DOES BEAUTY PAY?

There is a saying that ‘beauty is only skin deep’ and the “beauty premium" is a well-established social psychological phenomenon. When we see a beautiful face, we assume the person behind the face is more socially adept, confident, and successful.

In my younger days, although never a beauty, I had waist length hair, and a tiny waist to go with it. Now In my 58^th year, overweight, and grey haired, until I get the hair dye going again, I was particularly interested in a recent report that has shown that there is a strong connection between being physically attractive and potential earning power, especially for women. Apparently this can mean as much as 10% - 20%, equating to around £100k over a lifetime. That could buy a lot shoes, and chocolate.

As much as it pains me to say so, I believe it can be true.

In terms of marrying the man of your dreams, it has been proven that you do stand a much better chance if you are slim, blond, and of course, young. How many men do we know who have swopped their spouses for a younger model – mainly to boost their own image with a bit of arm candy I would suggest.

In the workplace, particularly when image is everything, many companies, especially those with customer facing services, will want to put forward the best possible image.

Employers are more likely to hire a person with an attractive face, and a recent study shows that when a face is accentuated by makeup it can help to promote your image as a person who is competent, likeable, attractive, and trustworthy.

If you think about it, beauty in itself is a commodity, and as we all eat more and take less exercise, it is becoming scarcer and scarcer, hence an increase in demand.

Whilst we might not all agree on what attractiveness is, across all cultures research has shown it to be fairly consistent. Symmetry is one key factor, but this can be corrected surgically; just look at the steep rise in the demand for cosmetic surgery amongst women. Younger people are rated more highly and, interestingly, the difference in earning power is more marked for women.

However, we don’t have to accept this. There are a number of factors that can override physical looks. Each additional year of education represents a 10% increase in earning potential, and can be the key to more control over shaping your own financial destiny.

A highly competent but less attractive person will still succeed more than someone who is attractive but incompetent.

The ability to be a good communicator is also significant, along with overall personal appearance. If you look better than average, in broad terms you’ll do better. Scruffy shoes, dirty fingernails, lank, greasy hair, creased or stained clothing and dandruff, can all have a negative impact.

On the days when I’ve found the time to get my hair done, and I wear makeup and heels I do get more nice comments. Now, where’s that mirror?