Figuring out what guys look for in girls can get a little confusing. While guys love a girl who can bro out with them every once in a while, cheering on their favorite team and playing Xbox alongside them, it’s actually your girly side that really revs up their engines. When asked what flirty, feminine things they liked most about the girls in their lives, experts and regular college guys alike had important things to share. To get you ahead in the college dating scene, here are eight girly qualities guys can’t seem to resist.
1. You Have a Fluttery Laugh
A hearty, honest, light-up-your-face laugh is what really brings all the boys to the yard. For some guys, it’s one of the most important attributes a girl can have. Chris, a senior at the University of Notre Dame, certainly agrees. “My girlfriend’s laugh and her general sense of humor were incredibly important in determining whether or not we had chemistry when we [started dating],” he says. “[Now] part of the reason I enjoy going to see romantic comedies with her is because I get to hear her laugh nonstop for an hour and a half, which is pure bliss for me.”
Whether you’re laughing at a funny sloth video on YouTube that he shared with you, a hilarious scene in a romantic comedy, or one of his own jokes, a lighthearted laugh will make him swoon.
2. You Get Dressed Up (and it Takes You Forever to Get Ready)
Guys actually like it when you get all dolled up, says Mike Lindstrom, co-author of Men: 10 Secrets Every Woman Should Know from Two Guys That Do. “We like it when a woman takes care of herself. [We like it when] you take the time to make yourself look good,” he says. Guys can tell when you put a little more oomph into your appearance, and they appreciate the time you took to look extra nice for them.
Guys also don’t mind if it takes you a little bit longer to achieve this look. Sam, a sophomore at Saint Louis University, admires a girl’s preparation time before going out. “Although it seems like eons pass when a girl is getting ready to go anywhere, that has always been kind of cute,” he says. “It shows attention to detail and that they value looking good for their guy and just in general.” So go ahead: stand in front of the mirror a little bit longer, making adjustments to your already perfect self. If you’re happy with the end result, so are they.
3. You Wear Perfume
Whether it’s warm vanilla, flowery lilac, or fruity mango, guys love your girly scent. Something as simple as spritzing yourself with your favorite Bath & Body Works scent as you walk out the door is enough to hook their senses.
Of smelling good, Brent, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, simply states, “We notice.”
John, a junior at UMKC, even has a favorite scent that his girlfriend wears. “I don’t know the name of it, but it’s this fruity, just kind of fresh smell.” he says. “I love when my girlfriend wears it.” So keep working your trademark fragrance, because the little things really add up!
4. You Play With Your Hair
Guys can’t resist girls’ luscious locks, whether you’re a ponytail kind of gal or you let it fly free. Jack, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, admits that a girl’s hair can be her unintentional boy magnet. “Playing with the hair in any fashion, whipping the hair… and even just putting your hair behind your ears is really cute,” he says. While we’re not all Pantene models, a strategic hair flip can go a long way.
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5. You Sing Along to the Radio
You know that moment when your favorite Mariah Carey song comes on the radio but you’re not sure if it’s “cool” to sing along with your man in the car? Belt it, girl. Sing like you can hit all five octaves just like Mariah. Or at least try to. Oddly enough, singing freely to the radio makes any car ride more enjoyable for your guy.
Jack loves singing with his girlfriend in the car. “When girls sing songs on the radio, even if they have a bad voice, it’s just really cute when you see them sing to the best of their ability,” he says. The combination of your carefree mentality, your commitment to being yourself, and the ability to laugh it off if you’re a little pitchy is what will make a guy fall for you. Look out, Beyoncé! It’s your time to shine… in the car, at least.
6. You Have a Nurturing Side
Guys dig a girl who isn’t afraid to take care of her man and show him how much she cares. Ryan*, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, agrees. “My ex-girlfriend made an effort daily to show me how much she cared,” he says. “We gave each other a ‘song of the day,’ a corny way to say that we were thinking about each other. She even made me homemade ice cream when I got my wisdom teeth pulled.”
The little things girls do to remind her guy how much she cares for him mean more than you might think. Lindstrom says, “Complimenting a guy is such a simple thing… even letting somebody know that you’re proud of them.” Your feminine compassion makes you attractive; work it! Never underestimate the power of your thoughtfulness.
7. You’re DTC (Down to Cuddle)
Just when you think you’ve got guys all figured out, they throw you a curveball. The secret is out: guys love to cuddle. Michael, a sophomore at Rockhurst University, says, “I like when girls are down to cuddle for an appropriate amount of time.” While there is such a thing as going overboard in this department, guys truly value every level of physical affection.
Some would even prefer a night of cuddling to a night of hooking up! John says he looks forward to cuddling with his girlfriend. “When I get a text from my girlfriend saying she wants me to come over and watch a movie [with her], those nights just cuddling on the couch usually end up being my favorites,” he says. “It’s nice to have a chance to talk to her, no pressure.” The next time you’re with your man, ask him if he’s DTC. His “yes” will come as no surprise to you!
8. You Like Having Heart-to-Hearts
Although they would most likely never use that phrase, guys enjoy sharing some of the personal details of their lives with you and connecting on a more emotional level. When you give them the opportunity to sit down and talk, they’ll take this chance to open up to you if you give them enough time. “We (guys) don’t like talking F word stuff: feelings… but we like to know how you feel,” Lindstrom says.
Chris looks forward to spending time with his girlfriend just so he can hear about what’s going on in her life. “I love hearing about the triumphs and troubles my girlfriend experiences during the week,” he says. “I love hearing about her dreams, aspirations, and hopes for the future.” Guys aren’t afraid to dive a little deeper, and neither are you. When the moment strikes, let the conversation flow.
The bottom line is that guys love your girly side, and they admire the way you balance your girly qualities with rest of your awesome personality. By simply doing what makes you happy, you’re attractive to the male species. As long as you stay true to your girly self, the boys will follow!
*Name has been changed.