How To Be Pretty — And Yes, It’s About More Than How You Look

Contrary to what social media might tell you, you don’t need to look like Kim Kardashian to be attractive. Sure, physical attributes do play a part in whether or not someone thinks you’re hot. It would be silly to pretend otherwise. However, if you want to know how to be pretty, there are many other things you need to take into consideration. Here’s what you should do.

How to be pretty

1. Get enough sleep. Getting enough rest can help you look and feel more refreshed and energized. You know how haggard you feel (and look) when you’ve pulled one too many all-nighters and are trying to survive on Red Bull and, like, an hour of sleep.
2. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated can help keep your skin looking healthy. Not only that, but it flushes toxins out of your body, keeps your blood flowing and your heart pumping, boosts your immune system, regulates your body temperature, etc.
3. Get off the couch and move your body. Exercise can help improve your overall health, boost your mood, and make you look like a million bucks. If you want to be pretty, be strong. Be fit. Push your body and appreciate all it can do for you.
4. Practice good hygiene. Taking care of your hygiene can help you look and feel your best. That means showering regularly (blech, BO!), washing your hair, doing your laundry so you have clean clothes, and generally just not going goblin mode 24/7.
5. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Don’t worry about keeping up with trends or stuffing yourself into tight clothes in an effort to be sexy. Wear what makes YOU feel hot. If you feel that way, it’ll come off to others.
6. Find a hairstyle that suits you. Experiment with different haircuts and styles until you find one that makes you feel confident. Whether that’s a pixie cut, long waves, or even a shaved head, you can be pretty if you feel pretty.
7. Wear makeup that enhances your natural beauty. If you wear makeup, don’t feel like you have to layer it on thick to get the maximum effect. Experiment with different makeup styles until you find one that enhances your natural features. You’re beautiful as you are. Don’t hide it!
8. Take care of your skin. Develop a good skincare routine that suits your skin type. While there’s no shame in having pimples or rosacea or whatever skin issue you might have. However, protecting your moisture barrier, wearing sunscreen, and looking after your skin will go a long way. Oh, and stop sleeping with makeup on!
9. Smile. A genuine smile can light up your face and make you more attractive. Yes, it’s obnoxious when a guy tells you to smile (and men really need to stop this). However, there’s no denying that a pretty woman usually has a smile on her face.
10. Stop slouching so much. Stand up straight and maintain good posture to look and feel more confident. If you’re already going Quasimodo from leaning over your laptop all day, consider taking up yoga or daily stretching to improve your posture. Your back will thank you for it.
11. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. I’m not saying you shouldn’t pig out on pizza over the weekend. However, maybe don’t live on takeout food and make sure you incorporate as many veggies into your diet as you can. This won’t just help you look good, you’ll feel good too. Junk food makes you feel like junk, no matter how good it tastes.
12. Take care of your nails. Keeping your nails clean and well-groomed can help you look more put-together. You don’t need to get a gel manicure every week or do some kind of fancy polish situation. You just need to keep them filed and get the dirt out from under them.
13. Wear clothes that flatter your body type. Find clothes that flatter your body type and make you feel good about yourself. Of course, if you feel good in it, it’s flattering. No one is going to feel (or be) pretty wearing a potato sack. Learn to feel good in your skin and wear clothes that support that.
14. Find a signature scent. Wearing a fragrance that suits your personality can make you feel confident and attractive. Also, the olfactory sense is really powerful in drawing people to you. Don’t underestimate how powerful this can be.
15. Laugh. Laughing can help reduce stress and make you feel happier. A happy woman is a pretty woman. This one is pretty simple. A good sense of humor goes a long way toward attracting people to you.
16. Be confident. Again, there’s something really attractive about a woman who feels good about herself. You should know what you have to offer and what you bring to the table. Don’t play it down, don’t deny it. Instead, embrace what makes you so amazing.
17. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and respect and focus on your positive qualities. Self-deprecation is not cool, nor is it cute. You wouldn’t put up with that treatment from anyone else, so don’t accept it from yourself.

More unconventional ways to be attractive

1. Take care of your teeth. Keep your teeth clean and healthy by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly. We know this seems odd to have to add to this list, but here we are. Nasty teeth = a no-go.
2. Use accessories to your advantage. Experiment with jewelry, scarves, hats, and other accessories to add personality and style to your outfit. Maybe you like big hoop earrings. Or, maybe you’re into funky sneakers or iron-on patches on your bag. Whatever adds a unique element to your personal style, go for it.
3. Develop a positive attitude and outlook on life. No one wants to be around a Debbie Downer. If you want to be pretty, your attitude needs to match. Find a way to look on the bright side even during tough times. We’re not talking about toxic positivity, of course. Learning how to genuinely roll with the punches is paramount.
4. Spend time in nature. Being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety, and make you feel more relaxed and refreshed. When you’re less uptight and more at peace within yourself, that shows on the outside.
5. Take care of your mental health. Take steps to manage stress and prioritize self-care to help boost your mental health. If you feel like you could benefit from it (and who couldn’t?), consider going to therapy. Having an impartial third party to offer feedback as well as valuable skills and tools for life can be incredibly beneficial.
6. Practice good manners. Being polite and considerate can help you make a positive impression on others. It seems like “manners” is a dirty word in 2023, and that’s ridiculous. Some basic etiquette should be the norm for everyone.
7. Use body language to your advantage. Stand tall, make eye contact, and use confident body language to project confidence and positivity. Half of what it takes to be pretty is down to how you carry yourself, so this is a big one.
8. Don’t beat around the bush. If you have something to say, say it. Don’t be passive-aggressive or mince words for the sake of keeping the peace. Don’t be needlessly cruel or rude, either.
9. Practice good listening skills. Listen attentively to others and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Don’t just wait for a lapse in conversation so you can talk about yourself. That’s not a good look.
10. Find something you’re passionate about. Having hobbies and passions is vital for personal enrichment. Are you into sewing, ballet, woodworking, or archaeology? Find something that gets you excited and makes you feel fulfilled.
11. Set goals and work toward them. Pursuing your passions and achieving your goals can help boost your confidence and self-esteem. There’s something incredibly hot about a woman with ambition.
12. Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time with people who uplift you and make you feel good about yourself. If you hang out with people with bad attitudes who act like they don’t give a damn about anything, it’ll eventually rub off on you.
13. Learn how to communicate. Communicate clearly and effectively to build solid relationships with other people. Knowing how to communicate indicates maturity and high emotional intelligence.
14. Don’t gossip or talk sh*t about people. Being a bitch is not pretty. You’re not cool or hilarious for making fun of or belittling other people. Keep your petty comments to yourself and learn to be kind.
15. Go out of your way to help. Being selfish is necessary and important at times. However, if you’re in any kind of position of privilege, use that to help other people when you can. Whether you volunteer somewhere, donate your extra stuff, or simply do friends a favor sometimes, do what you can.
16. Be true to yourself. Embrace your unique qualities and let your personality shine through in all that you do. There’s nothing more attractive or inspiring than someone who knows exactly who she is and is damn proud of it.