How to Become Attractive Even If You're Not Beautiful

Not feeling blessed with beauty according to society's high standards can sometimes lead to a lack of confidence. While it's widely acknowledged that personality and achievements matter more than outward appearance, there are moments when you'd like to look in the mirror and feel beautiful. Thankfully, your attractiveness largely depends on how you present yourself. If you take care of both your inner and outer self, you'll feel much more confident about your looks.

Shape your eyebrows to create defined lines. If you have unruly eyebrows, use a brow gel to smooth them down and tame them. For sparse brows, fill them in with a pencil or powder. If your eyebrows are too thick, you may want to visit a salon for a professional shaping, such as eyebrow waxing or threading. Once your eyebrows grow back, you can trim, pluck, or use wax to tidy up any unruly hairs and maintain the shape.

• If you find facial hair annoying, like those hairs above your lip or under your chin, you can use wax or tweezers to remove them. If you have too much facial hair, consider using a facial hair remover kit. However, avoid shaving facial hair, as it tends to grow back thicker and more noticeable.
• Only use products specifically designed for the face, and be sure to carefully read and follow the instructions on the product label.

Shower daily with a gentle soap. To keep your body smelling fresh with healthy, glowing skin, you should shower with a mild soap once a day or more if you're exercising. Soaps with strong chemicals or overpowering scents can dry out your skin and make it appear dull.

• Fragrance is also part of beauty, so make sure to use deodorant and/or antiperspirant after your daily shower. You can also spritz a little perfume or body mist, but remember not to overdo it to avoid a strong, overwhelming scent.
• If you're concerned about body hair, shave your underarms and legs before wearing clothing that exposes these areas.

Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser and apply moisturizer twice daily. Wash your face every morning upon waking up and at night before going to bed to remove dirt and excess oil that could cause acne. Gently pat your face dry with a soft towel, then apply a thin layer of a light moisturizer made for the face to keep your skin hydrated and radiant.

• Remember to use products specifically for the face. The skin in this area is more sensitive than other parts of your body, so regular body soap may be too harsh.
• Choose a facial cleanser and moisturizer that suit your skin type. For oily skin, you might opt for a foaming cleanser and an oil-free lightweight moisturizer. For dry skin, use a gel cleanser and a thick, rich moisturizer.

Exfoliate weekly or biweekly. If your skin looks dull, it may need exfoliation to remove dead skin cells. Wet a washcloth and gently scrub your forehead, cheeks, and chin in circular motions. You should also exfoliate your body, especially on your elbows, knees, and feet.

• There are many exfoliating creams and products available at supermarkets or cosmetic stores. You can even mix olive oil, honey, and sugar to create your own homemade exfoliant.

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. A smile can leave a lasting impression when meeting someone for the first time, so it's important to care for your oral hygiene daily. Brush your teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day and floss every evening before bed. Also, visit your dentist for professional cleanings and checkups every six months.

• If your teeth are yellowed, ask your dentist to recommend a whitening toothpaste or at-home whitening strips. Another option is in-office teeth whitening procedures.

Keep your hair clean, smooth, and neatly trimmed. If you want your hair to look great, choose a hairstyle that suits your face shape and hair texture, and take time each morning to style it. If necessary, you can use products like dry shampoo, hair spray, sea salt spray, or mousse to shape your hair as desired, but make sure to choose products labeled "greaseless" or "oil-free" to avoid greasy-looking hair.

• It's best to work with your hair, not against it. For example, if you have curly or wavy hair, long hairstyles will help tame the curls, while short hair will make your hair more spiral-like and require more maintenance each day.
• You don't need to wash your hair every day unless it's very oily. If your hair is dry, wash it every 2-3 days. You can use dry shampoo if your hair starts to look oily between washes.
• Try to find a hairstyle that works with your hair length and texture. If you have short hair, you can style it up or slick it back behind your ears. With long hair, you’ll look graceful in a ponytail, a French braid, or loose waves. Medium-length hair looks great with half-up styles or soft curls.

Keep your nails clean and neatly trimmed. When you shower or wash your hands, use your fingers or a nail brush to clean beneath your nails. Trim your nails evenly to keep them at a uniform length. Avoid biting your nails, picking at your cuticles, or pulling at any damaged skin.

• If you like, you can apply nail polish. Choose neutral colors for a subtle, refined look, or go for your favorite shades to express your personality!
• If your nails are brittle or weak, consider using a nail-strengthening polish once a week.

If you enjoy makeup, choose a look that enhances your natural beauty. You can be beautiful without makeup, but a little makeup can accentuate your features and hide those areas you're not as fond of. Keep it light or highlight just one feature, as heavy makeup can weigh your face down.

• Contouring and highlighting techniques are helpful if you want to adjust the size of your face, jawline, nose, or chin. Apply bronzer that's a couple of shades darker than your natural skin tone to areas you want to minimize. You can also use a lighter concealer or highlighter on the features you want to draw attention to, like your cheekbones or the Cupid’s bow above your lips.
• If you have thin lips, use lip liner to slightly overline your lips for a fuller appearance, or apply concealer before lipstick to make them look more defined.
• Lightly apply eye shadow, and remember to line the outer edges of your eyes to create the illusion of bigger eyes. For smaller eyes, opt for darker shades of eye shadow and eyeliner.

Dress neatly in clothes that fit and flatter your figure. No matter your size or shape, it's essential to know which clothing styles suit you best. Choose clothes that fit your body without being too tight or too loose, and wear outfits that make you feel confident.

• Identify your body shape, whether it's pear, apple, or inverted triangle, and look for styles that complement it. While you don't have to wear what's recommended for your shape, these suggestions can help you find clothes that you feel comfortable in.
• Always wear clean, wrinkle-free clothes. Dirty clothes carry odors from sweat and dead skin cells.

Choose accessories to complete your outfit. Each day, after getting dressed, add a little accessory to complement your look, like a necklace, bracelet, or a stylish handbag. These simple accents will make you appear more coordinated and fashionable.

• Hair accessories like headbands, clips, or hair bows are charming additions to any outfit.
• If you wear glasses, choose frames that match your face shape. For example, square frames can balance a round face, while round glasses soften a square face. Cat-eye frames are great for triangle-shaped faces, and if you have a heart-shaped face, flaunt it with frameless glasses.

Exercise 2-3 times a week to maintain good health and a balanced figure. Aim to go for a walk, jog, swim, or hit the gym a few times each week. You can also join a sport or hobby you enjoy. A healthy, strong body will always make you look beautiful.

• If you can't leave the house to exercise, play some upbeat music and dance around the room for a few minutes every day!

Follow a low-fat and nutrient-rich diet for a glowing complexion and a feeling of vitality. Without the necessary nutrients, your skin can appear pale, dull, and dark circles may form under your eyes. To make sure you're getting the proper nutrition, avoid refined sugar, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains and lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, and lentils.

• For healthy and radiant skin, include antioxidant-rich foods like carrots, spinach, tomatoes, berries, beans, nuts, and salmon in your diet.

Stand tall, slightly pull your shoulders back, and lift your chin. Whenever you catch yourself slouching or looking down, straighten up and make eye contact with others. Good posture will radiate confidence. Plus, maintaining proper posture helps you stay alert and energized.

• When sitting, such as at a desk or dining table, sit upright, pull your shoulders back, and gently curve your lower back. This is the natural position for your spine. Use cushions or pillows to support your lower back to maintain this posture even when resting.

Try relaxation techniques to manage stress. Stress can make you look tired and anxious, so learning healthy ways to cope is essential. When facing a challenging situation, try deep breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation to center yourself. You could also confide in a close friend or family member to release tension.

• If you're often feeling exhausted and stressed, it may be because you're carrying too many responsibilities. Seek support from friends and family, and practice saying "no" when someone asks you to take on something overwhelming.

Apply sunscreen and protect your skin when outdoors. Long-term sun exposure can cause your skin to dry out, darken, and even develop wrinkles. Always protect exposed skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when going outside.

• You can also shield your skin by wearing loose clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.
• Remember that you can still be exposed to harmful rays on cloudy days, so don't skip sunscreen just because it's overcast.

Drink plenty of water daily. Staying hydrated will keep your skin healthy and glowing. The exact amount of water you need to drink depends on your age, body size, and activity level. As a general guideline, women should aim for 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day, while men should drink 15.5 cups (3.7 liters).

• Try carrying a water bottle with you so you can stay on top of your hydration wherever you go.
• If you're worried about access to clean water, consider bringing a bottle with a water filter.

Sleep 8-10 hours every night if you're between the ages of 14-18. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, as a consistent sleep schedule can improve your sleep quality. Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool for the best rest.

• Children aged 6-13 need 9-11 hours of sleep, and adults over 18 should aim for 7-9 hours.
• When you get enough sleep, you'll feel more energized each day. A good night’s sleep also enhances your mood, making you look even more attractive.

Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially to beauty ideals portrayed in the media. It’s tough, but don’t fall into the trap of believing that beauty means looking like a model or TV star. Embrace the natural beauty that you see in yourself and others.

• By focusing on the features you admire in others, you'll more easily recognize your own strengths.
• Keep in mind that the images you see in magazines, movies, posters, and on TV are often created with the help of hairstylists, makeup artists, wardrobe specialists, and lighting experts. They are carefully shot from the best angles and often retouched to remove flaws. If you measure yourself against those standards, you’ll likely never feel satisfied with yourself.

Combat negative thoughts and replace them with more constructive ones. If your perception of your appearance makes you feel insecure, you might be dealing with negative thinking. Although it’s challenging, whenever negative thoughts arise, try to redirect them toward more positive and realistic ones. Focus on your best qualities or come up with a solution for any issues you can change.

• For example, instead of thinking “I don’t look like a model, no one will love me,” remind yourself “I’m funny and always enthusiastic with my friends. Everyone enjoys being around me.”
• If you catch yourself thinking “I hate my hair,” try thinking about something more constructive, like “I need to find a hairstyle that works best for my hair. I’ll try growing it out. In the meantime, I’ll save up to visit a reputable salon.”

Be kind to others. To let your inner beauty shine, treat everyone with compassion and love. Look for the good in others and praise them. Offer sincere compliments to your loved ones and friends, and be a supportive listener when someone is going through a tough time.

• Inner beauty will enhance your outer appearance as well.

Smile when you're around others. A smile not only makes you appear more attractive but also helps you feel happier. Most people look more beautiful when they are happy, so it's an easy way to brighten your appearance whenever you wish.

• If you don't feel like smiling, at least try to maintain a pleasant expression when you want to look your best.

Prioritize relationships with people who make you feel good about yourself. Don't waste time on people who tend to bring you down or make negative comments about your appearance. Make an effort to connect with and spend time with those who bring happiness into your life. Soon, you'll be so busy enjoying the company of good friends that you won't have time to care about the opinions of others.

• If you can't avoid unkind people, such as a family member or coworker, learn how to stand up for yourself. For example, if someone criticizes your appearance, you can say, “Please stop saying that. It’s rude and makes me uncomfortable.”