As both female and male, I've always gotten more concerned with my looks when I was interested in someone....It always makes me feel more confident when I take care of myself properly, but I'm just so lazy most of the time.
Unfortunately, it's more of a curse than a blessing, because I get lazy once I get more comfortable with someone, and then I always end up left...So, the trick is to find someone who likes you for you without all the extra work, but I can't really talk, because it's easier said than done.