5 Ways To Boost Your Attractiveness

The thought of becoming more attractive appeals to many. After all, life is easier when you're considered beautiful. People who are perceived to be attractive are also often thought to be morally superior than those thought to be less attractive, according to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. Meanwhile, research also shows that attractive people are more likely to find success in their careers; one 2006 study in the American Economic Review found that physically attractive participants displayed better communication skills and more confidence, and were (incorrectly) perceived to be more competent, resulting in raised wages. Of course, this is all wildly unfair since pretty privilege is unearned, but the silver lining is you can really make yourself more attractive — and it has nothing to do with what you look like. 

Theories abound as to the non-physical factors that can make a person more alluring, from what zodiac season they're born in to unexpected traits that men, in particular, find attractive, like intelligence. But now we have some hard-and-fast scientific proof that surprising elements, like wearing perfume or showing emotional warmth, can boost your beauty rating. You're already enough as you are, but if you'd like to appear more attractive and reap some of those pretty-privilege benefits, adopting these simple traits is your best bet. 

There are widespread debates about whether looks or personality traits are more important in a person's overall attractiveness, and while your money might have been on physical characteristics, some studies suggest the opposite. For instance, 2010 research published in the journal Sex Roles found that the biggest "bases of attraction" in same-gender couples were agreeableness and extraversion, which rated more highly than physical looks. It seems as if your personality can make you more attractive, and perhaps the most effective personality trait is warmth. A 2021 study published in Social Neuroscience found that faces perceived to be physically attractive were often perceived to exude warmth as well, so there's a clear link between the two characteristics. In addition to this, 2019 research published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin demonstrates that warmth, along with trustworthiness, is considered an important attribute in a romantic partner, and this quality impacted the attractiveness rating of potential romantic mates in the study. 

The exact definition of "warmth" isn't set in stone, but psychologist Karen Young of Hey Sigmund believes that it involves showing vulnerability, expressing curiosity, and openly listening to others. The 2019 study, meanwhile, states that warmth and trustworthiness are desirable because they tend to correlate with "greater closeness, protection, acceptance, and safety." Warm personalities are also generally related to characteristics like friendliness and kindness. While these come naturally to some people, they're also skills that can be learned with a little practice, and if this research is anything to go by, that practice is well worth investing in.

Finding the key to exuding warmth from your personality may require time and energy if it doesn't come naturally to you, but thankfully, there may be a speedier way to boost your attractiveness: wearing red. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology concluded across five experiments that heterosexual men found women in red "more attractive and more sexually desirable." While 2016 research published in Evolutionary Psychology seems to contradict this, a more recent 2018 study from the same journal suggests that the red theory may hold weight, particularly for men, and could even be impacted by the shade of red used.

Since there is some promising research in this mix, it's worth testing out the theory for yourself, particularly as it doesn't require a huge investment of time or money. Try wearing the red clothes you already own, or head out and buy a simple red dress. An even easier way to experiment with this theory is opting for crimson makeup via the red-lip effect, which is said to attract more attention. "Simply said, red lipstick draws attention to your mouth," relationship expert Sameera Sullivan explained to Bustle. "It conveys the message: Pay attention to what I have to say." Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Holly Schiff, PsyD, also told the outlet, "Red lips are universally appealing possibly due to the perceived association with sexual arousal."

Out of the five senses, society tends to place the most weight on sight when it comes to physical attraction. However, your sense of smell can also come into play in deciding whether someone is attractive or not. A 2021 study found in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications shows that olfactory cues can alter people's perception while also impacting the wearer's confidence. We already know from phenomena like the Marilyn Monroe effect that confidence is sexy, but the effect of scent on other people's perception of you is key here. Cognitive neuroscientist Janina Seubert, PhD, confirmed this notion, explaining, "Odor pleasantness and facial attractiveness integrate into one joint emotional evaluation" (via Science Daily). Seubert authored a 2014 study under the Monell Chemical Senses Center that found that both olfactory and visual tiggers can change the way you appear to someone else, with pleasant smells particularly boosting your attractiveness rating.

What constitutes a pleasant smell? The answer, again, comes down to the old adage of beauty (or, in this case, irresistible scents) lying in the nose of the beholder. However, there are a few globally popular aromas that have a good chance of hitting the spot with the person you're trying to impress, including vanilla, peaches, and lavender. It might also help to seek out perfumes that last longer than their counterparts, such as those containing notes of musk or wood. Of course, be sure to apply your fragrance to the most important place for the best results: your belly button! 

We've already touched on how confidence is universally considered to be attractive. According to dating coach Joann Cohen, straight men tend to be more attracted to confident women because they're "secure," "assertive," and typically more optimistic. While there are endless things you can do to develop and own your self-confidence, one of the quickest ways to get a confidence boost is to simply use confident body language. Body language expert Scott Taylor summed it up pretty clearly for the Daily Mail: "Confident people take up space." Specifically, Taylor advises one of the best things to do is mirror the body language of someone whose eye you're trying to catch. 

Notably, confident body language can also consist of power poses. Body language expert Amy Cuddy revealed on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast in 2023 that making a typical "superhero" pose with your hands on your hips and a straight spine can help to shed extra nerves before an event — or when you simply need a dose of confidence before walking into a room. Just be sure to do your superhero pose in private so you don't cross the line from confident to cartoonish. 

One of the most unexpected ways to appear more attractive is by being more curious. This trait may have killed the cat, but according to multiple studies, it can make a person appear more attractive in a social setting. The general thought behind this idea is that people like talking about themselves, and curious probing invites them to do so, which, in turn, makes the experience more enjoyable. More specifically, 2012 research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America suggests that this is because we find self-disclosure "intrinsically rewarding." The effect could also be seen in an earlier study from 2005 in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, which found that participants who displayed curiosity during social interactions were perceived as more attractive, and this was more significant on their level of perceived attractiveness than other factors, such as social anxiety.

While being openly curious is likely to endear you to strangers, it also works on the person you're already in a relationship with. Being curious about and actively listening to your partner's stories, concerns, feelings, and anything else they share can help to build love and intimacy. This consequently boosts feelings of attraction in a couple, as it nurtures their connection and leads to increased empathy. However, regardless of whether you're single or in a relationship, curiosity tends to only reap these social benefits if it's interest-curiosity, per a 2023 study published in Personality and Individual Differences. In other words, show curiosity out of a genuine desire to know more about another person, rather than engaging in deprivation-curiosity, which is when you're frustrated that you don't have answers to something.