Does it pay to be pretty?
By Julie E. Houston • Bankrate.com

Studies show that attractive people get ahead in this world. But should you really bank your life on your looks?

Fianna Sogomonyan, a 25 year-old public relations representative from New York City, usually gets what she wants: a favor, technical help, a new job and even free pizza.

"I am pretty and it pays off," says Sogomonyan. "I've gotten lots of things just because I have a nice face." But she's also quick to add that she's no dummy. This graduate school student has learned to capitalize on what is, in her opinion, her best feature -- her eyes. "They are really blue and incredibly powerful. It's weird, but I can draw people in and control them [with my eyes]."

"I play it up sometimes, but I don't do it so much anymore, or people won't take you seriously in the corporate world," Sogomonyan says. "But it's definitely more beneficial to be attractive. I get a lot of attention."

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
"Don't confuse attention with respect. It's not the same," warns Linda McBryde, author of The Mass Market Woman: Defining Yourself As a Person in a World That Defines You By Your Appearance.

"If you use your appearance, you're playing with fire," McBryde adds. McBryde blames society for perpetuating the standards we place on people -- especially women. "People are obsessed with appearance because it's become an American way of life. The standards placed on women are being propagated more than ever before. Society is really missing the point.

"If we spend our time defining ourselves by our looks, we risk neglecting chances to improve what's real in life: competence, skills, talents and integrity," she adds.

However, McBryde doesn't suggest we throw out our makeup and soap and ditch our workout routines. "We should enjoy health and fitness. There's nothing wrong with good grooming, but when we take it to the next level to manipulate a person, we are manipulating ourselves."

Cut and paste
Talk about manipulating ourselves. Pat Burgess, founder and CEO of Cosmetic Surgery Consultants, in Atlanta, says that the popularity of plastic surgery is on the rise. Nearly 6.5 million plastic surgery procedures were performed on Americans in 2002, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

"People want to look as young as they feel -- to match the image with the attitude. Whether they want to correct an asymmetry of a body part, have a breast augmentation, or liposuction, it gives them a psychological boost," says Burgess.

"The world rewards you if you are young and good looking. People used to feel that plastic surgery was reserved for the rich and famous, but it's now easier and safer with less recovery time. If people can afford it, they are spending their money on it."

Nevertheless, Burgess warns that if you decide to have plastic surgery, "Be honest about your motivations. Greater satisfaction comes when you do it for yourself, not someone else."

And women aren't the only ones heading to the doctor for lifts and tucks. Men are expressing an increased interest in plastic surgery and their appearance.

Dr. Robert Butterworth, of Los Angeles, agrees that plastic surgery can give men a boost. He's had a few surgeries himself to fix what time has done to his appearance. "If it's there, why not use it?" But he warns, "You can't ride on looks alone. Looks will get you in the door, but you have to have the skills as well."

He adds that male executives are spending much more time (20-60 minutes per day) on their appearance. "You have to feel good about yourself to be confident," Selbert says. "It pays not just monetarily, but also psychologically."

The manly man
"It used to be that if a man cared about his looks it was unmanly or (his looks) just didn't matter." Selbert continues, "but there has been an explosion in the market with plastic surgery, teeth whitener and moisturizers. Guys are still guys. They don't want to be vain, but (looking good) is now easier, quick and affordable."

But don't be discouraged if you spend hours a day primping yourself and still don't turn out looking like Cindy Crawford or Tyson Beckford. "There is hope for regular people. It's not only the end result that matters. It' the fact that you're making the effort that shows. And beauty is subjective, of course," Selbert says.

Of course, beauty is subjective, but some people don't care if they look good to others, just as long as people are looking. For example, take Cactus Jack, entrepreneur and regular on QVC, from Ames, Iowa. Jack can be seen in his wardrobe of sequined cowboy hats, long johns, cowboy boots and long pony tail promoting his latest inventions on the shopping network and in print ads.

"I used to say 'Gaudy is good,' but for the new millennium I say, 'It ain't done, 'til it's overdone," says Cactus Jack. He refers to other flashy individuals that played up their unusual appearance to bring themselves attention such, as Elvis Presley, Richard Simmons and Colonel Sanders.

"They marketed the image. I'm a cowboy, and it's become an image I have created. I've sold the products as well as the image. I don't think anyone would know who I was if I didn't look like this," he says.

He doesn't recommend that everyone try his beauty secrets, though. "It's an attitude that goes with it. You have to have the personality for it." So Cactus Jack doesn't think that good looks matter? "No way. It's not the good looks. It's how you wiggle that matters."

-- Updated: June 10, 2003