more feminine in contrast.
So get active guys! Start by joining a gym, start a routine of jogging, whatever floats your boat because there’s no dispute that your body is a huge part of the attractiveness puzzle.
Wardrobe
Women appreciate it when a man has put in some effort to look nice but a Versace suit will only get you so far! What is more important is how a man behaves than the brand of his clothes.
Women have all many differing ideas about what clothes look good on a man. It is better to stick to some general style rules in this regard. When choosing an outfit for a date, try to choose clothing items that send out POSITIVE vibes that might hint at your personality or lifestyle.
Women that are on the lookout for a longer-term partner are attracted to men who are good providers. You should dress in a more “mature” style which can signal that you’re the “marrying type”.
And a little tip is to try WEARING RED!!! – A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that men wearing the color red were considered more sexually attractive by women.
Hygiene
Your personal hygiene matters! Whether you’re keen on keeping your current partner or attracting a new one, a good grooming regime is the way to go.
Studies have shown that women rate us guys on the way they smell. Olfactory cues inform women about strength and health attributes. These along with a nice cologne will likely subliminally influence members of the opposite sex who may be “looking for love”.
Grooming
A study done at Northumbria University found that women were drawn to men sporting stubble. They concluded that such fellows were considered more attractive sexual partners, more mature, and even more masculine than their beardless counterparts.
It is safe to say that beards are seen as a sign of masculine prowess these days and those ladies that are attracted by them, regard them as a sign of dominance. It’s a strange phenomenon but the perception of a man’s masculinity increases with the amount of facial hair that he has.
If you are ready to jump on the “Beard Train”, there are tons of resources online but our favorite is BeardResource.com. You can also check out our article How to Grow a beard for some handy tips.
Posture
The way you carry yourself is a very telling insight into your psyche and sends a clear message out to the world. American psychologist Ray Birdwhistell’s studies stunned us by showing that in indirect conversations, only 35% of the information came from words and a whopping 65% came from body language.
Practicing good posture might sound silly and a waste of time but think again! By standing up straight with your shoulders back, you will appear more confident and in control, which in turn makes you seem more attractive. (You will also appear a little taller, too so that’s a bonus.)
Posture Tips
- 1 – Keep your shoulders as square as possible.
- 2 – Keep your spine straight.
- 3 – Do your best to center your hips over your feet.
- 4 – Walk with confidence and don’t drag your feet or shuffle along. Also, avoid putting your hands in your pants pockets or looking at the ground.
We hope you enjoyed this article and it has given you some ideas and actionable tips about what makes an attractive man.
Thanks for the photo How to be cool at the gym Flickr photo by memebinge and Posture & pain flickr photo by Dreaming in the deep south shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license.
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