Attractiveness is subjective and depends on personal preferences. However, research has identified some common factors that contribute to someone being perceived as extremely attractive by most people.
Physical Appearance
Physical appearance plays a major role in attractiveness. Features like facial symmetry, clear skin, shiny hair, a fit physique, and good hygiene make someone more attractive. Evolutionarily, these features signal good health and strong genes, which makes sense for mate selection.
Some research-backed attractive physical traits include:
- Facial symmetry: Faces that are more symmetrical are rated as more attractive. Symmetry signals good genes and development.
- Clear, smooth skin: Skin quality is highly valued, especially for women. Clear, smooth, blemish-free skin indicates health.
- Shiny, healthy-looking hair: Full, lustrous, healthy-looking hair is attractive for both men and women.
- Fit, athletic physique: An average level of fat with some muscle tone is most attractive. Higher muscle mass is more attractive for men.
- Height: For men, being taller is more attractive up to around 6 feet. For women, being of average height is most attractive.
- Attractive body proportions: A waist-hip ratio of 0.7 for women and 0.9 for men is considered most attractive.
Grooming and hygiene also affect attractiveness. Well-groomed hair, clean teeth, fresh breath, and use of perfume or cologne can enhance attractiveness.
Face and Body Features
Specific facial and body features are associated with extreme attractiveness, particularly for women:
- Full lips: Lips with more volume and a pronounced cupid’s bow are attractive in women.
- High cheekbones: Prominent cheekbones are linked to attractiveness in both men and women.
- Large, widely spaced eyes: Large eyes set far apart project an innocent, youthful look that is attractive.
- Clear skin: A flawless, blemish-free complexion signals health and good genes.
- Hourglass figure: A curvy yet slim build with a small waist and larger hips/breasts is considered the ideal body shape for women.
- Long, slender legs: Long legs are perceived as more attractive for women.
- Flat stomach: A toned, flat midsection is important for physical attractiveness in both sexes.
Style and Grooming
Your overall style and grooming influence perceived attractiveness:
- Good fashion sense: Knowing how to dress well for your body type demonstrates self-care and status.
- Well-applied makeup: For women, makeup can accentuate facial features when applied properly. Heavy makeup is seen as less attractive.
- Good hairstyle: Having a flattering hairstyle that suits your face shape brings out your best features.
- Good hygiene: Showering, brushing teeth, flossing, using deodorant – good grooming is essential.
- Scent: Wearing perfume or cologne with a pleasant, not overpowering scent makes you more attractive.
Putting effort into your appearance shows you care about yourself and your image. This self-confidence and competence is attractive.
Body Language and Facial Expressions
Your body language, facial expressions, and mannerisms impact your attractiveness:
- Confident posture: Standing or sitting up straight with shoulders back exudes confidence, which is attractive.
- Smiling: A natural, warm smile makes a person much more attractive and approachable.
- Eye contact: Maintaining eye contact shows confidence. But staring too much can be creepy.
- Open body posture: Facing someone with arms/legs uncrossed signals openness and interest.
- Calm movements: Graceful, fluid movements are more attractive than stiff, jerky movements.
- Upbeat facial expressions: Smiling, laughing, and upbeat expressions are attractive.
Awkward, closed-off, angry, or overly exaggerated mannerisms make someone appear less attractive.
Personality
Your personality also affects how attractive others perceive you to be as relationship partner. Traits like confidence, charisma, humor, and warmth make someone more attractive for a long-term relationship.
Some research-backed attractive personality traits include:
- Confidence: Self-assuredness and believing in one’s self is attractive.
- Sense of humor: Being able to make others laugh scores major attractiveness points.
- Intelligence: Displaying intelligence through sharp wit and insightful conversation is attractive.
- Thoughtfulness: Doing kind, considerate things for others makes you more attractive.
- Passion: Having talents, hobbies, or beliefs you’re passionate about is compelling.
- High self-esteem: Liking yourself and being comfortable in your own skin is attractive.
- Sociability: Being friendly, outgoing, and able to connect with others draws people to you.
Rudeness, excessive negativity, cruelty, and narcissism are highly unattractive traits.
Self-Care
Making an effort to take care of your mental and physical health makes you more attractive as a potential mate. It conveys responsibility, self-esteem, and a desire for self-improvement.
Attractive self-care behaviors include:
- Exercising and eating healthy
- Developing personal talents and hobbies
- Making time to relax and destress
- Getting adequate sleep
- Practicing good hygiene and grooming
- Seeking help for mental health when needed
Financial Resources
Research consistently shows that people perceive those with more financial resources and higher status jobs as more attractive, especially for men. Some theories as to why:
- Higher income signals you can provide for a partner and potential children.
- More money allows you to enhance your appearance with clothing, grooming, fitness, etc.
- Higher status roles command more social respect and admiration.
That said, flaunting excessive wealth in a boastful way is seen as unattractive and unclassy. A humble, generous approach to wealth is most appealing.
Pheromones and Scent
Pheromones – natural chemicals we secrete that can influence the behavior of others – may also play a role in attractiveness. Research shows:
- Individuals are attracted to the natural smell of those whose immune systems complement theirs.
- Women rate the scents of more symmetrical men as more attractive.
- Men rate women’s scents as more attractive when the women are at the most fertile point of their menstrual cycle.
This indicates pheromones convey information about mate suitability that subconsciously affects who we perceive as most attractive.
Vocal Attractiveness
Studies reveal some vocal features increase perceived attractiveness:
- Higher-pitched voices in women
- Breathy, low voices in women
- Low-pitched voices in men
- Moderate tempo and intensity
A pleasing voice quality signals youth, strength, and captures attention. Nasally, raspy voices are rated as less attractive.
Culture and Individual Preferences
Cultural standards of beauty also influence perceived attractiveness. What is considered attractive in one culture may not hold true in another. Examples:
- In Western cultures, thin bodies are idealized. But in other parts of the world, more curvaceous figures are viewed as attractive.
- Pale skin is valued in many Asian cultures, while tanned skin is the ideal in Western cultures.
- In India and the Middle East, full-bodied hair is beautiful. Straighter hair is preferred by many Latin cultures.
Individual preferences also mean some people find alternative looks more attractive – tattoos, piercings, different body types, edgy personal style, etc.
So while the research shows some universal standards of beauty, cultural and personal preferences still play a role in attractiveness.
Confidence Is Universally Attractive
While physical features influence initial impressions of attractiveness, your confidence, passion, and personality continue to affect how attractive others perceive you to be over time.
Developing self-esteem, charm, humor, talents, and style show you are comfortable in your own skin. True confidence allows your inner beauty to shine through.
This inner spark combined with some effort towards your outer appearance can make anyone extremely attractive!
Conclusion
In summary, both nature and nurture influence what makes someone extremely attractive. Genetic factors that indicate health and reproductive fitness are universally attractive – face and body symmetry, clear skin, shiny hair, etc.
But self-care, grooming, style, personality, confidence, talents and passions also play essential roles. A combination of honing your outer and inner self can help you become the best, most attractive version of yourself.
While subjective, these research-backed tips maximize your attractiveness. They provide objective guidance but remember – beauty is still in the eye of the beholder. Focus on feeling happy in your own skin and letting your inner light shine.