How to Look Handsome: 10 Easy Steps to Greater Attractiveness

attractive man faceHow to look handsome for men

Are you a man hunting for tips and advice on how to look handsome? Is it high time to improve your personal appearance? Looking for a little help in the grooming department?

If you answered yes, then dig in. Apply the tips and tricks in this article and watch as the world starts doing double takes in your direction. More and more, men of all ages are focusing on their image. Look sharp or get overlooked.

More: How to be a confident man

As a counselor who specializes in men’s issues, I’ve spoken to many guys who are eager to learn all they can about proper grooming. They have discovered a vital life hack. They understand there is a direct relationship between self-presentation and self-esteem.

Look handsome background

We know from years of research that a person’s life opportunities are determined partly by how other’s perceive them. I recognize this may seem vapid and shallow , but it’s the reality of the time in which we live.

In truth, when you focus on appearance in a healthy way, you send a message of confidence, which can translate into sophistication and magnetism.

That’s why I’ve put together this quick “How To Guide” for men in a brave, new, well-groomed world. It will help you improve your personal appearance in a straightforward, easy to understand way.

The chart below offers a preliminary overview on looking attractive with the 10 steps. Later, we’ll dive deep and get into specifics.

10 Steps to Looking More Handsome

Ten steps for looking more handsome and attractive for men
StepsActivity BenefitHow often?
1. Regular face care routineGroomingMore attractive faceAM/PM
2. Reduce and prevent wrinkles
GroomingYounger looking faceAM/PM
3. Focus on the eyesGroomingYounger looking eyesAM/PM
4. Eliminate dark spots
GroomingLess blotchy faceWeekly
5. Get the right haircutGroomingShapes face2x month
6. Focus on teethGroomingMore attractive smile3x daily
7. Exercise regularlyPhysicalAthletic physique3-5x a week
8. Diet and nutritionPhysicalAttractive physique Daily
9. Go classic
StyleMasculine lookDaily
10. Reduce anxiety MentalPrevents signs of agingDaily

Psychology of Looking Handsome

First, you have to get your mind right. Looking handsome starts with your brain, not your body. In other words, attractiveness is part of a mindset.

We cannot exhibit what we do not possess. You cannot experience the benefits of looking sharp unless you have confidence that it’s true. I can’t emphasize this enough.

There’s not a cream on the earth or a gel on the market that will magically transform you into a magnetic man. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is just trying to sell you a bag of goods.

In truth, it’s the other way around.

Believing in yourself generates a strong, ritualized self-care routine that ultimately broadcasts attractiveness to others.

While you don’t have to be an alpha male to look sharp, you need to focus on how you view yourself (in a positive light) for maximum benefits.

Let’s move on to concrete, actionable things you can do that speak directly to the question: How can I become more handsome?

how to look handsome psychology
A man’s guide to looking handsome

1. Adopt a regular face care routine

As men, we aren’t taught how to formulate a regular face care routine. There are a number of reasons for this, especially  societal norms that are strongly connected to gender stereotypes.

Here’s the thing. Those traditional stereotypes are fading. If you want to look more handsome, you have to adopt a men’s skin care routine that focuses on the face.

Proper facial care includes everything from learning to wash your face on a regular basis (with the right products) to proper moisturizing. Other critical products include firming masks designed to clean pores and brighten up dull complexions.

If you are like most men, chances are you lack a good education on this topic. That’s why I put together a facial care for men guide that features 5 products every guy should have in his bathroom. Be sure to check it out!

2. Reduce and prevent wrinkles

Proper grooming includes a facial routine that takes care of your skin in the present, but also prevents problems in the future.

Youthful skin means vitality, and that’s always sexy. While there’s no way to stop the aging process, you can do a lot to slow down the effects of time.

Do you use a moisturizer with sunblock? If not, you should start now. The sun is your face’s number one enemy when it comes to looking handsome.

You may be wondering why.

It’s simple. The ultraviolet rays from the sun zap your skin of the anti-aging protein collagen. In turn, your skin begins to form deep lines and creases.

Translation: wrinkles. Think about how gnarly an old sailor looks after a lifetime of weathering the elements. If that’s what your skin looks like, women probably won’t be knocking your door down.

If you are interested in learning more on how to stop the visible signs of aging in men, check out this wrinkle prevention guide.

3. Focus on the eyes

One of the areas most neglected by men is the skin around the eyes. In my experience, most guys have no earthly idea how to focus on this area.

That’s unfortunate because the area located under your eyes is a tell-tale sign of your true age. Many women  know this and pay attention. Moreover, baggy eyes with dark circles instantly make you look much older.

Guys, the effort you put into your eyes now will go a long way in helping you look more handsome. It doesn’t take a lot of complicated work either. Just daily focus.

If you want to learn more about making your eyes look more attractive and less baggy, read this guide on how to get rid of dark circles and bags for men.

get rid of baggy eyes
Skin care is important to handsomeness

4. Eliminate dark spots

Does your face look blotchy? Do you have dark spots covering your cheeks, forehead, or nose? Are some of these brown or black? There are a variety of blemishes that can draw attention away from your more attractive features. You have to address them. It’s a game of minimization.

Obviously, you’ll want to visit your doctor if you have a spot on your face that concerns you. Assuming you’re dealing with a dark spot caused by sun damage (i.e. freckles), it’s best to try and minimize their appearance wherever possible.

That’s because dark spots have a way of making a man look aged. Worse, some blemishes can be downright unattractive. If left untreated, these spots tend to multiply and grow in size, thereby chipping away at self-esteem.

The good news is that you can treat many of these imperfections at home. What’s more, it doesn’t cost that much. Be sure to check out this post on how to get rid of dark spots on the face.

5. Get the right haircut

Most guys I’ve worked with know that hair is key to personal appearance. What they struggle with is how to take care of their hair and create a look that highlights their best features.

Rather than find a truly great solution, many simply opt for a crop cut and call it a day. There’s nothing wrong with this approach. In fact, styling your hair with a crop cut is a smart pathway to handsomeness. It can signal masculinity and cleanliness.

Here’s the problem – the cut alone won’t bring you the desired results. Most likely, you’ll need to combine a good haircut with products to achieve maximum benefits.

Using male celebrity examples, I created a post that highlights 7 men worth emulating. I’ve also included product recommendations for each guy. Check out this haircuts for men page to learn more.

handsome
Your teeth should be as white as this shirt

6. Focus on your teeth

I’ll level with you. One of the most uncomfortable topics to talk about with guys are teeth. I don’t know why that it is, but it just is.

Maybe that’s because a lot of men have secret fears around visiting the dentist. I completely understand this because I’ve had many of the same concerns.

If you’re a man that hasn’t been to the dentist in years, your anxiety can intensify. In extreme cases, some people even develop a dental phobia.

However uncomfortable with the topic you may be, if your goal is to look handsome, you’ll need to focus on your choppers. Thanks to modern dentistry, there are dozens of treatments available that can literally transform the way your teeth look.

Not too many years ago, I had veneers put on my teeth to get rid of a large gap. You can do the same if you have this problem.

Should your teeth appear crocked or uneven, there are invisible products designed to straighten teeth out. I encourage you to talk to your dentist to see what options are available.

A great smile can improve your attractiveness by leaps and bounds. Apart from being a great physical quality, it harnesses an important psychological phenomenon: people look more attractive with a confident smiling.

Finally, if your teeth appear dull or brownish, consider picking up some over the counter whiteners. You can buy these at most drug stores. An excellent one to consider is Active Wow Teeth Whitening Powder. Check with Amazon for pricing.

handsome man tips
Exercise is key top attractiveness

7. Exercise Regularly

A regular exercise routine is fundamental if you want to look handsome. Not only will physical activity prevent weight gain, exercise (particularly resistance training) builds and maintains muscle.

In my experience, most guys struggle with choosing the best exercise program to fit their lifestyle. This point is particularly true for men who are newbies to the gym or don’t have a lot of experience with gym training.

If this describes your situation, you have many options. First, it may be helpful to consider hiring a personal trainer. It gives you the opportunity to learn different approaches to exercise. That way you get the most from your workouts.

If you already have some fitness experience under your belt, be sure to check out this post on how to pick the right workout routine. I’ve listed three tips to help you make a smart choice.

8. Diet and nutrition

Diet goes hand in hand with exercise. The two are strongly linked to achieving health goals and by extension, your desire to look handsome.

Some men find it helpful to establish a dietary plan that corresponds to their body type. If you are unfamiliar with this approach, be sure to check out this body types for men post to learn more.

It’s highly possible that you are struggling with weight, whether too much or too little.

Should this describe you, my suggestion is to speak with a nutritionist. You’d be surprised at how much they can help to create personal transformation and achieve your body goals.

A great place to start is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They’ve got a search tool that allows you to find someone near your location. Visit their website here.

men's shoes
Shoes make the man

9. Think classic wardrobe

Part of looking handsome means dressing in the right clothes. The problem is most guys aren’t always sure what to buy to look their best. Moreover, they don’t want to break the bank to look sharp.

The chief rule of buying the right clothes is making sure they fit perfectly. Be sure to try clothes on first. Even if you really like a particular shirt, it’s not worth buying if the cut doesn’t match your body type.

Beyond that, I encourage you to opt for the classic wardrobe. I’m talking about the basics, like jeans, t-shirts, flannels, and boots. I’ve given a number of examples in this post on achieving the lumbersexual look for men.

Also, the old saying that “shoes make the man”  is actually kind of true. Again, the best approach is to think classic and avoid anything overly trendy.

There are tons of options available on the marketplace. Personally, I like the Grey, Derby Leather Wing Tip shoe by Tod’s. See Amazon for pricing.

10. Reduce anxiety and stress

Here’s something you probably didn’t think would show up on a list of how to look more handsome. The reality is that stress and anxiety have been clinically shown to accelerate the aging process.

There are more studies on this topic than I can shake a stick at. Rather than read a bunch of research, I’ll explain it plainly.

When your body is under a high degree of stress, you sleep less and eat more. In addition, stress can harm DNA cells that act as your bodies internal chronometer. In other words, your body can end up looking older than it actually is, like a clock that runs fast.

When you add it all up, the end result is wrinkles, less attractive skin, weakened bone structure, and a reduced hairline.

If you want to look more handsome, it’s important to get stress and anxiety under control. You may not be able to completely eliminate stressors from your life, but there are many strategies available for practical coping.

Here’s a page I created on stress and anxiety reduction that’s chalk-full of insight and resources.

Summing Things Up

If your goal is to look more handsome, it’s going to require focus on a number of different life aspects. It would be nice if a magic wand existed that instantly transformed you into Prince Charming. In the real world, though, that magic wand is good information and tenacious motivation. I can give you the first part, but the second step is up to you.

By following the 10 suggestions listed above, you can do a lot to boost your self-esteem and amplify your handsomeness.

If you are looking for more grooming tips, check out my top colognes for men page.

Thanks for stopping by my website!

About John D. Moore 396 Articles
Dr. John Moore is a licensed counselor and Editor-in-Chief of Guy Counseling. A journalist and blogger, he writes about a variety of topics related to wellness. His interests include technology, outdoor activities, science, and men's health. Check out his show --> The Men's Self Help Podcast