This Is the Easiest Way to Make Yourself More Attractive, Study Says

From expertly applying makeup to adhering to excessive skincare routines, some people will do anything to appear more attractive. However, recent research suggests enhancing your appearance may be simpler than you think. An August study out of Indiana University (IU) found that there is truth to the age-old belief that your inner beauty can shine through. In fact, researchers confirmed that people are perceived to be more attractive when they are giving and generous.

There have been countless studies that demonstrate the link between generosity and happiness, confidence, longevity, and even physical health. Now, IU has added a study indicating a correlation between being giving and physical attractiveness.

"Poets and philosophers have suggested the link between moral and physical beauty for centuries," co-author Sara Konrath, PhD, said in a statement. "This study confirms that people who are perceived as more attractive are more likely to give, and givers are seen as more attractive."

The researchers examined three studies wherein physical attractiveness was rated independently of giving behaviors, to look at data removed from the "halo effect." According to the study, the halo effect occurs when more attractive people are perceived as good, and good people are seen as more attractive co-dependently. The study found that "more physically attractive people are more likely to engage in giving behaviors, and vice versa. Thus, in ecologically valid real-world samples, people who do good are also likely to look good."

The focus questions of the study were: "Are individuals who undertake more giving behaviors rated as more physically attractive? And the reverse, are more physically attractive people more likely to undertake giving behaviors?" The researchers found "remarkable consistency across the three studies, despite being conducted at different times, using different participants, and using different methods and measures."

According to the statement, Konrath believes these findings are important in disproving the long-believed notion that attractive people are vain or self-obsessed. So, rather than blow your money on expensive beauty products or spend hours of your day getting ready, focus on being generous and watch yourself become increasingly more appealing to others.

Read on for four more science-backed ways you can easily boost your attractiveness. And if that's not enough, check out these 23 Subtle Ways to Make Yourself More Attractive.

1 | Laugh.

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Laughter is the best medicine, and it may also be the best makeup. A 2015 study out of the University of Kansas found that when people laugh together, it can increase attraction. The study examined 51 pairs of strangers and found that the more times a man made a joke and the more times a woman laughed, the more likely it was that she was interested in him. The researchers found that when pairs were spotted laughing together, it was a strong indicator of a romantic connection between the two. And laughter is healthy overall—learn about that and more with these 50 Important Habits Linked to a Longer Life.

2 | Hang out in groups.

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The "cheerleader effect" has been observed in bars and restaurants around the world, and even science supports this phenomenon. A 2013 study published in Psychological Science found that the cheerleader effect—how people seem more attractive in a group than in isolation—was real. Researchers did five experiments where people rated the attractiveness of others presented in a group or alone. The findings confirmed that individual faces seem more attractive in a group because they appear more similar to the average group face, which is theoretically more attractive than each group members' face independently. And for more useful information delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

3 | Smile.

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Smiling is known to brighten up the face, and a 2012 study found that this could boost your perceived attractiveness. According to the study published by Cognition & Emotion, the results of an experiment found that attractiveness is strongly influenced by the intensity of a person's smile. The study even found that a cheery facial expression could potentially compensate for relative unattractiveness. And if you're looking for a reason to smile, try these 50 Feel-Good Facts Guaranteed to Make You Smile.

4 | Maintain good posture.

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Few people are attracted to a person who is sitting slumped over. Science says having good posture could make you more attractive, per a 2016 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study found that "postural expansiveness"—expanding the body in physical space—nearly doubled a person's odds of getting a thumbs up from their speed-dating partner. The researchers hypothesize that postural expansiveness could be linked to increased dominance, which can be considered an attractive trait. And to keep yourself looking young and healthy, avoid these 30 Surprising Habits That Make You Age Quicker.