Excerpt from "How to Date Like a Grown-Up" by Lisa Daily

Flirty Over Forty

So you’ve got your room-owning strategies in place, and all eyes are on you. What next?

Well, my dear, it’s time to dust off the ol’ flirting skills. You don’t have to look like Angelina Jolie to make men take notice; all you really need is your fabulous smile and a few surefire flirting tips like the ones you’ll find below. Now, pick yourself out a charming man and get to work.

Tip #25: Lock Eyes
Lock eyes with the man you’re flirting with for a full five to six seconds; then smile and drop your gaze. Don’t stare a hole through the guy’s forehead, for goodness sake—just give him a smoldering, come-hither look, and look away. Do this at least three times in a ten- to fifteen-minute period. Why? He needs to know it’s him you’re flirting with, and eye contact is a universal signal of openness.

Tip #26: Be a Vampire’s Best Friend
One of the most winning flirting techniques a woman can use is the exposure of her neck. This can be done with a head tilt to one side, the classic hair flip, or my personal favorite, the over-the-shoulder glance—the asymmetrical position attracts attention, exposes your neck, and gives you the opportunity to lock eyes. The over-the-shoulder move is extra effective, because it’s sexy and it sends a signal to your target that he is worth a second look. And maybe a third.

Tip #27: How’s Your Hair?
We tend to preen or groom ourselves subconsciously when we’re attracted to someone by smoothing down our hair or clothes or checking our lipstick in a compact. Men will generally smooth their hair, pull up their socks, or straighten their ties. Try combining a grooming gesture with a smile and a gaze. Another trick? Toss your hair to one side. This classic move is a double whammy that combines preening and a flash of neck. Need I say more?

Tip #28: Cross Your Legs
Crossing and uncrossing your legs is another surefire flirting technique, especially if you’re wearing high heels. (Although, don’t overuse this one—you don’t want to give the impression that you’re about to have a bathroom emergency.) The act of crossing your legs is quite seductive to men, and it makes them hungry to see more. Another key seduction trick is slipping your heel out of your shoe and dangling it on your toes. The arch of the foot sends a sexual message and mimics a woman’s curves and sends a man’s heart racing. These particular flirting techniques are more obvious, so be sure to use them sparingly.

Tip #29: Be a Mimic
When people are attracted to each other, they mirror each other's body language with similar gestures, voice volume, etc. Try subtly mimicking the man’s behavior. If he leans forward, you lean forward. If he scratches his head, you scratch your head. If you are mirroring someone’s behavior, they’ll begin to feel as though the two of you are connected and in tune with each other. The key is to be subtle. The last thing you want is to give off a “monkey see, monkey do” vibe.

Tip #30: Focus, Focus, Focus
Once you and your guy have started talking, use these tips to lock in the attraction. First, smile and maintain eye contact as he is speaking, and focus all of your attention on what he is saying. (Yes, it’s true: rarely is anyone more attractive than someone who finds you utterly fascinating.) Other key moves—the nod and the head tilt—signal you’re listening to what the other person has to say. Smiling and laughing are crucial here also—it’s the quickest, easiest way to put another person at ease and make a connection. Finally, another effective flirting technique is low-level touching, such as brushing the shoulder, elbow, or kneecap.

Tip #31: Is He Flashing You?
How can you tell if a man is flirting with you? The signs above are fantastic indicators, but men tend to take things a little further by demonstrating their social status with moves that can include flashing cash and talking about their careers and (you guessed it) cars.