What Guys Look For In a Girl: 26 Things Men Like More than Appearances

Girls want to know what guys like in a girl, but it varies from guy to guy. Is it having a strong sense of humor? Maybe being intelligent? For the most part, what men want in a woman are simple qualities. 

Appearances play a big part in physical attraction. Indeed, your looks are almost certainly one of the first things a guy notices about you, but it’s about more than that. What guys look for in a woman varies, but it’s often down to the subtle and simple things.

If you’ve got a great physique and looks to match, you’ll definitely get any guy’s attention.

But here’s the thing – your looks can get a guy’s attention for a few seconds, but after that, what’s left? With a good heart and a vibrant personality, he won’t be able to stay away from you. [Read: 25 things guys find irresistible and attractive about a girl at first sight!]

Guys and girls like different things

You might try to make yourself more appealing based on what you might look for in a guy. However, that won’t do you any good because guys don’t really like what you might like. In fact, you may scare them away if you try to act in a way that you would be attracted to.

The sad thing is, guys are pretty judgmental. As much as us ladies think we’re picky, guys are worse. The difficult part is that if you don’t know what guys look for in a girl specifically, he might overlook you simply because you’re not putting out the vibes he wants to pick up.

The things men find attractive in girls – subtle things you may ignore 

If you can’t imagine anything guys look for in girls, we have you covered. Here are some of the most common things that guys look for in a girlfriend.

1. Someone who smiles

If you check Instagram right now, almost every girl is posing with some serious squinting action going on. Sure, you look good, but men love a girl with bright eyes and a beautiful smile.

When you smile, your eyes pop, and you radiate positive energy. Many men love this. In fact, everyone loves this!

Now, this doesn’t mean you should be creepy and constantly wear a grin on your face. What truly draws a guy in is your natural and genuine bright smile. It’s definitely what guys look for in a girl. [Read: 25 tips to look cute and melt any guy’s heart effortlessly]

2. A girl who laughs

Who wants to hang out with someone who never laughs? It’s a draining experience being with someone who can’t relax and crack a joke. This doesn’t mean you have to laugh at every joke a guy makes, but you can relax and not force a serious face.

Laughing is the best way to connect with someone. If you’re relaxed, the guy will also be relaxed and comfortable around you, especially once you start dating. [Read: Charming ways to be more approachable to guys]

3. Intelligence

Beauty may attract people to you, but if you can’t hold a conversation, they’ll just keep passing you by. Don’t worry; you don’t have to be Einstein or understand quantum physics. However, when a guy looks for a girlfriend, they want somebody who they’ll be able to talk to for hours.

Looks fade, but at the end of the day, you want someone you mentally connect with, and that’s called mental attractiveness.

If you’re interested in a guy, you might want to find out what he likes and do some research on the topic. Maybe you’ll end up becoming interested in it, and together you’ll have something in common. [Read: Really easy ways to show a guy you like him and still be a tease]

4. Natural beauty

Makeup is great for highlighting your features. But men are also interested in a girl who’s comfortable in her own skin, makeup-free. If you wear makeup on a daily basis, that’s okay.

However, what is important is you don’t rely on makeup to make you beautiful. Be comfortable in your own skin, and you will attract men who see your natural beauty. [Read: Why is inner beauty more important than outer beauty?]

5. Honesty

Men look for a partner they can share themselves with. They’re looking for a girl who will be honest with them.

You don’t have to share all the details about everything. However, don’t keep a man guessing. They respect and appreciate a woman who tells them how they really feel.

If you can’t tell yet, men are not mindreaders, so honesty not only helps them understand you but it develops a stronger relationship between you. [Read: How to get a guy to like you effortlessly… in no time]

6. Confidence

Confidence is key! You could be wearing a paper bag as a dress, but if you wear it with confidence, you’ll look amazing. Keep your head high and your shoulders back when you walk.

Men want a woman even more if she knows herself and is confident in her own skin. Regardless of the flaws she has. No one is perfect, but if you accept yourself, men will be drawn to you. [Read: What men want in a woman to be drawn to her]

7. Having your own voice

If a guy asks you, “what do you want to eat?” and your reply is, “whatever you want to eat,” you can do better than that. If you’re naturally shy, that’s one thing. However, not voicing your opinion because you don’t want to offend or disagree with him is completely different.

If he didn’t want your opinion on a subject, he wouldn’t ask you. Guys don’t want to go out with a girl who is indecisive or just follows whatever he does.

When this occurs, it stops being an intimate relationship and starts looking like a co-dependent relationship. That’s definitely not what you want to happen.

Speak your mind, ladies. We’re well into the 21^st century, and the fellas want to hear what you have to say. [Read: How to impress a guy in oh-so-awesome ways]

8. Self-reliance

We know most men like serving the role of protector. They want to feel needed and valued when it comes to taking care of their girl. It’s essential that guys feel wanted. However, there is also a line where you become too clingy and overly dependent on them, and then they start to distance themselves from you.

Men want to know you’re able to take care of things without their help. When the guy isn’t around, knowing you handle yourself and live an independent life also puts less pressure on him as your only source of happiness. Make sure to also spend some time away from him and maybe spend time with your friends or family. [Read: How to be a strong independent woman that men love]

9. Your attitude

Confidence is a great thing to have. There is a difference between being confident and being arrogant. In that case, adjust your attitude and become a little more humble.

Men look for women who are kind, positive, affectionate, and considerate, and these will all help you stay together for longer. If you don’t see any of those qualities in yourself, then it’s time to look within. Men stay far away from you until you show your kinder side. [Read: Things guys like in a girl besides her appearance]

10. Your scent

Guys love a woman that smells amazing. Your scent stimulates many emotions inside them—calmness, arousal, etc. Don’t overdo it with the perfume, though! Just a little dab on the wrists and neck.

When you walk by him, he’ll get a waft of your fragrance and crave to be with you. The rest is history! [Read: How to attract men in a way they just can’t resist]

11. Self-driven

What could be sexier than a girl that goes after what she wants? Exactly. A motivated and goal-driven woman makes a man fall in love much deeper. If she sees a job opening she wants, she goes and gets it.

There’s something very attractive about a woman who is strong-willed and pushes herself to her highest potential.

This ties in with self-confidence as it shows your self-respect and mindset. So, don’t be afraid to go for what you want! [Read: How to take the next step to success]

12. Femininity

Guys like a girl who can get her hands dirty, play sports, and watch sports. But they also like to meet someone who dresses up and looks sexy and feminine. This doesn’t mean looking like a Barbie doll. It just means playing up your assets in a feminine manner.

Many girls think by looking feminine, they’re seen as weaker or unintelligent, but they’re wrong. You can look as feminine as you want and still have a brain. [Read: 20 hot tips: The ultimate guide to being more feminine]

13. Manners

This may seem like an obvious one, but many people don’t use manners when in public. Men love women who are confident, opinionated, and independent. But they also like a woman who knows how to behave in public.

For example, when meeting his parents for dinner, you don’t burp at the table or make faces about the food. This not only shows your self-respect but respect for him as well.

14. Playfulness

In every successful relationship, playfulness is a trait that plays a big part in it. Be a happy and fun-loving girl who’s alive and not afraid to take herself lightly.

Guys love girls who are playful and cheerful. They don’t like women who are constantly stressed or unhappy. Laugh, have a sense of humor, and tease the guy you like. He’ll be smitten by you in no time! [Read: How to have playful banter and keep the flirting alive forever]

15. You show your feelings via your expressions

A pretty face is blank and meaningless without its facial expressions. Make eye contact with the guy as you talk to him. Smile mischievously when you say something naughty, roll your eyes when he acts like an idiot, and smile genuinely to show affection when you’re talking to him.

The way you smile, use your eyes, and use your voice to express yourself will leave him mesmerized by you. [Read: 25 ways to look cute and melt a guy’s heart immediately]

16. Inner beauty

You may think a guy falls in love with a girl based on her physical appearance. But truth be told, he falls in love with the projection of what the girl feels about herself. The glow of sex appeal and beauty comes from within.

If you don’t feel pretty when you look in the mirror, how can you expect that he’ll find you attractive? It only takes a minute or less for inner beauty to kick in and work its magic when you’re talking to a guy. When learning what guys look for, it’s often a case of looking inward once they get to know a woman better. [Read: Why is inner beauty so important to look attractive?]

17. A healthy glow

Men find it more beautiful when girls have healthy, glowing skin, even if they don’t have the best physical features. It’s important to practice self-care by eating healthily, trying to keep yourself stress-free, and looking after your skin. Most importantly, work out if you want to get the attention of your crush.

Sweating during a regular workout will give your skin a more flushed and radiant appearance. And it’ll work wonders when you’re staring at a guy from across the room. [Read: The dating girl code all girls need to know]

18. A zest for life

Do you love life? Do you think you’re spontaneous and have an optimistic worldview? Guys love a girl who’s full of boundless energy and always ready for a new adventure.

If a guy stares at a group of girls, the first one that catches his eye and interests him is the one who is energetic and fun. [Read: 30 subtle, obvious, and naughty flirting tips for girls]

19. A witty personality

If a girl has some wit, you best believe a guy will notice. It’s much more likely that fun banter will draw him in and make him swoon for her.

Don’t hold back when you feel witty and want to respond, as men sometimes want to be with someone who lets her witty, authentic self shine. Go right ahead and watch him be mesmerized by you. [Read: How to be witty and win over anyone]

20. A laid-back attitude

Guys really don’t like girls who are all drama. Those girls pick fights easily and are usually high maintenance and stuck up – something all guys dread.

Guys want a girl who can just relax with them and someone who has a go-with-the-flow attitude. It’s more fun for them, and they feel better knowing they aren’t in a drama-filled, complicated, and difficult love situation.

21. A kind heart

There’s really nothing sexier than a really kind woman. Someone who’s genuinely nice and has a good nature is really what guys are looking for. They wouldn’t want some badass who steps on others to get what they want.

Guys are after the girls who are confident and strong but also very kind and sweet. [Read: How to be nice – 20 easy tips to make everyone love being around you]

22. An easily excitable nature

This is something you may not realize that many guys love. When a girl gets jumpy and giddy and excited over things that make them happy, the guys around them melt.

Remember to show them that side of you and what makes you really happy. Your passions will also show him the important part of you.

23. A dirty sense of humor – at the right time

This isn’t to say that you have to walk around making dirty jokes all the time in order to get a guy. Men don’t find that attractive at all. In fact, this might look bad. What we’re saying is that if there’s an opportunity to make a funny joke or to comment on a dirty phrase, take it.

Show him you’re not just some good girl and that you do have a sexual nature. After all, everyone does. [Read: 15 types of humor and how it affects relationships]

24. A girl who’s keen for fun

If you’re someone who’s adventurous and will jump at the opportunity to enjoy yourself, he’ll always find himself wanting to be around you. One of the things a man enjoys, especially on a first date, is being with someone who will try new things and have some great times. [Read: How to stop being boring and have more fun]

25. A flirtatious nature

Keep in mind that this does not mean a promiscuous nature. Being flirty and being easy isn’t the same. You can get really flirty with someone and still maintain respect.

Show him that you know how to flirt. Smile a lot, don’t be afraid to tell him he looks good, and make him realize you’re into him. Make him feel good about himself even if he gets a bit flustered.

26. Ambition

Someone who has a plan is sexy. That drive and ambition to accomplish something and lead your own life will draw guys to you like a moth to a flame. [Read: Love or career? How to choose and make sure you’re not left feeling bitter]

Attracting a guy isn’t all about looks

We would be lying if we said that looks have nothing to do with it at all. We’ve already established that your looks are the first thing a guy will notice. But, you have to hold his attention past that.

The qualities above are pretty regular, and you’ll no doubt have quite a lot of them – maybe you have all of them! That means you’re more than capable of catching the eye of the perfect guy for you.

You don’t have to change yourself. You simply need to let your true nature show.

[Read: Things guys like in a girl besides her appearance]

Now that you know what guys look for in a girl, you’ll see how easy it is to simply be yourself and let your qualities shine. Guys will be chasing after you in no time!