How to Be Hot in High School

Reviewed by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: July 16, 2024 References

In high school, girls and guys may feel the pressure to look hot and attractive. To be hot, you need to feel great about yourself and show your confidence! Boost your confidence by wearing flattering clothes, having great hygiene habits, and eating healthy foods. Love yourself and your body, and you can be known as the “hot” guy or girl at school!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Feel Good in Your Body

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1
Try on different sizes to get your size right. Clothing manufactures use a variety of sizing charts, so while you may be a size large in 1 size, you may be a small in another. When you go shopping, try on your size and the size smaller or larger to compare. Go with the garment that fits your frame nicely and isn't too tight or too loose.
- For example, the shoulder seam of your shirt should line up with where your arm meets your shoulder.
- For girls fitting bras, you can measure your band, bust, and cup size.
- If you wear a uniform to school, making sure your clothes fit will be extra important. You want them to fit right so you will feel confident even though you didn’t pick the outfit.
2
Wear flattering clothing that makes you feel confident. Pick your clothes based on your body type. Look in the mirror and pick out a few of your best features. What do you love about yourself? By wearing flattering clothing, you can showcase the parts of your body you love rather than what you are self-conscious about.^{[1]
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- For example, if you have great legs, show them off by wearing shorts, skirts, and dresses. If you love your arm muscles, wear flattering, tight fitting T-shirts.
- Guys can try wearing slim-fit shirts, cotton polos, regular V-neck shirts, and straight-legged pants.
- Girls can wear form-fitting clothing to show off your curves, but make sure your layers aren’t too tight. Try wearing a belt at your waist and shirts with plunging necklines to highlight your figure. You want to look hot, not skimpy!
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3
Get a haircut you love and try new styling methods. Research hot hairstyles online and show your inspiration to your hairdresser. They can tailor the look to fit the shape of your face. Try different hairstyles when getting ready for school, like slicking your hair back or part it away from your face. Variety helps you look hot! Have some fun and customize your look.^{[2]
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- Guys may not have as much diversity with their hair. You can try brushing it straight back, spiking it up, or a nice crew cut.
- Girls can try various hairstyles. Experiment with ponytails, buns, braids, curly styles, and straight looks. Tie your hair up on some days, and style your hair down on others. It is hot to have long hair, so try to grow it out.
- Your hairstylist can recommend looks, hair products, and different ways to style your hair.
4
Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water. Eat 3 meals a day made up of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and high protein food. Healthy foods provide your body with vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain a healthy weight and figure.^{[3]
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HealthyChildren.org
Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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- Aim for at least 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables.
- Avoid sugar and processed foods. Cut down on drinking soda as well. Foods high in fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar will not make you hot!
- Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses (2 L) of water each day to keep you hydrated and keep your skin looking great.^{[4]
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5
Incorporate more physical activity in your day-to-day life. Squeezing in small bits of activity throughout your day can help you keep fit, especially if you're busy. Even if you have too much homework to go to the gym, you can:
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator
- Park far from school so you have to walk
- Take the long way
- Bike to school
- Take a five-minute walk during lunch
6
Work out when you can to stay in shape. Try to get regular exercise so you feel better and have more energy. If you can, do aerobic exercise to get your blood pumping every day for at least 30 minutes. Work out before or after school, depending on your schedule.^{[5]
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HealthyChildren.org
Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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- Try things like swimming, basketball, and running.
- You can join a sports team, take a gym class, or recruit a friend to be your gym buddy.
- A healthy workout routine is to work out 3-5 days a week for about 1 hour a day.
7
Strive to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Sleeping well is vital to looking your best. Sleep between 8-10 hours a night to stay healthy. Get proper rest so look alert and refreshed rather than tired and drained. Dark circles under your eyes are not hot!^{[6]
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- If you are having trouble getting at least 8 hours of sleep, try going to bed early or listening to music to help you fall asleep.
- If you can't get a full 8 hours, sleep as much as you can and try to squeeze in naps.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Boosting Your Confidence

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1
Stand up straight and walk with confidence. Carry yourself with your shoulders pulled back and your spine straight. If you have good posture, you will naturally walk in a way that suggests, “I feel good!” You will look also look taller, leaner, and more self-assured.^{[7]
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- Sit up straight when you are seated at your desk as well.
2
Flash your smile around your school! Smile at others as you pass them around school, like in the hallway or cafeteria. Your brain receives a mood boost when you smile, and your happiness will rub off on others.^{[8]
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- Use mouthwash and floss often to keep your smile white and radiant!
3
Wear a bright color to boost your mood. A pop of color can make your outfit look fantastic and also boost your confidence. Pick out a bright colored shirt when you get ready in the morning, or grab a scarf in your favorite color.^{[9]
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- Go with cool colors if you have a warm skin tone. To tell if you have a warm skintone, compare your skin to a white background. A warm skin tone is yellow or orange-ish in comparison.
- Try lighter colors if you have a cool complexion. If your skin has a pinkish hint, you have a cool complexion.
4
Surround yourself with positive people who bring out your best. Evaluate the friends that you do have. Are you closest friends mean and hurtful to each other? Or do they offer compliments and try to build each other up? Make friends with positive, friendly, attractive people. Negative people can bring down your confidence and make you feel ugly.^{[10]
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- To make friends, you can join a club or sport, attend after school activities, and compliment other people.
- You will feel confident if you know your friends support you and want the best for you!
- If you act positive and confident, perhaps the friends of yours that are negative will follow your example and try to be positive too.
5
Give yourself pep talks in front of the mirror for reassurance. Put on an awesome outfit, and look at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself, “I look great!” Repeat this a few times if it helps you feel confident. Tell yourself you look good until you believe it! Looking great outside starts with feeling great inside.^{[11]
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- Switch up your outfit or hairstyle if you are having doubts.
6
Fake it if you have to! It’s okay if you have doubts at first. Act with confidence, even if you don’t believe it 100%. Try walking through school with your head held high and be friendly to everyone you meet. As more and more students start to notice you, your confidence will grow and you’ll feel hot.^{[12]
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- The more you practice feeling great about yourself, the easier it will be to carry yourself confidently.
- Don’t feel like you have to fit into a mold. Being yourself is the best way to look hot.
7
Get support from your friends, parents, or counselor if you have doubts. If you can’t find self-confidence or have low self-esteem, reach out to your community for support. Your parents can help you feel better, and your school counselor can help you practice boosting your confidence.
- You can say something like, “Mom, I’m trying to look good at school but I just feel ugly,” or “Mrs. Jones, how can I feel better about myself? I have been full of doubts.”

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Applying Makeup

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1
Groom your eyebrows to flatter your face. Follow the natural shape of your eyebrow and pluck the extra hairs below it with a tweezer. Trim your eyebrow hairs with small cosmetic scissors.^{[13]
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- Keep your eyebrows well groomed to frame your face and make you look hot.
Natural beauty can be smokin' hot, though makeup can help accentuate your features. Go without makeup to feature your face, or just apply a little bit, like a dusting of foundation and a little mascara.
3
Apply foundation to cover blemishes. Foundation evens out your skin tone and covers imperfections. First, apply a medium coverage liquid foundation over your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Then, dust your face with a powder foundation to smooth everything over.
- Always remember to blend your makeup thoroughly!
- Take your makeup one step further by applying contour or blush to your cheekbones with a large, fluffy brush.
4
Apply eyeshadow with a brush. Eyeshadow draws attention to your eyes and makes them stand out. Cover the tip of your brush in your eyeshadow, and apply it to your eyelid lightly. Pick eyeshadow colors like pinks, purples, reds, and browns. You can go with a smokey eye to look extra hot!
- To create a smokey eye, apply dark shadow to the outer corner of your eye and a white or light colored shadow to the inner corner of your eye. This creates an attractive highlight and contrast effect.
5
Draw eyeliner on your top eyelid. Use either liquid or pencil eyeliner, and apply it to your top lid. Try winged eyeliner by extending your line past your lid ever so slightly in an upwards curve.
- Winged eyeliner gives your makeup an extra touch, creating a “cat eye” look.
6
Apply mascara to your lashes so they look long and luxurious. Place your wand at the base of your washes and pull the wand towards the tip. You can also try moving the wand back and forth as you work your way to the end. This adds length and volume to your eyelashes.^{[14]
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- You can pick from black or brown mascara in voluminous, waterproof, and length-enhancing varieties.
7
Throw on a little lip gloss or lipstick to finish your look. Choose a flattering lip color, like pink or red. Apply the color to your top and bottom lips.
- Lip gloss will make your lips look luscious and juicy, while lipstick will make your lips look bold and beautiful. Choose your favorite, or try both!

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Practicing Personal Hygiene

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1
Shower often to keep clean and fresh. You should shower every day or every other day. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, and scrub your skin with a body wash. Wash your hair on a regular schedule based on your hair type.
- For oily or fine hair, you should wash your hair daily.
- For dry, thick, or curly hair, wash your hair when your scalp feels dry or itchy. This may be every other day or 3-4 times a week.
2
Brush your teeth 2 times a day. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth in the morning before school and at night before bed. Use toothbrushes with many bristles to reach all areas of your teeth and gums.
- Keep your mouth clean and fresh so your smile looks great at all times.
- You can also use whitening toothpaste to help whiten your teeth.
3
Apply lotion when you get out of the shower. Lotion keeps your skin hydrated and healthy. Choose lotion based on your skin type and fragrance preference.
- Girls can use sweet, yummy scented lotions to make you smell amazing.
- Guys can use masculine, natural smelling or unscented lotions.
- Use deep moisturizing lotion for dry skin.
4
Maintain a regular skin care routine to minimize acne. At a minimum, wash your face with a face wash, cleanser, or scrub either daily or every other day, and then apply moisturizer to your face after you scrub it. You can also try using an exfoliating scrub 2 times a week.^{[15]
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- Your routine will vary depending on your type of skin. For oily skin, try applying toner daily. For persistent acne, apply a small amount of benzoyl peroxide acne treatment cream directly to blemishes after you apply moisturizer.
- Both guys and girls should wash their face often.
- If you wear makeup, wash it off before you go to bed.
5
Cut your nails regularly. Be sure to trim your nails when they are too long. You can do your nails yourself or get a manicure. Spending a little more time on your appearance can make you feel more confident.^{[16]
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- If you are a girl, file your nails and paint them a pretty color, like red, pink, or purple.
- You can treat yourself to a spa day and let your feet soak before you trim your nails.

Have a Transformational Glow Up with this Expert Series

Are you ready for the biggest glow up of your life? It's time to care of yourself, build your confidence, and become the best version of yourself that you can be! Read these expert articles to supercharge your glow up.

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Do a Full Body Makeover

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Be Confident in Your Looks

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Question

What if you have a nerdy style?

Karley Snyder

Community Answer

Nerds are hot, too! Be confident in your style and yourself. To boost your confidence, you can find cute by nerdy outfits, like graphic T-shirts and tight-fitting jeans, or maybe get fresh haircut.

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How can I look hot in a school uniform?

Karley Snyder

Community Answer

First, know that looking hot comes from being confident! Boost your confidence by making sure your uniform fits you well, standing up straight, and smiling often. You can also check your uniform guidelines to see what is allowed and what is against the rules. For guys, you can try a different hairstyle. Girls can accessorize with jewelry or makeup.

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How can I look hot as an "emo" girl?

Karley Snyder

Community Answer

You can try boosting your confidence with unique accessories, wearing bright colors, and changing up your makeup. Smile when you pass people in the hallways! Smiling is contagious and will make you feel beautiful. If you have an "emo" hairstyle, try styling it with bows, headbands, or clips to show off your facial features rather than your hair. Boost your confidence and you will feel and look hot!

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Tips

Always be nice to your friends and acquaintances. Kindness is hot!

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You should enjoy making yourself look hot. Have fun with it! Go on a shopping spree and treat yourself.

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Warnings

Be nice to yourself and don’t try to be a perfectionist! Obsessing over your appearance will only make you stressed and upset. Know you are attractive inside and out.

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