If your flirting skills are lacking, it's time to step it up. This is, of course, if you're looking to procure a mate. And you are, aren't you? Isn't everyone? Well, the thing about flirting in that whole finding a boyfriend or girlfriend department is that it works. 

Studies show that not only does flirting help in the dating department, but flirting and being able to do it well are far more effective than your excessive good looks.

After conducting research regarding flirting in places where people go looking for love, psychologist Dr. Monica Moore found that "it's not the most physically appealing people who get approached, but the ones who signal their availability and confidence through basic flirting techniques like eye contact and smiles."

Easy peasy, right? Here are some other interesting facts about flirting and seduction that you didn't know, but probably should.

Here are 11 science-backed flirting tips that will make you more attractive:

1. There are five types of flirting

You may have thought that a subtle arm touch or a wink might be the extent of flirting, but you're wrong. According to the University of Kansas, there are actually five types of flirting: traditional, physical, sincere, playful, and polite. While 25 percent of flirting falls into the playful category, 30 percent is intended to sincerely lure a mate into our web of desire.

RELATED: 9 Intense Mind Games Men Play (And How To Handle Them)

2. Eye contact makes you more attractive

Once you get that whole smiling thing down, go in for some eye contact. Not only is it a major signal that you're interested, but eye contact can go as far as making someone even more attracted to you than they would have been. Studies have found that a "mutual unbroken gaze for two minutes with a stranger" leads to "increased feelings of passionate love."

3. Women who touch while flirting get more dates

While men need to play it cool when it comes to this one, if women lay it on thick, it will reel in the dates. There are three levels of touching: friendly (shoulder push or tap), plausible deniability (touching around the shoulder or waist, or on the forearm), and nuclear, which is the face touch.

When you can, without being creepy, go nuclear. Is everyone taking notes?

4. Playing hard to get really does work

Yep, it's true, and the studies can back it up. Making yourself appear to be a "scarce resource worth having" while maintaining your interest is the ticket. People want what they can't have.

5. Men don't consider age to be a factor

When it comes to a playful night out with the ladies and flirting just for fun, 83 percent of guys say they don't care how old (or young) you might be. And when it comes to a good time, age doesn't weigh too heavily for dudes.

RELATED: 11 Small Things Guys Notice About You — Even If You Think They Don't

6. The sexier your voice, the better your chances

Men don't do so great when it comes to turning on the sexy voice, but women have all the advantages in that category. Along with being able to successfully manipulate our voices, if we're interested we tend to talk smoothly and quickly. If we're meh on the situation, our speech ends up being hesitant and awkward.

7. Angling your head can also determine how you come across

Scientists at the University of Newcastle in Australia have found that you're most alluring when you angle your head forward, so you're forced to look ever-so-slightly upward. This creates a more feminine look, and we know how guys dig that.

Men, in order to look more masculine and more attractive to women, you're going to tilt your head back and look a bit down your nose. Don't go overboard and cross your eyes, though.

8. Wearing red is more attention-grabbing

Whether you choose red lips or a red dress, the color red will bring all eyes to you. The red dress effect not only helps in attention-getting but also makes women appear more open to sexual advances. This may or may not be what you want, but it's something to consider before going out on the prowl.

RELATED: What Happens To Your Brain On A Chemical Level When You Fall In Love?

9. Being direct is better than using cheesy pickup lines

While women prefer boring opening lines that lack pizzazz, men want women who are direct. There's nothing sexier than knowing what you want; however, both men and women agree that "cute" pickup lines are just awful.

10. It has amazing health benefits

Weird, right? But those who get their flirt on and do so regularly are walking around with higher white blood cell counts, which means they're really, really healthy.

11. It's illegal in some places

To engage in "lascivious banter" in Little Rock, Arkansas could lead to 30 days in jail, and in New York City, men can be fined $25 every time they "gaze suggestively" at a woman. Can you imagine what that fine would do to the endless catcalling and suggestive gazing that goes on in NYC?

RELATED: How To Get A Guy To Notice You — And Keep His Attention

Amanda Chatel has been a sexual wellness and relationship journalist for over a decade. Her work has been featured in Glamour, Shape, Self, and other outlets.