Women do it, Do men like it?

Just one red-blooded guy's opinion . . .

High heels (they elongate our legs) - Yes, if they're not ridiculously high
Pointy shoes - I like strappy shoes better, or sandals
jewelery - I like elegant but simple, and not so much that it looks snowy (say, Elizabeth Taylor)
Makeup - Just enough
lip gloss - As long as it doesn't match a fire truck
hair extensions - Weird, I always think a squirrel died
hair dye - This can be good or bad or very bad, depending on the color
moisturizing/lotion - Soft skin is nice
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts - Yes on legs and underarms, the other would take some time to explain
eyebrow waxing -If I notice it they've done more than they should
ear piercing - Most modern women do; I don't notice very much. I do often notice their earrings
skirts - I have styles I like to see on a woman
dresses - Ditto
push-up bras - I don't really care
undergarments that slim the puffy parts - I'm not even sure I know what you're talking about
thongs - They're okay; any sexy undies are fun
matching undergarments - Not a big concern
perfume - Please, just a little
plastic surgery - No, unless it's actually needed. Boob job?--no.

There are a number of other items I could add to your list.

This thread reminds me of when a guys wife or girl friend says. "do I look too fat in these jeans?" No matter how a man answers, he loses...

High heels (they elongate our legs)
I'm short, so I don't much care for them, but as far as looks alone go, I like them, I suppose.
Pointy shoes
I prefer rounder shoes..
jewelery
I like some, but simple and understated is best.
Makeup
Don't care much either way, but less is definitely better than more.
lip gloss
Meh.
hair extensions
NO.
hair dye
I like. I tend to prefer natural colors. But some girls can pull off the blue and neon orange better than others.
moisturizing/lotion
Huh? I moisturize. I don't understand.
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts
Legs and pits, okay, but still not a dealbreaker. Lady parts, I like either way.
eyebrow waxing
Eh, as long as it's not a unibrow, I don't much care.
ear piercing
See jewelry.
skirts
Love 'em.
dresses
Love 'em.
push-up bras
Indifferent.
undergarments that slim the puffy parts
Nah. I prefer finding skin under clothes, even if it's a little puffier.
thongs
I actually prefer regular panties, as long as they're not granny panties.
matching undergarments
Preferable, but doesn't really matter.
perfume
Subtly.
plastic surgery
Some of the simple stuff? I don't really care. But if it's obvious? Ick.

defyalllogic said:

but on that note, What goes through your head when you hear that question? or "how do I look?"

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I break out in a cold sweat if I hear "We need to talk about our relationship." That means I'm doing something wrong, I'm not going to be able to watch the baseball game in peace, and I'm not getting lucky tonight.

kuwisdelu said:

undergarments that slim the puffy parts
Nah. I prefer finding skin under clothes, even if it's a little puffier.

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*sigh* the good ones are always too young.

I'll have a go and risk being pilloried for my answers...

High heels--I'm tall and generally like high heels on women, but my wife wears flats a lot so it's not really a big deal

Pointy shoes--They look uncomfortable, honestly. Narrow pointy shoes, I assume they crush your toes together? Ick.

jewelery--Whatever. Don't see jewelry being a factor, except maybe a nice choker on a toned neck.

Makeup--Depends on the woman. Less is better, I guess. Tammy Faye, fuggedaboutit.

lip gloss--Depends on the woman, I guess.

hair extensions--Eh. I like long hair, I like short hair. Depends on the woman.

hair dye--"And her hair shall be--what color should please God." Benedick's got the right answer there.

moisturizing/lotion--I guess smooth skin is preferable to flaky dry skin.

shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts--Personal preference is for shaved/waxed legs, shaved pits, and trimmed elsewheres.

eyebrow waxing--Not a factor. I guess no unabrows.

ear piercing--ear piercings are ok by me (I have one so I'd be a hypocrite otherwise). Other piercings on a case by case basis.

skirts--Sure.

dresses--Sure. Plenty to be said for shorts and jeans too.

push-up bras--Honestly, I'm a chest guy, so push up bras get a nod.

undergarments that slim the puffy parts--Not sure what this means.

thongs--I'll diplomatically say that some body types look good in thongs, and some don't.

matching undergarments--No complaints from me, though I wouldn't insist.

perfume--Subtle is better than overpowering.

plastic surgery--I guess? Fake boobs are probably unnecessary and usually scary if poorly done. Otherwise, whatever works for the woman. The mask-like botox look is kinda scary, depending on the woman.

Not addressed--tattoos--ok by me depending on what it is and where it is.

It was your terminology. Puffy usually means something else to a guy.

;-)

what about manicures and/or fake nails, polish?

I prefer nail polish to fake nails.

In general, the less fake stuff, the better. Better to complement one's own body than try to replace/add to it.

Re: thinning undergarments:

I think it's better for the outer clothing to hide where there's some unwanted extra, rather than dishonest undergarments. At least when there's the possibility someone might end up under the clothing. Many big women don't seem to know how to dress themselves.* Tight clothing just plain doesn't look good on everyone. But a loose, flowing dress can look good on most everyone. Just my feelings on the matter, though.

*Big guys, too, of course. There's a reason pants used to be worn at the natural waist rather than the hips.

defyalllogic said:

Anything marked with a means purely personal preference and therefore you're 101% likely able to do whatever in your story or use as counter evidence against your dear hubby.
High heels (they elongate our legs) Depends on relative heights
Pointy shoes I don't give a flying penny
jewelery Generally, yeah, but depends how expensive and who pays
Makeup Depending on how good she looks naturally
lip gloss Depending on how good her lips look...Don't mind but no black ones for the love of momma
hair extensions HUH??? What's happened to her natural hair?
hair dye As long as no bright red (and don't ask me to pay)
moisturizing/lotion If her skin is dry, of course.
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts Generally yeah.
eyebrow waxing This is part of makeup thing, ain't it?
ear piercing Depends. Earlobe pierce, fine. Entire ear (5-8 holes etc) OMFG
skirts What's wrong with skirts?
dresses What's wrong with dresses?
push-up bras Better than silicon implants, I guess
undergarments that slim the puffy parts Sure, if she can't get rid of puffy parts and I can't either and I'm stuck with her and she's stuck with me.
thongs What's wrong with thongs? Other than without
matching undergarments --ditto--
perfume Depends on how good she smells without... and depends on how good the said perfume smells.
plastic surgery If after accidents, or if she were ugly but wealthy.

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I should have put up more but I think you've got my point.

High heels (they elongate our legs)
--and they "enhance" your posture, so to speak. So yeah, when appropriate.

Pointy shoes
--seriously?

jewelery
--meh

Makeup
--less is more in this dept. Some gals can wear a lot and make it look ok, but please, please, please don't ever make your entire face a different color from the rest of your skin!

lip gloss
--sometimes (though rarely) it's cute, but 95% of the time, no

hair extensions
--eww, no.

hair dye
--pointless

moisturizing/lotion
--yeah, sure.

shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts
--less is more when it comes to hair

eyebrow waxing
--I tend to notice eyebrows. And super long eyebrows (that go far past the outer edges of the eyes) is a bit of a turnoff for me. But, removing them completely and drawing them back on is worse!

ear piercing
--whatever, don't care.

skirts
--sure, especially on windy days (j/k)

dresses
--yeah sure.

push-up bras
--don't really care. Just don't jack 'em up so far they look like a flesh shelf....unless you actually WANT me to set my beer there.

undergarments that slim the puffy parts
--judging by the pics above, hell no!

thongs
--if you have the figure for it.

matching undergarments
--Actually, no. If I get to the "undergarment" stage, and they match, it tells me that the encounter was pre-ordained, and was not the result of all the witty, complimentary things I said during the evening. Either that, or she woke up that day and thought "some guy's gonna see my knickers today, I better make 'em match" ...which is equally a turnoff.

perfume
--if it's unique, then yes. If you wear something that smells the same as it does straight out of the bottle, rather than something that smells nice when it interacts with your skin, then no.

plastic surgery
--only to repair disfigurements from auto accidents, et al.

Gugland said:

Actually, no. If I get to the "undergarment" stage, and they match, it tells me that the encounter was pre-ordained, and was not the result of all the witty, complimentary things I said during the evening. Either that, or she woke up that day and thought "some guy's gonna see my knickers today, I better make 'em match" ...which is equally a turnoff.

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Or she's as OCD as I am.

I had no idea we were supposed to wear pointy shoes!

Yeah I don't get the pointy shoe thing either. If a guy has to go all the way down to your shoes to find something attractive, then...well, y'know...y'mighta missed something

I think the face is the most important. Specifically the eyes, 'cause that's where guys have to focus their attention while they wait for you to look away, providing them a chance to steal a quick glimpse of your chest. Or so I've heard.

defyalllogic said:

The list of things i know (could think) of:

High heels (they elongate our legs)
Yeah, within reason. Not sexy if you can't walk properly in them

Pointy shoes
Not bothered

jewelery
Subtly done good, bling bad

Makeup
Again subtly done to enhance what is already there

lip gloss
OK

hair extensions
No

hair dye
Yes, provided the hair ends up all the same colour, not cool to leave the grey showing. Green/pink/whatever is an abomination

moisturizing/lotion
Good
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts
legs and pits good, leave the lady bits untouched

eyebrow waxing
Not necessary unless you're Denis Healey
ear piercing
OK
skirts
If you have the legs for them
dresses
OK
push-up bras
OK. Understand that if you draw attention to 'em I'm going to look
undergarments that slim the puffy parts
I understand they may be necessary but they're not nice to take off
thongs
OK
matching undergarments
A nice thought
perfume
yes, nice but don't overdo it. I've have quite literally been nauseated by heavy perfume a couple of times
plastic surgery
Depends on what you've had done. Not a fan of fake boobs

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Being European some of my responses may not be typical of US men

defyalllogic said:

So I'm trying to write realistic responses and thoughts of male characters to women's "efforts" to be appealing.

So men, please give your honest opinions on some of the beautification that women do to appear more appealing.

Also, I've noticed that when I ask my husband or guy friends about many of these things they're not sure they even exist... are there things that just pass right by you or thing that you always notice (for better or worse)?

(and before the ranting, yes i know many of these things are done because they make the woman happy or some women aren't trying to please men.)

The list of things i know (could think) of:

High heels (they elongate our legs)
Pointy shoes
jewelery
Makeup
lip gloss
hair extensions
hair dye
moisturizing/lotion
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts
eyebrow waxing
ear piercing
skirts
dresses
push-up bras
undergarments that slim the puffy parts
thongs
matching undergarments
perfume
plastic surgery

Thanks so much for your time and help!

Click to expand...

I love all of these if the woman puts the same effort into her personality. I don't care much for what pleases the eye anymore. It'll get ya in a lot of trouble.

If she makes me laugh and has a cute way of flirtomg, I don't care if she's in a sweatsuit....and that takes me in another direction altogether. Anything can be sexy if the person knows how to be sexy

defyalllogic said:

I didn't realize this was uncommon knowledge:

funny link with more examples: http://www.themagicknickershop.co.uk/site/1642934/page/3116656

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That was a deeply unsettling link.


As for the rest, the general rule is as natural as possible re:hair/ make-up. heels if properly worn, obviously skirts if legs are good/smooth, dresses always a winner. the rest 'meh', (given the rule that 'less is more') (of course excessive hair is always a no no.) except for the aforementioned 'undergarments' -OMFG.

High heels (they elongate our legs) YES
Pointy shoes NO
jewelery YES
Makeup YES BUT NO BLUE EYELINER BEFORE 6PM
lip gloss YES BUT NO BLACK PLEASE
hair extensions WHY NOT?
hair dye IF NEEDED
moisturizing/lotion THIS IS SEXY?
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts YES
eyebrow waxing YES
ear piercing DON'T CARE
skirts YES
dresses YES
push-up bras NO
undergarments that slim the puffy parts NO
thongs NO!
matching undergarments ONLY IF I GET TO SEE THEM
perfume YES, BUT SUBTLE
plastic surgery NO, UNLESS NEED FOR MEDICAL REASONS

So, youse guys are saying no to the red hair? Bah! *dyes it redder*

FWIW , Old Man's answers.

High heels (they elongate our legs) yes
Pointy shoes - meh
jewelery - if tastful. He quite likes Celtic jewellery too.
Makeup - either very little (so you don't wake up the next morning and suddenly fail to recognise your girlfriend because she looks weird without it) or full Goth/Punk - think Toyah.
lip gloss - slimy
hair extensions - no
hair dye - Yup - he has a real thing for bright red hair(see above )r. No problems with any colours though.
moisturizing/lotion - Huh? How does he know whether they've used it unless he sees them using it? In other words - who cares? Are they hot?
shaving/waxing legs, pits, lady parts - legs/pits yes, lady parts no.
eyebrow waxing - Who cares how she trims her eyebrows? As long as they don't look like she's half chimp, method used is, as with moisturiser, a who cares moment.
ear piercing - yup
skirts - yup, if they have the legs for it, in which case, shorter is better
dresses - as above.
push-up bras - not so bothered. Not a boob man.
undergarments that slim the puffy parts - noooo, he like to know what he's getting into. See make up.
thongs - not usually. Maybe if it's Stacy Keibler....
matching undergarments - who cares. Are they coming off?
perfume - not too much please
plastic surgery - nothing too fake. Not a boob man, so no fake boobies please.

This is probably the best thread on AW.

I started going into detail, but that would be a waste of time. Beautiful women should ot distract from their good points, and ugly women can't hide. The general principal is that minor things that enhance a woman's appearance are fine, but larger things detract.

thothguard51 said:

This thread reminds me of when a guys wife or girl friend says. "do I look too fat in these jeans?" No matter how a man answers, he loses...

Click to expand...

*gasp* Are you implying that women are manipulative creatures who put men in lose, lose situations just to torture them?! How dare you!

defyalllogic said:

I didn't realize this was uncommon knowledge:

funny link with more examples: http://www.themagicknickershop.co.uk/site/1642934/page/3116656

Click to expand...

Wow. I have to get some of those. And a push up bra. Ehh, who am I kidding? I value my comfort and ability to breathe freely. Those are pretty miraculous though.

I will never wear pointy shoes. I have super long hair, so I don't need extensions, and I don't often wear makeup. If wasn't afraid of surgery, I'd totally go for plastic surgery.