We often say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but in the working world, looks really do seem to matter—and not just a little.
A growing body of research suggests that physical appearance can have a major influence on how people are treated at work, how successful they are, and yes, how much they get paid.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Good Looks Are Paying Off
According to a March 2025 report from Standout-CV, a popular online résumé service, workers who rate themselves as more physically attractive are earning significantly more than those who don’t. The difference? Nearly $20,000.
Specifically, people who said they were “extremely attractive” had an average annual income of around $63,954, compared to just $44,009 for those who saw themselves as “unattractive.”
The survey involved over 1,000 working adults in the U.S. and looked at both men and women across industries.
It’s Not Just About Natural Beauty—Presentation Counts
But here’s the twist: it’s not just about being naturally attractive.
A massive 83 percent of participants said they believed that people who invest in their appearance at work—whether it’s through clothing, makeup, or grooming—are treated more favorably.
This means everything from investing in new clothes and styling products to wearing makeup or getting regular manicures could give someone a leg up in their career.
TikTok Adds Fuel to the Debate
TikTok creator and former Wall Street worker Codie Sanchez stirred up quite the conversation when she shared her thoughts on the topic with her 1.8 million followers.
Referring to a study she’d read about while working at Goldman Sachs, Codie said women who were perceived as more attractive made 25 percent more than their peers.
She emphasized that this wasn’t about plastic surgery or chasing perfection, but rather the subtle choices we make—like how we present ourselves day to day—that can make a big difference in how others respond to us at work.
It Might Not Be Fair, But It’s Real
Codie admitted it might feel shallow or unfair, but she argued it’s part of how the world works.
“Pretty privilege is real,” she said, and rather than ignoring it, people might be better off learning how to use it to their advantage—without going to extremes.
Beauty Practices That Make a Difference
A 2016 study by sociologists Jaclyn S. Wong and Andrew M. Penner backs this up.
Their research found that people who practiced regular grooming—like applying makeup, shaving, styling their hair, or even wearing perfume—tended to earn more.
And they highlighted something important: beauty isn’t fixed.
People can change how they’re perceived by tweaking their routines, not their faces.
What HR Experts Are Really Noticing
Angela Tait, who runs a recruiting and HR consulting firm in Texas, told the Daily Mail that presentation really does play a role in hiring and promotions.
She said, “There’s a perception that someone who looks put together is more competent, more reliable, and more likely to be a leader.”
She added that hiring managers often comment on appearance—even if it’s not intentional or conscious. That first impression? It matters.
You Don’t Need Full Glam to Get Ahead
According to Tait, this doesn’t mean women need to go all out with their makeup. A little goes a long way.
She recommends tinted moisturizer, mascara, groomed brows, and a subtle lip color.
It’s all about looking polished and intentional—not overdone.
Even something as simple as a swipe of lip tint can help people pay closer attention when you’re speaking in meetings, she noted.
The Bottom Line: Is Vanity the New Strategy?
Whether we like it or not, appearance has become a quiet part of workplace politics.
From higher pay to more promotions, those who invest in how they look might just be getting ahead faster—not because they’re more skilled, but because they’re seen as more capable.
Maybe it’s time we start talking about appearance not just in terms of vanity, but as part of career strategy—especially when the data is this clear.