In a day when numerous women's magazines feature countless stories and contradictory articles on what to look for in a man, is it any wonder it's been said that women themselves don't even know what they really want?

If you suspect this is the case, follow this simple guide which outlines the basic criteria of what women look for in potential partners.

Hygiene is In

The sense of smell is arguably the most powerful of all the senses. A familiar, pleasant smell can trigger a host of favorable responses and an increase in endorphins, which is the chemical in our brains that give us that feeling of happiness and well-being. So it should go without saying that daily showering and proper grooming are essential for attracting the opposite sex.

Sweet Smell of Success

After showering and shaving, a nice fragrance or aftershave definitely should be part of the entire grooming process. Most women report they even find the scent of a man's deodorant or anti-perspirant to be extremely attractive smelling. This coupled with a complimentary cologne will ensure an appealing, all-over scent that shouldn't need to be overpowering to be effective and pleasant. In fact, too much fragrance can have the exact opposite effect of what we're trying to achieve here.

Hair's Lookin' at You

Hair can be one of the very first things a woman notices on a man, first after the way he smells of course. Spend the time to get a professional hair cut; it's definitely worth the money and the effort in the long run. A decent hair cut, among other things, shows that you care about your appearance. This is a trait women love simply because if you care enough to impress her, or at least be presentable, then you must care about what she thinks in general. And what woman wouldn't want a man who cares about her feelings?

Attitude is Everything

A man who exudes self-confidence in a natural, non-assuming way is most likely to never be forced into spending a Saturday night alone. However, it should be noted that there's a fine line between confidence and cockiness. A man who's self-assured doesn't need to be cocky or a braggart, he's already aware of his positive assets and therefore doesn't have to overtly advertise it to the rest of the world.

Nothing turns a woman off faster than a man who thinks he's a god who knows it all, except maybe a man who has ten friends who think they're all gods too. A woman definitely notices who a man associates with and they, unfortunately, reflect back on who he is as well.

And, of course, a sense of humor is critical in attracting a partner, a woman definitely finds a man who can laugh at his own foibles if necessary to be very appealing. A pleasant, easy-going nature will always produce positive results.

Dressed to Kill

Good dress sense is essential for attracting women. It's necessary to know what to where when, this also shows that you care about the world around you and how you appear in it. This doesn't mean you have to walk around in silky, Italian suits every day, but at least put some effort into the clothes you're wearing on a regular basis. Pay attention to the overall quality of what you buy and wear.

After all, it is said that women do spend a large amount of time primping and preening to make themselves more appealing or attractive, so wouldn't it stand to reason we should at least make some effort to do the same?