While looks aren’t everything, they are a major factor in influencing people’s perception of you as a person. Before they even speak to you, strangers will gauge your success, your personality and confidence, your social circles and a whole lot more from the way you look, and will react to you accordingly. People do judge a book by its cover, which is why your “cover” should be treated as a major selling point. Learn to influence people’s first impression in a positive way and attract their attention to you and you’re one step of everybody else.
See for yourself. Look at the way people dress and see what impression springs to mind when you see them:
The guy in the tailored suit: is he rushing home to watch chat shows?
The woman in the short skirt and fishnet stockings: did she just come from church?
The frumpy girl in the floral dress and brown cardigan: a stripper?
Just as important, your image will influence your own behaviour and confidence. If you look good, you feel good and it shows to others. If you take pride in your appearance, then there's a good chance women will feel proud to be seen in your company.
Looks do matter! But the way you look does not revolve around your genetic attributes; it’s about the way you dress, groom and the impression you convey to others.
So here is some advice I have picked up and some of the research I have done, which has served me particularly well in the past year:
Clothes
Personal Image: Don’t base your entire image on what’s in vogue (read: common) or allow yourself to become a walking billboard for designer names. Develop your “own” style and identity.
Fit: The most important factor when choosing clothes is to make sure they fit you in a way that compliments your figure. Avoid clothes that are too tight or too baggy. Your clothes should fit you comfortably and look as if they were designed specifically for you.
Colour and Coordination: The clothes you wear look better if they compliment your skin tone, hair and generally go together. Try to avoid garish and primary colours: they clash and they’re overpowering. Go for more neutral or subdued tones and try to create a harmony of colours from head to toe. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with white and black as they go with everything.
Fashion Statements: Try to avoid expressing your music tastes, favourite sports teams and personal interests through your clothes. Don’t allow yourself to be stereotyped by your image or cast into a social group - i.e. punks, wannabe rappers, skaters, goths, rockers etc. Allow your clothes to express good taste and pride, not your life story.
Confidence: Wear your clothes with confidence and comfort. Don’t go to extremes that make you feel awkward, but don’t be afraid of dressing up. Make an effort and take pride in the way your dress. Dress like you have somewhere to go and people to meet rather than looking like someone who’s dragged himself from the couch.
Jewellery: Wear in moderation. Multiple chains, rings, bracelets or earrings look ostentatious, but the odd item can look classy.
Stripes: Vertical stripes make you look taller and slimmer, while horizontal stripes do the opposite.
Catalogues: Unless you’re extremely homophobic, take some time to study catalogue models. What does their image say about them; how do their clothes fit; how do they wear them and what combination of colours are they wearing?
Footwear: Yes, women do notice so make sure your shoes/trainers are clean and in good condition.
Listen to Women: Take note of female criticism and compliments and use them to steer your image in the right direction, while men may criticise you or accuse you of being gay out of jealousy or inferiority. Women know what they like and will comment on it.
Skin care & Grooming
Cleanser: Soap and water can leave your skin dry, so don’t be afraid to use a cleanser.
Toner: Toners are generally good for greasy skin and for removing remaining impurities, but can cause dry skin so either avoid completely or be sure to apply moisturiser immediately after using.
Moisturiser: Moisturising leaves your skin supple and can slow down the effects of ageing. It also gives your skin a faint shine, which can add definition to your face. It also reduces dry and flaky skin and razor burn.
Exfoliator: Use a facial scrub or exfoliator (gently) to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation to give your face a cleaner and radiant look.
Steaming: Steam will open your pores and allow you to shave, exfoliate and cleanse more effectively. Hold your head over a steaming bowl for 5-10 minutes with a towel over your head to trap the steam. *Always apply cold water or other astringent when you have finished cleansing/shaving to close your pores.
Astringents: Astringents like witch hazel and toner are used to tighten the pores of your skin, dry up spots and blackheads. Natural astringents include cucumbers, tomatoes, ice and cold water, which can also be used to tighten your skin.
Puffy eyes: Placing cool cucumber slices over your eyes for 5-10 minutes will tighten the skin around the eye area and reduce puffiness.
Tanning: Soak up the sun or visit a tanning salon. Not only will this give you a healthy glow and give you a MAJOR boost to your physical appeal and confidence, but it will improve your complexion and reduce your susceptibility to spots and acne. * Be careful when tanning, however, and pay attention to the risks. If you burn, you have gone too far. It’s better to build your tan gradually over a period of time.
Colognes: A good cologne makes a big impression! There are plenty of threads and recommendations elsewhere on this board. But get a female perspective where possible and feel free to ask the sales assistant for advice.
Teeth: Brush regularly and try whitening strips on dirty or stained teeth, or occasionally brush with bicarbonate soda (this can destroy the enamel on your teeth if overdone, so use in moderation). Carry chewing gum or mints with you to give you fresh breath whenever you’re talking to someone.
Hair: How you wear your hair is a personal preference, but don’t be afraid to ask the advice of a hairdresser. They will be able to suggest styles that compliment your face.
Lips: Use a lip balm to reduce dry and cracked lips.
Eyebrows: Don’t be afraid to trim bushy eyebrows or pluck stray hairs, especially if you have a unibrow.
Nails: Often overlooked. Always make sure your nails are clean and short. They speak volumes about your personal hygiene.
Concealer: Buy a stick of concealer and use it to cover any spots or blemishes. It barely costs anything and there are several tones that will blend inconspicuously with your skin.
Nasal hair: Carefully trim nasal hair with a pair of scissors.
Breathing: Proper (deep and from the diaphram) breathing improves circulation and gives you a healthy glow.
(Before I’m accused of being gay or effeminate, I gathered this advice from a beauty therapist I dated some years ago).
Exercise
I am not an expert in this field so I’d recommend looking at the cutting/bulking advice elsewhere on this board. But exercise in any form will give you numerous instant benefits, including better posture and circulation.
That concludes my tips. If anybody has more to add or disputes anything I’ve written I’ll be interested to read it.
See for yourself. Look at the way people dress and see what impression springs to mind when you see them:
The guy in the tailored suit: is he rushing home to watch chat shows?
The woman in the short skirt and fishnet stockings: did she just come from church?
The frumpy girl in the floral dress and brown cardigan: a stripper?
Just as important, your image will influence your own behaviour and confidence. If you look good, you feel good and it shows to others. If you take pride in your appearance, then there's a good chance women will feel proud to be seen in your company.
Looks do matter! But the way you look does not revolve around your genetic attributes; it’s about the way you dress, groom and the impression you convey to others.
So here is some advice I have picked up and some of the research I have done, which has served me particularly well in the past year:
Clothes
Personal Image: Don’t base your entire image on what’s in vogue (read: common) or allow yourself to become a walking billboard for designer names. Develop your “own” style and identity.
Fit: The most important factor when choosing clothes is to make sure they fit you in a way that compliments your figure. Avoid clothes that are too tight or too baggy. Your clothes should fit you comfortably and look as if they were designed specifically for you.
Colour and Coordination: The clothes you wear look better if they compliment your skin tone, hair and generally go together. Try to avoid garish and primary colours: they clash and they’re overpowering. Go for more neutral or subdued tones and try to create a harmony of colours from head to toe. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with white and black as they go with everything.
Fashion Statements: Try to avoid expressing your music tastes, favourite sports teams and personal interests through your clothes. Don’t allow yourself to be stereotyped by your image or cast into a social group - i.e. punks, wannabe rappers, skaters, goths, rockers etc. Allow your clothes to express good taste and pride, not your life story.
Confidence: Wear your clothes with confidence and comfort. Don’t go to extremes that make you feel awkward, but don’t be afraid of dressing up. Make an effort and take pride in the way your dress. Dress like you have somewhere to go and people to meet rather than looking like someone who’s dragged himself from the couch.
Jewellery: Wear in moderation. Multiple chains, rings, bracelets or earrings look ostentatious, but the odd item can look classy.
Stripes: Vertical stripes make you look taller and slimmer, while horizontal stripes do the opposite.
Catalogues: Unless you’re extremely homophobic, take some time to study catalogue models. What does their image say about them; how do their clothes fit; how do they wear them and what combination of colours are they wearing?
Footwear: Yes, women do notice so make sure your shoes/trainers are clean and in good condition.
Listen to Women: Take note of female criticism and compliments and use them to steer your image in the right direction, while men may criticise you or accuse you of being gay out of jealousy or inferiority. Women know what they like and will comment on it.
Skin care & Grooming
Cleanser: Soap and water can leave your skin dry, so don’t be afraid to use a cleanser.
Toner: Toners are generally good for greasy skin and for removing remaining impurities, but can cause dry skin so either avoid completely or be sure to apply moisturiser immediately after using.
Moisturiser: Moisturising leaves your skin supple and can slow down the effects of ageing. It also gives your skin a faint shine, which can add definition to your face. It also reduces dry and flaky skin and razor burn.
Exfoliator: Use a facial scrub or exfoliator (gently) to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation to give your face a cleaner and radiant look.
Steaming: Steam will open your pores and allow you to shave, exfoliate and cleanse more effectively. Hold your head over a steaming bowl for 5-10 minutes with a towel over your head to trap the steam. *Always apply cold water or other astringent when you have finished cleansing/shaving to close your pores.
Astringents: Astringents like witch hazel and toner are used to tighten the pores of your skin, dry up spots and blackheads. Natural astringents include cucumbers, tomatoes, ice and cold water, which can also be used to tighten your skin.
Puffy eyes: Placing cool cucumber slices over your eyes for 5-10 minutes will tighten the skin around the eye area and reduce puffiness.
Tanning: Soak up the sun or visit a tanning salon. Not only will this give you a healthy glow and give you a MAJOR boost to your physical appeal and confidence, but it will improve your complexion and reduce your susceptibility to spots and acne. * Be careful when tanning, however, and pay attention to the risks. If you burn, you have gone too far. It’s better to build your tan gradually over a period of time.
Colognes: A good cologne makes a big impression! There are plenty of threads and recommendations elsewhere on this board. But get a female perspective where possible and feel free to ask the sales assistant for advice.
Teeth: Brush regularly and try whitening strips on dirty or stained teeth, or occasionally brush with bicarbonate soda (this can destroy the enamel on your teeth if overdone, so use in moderation). Carry chewing gum or mints with you to give you fresh breath whenever you’re talking to someone.
Hair: How you wear your hair is a personal preference, but don’t be afraid to ask the advice of a hairdresser. They will be able to suggest styles that compliment your face.
Lips: Use a lip balm to reduce dry and cracked lips.
Eyebrows: Don’t be afraid to trim bushy eyebrows or pluck stray hairs, especially if you have a unibrow.
Nails: Often overlooked. Always make sure your nails are clean and short. They speak volumes about your personal hygiene.
Concealer: Buy a stick of concealer and use it to cover any spots or blemishes. It barely costs anything and there are several tones that will blend inconspicuously with your skin.
Nasal hair: Carefully trim nasal hair with a pair of scissors.
Breathing: Proper (deep and from the diaphram) breathing improves circulation and gives you a healthy glow.
(Before I’m accused of being gay or effeminate, I gathered this advice from a beauty therapist I dated some years ago).
Exercise
I am not an expert in this field so I’d recommend looking at the cutting/bulking advice elsewhere on this board. But exercise in any form will give you numerous instant benefits, including better posture and circulation.
That concludes my tips. If anybody has more to add or disputes anything I’ve written I’ll be interested to read it.
