Do men really like those high heels and red lipsticks, or are they all for that natural look? Do they like a girl who jokes around just like the guys do, or are men looking for someone who is always donning Gucci and carrying the best Michael Kors bags? Though they’re supposed to be the uncomplicated gender, when it comes to what they want from a woman, there are all sorts of complications at play. Let’s take a look at the biggest turn-on for guys so you can get that attention you want.
What Turns Guys On? 13 Biggest Turn-Ons For Guys
When you talk about the biggest turn-ons for guys, there’s no one size that fits all. Some may like their partners short, some may like them tall. We’ve all seen how high heels can make a woman look more alluring, but we’ve also met at least one guy who’d rather have his partner wear baggy jeans than a dress. Nonetheless, knowing what generally makes men more attracted to someone (at least according to science) can help you out when you’re trying to secure that second date. And once he tells you that he loves it when you wear that particular perfume, you now know exactly what he wants, instead of trying to play it by ear. Let’s take a look at the biggest turn-on for men.
1. Science says men prefer a woman with a low waist-to-hip ratio
Let’s kick things off with a bunch of things about science and biology. According to studies, men prefer women with a low waist to hip ratio, because it signals health and fertility or youthfulness. And if you’re thinking that this has to do with the constant visuals we’re fed that signify beauty and attractiveness, other studies suggest that blind men prefer a low waist-to-hip ratio as well, preferably 0.7. Even so, that doesn’t mean that this is what every man is after. As we mentioned before, the biggest turn-ons for men change with every individual you ask.
2. Get that red dress out
Studies suggest that wearing the color red will make you more attractive to men, and it also works the other way around. Visual appeal has a large role to play when it comes to the biggest turn-on for guys, so it’s pretty obvious how wearing an appealing color can be just the thing you need. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you go all out with red shoes, red lipstick and a red dress! You don’t want to be looking like a traffic signal, so make sure to keep it classy. Although, we’re pretty sure you didn’t need us to tell you that, you’ve already got the best date outfit planned.
3. One of the biggest turn-ons for men: your scent!
Bet you weren’t expecting this one, were you? According to studies, men can be attracted to women who have a desirable fragrance, and even suggest that the natural scent of a woman is appealing to men. If you’ve got that signature fragrance going for you, not only is he going to turn his head every time you walk by him, but he’s also going to be reminded of you every time he smells something of the sort. This comes in as one of the biggest turn-on for guys on a date, so make sure you’ve got that perfect scent on. Something too strong, and you might have him come up with an ‘emergency’. Anything that emulates a scintillating natural scent (for example, a mild citrusy body mist after a shower) can be exactly what he’s looking for. He just doesn’t know it yet.
4. Making the first move
We’ve come a long way from the dating game of the early 2000s, when men were almost always expected to make the first move. Even so, women making the first move still isn’t quite as common as it should be. Why should you be the one to go out of your way and initiate a conversation, you ask? Well, for starters, there’s nothing more validating for a man than a woman walking up to him and starting the conversation he had been replaying in his head over and over again. According to a recent survey of 5,000 heterosexual men, 92% said they’d prefer it if the woman made the first move. If you were looking for the biggest turn-on for men, you’ve found it.
5. The right amount of eye contact
Whether you’re looking at him from across the bar or you’re both ‘sharing a passionate moment together’ by locking eyes, when done right, can be the icing on the cake. A glance across the bar is enough to leave a lasting impression. When in a group, a moment of shared laughter can signify more than just that moment. However, make sure you use it correctly. If you’re looking for the biggest turn-on for guys while making out, keeping your eyes open definitely isn’t one of them. That may just be the creepiest thing ever.
6. A bit of blush, a bit of lipstick, and you’re good to go
That basically means that guys dig the natural or low-makeup look a lot more than the whole shebang. According to studies, women often overestimate the importance of cosmetics when trying to appear attractive, and that may actually work against them when trying to seduce a man. The same study suggests that a natural or low-makeup face signifies good health, which men biologically find attractive. So, if you were looking for one of the biggest turn-on for guys on a date, go easy on the makeup. We know it’s hard to keep that expensive contour untouched but you’ll thank yourself for it later.
7. A bit of décolletage
We talked quite a bit about how the biggest turn-ons for men can often depend on what they find attractive. On the other hand, we’re also pretty sure that heterosexual men can unanimously agree that they’re incredibly attracted to cleavage. There are a bunch of reasons why men are obsessed with breasts. There’s the biological aspect of it, which tells us that larger breasts signify fertility. And then there’s the lustful aspect of it, which gets his senses going every time he glances. It’s one of the biggest turn-on for guys in bed, so make sure you don’t overlook the breasts during foreplay.
8. Build up your texting game
Who said that you can only get him drooling over you when you’re around him? By flirting with him over text, you can get him thinking about you no matter where you two are. If you’ve met before, let him know how excited you are to meet him again, followed by a wink or two. A suggestive text late at night is enough to send his imagination running wild, and there’s no doubt he’s going to be losing sleep over you. The biggest turn-on for guys over text isn’t too hard to pull off. Be a bit courageous and say what you’ve been meaning to. Once he replies with an equally risky text, you already know you’re all set.
9. Let your body do the talking
Wearing a red dress that accentuates your low waist-to-hip ratio won’t do you any favors if you’ve got your arms crossed while he’s trying to stir up a conversation with you. Your body language plays a huge role in the kind of impression you put across, so make sure you’re paying attention to how you present yourself. For example, leaning in a bit is a clear indication that you’re interested in what he’s saying, and is going to elicit a favorable response from him. If instead, you have your arms and legs crossed the entire time he’s talking to you, he’s going to pick up on it.
10. The biggest turn-on for guys is subtle physical touch
Touching is a great way of flirting if you’re both that comfortable with each other. A light caress on his back, a lingering hug, or a touch on his arm can all send shivers down his spine. This extends to when two people are making out as well. The biggest turn-on for guys while making out is when you use your hands just right, and touch the back of his head or let your arms roam a bit.
11. Talk dirty to him
A wink and a gaze go a long way, but when it’s accompanied by a playful sentence he’s not going to forget about any time soon, it adds to the excitement. Anything that hints on the sexual or at least makes him imagine something of the sort is all that you need to live in his head rent-free. Talking dirty to him is also one of the biggest turn-on for guys over texts. When you’ve set the mood and you’re texting late into the night, a dirty text is exactly what you two need to take things to the next level.
12. Kindness goes a long way
According to PsychologyToday, kindness makes a person appear more attractive overall and is one of the most sought-after traits that men look for in women. If you assumed playing hard to get is all you needed to do, think again. Instead, be kind and compassionate. Note that there’s a difference between being kind and being a pushover, for the latter is just going to end up with you being taken for granted. One of the biggest turn-ons for guys is when the opposite sex listens to them and compliments them since it makes them feel so much better about themselves.
13. Your legs may hold the answer
As you might have probably guessed by now, a lot of what attracts a man to a woman has to do with visual cues. According to studies, men preferred women with a higher leg-length-to-body ratio, which goes to show that long legs are correlated with attractiveness, at least in the male mind. Now that you know what the biggest turn-on for guys are, hopefully, you’re a step closer to getting to where you want to be with him. Once you do get things off the ground, a whole new world of relationship complications awaits. Don’t worry, Bonobology’s panel of experienced dating coaches and therapists are here to offer a helping hand, should you need it.