MEN: HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF ATTRACTIVE TO WOMEN

(Feb. 2016) Here are some ways men can make themselves appear more attractive to women, according to research.
1. Present yourself as high-status. In 1969, a University of North Carolina study found that looks and wealth tend to find one another – namely, good-looking women tended to settle down with less attractive but wealthier men.
2. Look older. Psychologists call it the ” George Clooney Effect.” As a 2010 study of 3,770 people suggested women often prefer older men. As the women become more financially independent, they say they like older guys even more.
3. Grow a light beard. While some claim that the beard trend is over, the research says it’s not. In a 2013 Australian study, researchers had 177 men and 351 women look at images of 10 men in one of four conditions: clean-shaven, light stubble, heavy stubble, or full beard. Participants rated the men pictured on several traits, including attractiveness. Results showed that women say the most attractive beard length is heavy stubble, which comes after about 10 days of growth. “Facial hair correlates not only with maturity and masculinity, but also with dominance and aggression,” write authors Barnaby J. Dixson and Robert C. Brooks. “An intermediate level of beardedness is most attractive,” they added.
4. Build muscle (but not too much). In a 2007 University of California at Los Angeles study, 286 women looked at pictures of shirtless men and indicated which ones seemed like they would make the best long- and short-term partners. Results showed that women were more likely to want short-term relationships with the guys who had big muscles. Less-muscular men were thought to be a better fit for long-term relationships.
5. Be kind. In a 2014 Chinese study, more than 100 young men and women looked at images of other men and women’s faces and rated them on attractiveness. Each face pictured was paired with a word that described either a positive personality trait – like kindness or honesty – or a negative personality trait – like being evil or mean. Results showed that the people described with positive traits were rated more attractive.
6. Wear red. A 2010 cross-cultural study – with participants from China, England, Germany, and the US – found that women are most attracted to men wearing red. In one experiment featured in the study, 21 female undergrads looked at a black-and-white picture of a man against either a red or white background, and then rated the man’s attractiveness. The man was rated significantly more attractive when he was pictured against the red background.
7. Get a dog. Owning a pet signals that you’re nurturing and capable of making long-term commitments. It can also help you appear more relaxed, approachable, and happy.
8. Play good music. In a 2014 study, researchers asked about 1,500 women to listen to simple and complex pieces of music and rate the attractiveness of the composer. The results showed that women preferred the more complex music, and said they would choose the composer of the more complex music as a long-term partner. If you’re not musically inclined, simply holding an instrument could help you score a date. A 2014 study found that men who approached 300 women and asked for their number were more successful when they carried a guitar case, as opposed to a gym bag or nothing at all.
9. Wear a scented deodorant. In a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, researchers gave one group of male undergraduates a spray with antimicrobial ingredients and fragrance oil and another group an unscented spray without antimicrobial ingredients. Over the next few days, the men who used the scented spray reported higher self-confidence and felt more attractive. When a group of women were shown silent videos of the men, they found those who were wearing scented spray more attractive, even though they obviously couldn’t smell them. The researchers determined that the men using the scented spray displayed more confident behavior, which in turn made them more attractive.
10. Chow down on garlic. The smell of garlic on your breath is generally regarded as an instant romance killer, but a recent series of studies suggests a different story when it comes to body odor. In one study, eight men ate a slice of bread with cheese and 12 grams of fresh garlic; another eight ate bread and cheese without any garlic. For the next 12 hours, the men wore cotton pads under their armpits and were instructed not to use any deodorants or fragrances. The following day, all the men returned to the lab, where 40 women sniffed the pads and rated the odor on pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity, and intensity. Results showed that the garlic group was rated more pleasant and attractive and less masculine and intense.
11. Do volunteer work. A 2013 study found that women find men more appealing when they demonstrate altruistic behavior.
12. Show off your scars. In a 2009 study, researchers took photos of 24 male and 24 female undergrads and digitally manipulated half of them so they appeared to have facial scars. Then they recruited another group of about 200 male and female undergrads to rate all the people pictured on attractiveness, for both short- and long-term relationships. Results showed that men with scars appeared slightly more attractive for short-term relationships than men without scars.
* There’s the list, fellas, and “good luck with that.”
* So, bottom line: Lie, and eat Italian food.
* How about skipping all these and wearing a t-shirt that says “I’m not fake.”
* And cut a hole in the t-shirt at the bottom to show off your appendectomy scar.
* Show off your scars, unless it’s from a vasectomy.
* Get a dog. Do NOT name your dog “Chick Magnet.”
* This is like how politicians craft themselves using focus groups, and we’ve seen how well THAT works out.
* The George Clooney Effect? Yeah, that’s what we’re going for. Sure …
* Unfortunately most guys are closer to the George Costanza Effect.
* Chomping down on garlic before a date? That is the single worst bit of advice I have ever heard on any topic in any forum anywhere.
* If they hadn’t already lost me, they would have lost me with that.
* Unless you’re planning a trip to Italy.