"what / how does it look like?"

[MiaL]

Hi,

I would like to have an explanation about the difference between"what does it look like?" and "how does it look like?"

Thank you very much,
Mia

[Casiopea]

Here are a few examples. Can you find the pattern?

Max: Can you hand me my book?
Sam: What does it look like?
Max: It's blue and it has a picture of Einstein on the cover.

~.~

Max: Sam, is that a new haircut?
Sam: Sure is. How does it look?
Max: Uhm, are you cold? It looks way too short.
Sam: You should have seen the guy before me.
Max: What did he look like? How did he look?
Sam: He looked like a soldier. It was really short. He got a buzz-cut!

~.~

Max: I just bought this hat. (Putting on the hat) How does it look?
Sam: It looks great! You look like a rap star.
Pat: Actually, you look like a fool. It covers half your face. Take it off.