When we were awkward little women back in our high school days, we spent hours aplenty in front of the mirror, trying to determine what it would take to be pretty. We modeled our ideal selves after the prom queens and movie stars that boys seemed to uniformly agree were the ideal women. But that was then.
Well, high school is now in the past, and a little dating in the grown-up world has probably taught you that men’s tastes vary as much as ours do. Thick and thin, tall and petite . . . every body type and every look has its admirers. With this in mind, it’s time to stop obsessing over the beauty you’d be if only you had Angelina’s lips, and start focusing on the personal habits that make a natural beauty (such as yourself) that much more alluring. Men are physical creatures, yes. But even they will tell you that your attitude and lifestyle go along way toward drawing them in.
So Ladies, it’s time to get gorgeous.
Get Confident. Easier said than done, right? You can’t will yourself to be confident any more easily than you can will yourself to be happy. But with some practice, you can cultivate confidence. First, get in the habit of dwelling on your strengths just as much as you do your weaknesses. Try to make note of all your prettiest features and your most admirable character traits. When you succeed congratulate yourself, no matter how small the success. After a while, recognizing your positive attributes will become habit, and confidence will feel like a more natural part of who you are.
Another trick for gaining confidence is the good, old fashioned “Fake it till you make it” technique. You know what confidence looks like . . . tall posture, easy smile, open body language. When you copy the stature of confidence, you begin to feel it within you. The feeling might be faint at first, but keep with it. Your body guides your feelings just as much as your feelings guide your body.
Live An Active Life. A woman who is interested and engaged in the world around her is much more likely to nab the attention of a man than a woman who stays holed up in her house watching television shows that barely interest her. Get out and try new things! Take a class in an activity that intrigues you, explore a part of town you’ve never seen before, take a trip. Not only will a more active lifestyle help you attract a mate, it will also brighten your life and your attitude.
Hang On To That Sense Of Humor. A woman who takes herself too seriously comes off as cold to the average man. The joy of being in a relationship is having someone to play with . . . a man is likely to walk away from someone who seems incapable of laughter. If you tend to be a little uptight, give yourself permission to lighten up and laugh at yourself from time to time.
Don’t Be Afraid To Demonstrate Your Independence. Yes, many men love playing Big Strong Man to a delicate damsel. Nevertheless, they often find it just as hot to know that you can take care of yourself. This might be because your independence is linked to your confidence. A woman who knows she can do for herself is a woman who holds her head high and walks through life with a smile. You don’t have to make a big show of wearing the pants in the relationship; just carry yourself like a woman who appreciates her man’s gestures of support as special treats and not as necessities.
Be Good To Those Around You. Men respond to kindness. Sometimes we get caught back up in those high school memories, thinking of boys fawning over the hottest girl, regardless of her ugly attitude. Snap back, girls. Like us, men mature with time, and as long as you’re dating a grown-up, you’re dating a man who’s opinion of you is heavily influenced by the way you treat those around you. You don’t have to be Mother Theresa, just be warm with your friends, polite to your waiter, and affectionate to your man. Kindness is hot.
Take Care Of Yourself. Okay, it’s true . . . men often say they want a woman who “takes care of herself” because they know they sound shallow when they say they want a hottie. But ignore what it means in Man Code and think of what it means for you. When you’re living with respect for your own mental, emotional, and physical health, it shows. And most men will take a healthy woman over a hot mess any day.
Actually, that’s what this all comes down to: taking care of yourself. The more self-assured, alive, and healthy you are, the more appealing you’ll be to the opposite sex . . . and the happier you’ll be. So stuff the mail-order lip plumper back in the drawer and ask about that ceramics class at the community college. It’s time to get gorgeous.
