My best friend has the full sha'bang going on. She has the turkey teeth, Botox and fillers, hair extensions and russian lashes. She's also Latino.
She has no end of male attention. She's just divorced her husband and the minute word got out she was single she's had no end of offers.
She's been asked out by a consultant doctor, builder, electrician, university lecturer, radiographer, plumber, accountant and policeman. So a massive range. Soke very attractive and some very plain looking.
When we go to toddler groups, days out or theme parks you have men always doing double takes and breaking their neck to look at her.
We went on a night out recently and she only bought 1 drink then whole night. Every bar and pub men would approach her. All different types, ages and races.
She's very much enjoying playing the field and these blokes can't do enough for her. She does have a banging personality too though.
I know loads of men say they prefer the natural look but including my DP but the proof is in the pudding I think. If this 'look' wasn't attractive then so many women wouldn't do it or be struggling to date with lots of rejection. The opposite seems to be true.
I am natural looking and settled so no dog in the fight. But I'll be entirely unfiltered when I say that men that 'hate' the fake look usually do so because they can't get someone with that look. But given the chance they wouldn't turn Michelle Keegan down for Diane next door. It's just the reality.
That being said like another poster said alike dates alike and that is true. If your a plain person you'll probably date another plain person. If your outdoorsy you'll date someone else outdoorsy. If your into the gym you'll date someone else into the gym.
So if I was in your position I'd be thinking about what kind of man I wanted to attract? If your type is gym going Dave with the pecks then he's going to want someone else physically fit (likely). So go to the gym and start squatting. If your type is a well groomed man then he'll want someone else well groomed so I'd probably wear makeup.
But honestly, you only need 1. If you want to widen your chances then yeah glamming yourself up will most definitely get you dates and attention. But if that's not you then it's unsustainable long term. The thing that attracted them to you physically will be a nightmare to keep up with. So might as well be yourself.