What Physical and Personal Traits Make Men Attractive to Women?

What Makes a Guy Good Looking?

When it comes to attraction between the sexes, there's no doubt that physical appearance plays a major role. Women are often drawn to men who exhibit certain physical traits and qualities that society deems handsome, sexy, or appealing in some way. But what exactly makes a guy good looking? Let's explore some of the key factors that can make a man visually stand out from the crowd.

Strong, Masculine Facial Features

One of the most universally attractive facial features on a man are strong, chiseled facial structures. A prominent jawline, high cheekbones, heavy brow ridge, and squared chin are all stereotypically masculine traits that signify testosterone, virility, and good genetics.

Research has shown women tend to rate faces with these exaggeraged masculine structures as more domineering and socially dominant. This ties into evolutionary psychology - on a subconscious level, women may associate these hyper-masculine facial ratios with the ability to physically protect and provide.

Height Matters

While it's not a facial feature, studies consistently show that taller men are considered more attractive to women, especially for short-term mating. Even an increase of a few inches can make a noticeable difference. This likely ties back to that hard-wired drive toward seeking capable protectors and providers.

Of course, factors like confidence and personality can allow men of any height to demonstrate sufficient dominance. But generally speaking, there does appear to be a bias toward taller statue that influences perceived attractiveness.

Symmetry Counts

Research has shown both men and women prefer faces that exhibit bilateral symmetry - where both sides closely mirror each other. Symmetry is linked to developmental stability, health, and good genes - traits that are appealing across cultures.

While perfect symmetry is rare, studies using image manipulation to make faces appear more symmetrical consistently increase perceived attractiveness. So rather than flaws or large asymmetries, look for evenly spaced eyes and a balanced bone structure.

What Else Impacts Attractiveness?

While facial features may play the largest role in physical attractiveness for men, there are certainly other physical and non-physical traits that influence appeal. Let's look at some of the weird, surprising factors that can impact male sexy appeal.

Voice Pitch Matters Too

Along with visual cues, vocal characteristics also play into perceptions of attractiveness. Generally, studies show that women prefer men with a deeper voice pitch. However, extremely low-pitched voices are perceived as less attractive.

Similar to physical features like jawlines and brow ridges, vocal depth is influenced by testosterone levels. As such, an ideal pitch could signify virility and strength. However, too low starts sounding unnatural, negatively impacting appeal.

Getting a Little Scary

While generally seen as trustworthy and warm, being babyfaced doesn't do men any favors in the attractiveness department. In fact, women appear hard-wired to prefer men exhibiting slightly tougher, more mature facial ratios.

One study found that when women were ovulating, they showed a much stronger preference for masculine, dominant faces over more boyish features. Researchers concluded women subconsciously seek men who can provide good genes for potential offspring when fertility is highest.

The Smell of Attraction

Body odor might not jump to mind when listing attractive traits, but it certainly plays a part. Human attraction involves cues beyond just vision, including important chemical signals.

Research shows women prefer the scent of men with high testosterone levels. And the preference for masculine body odor seems tied to fertility cycles. Around ovulation, women rank manly body odor as more attractive and pleasant smelling.

Personality Plays a Role Too

At the end of the day, looks will only get guys so far. While physical appearance triggers initial attraction, who a man is on the inside keeps the spark alive. Let's look at a few appealing personality traits that keep the ladies coming back.

Confidence Is Sexy

A number of studies have shown that confidence ranks at or near the top for personality traits women find most attractive. And this applies both to short-term flings and long-term relationships.

Confidence indicates high self-esteem and self-assurance. Those capable of believing in themselves demonstrate capacity to take on challenges and overcome hardships. Essentially, confident guys seem capable of getting things done.

Funny Guys Finish First

Women consistently rank humor and comedic timing as one of the most desirable traits in a partner. Theories suggest laughter releases pleasure hormones that foster attraction and bond formation.

And making a woman laugh displays intelligence, wit, and creativity - all attractive qualities. Humor also requires being perceptive and attentive to her mood, further demonstrating desirable partner traits.

Nice Guys Aren't Last

While some incorrectly assume all women want bad boys, research shows kindness ranks very high on wish lists. Being caring, thoughtful, generous and respectful matter - especially for long term mates.

Traits like compassion indicate emotional availability, empathy, and ability to provide long term support. Basically, nice guys might not ignite immediate lust at first sight, but they tend to win affection over time by demonstrating relationship readiness.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.