What do you notice first about another person's appearance?

[LittleOyster]

I'm trying to improve my appearance and have been wondering where it would be most effective to focus my efforts: getting great hair, losing weight, trying to be less grumpy looking, learning to apply make-up...? Want the biggest possible bang for my buck!

So, what do you notice first about another person's appearance? What elements of their appearance have the biggest effect on how you perceived them?

[Lilaclily]

Their smile

[beanfilledfish]

i suppose if they just look happy! really do not judge on hair/make up etc

[Sleeperandthespindle]

Definitely facial expression. None of the rest matters at all!

[Cocolepew]

Hair and shoes

[dudsville]

Hm. It sounds sulky saying this but I notice whether they seem friendly, if a stranger. For people I know I don't notice weight unless something has dramatically increased. I've famously bit notice a4 stone weight loss and similar a few times. I notice teeth and skin. I notice that my friends are greying.

[iwilldoit30]

Hair then teeth, then figure, then makeup then clothes.

Mood does make a big difference though so smile 😊

[jeaux90]

Eyes and teeth.

[Braceybracegirl]

Their teeth but that's because I'm doing so much to mine!

[jeaux90]

Oh and well groomed hair

[FlyWaxSleepRepeat]

I notice overall appearance in terms of do they look clean and tidy - so usually immediately - hair (does it look clean and brushed) then clothes (do they look clean and ironed), shoes (clean/polished).

After that I notice teeth, skin and nails.

[SickRose]

Always eyebrows. No idea why. DH hates watching the with me sometimes because I'm always pointing out who has good/bad eyebrows!

[SickRose]

That was supposed to say he hates watching TV with me.

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

Hi OP as this is the S&B section I guess you mean things along those lines. If not I would say a person's facial expression and how they talk to others is the biggest influence on how I percieve them initially.

However S&B-wise... shoes say a lot to me - they should be clean whatever the style. I also notice nails (inc. toes inc sandals). Neatly shaped, whatever length, and no chipped varnish.

[rabbitmummy]

Teeth!

[BobbinThreadbare123]

Teeth, and if they have those insane HD eyebrows (or some facsimile of them). I have AS so I see ridiculous little details about people and miss out big things.

[TizzyDongue]

Oh difficult one!! I think (if I'm honest) its whatever is the most 'not average' about them. So if they are very tall or short I'd notice their height. If they have extremely well maintained hair or its badly maintained, I'd notice their hair. It'd be thier clothes if they were wearing something unusual or unkept.

I'd notice this first but I wouldn't base my opinion of them on it. That's based on how they behave towards others.

[MarshaBrady]

Hair, any make up that stands out such as nice eye make up and height

[booox]

Posture then maybe hair and smile

[Truckingalong]

Whether they are large of norkage or not.

[tinydancer88]

Hair & teeth.

[RoseHarper]

Hands/Nails...always. Mine are far from perfect but its the first thing i notice.

[LiefieLiefie]

Posture.

How someone carries themselves can make a big difference to how they look and how confident they appear.

[Chickydoo]

I notice the warmth ( or otherwise) behind the eyes.

[Newbrummie]

Smile and teeth definitely I love good teeth

[LittleOyster]

Really interesting how many of you say facial expression/smile, etc. When I thought about it, I realised that this is what I notice too. After that, it's probably hair, weight, skin.

I really need to pay attention to my hands, nails, etc as these are total blindspots for me. Mortified to think that others may have spotted my minging hang nails and chipped polish!

Interesting how your personal issues can affect what you pay attention to. My Mum tells me that she always immediately clocks teeth, but then - like Braceybracegirl, she's had a fair bit of dental work done. Although I am totally het, I always check out other women's boobs, because I am soooo flat-chested and a bit hung-up on it!

SickRose, I love brows too, and my DH can't understand how I can find so much to say about them either!