5D Sex appeal

It's that certain ethereal, elusive something that makes someone (aka 'you') irresistible to someone else (aka 'her'). We help you manipulate the multi-sensory science of attraction.

Hearing 
What's in a name? Quite a lot, actually. Sex appeal begins when you introduce yourself. Various behavioural studies on Indian women suggest that they prefer men's names pronounced with a 'front vowel'-meaning the way 'a' is pronounced in Adi. Back vowel sounds, such as the 'aw' in Gautam, are considered less sexy. Acquire yourself a 'front vowel' nickname.

Then think about the pitch of your voice. Here again, women tend to perceive men with deeper voices as more attractive. Now you're rumbling, make jokes. Self-deprecating humour is a very reliable indicator to her of general intelligence, verbal creativity and moral virtues.

Taste 
Started with a kiss? Doing so releases mood-lifting endorphins, while your saliva plays a key role in attraction, says Dr Mahesh Nawal, President, Association of Sexuality Educators, Counsellors and Therapists. "The first kiss lets her check out the chemical messengers that signify sexual attraction," he explains. 

To give your genetic code the best chance to work its magic, keep your kisses soft, sensual, firm and not too wet. Then there's the abstract take on taste-her subconscious reliance on other women's taste in men. 

A University of Louisville study suggests women prefer men who were with or around other women. Max this pre-approval effect by ensuring you're nice to them- psychologists say women are more likely to think a man is good looking if they see other women smiling at him..

Touch 
A delicate, precise touch can take your appeal to the next level, but don't go early. If you're talking for the first time and you're close enough to whisper, you're too close. 

That's her intimate zone-less than 18 inches from her is reserved for lovers, family and close friends. Experiments have shown a light, brief brush on the arm during an initial encounter has immediate, lasting positive effects. Go soft. 

Swedish researchers at the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology at Sahlgrenska University discovered a complex second nerve network beneath the skin-known as CT Fibres-which are different in structure from her main touch receptors and stimulated by soft sensations. MRI scans of women's brains showed that soft touch activates the part of the brain associated with emotional response. Women really do love a softie.

Sight
If the genetic lottery didn't give you the same pay-out as MH Cover Guy Arjun Rampal, a few optical illusions will help. University of Rochester researchers found wearing a red polo shirt significantly increases your attraction quotient. 

Men with the healthiest complexions also score highest. But beauty is more than skin deep. Studies confirm women have strong preferences for taut bodies and bold shoulders. Suddenly feel like going to the gym?

Smell 
Research at the Monell Chemical Sense Centre found a woman's ability to detect and distinguish between scents is 1,000 times better than yours. Plus, her processing hardware for smell and emotions are located in the same neural network of her brain. 

That means the right scents are sex appeal superchargers. Research at Chicago's Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation found the most effective smell evoke childhood memories of favourite foods, specifically cucumber, baby powder and lavender which all cause an increase in vaginal blood flow. 

There's something deeper at work, too. University of Newcastle researchers discovered women are attracted to the smell of men with different 'histocompatibility' complexes-a collection of genes related to the immune system. 

As a rule of thumb, the further apart your backgrounds, the more compatible your 'histo' and you can capitalise by reaching to advertise the fact. Tests at the University of Northumbria suggest women found men more attractive when exposed to the chemicals in their armpits-nice..

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No tight jeans, please. "Unless you have muscular thighs and calves," says Panag. That surprise should never be spoilt.
We don't want to know how many women you've slept with
OK, we do want to know. But we won't be happy. So don't give a number until we're officially a couple. And if it's double your age, it's classier to be vague. "Unless she has slept with more men, she won't bother asking, "says RVM.
First-date conversation can be painful
Keep yourself abreast with current affairs, a bit of literature, some science, so we can exchange opinions and talk about something other than ourselves. "Guys eventually steer conversations around themselves. Try to stay off your personal stuff and talk up something that's of common interest. There's nothing sexier than a well-informed man who knows his own mind. If you're passionate about what you say, even if it's just your new iPhone, you get full marks," says Panag.

Sarosh Advani