Research: Looking Good Can Increase Wages

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Celeste Liversidge is an attorney who specializes in adoption. She is also a mother of three daughters. Balancing between her home life and work keeps the Altadena woman busy.

But that does not mean she does not carve some time out of her hectic schedule to work on her appearance, realizing that looking great and feeling great can give her a leg up over her competition.

Liversidge said she gets her hair professionally styled and makeup done an average of two times a week.

"I can sit here and work on my laptop and  return emails and leave feeling great ready to face the world, and also feel like I've had a really productive hour," the attorney said.

Liversidge's appearance, she says, does not affect her ability to do her job, but it does affect her success.

And science suggests she may be on to something, whether you're a woman or a man.

Paul Zak is a professor of economics and the founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University.

He said: "People who are judged to be more beautiful actually make more money. And they make more money for a good neurologic reason."

"Research shows that people have a one-third increase in reported beauty make about 5 percent more per year. So, for an average worker, that means if you're judged as beautiful, you make an extra $1,000 to $1,500 a year," the neuroecomomist said.

That statistic does not come as a surprise to stylists here at the Blo-Out Lounge in Pasadena.

"Women with careers, when they leave here, they feel confidant and it kind of gives them a competitive edge," said owner Sandi Zernickow.

Zak explains our neurological response to beauty. "People who are beautiful have to put some effort in. If they're careful in their beauty, they're probably careful in other aspects of their lives," he said

So, what does this message of beauty is valued more is sending to young women?

Zak said: "I have two teenage daughters, and I'm certainly telling them: Invest in getting a great education, being a good human being, having good moral character. But at the margin, putting on makeup, having your hair done nicely, it does matter."

And because looks do matter, Zak suggested men and women consider making the effort.

"It is possible to game the system by putting a little effort into your hair, your makeup, your nails, clothing and just take advantage of this natural human tendency to overvalue and, in some sense, overpay people who are beautiful," he said.

Liversidge agrees that paying attention to her hair and makeup is important. "It gives me a great a sense confidence going out into the world."