I don't think women like vain men in general. I understand why women want to be pretty, but men? Men are getting better developing personality, getting more experience in life and so on.
Say, my favorite actors Jack Nicholson and Anthony Hopkins (especially the last one) were less atractive in my opinion when they were young than now.
A lot of women want strenght, security, maturity from men and consider that hot and sexy.
Recently I had an interesting experience at work. One guy came to work with us and he was overweight and not attractive in the common sense but what a charisma ! In a week there was no woman who wouldn't have at least a little crush on him. I am telling you he was wanted more than the best-looking guys at our work (and we had a couple of those).
I don't know what was so special about him - confidence? Broad interests? Openness? - Hard to tell, but if I were a guy I would find it much more helpful with women than just pretty face and hot body.
