As a woman, one question that may pop up in your mind is what makes a woman attractive physically. When Friends started airing, men all over the world unanimously agreed that Jennifer Aniston was one of the most attractive women in the world. She did and still has everything that makes a woman attractive physically. However, if you were asked to pin down exactly what makes her so attractive, you’d probably find yourself struggling to list the reasons.
Science offers some insights into the question: what do guys look for in a woman’s physical appearance? As per research, men subconsciously assess a woman for good health and fertility. Also, intelligent women are more attractive to them regardless of their physical traits. Yes, what makes a woman attractive to a man is subconsciously rooted in their assessment of her as a potential mate. If you have a special man to woo, knowing what men like in women will come in handy. We’re here to help you out with a list of 13 features that are considered attractive by most men.
Elements Of Attraction
Table of Contents
There’s undeniable complexity involved in coming up with a true definition of attraction for one reason. It encompasses so many aspects including, psychology, behavior, and biology. The subjective nature of defining attraction also adds to the complexity. For instance, in some African societies, a voluptuous female body is the true definition of beauty and attractiveness.
However, in the Western world, a slimmer body is the more socially approved body type. Yet, within the two societies, you will find individuals who don’t conform to the norm. An African man may be more attracted to a slimmer female body while his Western counterpart may desire a chubby girlfriend. With that said, there are certain elements of attraction that many can agree on.
1. Physical attractiveness
This perhaps tops the list in terms of what attracts a man to a woman sexually. At first glance, it’s easy to notice things attractive people have. These include a symmetrical face, full lips, long arms, clear radiant skin, a beautiful smile, white teeth, and other physical features.
As stated, subjective interpretations vary depending on individual and cultural preferences. For instance, in Japan, the beauty standard for both men and women is slenderness. A tour of Mauritania will show an entirely different picture. Women tend to have larger bodies signifying wealth, fertility, and good health.
2. Psychological and emotional attraction
Psychological attraction tends to be feelings aligned with beliefs, values, or personality traits. For instance, what attracts men to women could be their humor or intelligence. As for emotional attraction, what attracts men to women are personality traits like kindness, compassion, and emotional availability. Many men like that vulnerability in a woman they are pursuing. It is an attractive quality that makes her more open to accepting advances than a closed-off, unapproachable woman.
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3. Chemistry
This defines the emotional and physical connection between two people. It also defines what attracts a man to a woman sexually. It includes factors like shared interests, mutual understanding, and similar communication styles. Chemistry brings up romantic attraction and feelings of anticipation and excitement when interacting with someone.
4. Situational and social factors
These include proximity, similarity, and reciprocity. The more time you spend with someone, the higher the familiarity and the chance of connecting. The same applies to shared interests, backgrounds, and experiences. If someone has been through the same things you have, there’s a higher chance of building a connection.
Social influences such as peer approval, cultural expectations, and social norms can impact attraction, and indeed, how men fall in love. If you think about it, don’t you wish for your friends or family members’ approval of whoever you are seeing?
5. Chemical and biological elements
Hormones and pheromones are the biological factors that play a big role in attraction, albeit at a subconscious level. Chemical signals also contribute to feelings of desire and arousal.
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6. Mystery and intrigue
When there is mystery and intrigue surrounding a potential mate, it can significantly heighten attraction. Ladies, the answer to how to attract a guy lies in creating mystery and intrigue around you. The female body on its own summarizes the 3 best features of a woman, which of course is subjective.
13 Female Physical Features That Attract A Man Immensely
What makes a woman attractive physically is a hotly debated topic. Millions of magazines tell you what to wear and just how to pull it off. Influencers, fashion shows, and celebrities, all look to find the next big thing in fashion. But what makes a woman beautiful to a man? What is that one thing about her physical appearance that can instantly spark romantic interest? Is it that new dress from a high-end fashion store? Is it because she belongs to one of the most attractive zodiac signs? Not quite.
Every once in a while, a Marilyn Monroe pops up and unites men in common admiration like no social or political cause will be able to. It’s perhaps the closest we’d ever come to finding a unanimous answer to: what do men find physically attractive in a female? But other than that, if you ask around, you might get varying and even confusing answers to this question.
Of course, when it comes to beauty, there’s definitely more than what meets the eye. True beauty lies on the inside, but today we’re just focusing on what physical features men love. We all know that physical attraction is where it all begins. According to a study, we directly associate appearance or beauty and its pleasurable effects with desirable potential mates. So, what exactly do guys look for in a woman’s physical appearance? Let’s decode that mystery by understanding what features are considered attractive by men.
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1. The first thing men notice about a woman … her eyes!
What do men find physically attractive in a female? Among the things men find attractive in a woman, her eyes top the list. There’s something so beguiling about them. Here’s the shocker, the first thing men notice on a first date about women isn’t what you were expecting it to be. Most of the time, the first thing men notice about you is whatever eye contact can tell them.
Yes, one of the most attractive features of a woman is her eyes but it may not have anything to do with the shape or color. No, blue eyes don’t take the top spot here as men seem to admire all kinds of eyes, regardless of the color. Oh, and the eye makeup won’t really do much for them either, since most of them can’t even tell the difference between eyeliner and mascara.
So, what is it about a woman’s eyes that draws a man to her? The answer lies in the expressiveness and depth. If you have big eyes with that inexplicable hint of intensity, men around you may have a hard time looking away.
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2. Strictly for childbearing assessment: your hips
Eyes may be the first thing that guys look at, but that’s only if they’re not looking at you from behind. It may sound weird, but take a minute to think about how much sense it makes. According to a study, body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is correlated with youthfulness, reproductive endocrinologic status, and long-term health risk in women.
Scientifically, a low waist-to-hip ratio (waist narrower than hips) has been considered an attractive quality in a woman. Men subconsciously relate wide hips to better fertility and healthy babies. When they see such a shape, the biological wiring goes nuts. So that’s why men check out the butt. Purely for scientific reasons (wink, wink).
3. That 10/10 smile
If you haven’t been able to catch the attention of that special someone you’re crushing hard on, it may be time to flash your best smile at him more often. Among the 3 best features of a woman, this one is a no-brainer really. Just think about it: Would you rather go talk to a person who’s all smiles or someone who looks like their aunt just asked them why they’re still single? Yeah, big smiles it is.
A healthy set of white teeth coupled with a warm, welcoming smile attracts a man to a woman sexually. What’s more, guys find friendliness attractive in a girl’s personality. Make him fall deeply in love with you with that smile. If the smile was the result of something funny the man said, that smile becomes the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. Women who give men an inviting smile are the kind of girls guys like the most.
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4. Your hair signifies a lot
Speaking of what makes a woman attractive physically is their crowning glory AKA hair. Healthy and clean hair is associated with good health and femininity as per a study, which makes a woman more outwardly attractive. Those hair spas might not be a wasteful indulgence, after all. But if you’ve been contemplating putting your hair under the knife again, go for it. Those long bob or short hair photos on Pinterest are definitely all the rage too.
There is no real winner in the debate of which hair color attracts a man to a woman sexually the most, claims this study. It comes down to personal preference. Traditionally, however, blonde women have had a slight edge when it comes to being approached in a bar.
5. Scent of a woman
You want to know what makes a woman attractive to a man? Well, how you smell sure does. More important than any kind of makeup you can put on is the scent you go with. Most men wouldn’t be able to pick out an eye shadow from a blush, but the perfume you go for can have the same effect as a beautiful flower. Men will find you attractive if you smell nice, so you do have to smell good to attract attention.
If you have a signature fragrance and a man smells something similar somewhere, you’ll be the first thing that comes to his mind. Neat, right? There’s a reason that perfume advertisements have been using lust as a selling point since forever. Smelling nice is associated with better hygiene and those are the kind of girls guys like most.
Studies even show that men can be attracted to the natural scent of some women. The question is: how to nail that natural scent? Pro tip: Applying a mild, citrusy body mist just after a shower is a great way to create the semblance of an invigorating natural scent.
6. A few notes higher: your voice
We already mentioned how a warm, inviting smile makes women physically attractive. When that big beautiful smile is paired with a sultry voice, you have yourself a winning equation — it’s what what attracts men to women. Traditionally, men have been known to be attracted to women with higher-pitched voices. It can even make a confused man want you.
For the sake of everyone’s sanity, it’s important to mention that high-pitched doesn’t equal shrill. Play the voice of Janice from Friends in your head and re-read that sentence, and you’d get exactly what we mean. “Oh. My. GODDDD” — nope, not attractive. Digs aside, a high-pitched voice attracts men because it is associated with femininity, youth, and hence, attractiveness. Studies also show that men like the kind of girls whose voice sounds like their own. Talking in the same manner forms a bond easily.
7. Go easy on the makeup
What makes a woman attractive physically? As we’re discovering, there is no singular answer to that question. But there is one for what dents a woman’s attractiveness to a man — a face painted with too much makeup, to the point that you become someone else. You want to know how to attract a guy? Well — and this is backed up by studies — men prefer a modest amount of makeup on women.
Women who do not apply a lot of makeup attract men toward them sexually. An almost natural look is associated with good health and lets your natural smooth and radiant skin shine through. Let your natural beauty shine through. The no-makeup look is attractive, more than you know.
8. Another one strictly for science: the breasts
Yes, folks you heard it here first, it appears that breasts are one of the most attractive physical features in a woman that men can’t resist. Men love boobs, yes, but what most matters is the overall figure. A waist slimmer than the breasts is the driving factor behind what makes a woman physically attractive to men. Not only do breasts make a woman look super sexy. They are also subconsciously connected with fertility in the male mind. Men go gaga over accentuated breasts and a thin waist. Purely for scientific reasons, of course.
9. A sense of humor
How can you attract a guy? It comes down to how personable you are. We know, not exactly a physical feature but what attracts men to women is humor. A warm persona with inviting body language can subconsciously make people feel happier around them. A sense of humor makes it easier for men to trust women and connect with them. According to a study, a good sense of humor is sexually attractive, perhaps because it reveals creativity, other ‘good genes’ or ‘good parent’ traits, and it shows an intelligent woman.
There’s nothing that makes a woman attractive more than a charming sense of humor. Someone who can instantly put you in a good mood. Once men know they can hit it off with a woman and go back and forth with the jokes, they start dreaming of a future with her. Keeping a conversation going is one of the sexiest things you can do with a man. Who doesn’t like to have beautiful, happy people around, right?
10. Do guys care about height?
Is height a key factor in physical attraction? No, it’s not the most important factor in what makes a woman physically attractive to men, but it’s definitely something men consider. Men prefer women who are a little shorter than them, but not too short. A low waist-to-hip ratio with a fairly tall height and a good posture always attracts a man to a woman sexually.
No, being taller than the man is not an instant turn-off but some men believe in the tall guy and short girl advantages in a relationship. It’s all fun and games when you slip into your heels till the guy realizes they make you taller than him. But would you want a guy who is insecure about his height and needs you to be shorter than him? Probably not.
11. How your legs attract men
Long, toned legs have been a sign of good health and attractiveness since Kingdom Come. Legs proportionate to a woman’s height enhance her physical appearance and make her more attractive. You have probably heard the phrase legs up to her neck, right? Even if a woman is not necessarily tall, having longer, shapely legs as compared to her torso will make her more appealing to a man. You know what that means: no more snoozing on leg day. Squats are your new best friends.
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12. What your lips say about you
Part of Angelina Jolie’s appeal was her lips, unsurprisingly. Having thick and fuller lips enhances a woman’s physical attractiveness, thus making her more appealing, and is one of the most attractive physical characteristics in a woman. Since the color red has been associated with lust and inciting such feelings in men, red lipstick is the shade of choice for most women looking to attract men.
A breathy voice like Marilyn Monroe’s and lips donned with red lipstick, will leave men sweating. Throw a lip bite into the mix and we’ll have a murder on our hands. He won’t be able to stop himself from thinking about all the benefits of kissing you.
13. Overall hygiene
How can you attract a guy? Well, overall hygiene cannot be missed in an article about what attracts men to women. Good hygiene, fitness, youthfulness, and attractiveness are all traits men notice in a woman immediately. As mentioned before, men will subconsciously assess women for their child-bearing capabilities and the probability of leading a healthy life. The healthier she is, the better.
The natural scent of a woman was mentioned as a turn-on for men, but that can only be so if she has a healthy diet and exercises regularly. Throw healthy hair and a proportionate body in the mix, and the combination will make a woman so attractive to men. No wonder then, that taking care of oneself is one of the most attractive physical characteristics of a woman.
Key Pointers
- What attracts men to women? Many factors contribute to what makes a woman attractive physically including healthy hair, a beautiful smile, overall hygiene, and lips
- Each woman is beautiful and sexy in her own way but there are a few general features that enhance the physical attraction that men feel toward her
- What do men find physically attractive in a female? Apart from the obvious features like facial beauty and curvy figure, men find a lot of subtle features like a big smile, high-pitched voice, and big eyes quite attractive
- Habits like minimal makeup to enhance natural beauty and overall hygiene are also factors that men find physically attractive in women
- How can you attract a guy? Being a genuinely confident woman with emotional maturity, who can feel good about herself, is the top quality that makes women attractive to men. Invest in your personal growth to bring out that extra confidence and truly make you stand out
To wrap it up, what makes a woman attractive physically is how comfortable she is in her skin. A killer smile with an attractive and inviting personality will do more for you than makeup ever did. How can you attract a guy? Well, loving yourself, being comfortable with what the universe gave you, and being a confident woman with high self-esteem will make you attractive to a man. Don’t be too worried about the perfect height or the perfect ratio. The whole world doesn’t have to fall in love with you, just the one special person.
FAQs
1. What are the primary features that make a woman attractive to men?
Men are often attracted to women who have symmetrical faces, beautiful smiles, and expressive eyes. These features are commonly noted as universally appealing across different cultures.
2. How important is a woman’s smile in physical attraction?
A beautiful smile is incredibly important in physical attraction. It conveys friendliness, approachability, and warmth. A healthy set of teeth and a genuine smile can significantly enhance a woman’s attractiveness.
3. Are physical features the only factors that attract men to women?
No, physical features are not the only factors. Psychological and emotional traits, such as intelligence, humor, and kindness, also play significant roles in attraction. Additionally, factors like chemistry, situational context, and personal preferences influence attraction.
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