Ways to Be Sexier
How to be sexy is a precarious question, especially since there’s no real formula, and sex appeal—like beauty—is highly subjective. Sure, studies have been done about how to become more appealing to the opposite sex, but actual real-deal sexiness is a relative attribute, and it’s almost always in the eye of the beholder.
1. Always make eye contact.
And not just with your partner—looking everyone you’re interacting with squarely in the eye won’t only will boost your own confidence, but it’ll get people to see you as confident and in control, which usually translates to sexy.
And not just with your partner—looking everyone you’re interacting with squarely in the eye won’t only will boost your own confidence, but it’ll get people to see you as confident and in control, which usually translates to sexy.
2. Focus on Dynamic Attractiveness.
Sure, physical beauty is a key component in innate sex appeal, but dynamic attractiveness involves the expression of our emotions and our underlying personality—and can critically boost your personal charisma. According to Psychology Today, expressing positive affect—smiling, employing an upbeat attitude, having expressive eyes, are all associated with sex appeal.
Sure, physical beauty is a key component in innate sex appeal, but dynamic attractiveness involves the expression of our emotions and our underlying personality—and can critically boost your personal charisma. According to Psychology Today, expressing positive affect—smiling, employing an upbeat attitude, having expressive eyes, are all associated with sex appeal.
3. You’ve got a brain—use it!
A sharp, healthy mind can be akin to healthy body when it comes to being sexy. This means occasionally challenging yourself by having challenging conversation, expressing interest in new things, reading books on new topics, or even just watching a documentary about something you never knew. The more you know, the more you can talk about in an informed way, which is a defining factor in real sex appeal.
A sharp, healthy mind can be akin to healthy body when it comes to being sexy. This means occasionally challenging yourself by having challenging conversation, expressing interest in new things, reading books on new topics, or even just watching a documentary about something you never knew. The more you know, the more you can talk about in an informed way, which is a defining factor in real sex appeal.
4. Humor counts.
Yeah, we know that razor-sharp wit isn’t something that can be learned, and we’re not all able to be truly funny all the time, but not taking yourself or the world around you too seriously is a key component in being sexy (how many magazine stories have we read in which both sexes claim “a sense of humor” is number one on their potential mate checklist?)
5. Get your hair blown out.
As most woman can certainly attest, when our hair looks bad, we often feel bad. Turns out, that’s not all in our heads, either: Studies have shown women spend around 20 years of their lives suffering from a bad hair day, and that it can greatly affect mood and confidence.
Good hair and confidence are linked, so go get that blowout. (Imaxtree)
6. Expose your wrists.
No, not because they’re attractive but because the glands in your wrists emit pheromones which can trigger feelings of attraction in others.
No, not because they’re attractive but because the glands in your wrists emit pheromones which can trigger feelings of attraction in others.
7. Don’t assume showing more is sexier.
Ladies, you’ve heard it before: Showing tons of skin does not always translate to sexy. Bootie shorts, skin-tight clothes, insanely low-cut tops all can make you look less sexy, or like you’re trying too hard. Love your body and want to show it off? Great! Do it ways that are truly sexy, as opposed to flashy—a fitted skirt, tight jeans and a silky top, or a long-sleeve mini-dress with ankle boots.
Ladies, you’ve heard it before: Showing tons of skin does not always translate to sexy. Bootie shorts, skin-tight clothes, insanely low-cut tops all can make you look less sexy, or like you’re trying too hard. Love your body and want to show it off? Great! Do it ways that are truly sexy, as opposed to flashy—a fitted skirt, tight jeans and a silky top, or a long-sleeve mini-dress with ankle boots.
She’s barely showing any skin, and still looks like the sexiest woman around. (Photo: Victoria Adamson/The Cut)
8. Eat!
Most people will freely tell you that there’s nothing more cliché (read: boring) than a girl who doesn’t eat—especially on a date. If you think not ordering dinner will make you appear skinnier, sexier, more feminine, or more mysterious, guess what? It won’t. What it will do? Probably make your dude a little uncomfortable. Plus, if you’re weird about eating, he might think you’re weird about other pleasurable things (read: sex.)
9. Find a good tailor.When clothes are too boxy, too long, or generally ill-fitting, it looks like you’re trying to cover up your body, which intrinsically translates to conservative or generally un-sexy. No need to prance around in skin-tight numbers, but a well-fitting dress with a nipped waist and a flattering hemline, a blazer that skims your body (and whose sleeves aren’t too long) or pair of slim well-fitting jeans that just hit your ankle will show your figure in a way that’s sexy without being overt.
10. Stop plucking your eyebrows.
Full brows are associated with youth, while super-thin eyebrows can give your face a harsh appearance. As we age, our eyebrows gradually thin, but quitting the tweezers and using makeup to fill them in can work wonders, and completely change your face for the better.
Thicker brows give a more youthful appearance. (Imaxtree)
11. Let your natural scent do the work.
It’s not surprising that scent plays a big role in sex appeal, but—despite what perfume companies would have you believe—your best bet isn’t piling on a cloud of scented spray. In addition to good hygiene habits, a subtle spritz of a musky scent is fine, but you should be letting your natural pheromones shine.
12. Don’t wear underwear on a date.
It’s totally cliché, but sometimes having a sexy secret makes you feel—and appear—sexier. Whether you want to keep it to yourself, or let your date in on it is up to you.
13. Nix panty lines.
Speaking of underwear, panty lines are never, ever sexy. Every woman should invest in nude, seamless underwear, or a good thong. Trust us on this one.
14. Be kind.No matter what you look like, nothing will knock your innate sex appeal down faster than being rude to people. You don’t need to—for lack of a better phrase—kiss people’s ass and be phony, but treating everyone—waitstaff, friends, new people, your elders—with basic kindness and respect is an attractive quality.
15. Get a manicure and pedicure.
Much like getting your hair blown out, it’s often the small indulgences that make us look and feel our best, so making time for on a pro mani-pedi once in awhile can do wonders.
15. Invest in yourself.
This doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money on material items like an It-bag, but rather investing effort into the things you know for a fact make you look and feel sexy, whether it’s something small like some bras and underwear, something transformative like keratin treatments, or something brainy like signing up for a class.
16. Be comfortable in your own skin.
As cliché as it sounds, nothing says sexy like the swagger that comes with truly being comfortable with yourself. If you’re not, do something about it, whether that means joining a gym, getting a new job, moving to another city, or surrounding yourself with more supportive people. After all, complete confidence is the key component of sex appeal.
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