Dear DrDate,

You say that women find personality more important than looks. I guess this means that men care mainly about looks. What can an average-looking girl do to make herself better looking?

Yours, Homely Helen

Dear Helen,

While it's true that in general, men pay much more attention to the opposite sex's physical appearance than women do. The most desirable men look for more than a pretty face and a sexy body. Having said that, there are simple steps you can take to improve your looks without resorting to drastic measures like surgery.

Beauty is subjective. Don't feel like you have to please other people. First and foremost, make sure you are happy with the way you look.

Make sure you like your hairstyle, clothing and make-up. Ask a fashionable friend for a second opinion. Or get a consultation with a beautician, master hair stylist or image consultant.

But there are also other less costly ways to improve your appearance dramatically.

A while ago, the US television show 20/20 aired a segment on physical attractiveness.

They ran an experiment in which they hired one actress to stand on the side of the highway by her supposedly stalled car. Passing cars and trucks came to a screeching halt.

With alacrity, men ran dangerously across four lanes of highway to come to her aid. Several men fought over which lucky guy could get the petrol for her.

In the next segment, there was a different actress. Same clothes. Same car. But this actress was judged by the show's producers to be less attractive. The result? A couple of cars slowed down, but after the drivers checked her out, they sped on.

What was the difference?

The first actress smiled at the passing cars. She threw her shoulders back, cocked her head and pushed out her chest. She looked happy, fun-loving, confident and hence, beautiful.

The other actress leaned against her car with a defeated expression on her face. She looked down at the ground. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. She looked unhappy, grumpy, diffident and thus, homely.

To be a 10, move like a 10.

Develop confident and beautiful body language. You will actually appear more striking and gorgeous when you hold yourself with grace and energy.

Convince yourself that you are the most stunning woman around. Then move like it.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 2, 2008.