Made-up for success

The NY Times recently ran an article about how wearing makeup can help a woman ascend the career ladder. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/fashion/makeup-makes-women-appear-more-competent-study.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=lipstick%20in%20hand&st=cse I found it interesting for several reasons.

First, it points out how important impression management is for achieving career success. While one might (and several did) argue that your performance appraisal shouldn't be based on your appearance, we all know that it is, at least in part. You wouldn't expect to be taken seriously professionally in particular fields if your dress isn't professional, so why would you be surprised that makeup is just another part of the "costume" you put on when you go to work. Sure, it seems to be unfairly applied to women, but don't forget that men are generally expected to follow certain conventions about appearance as well. They have to shave, for example.

Second, it actually seems to be an opportunity for women to wield power and influence. We are able to experiment with color, increasing our "luminosity" as they put it while men are unable to do this. I am not one to wear much makeup in my free time, but do so in the classroom because I do think it makes me look more mature and serious. I love that they suggest that you might want to use different lipstick colors to suggest a more powerful look. This is no different than wearing a power suit or heels to impress others - just cheaper and apparently pretty effective.

Last, I thought it was curious that it was run in the fashion and style section, but it was really an article about how to increase success in the workplace. I understand the connection to the section given the subject matter, but it was a weightier issue and I thought it deserved a wider audience and would have found it in the business section. I think that to put it here turns it into a "girly" article and doesn't do the research justice. It seems that the larger picture is that people take attractiveness, of both men and women, into account and if we appear that we care about how we present ourselves, we are valued more. And everyone can work on their presentation.