Countless studies have shown that physical appearance can affect income – in everything from height to beauty.
According to new research, attractive people make 20 per cent more than average-looking people. The thing is, you can cultivate your level of attractiveness thanks to things like grooming and makeup to achieve a level of physical appeal. And subsequently earn more money.
This means natural beauty has little to do with your paycheque, as far as management is concerned.
Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of California analyzed data from a national study of more than 14,000 people. The study rated participants on how attractive and well-groomed they appeared and asked them to answer questions about their income, job, education, and personality.
Not surprisingly, the research found that attractive people do indeed tend to earn higher salaries – there’s nothing new there. But what does come as a surprise is what exactly makes people attractive to others in the workplace. A woman’s perceived level of attractiveness is something that can be constructed: their advantage comes almost entirely from grooming rather than natural beauty.
In fact, according to the research, naturally decent-looking females who are better groomed earn more than naturally beautiful women who don’t subscribe to the done-up, full face of makeup look. An “unattractive” but well-groomed woman earns an median salary of $37,000; an average-looking woman with average grooming habits earns $24,000 per year; and a naturally attractive woman with poor grooming habits makes about $22,000 a year.
According to the research, then, the better you are at doing your hair and makeup, the more you’ll earn. It also suggests that things like cool haircuts and regular blowouts may be a sound investment in your career and earning potential.
As for the men, only about half of them are in the same manner.
The findings suggest that you can essentially hold the power to how attractive others perceive you, whether it involves makeup or not. You can control things like your grooming, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and even having an attractive attitude – all of which make you more physically attractive. Paycheque aside, when you look better, you feel better.
And make more money.
