They sometimes say that women know what makes them always look good, no matter what: a less attractive friend to go out with. Several theories claim that most women do this in real life without even being aware of it, or the direct implications, but recent studies show that, whichever may be the case, it’s still true: ugly friends automatically make one look better by contrast, as the Daily Mail also points out.

The difference doesn’t even have to be that striking – say, like it was in Paris Hilton’s romantic comedy (and epic failure at the box-office) “The Hottie and the Nottie.” People surrounding themselves with friends a couple of degrees down in terms of looks usually attract more attention for their appearance, studies say. This is explained by the contrast the two or more people make with their different levels of attractiveness, experts say.

“If your friend is unattractive that makes you relatively more attractive.” Anthony Little of the Stirling University tells the Daily Mail, saying that perception is altered by said contrast. On the same reasoning, going out with a friend that is deemed anything upwards beautiful may cast you in a bad light, by making you look ugly, which would certainly not apply if you were alone or in the company of people just as good-looking as you are, the same expert points out.

In order to avoid such traps, there is yet another simple way to alter people’s perception of your looks and, as it happens, some celebrities have been practicing this method for many years. It’s called “the Hugh Hefner effect” and, as its name implies, it was named after the Playboy mogul, who never appears in public without at least two gorgeous women on his arm. Surrounding yourself with good-looking friends of the opposite gender also boosts one’s attractiveness, experts say.

“If you were just looking at Hugh Hefner's physical attractiveness you might not be that impressed with him. But as soon as you see him with beautiful women you might infer other traits, for instance, you might infer he is a multi-millionaire or charming or witty. He somehow becomes more attractive.” Little further says.