Catherine The Great, Coco Chanel, La Belle Otero, Mae West – all fascinating, highly accomplished women. They were all famed seductresses and very successful with men. There is so much dating advice for women at the moment – try The Rules, play hard to get, just do what you feel like, sit pretty and laugh at his jokes. Well these seductresses knew how to be enticing in love and had legions of male admirers to prove it. Learn from their dating tips and see the results in your love life.
Beauty is Not as Important in Dating as the Media Makes Out
Seductresses knew that their sex appeal was down to more than just looks. Modern depictions would have people believe Cleopatra was a beauty with sleek black hair and cracking eye makeup. In fact she had a long pointed face and a hook nose but she still managed to bag Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony, not to mention becoming one of the greatest politicians of all time.
French singer Edith Piaf, who had a varied and colorful love life, herself conceded "I'm ugly … I've got sagging breasts, a low-slung ass, and little drooping buttocks...I can still get men"*. Forget beauty, confidence and vitality are far more attractive. Ignore the pressure to be a size zero and eternally youthful.
Don't Focus so Much on Men – Be Independent
Seductresses were all extremely independent and autonomous. They had accomplished careers and led full lives. Catherine The Great ruled the Russian Empire, Coco Chanel established a fashion house during an era when women did not work outside the home. The seductresses dating advice in this area would be to put your dreams into action and live an exciting life. Forget being needy and wondering what a man is thinking – get busy instead.
Make an Impression on the Date
While few seductresses were great beauties, physical charm definitely contributed to their dating success. Many used fashion flair – an age old substitute for natural beauty – to get themselves noticed. Or they learned to move in a very seductive manner to grab attention.
Their dating tips show the wisdom of playing up your assets and never drawing attention to features that aren't so great. Find a trademark that creates an impression – a sexy walk, a certain way of making up your eyes, a highly individual way of dressing.
Be Gutsy With Men
Seductresses let fly at any man who failed to treat them properly. They had huge confidence and knew they didn't have to put up with shoddy behavior. There are plenty more fish in the sea! Have fun and date lots of men until someone with really great character comes along. Have the guts to walk away from a relationship that is no longer working.
Women Should Not Hide Their Intelligence
Advice for clever women looking for love? Never try and hide your brains. Intelligence is a huge aphrodisiac. Seductresses were brilliant conversationalists and never tried the "sit and look pretty" routine with men. They dazzled with their intelligence and wit.
Smart, strong, sexy and accomplished. History's great seductresses are fantastic role models for modern women and smash every stereotype we have about desirable women. Take their dating advice and get accomplished and confident. Live life with vitality and your love life will follow suit.
Source:
Prioleau, Betsy. Seductress: Women Who Ravished the World and Their Lost Art of Love. London: Viking Penguin, 2003.
*Quoted in Seductress by Besty Prioleau, page 71.
