Looking good gives you an edge? It’s a blunt question in a fast-paced, insensitive world. But multiple studies have addressed it and their conclusion is simple: yes, good-looking people tend to getunfair, beneficial treatment. The world rewards beauty, be it in business, school or simple social interactions.
Let’s face it – being beautiful is a matter of genetics and chance. Being naturally gorgeous requires as much effort as being naturally gifted. Some things you just can’t control… but others you can.
The advantages of being beautiful are a cross-culture phenomenon. No matter where in the world you’re from, there are some features that are universally considered to be conventionally attractive – and those conventions are here to stay.
Looking Good
In men, a strong jaw; in women, high cheekbones. For both genders, smooth skin, facial symmetry and shiny hair are the mostpraised features.
Beautiful people are perceived as being healthier,wealthier, more socially dominant and more trustworthy.
According to astudy developedby the University of New Mexico, beauty and symmetry are related to intelligence. The developed social skills that often derive from being good looking are also perceived as a sign of being more intelligent. This usually guarantees a better chance of negotiating promotions, having a higher income, and being overall more persuasive and able to achieve goals.
There are several tricks that can help you improve your appearance and gain the advantages of beauty in everyday life. One of the best known is simple make-up. Thecosmetics industryplays a huge role in correcting and disguising skin imperfections – increasing the attractiveness of make-up wearers and providing them with the resultant benefits.
Another trick is to change what can be changed instead of focusing on things over which we have no power. Sculpting a beautiful body can be perceived as a trait of a hard-working person. Improving your fitness level can boost a person’s self-esteem and alter the way they move and interact with others. A more confident, self-assured person is more likely to come across as successful – and this can have a positive snowball effect.
Exercise is also related to increasing overall beauty. It’s not just the body’s muscles that benefit from shaping and toning workouts. Stress hormones and acne are fought off through pore-cleansing sweating and endorphin-releasing exercise. The increased blood circulation will deliver more oxygen to the entire body, skin included, creating a rejuvenating effect and a healthy glow.
Nature might have been generous to you – or it might not. But the ability to fight for what we want can be found (and nurtured) in everyone. Better yet: reaching your goals and doing something you love – that’sthe real beautyofliving well.
Exercising is not only a good way to get ahead in business, it's also good business. Learn why working out is a wise financial investment.
FAQs
The developed social skills that often derive from being good looking are also perceived as a sign of being more intelligent. This usually guarantees a better chance of negotiating promotions, having a higher income, and being overall more persuasive and able to achieve goals.
Does being good looking give you an advantage? ›
Numerous studies have shown that attractive individuals benefit from a beauty bonus and earn higher salaries on average. Certain high-paying professions are built around beauty (such as show business) but more surprising is that for almost any kind of employment, beauty can lead to a positive halo effect.
Does beauty get you ahead in life? ›
According to research, attractive people are more likely to feel confident, which can benefit many areas of life. For instance, they may be more likely to try a new activity or apply for a promotion at work, and the confidence derived from their success may inspire them to continue taking on new challenges.
What are the benefits of feeling beautiful? ›
It assists us in making sense of the world and decreases the amount of stress we face on a daily basis. Additionally, these routines can bring us a feeling of serenity. For instance, having a skincare routine or putting on makeup in the morning can help relax the mind.
Do pretty people get treated better? ›
Good-looking people are also less likely to be judged as guilty in legal and courtroom settings, not to mention the obvious advantages they possess in the relationship and dating departments. Even in childhood, kids who are cuter are often treated more favorably.
Why is being pretty so important? ›
Beautiful people are perceived as being healthier, wealthier, more socially dominant and more trustworthy. According to a study developed by the University of New Mexico, beauty and symmetry are related to intelligence.
What are the benefits of looking at beautiful things? ›
When we look at something beautiful, we feel confident, safe, and cheerful, as stress is reduced, oxytocin is released, and the nervous system is calmed.
What is the best age to look beautiful? ›
After surveying over 16,000 individuals across eight different countries who were all asked at what ages they think men and women are most beautiful, the data found that the overall average age where women are found to be most attractive is 28.
Why are people nicer to attractive people? ›
Conceptualized further, the phenomenon known as the “halo effect” suggests that attractive people are treated positively because they are perceived as being good or as possessing more socially desirable traits [9, 16–18]. Findings from research on attractiveness and trustworthiness generally support these contentions.
Do attractive people make more money? ›
Good-looking and attractive people make 5% more money than ordinary ones, economic research finds | Fortune.
Attractive facial features play a significant role in creating a favorable impression and boosting confidence in social interactions. While various facial features contribute to attractiveness, some key ones include lips, teeth, skin, hair, cheekbones, nose, face shape, eyebrows, eyes, and jawline.
What makes a woman feel beautiful? ›
Many feel when they feel comfy and look cute; others feel when they dress up and do their hair and makeup; some say working out and showering and wearing a nice outfit; also healthy and exercising frequently; well-rested and a plan for the day; even being physically healthy and active, like dancing or exercising.
Do good looking people have an advantage? ›
Attractive people are more persuasive, in part, because they also possess or develop key personality traits — like intelligence and strong social skills — that make them more effective communicators. Researchers also found that compared to unattractive speakers, attractive speakers were much more fluent talkers.
How do I know if I'm attractive? ›
If you have a lot of people interested in you or pursuing you, it could be a sign that you're attractive. People are naturally attracted to beauty, and if you have it, you might find that you have a lot of admirers.
How do you know if you're beautiful? ›
When considering signs you're attractive, here is what you might notice.
- You get compliments about your smile. ...
- You don't get many compliments. ...
- You grab people's attention and make them stare. ...
- A person's behavior seems strange or over-attentive. ...
- People gravitate toward you.
Instead, traits like agreeableness, extraversion and intelligence score consistently higher than physical attraction as things that men and women in same-sex and different-sex couples look for in a partner.
Does good looking mean attractive? ›
Britannica Dictionary definition of GOOD–LOOKING. [more good–looking; most good–looking] : having a pleasing or attractive appearance : pretty, handsome, or beautiful.
Does having a good body make you more attractive? ›
A healthy, physically fit body should be considered part of your overall attractiveness, but it's not the only factor that determines whether or not you're attractive. The way you look is important, but it's not the only thing that determines your attractiveness.
Why is it important to always look good? ›
When you look good, people admire you and when they admire you, you start feeling confident. A confident person always attracts the crowd. Looking good gives you enormous confidence. When you look good you feel good from within, and when you feel good that energy reflects in the entire space around you.
