How to Tell Someone They’re Beautiful

• Let it flow out naturally. If someone’s looking particularly beautiful, keep it simple and say, “I just wanted to tell you that you look really beautiful.”
• Perfect timing makes a compliment even sweeter. If the light is hitting them just right, you might say, “You look extra beautiful in the moonlight.”
• Tailor your compliment to a specific feature you find particularly beautiful. For example, you might say, “You have beautiful eyes.”

Getting the Timing Right

Say it when you feel it. You don't need an excuse to tell anyone that they are beautiful. Sometimes there really isn't a "reason" to tell someone they're beautiful; but you do it anyway. Maybe the light's hitting them just right; maybe they're wearing a stunning gown; or maybe you want to kiss them. If you feel an overwhelming urge to tell someone that they are beautiful: just do it.

Wait for a special moment. You can certainly say "You're beautiful," at any time, but the statement might come across as more meaningful if you have the person's full attention. Say it during an intimate moment, when you're one-on-one. Try not to put them on the spot. If you're telling a friend, lover, or significant other that they are beautiful, try saying it in a quiet moment when you're speaking one-on-one or looking into each other's eyes. Let the words come out naturally. Consider writing a note. This can be a great way to create an intimate moment if you're shy, or if you can't be present for some other reason. Say it as a greeting. Try greeting a date by telling them, "You look absolutely beautiful tonight!" Avoid saying it if the date is dressed casually. Save it for when they have clearly put some effort into their appearance.

Keep perspective. Your words don't need to imply anything more than what they mean at face value. There are many reasons to let someone know they're beautiful, and not all of these reasons are romantic. Try not to think too much about it. If you think that someone is beautiful, then it's usually a good idea to let them know.

Be appropriate. When you say it and how you say it are not nearly as important as 'what' you say. Inundating a simple acquaintance with over-enthusiastic or overly detailed praise can often trigger a cautionary or even a repulsed response. Avoid accenting detailed physical characteristics (like fitness, or the sizes of certain body portions) until you and the subject know each other very well. Further, refrain from discussing such things in the company of others. When in doubt, comment on the most superficial of aspects first and wait until they are comfortable in hearing more.

Finding the Words

Say it simply. Just say, "You're beautiful." You don't need anything more complicated. Look directly into the person's eyes, and earnestly tell them what you think. Say it with a smile. Try qualifying your words with a superlative. Say, "You are absolutely beautiful," or "You are so beautiful."

Find a unique way to say it. There's nothing wrong with a simple, "You're beautiful," but you can also make your statement more poetic or romantic by choosing your words more carefully. Be aware that some people might prefer a simple and straightforward compliment, whereas others with a more lyrical bent might swoon over grand words. Use a synonym for beautiful: gorgeous, stunning, breathtaking, lovely, radiant, or exquisite. Make sure that you understand the subtle connotations of the word that you use. Instead of simply stating that this person is beautiful, try telling them how their beauty makes you feel. Say, "You are so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off of you," or "My heart beats faster when you look my way."

Be sincere. Some people are attuned to vocal patterns and body language to the point that they can tell when someone is saying something "just to say it." The compliment need not turn into an over-dramatic production – but try to keep it authentic.

Compliment specific features. One way to tailor your statement to this particular person is to point out something unique that makes them beautiful. This could be anything: eyes, hair, smile, skin. Go deeper than the skin, and try to compliment his/her personality. Beauty means much more than looks. Say, "You have the most beautiful smile. It always brightens my day." Try saying, "Your eyes are absolutely stunning. I get lost in them." Tell them, "You have such beautiful hair!" or "Your skin is flawless." If this person gets a lot of compliments for their beauty, try pointing out the features that don't get complimented as often. The person may spend a lot of time on their hair or makeup. However, they might be especially flattered if you find something to say about their ears, their hands, their nose – or their personality.

Consider using a less strong word than "beautiful." If you aren't sure how someone feels about you, then you might say that they are "cute" or "pretty." These words may not have the same heft as "beautiful," but that might be a good thing if you aren't sure. On the other hand: if you truly think that someone is beautiful, then it might be worth your while to suck up your courage and tell them exactly how you feel.