In a land so influenced by media and fashion, appearances and measurements are quickly becoming a part of our existence. According to Laoufi Slimane, head of a private corporation’s Human Rights Department, “if there are a few complaints (0.5%), it is not because women’s appearances matter less than before, but because, accustomed to the stress, thoughts and jokes, they resign”. So we can be beautiful, or good-looking, but not too much. Otherwise, it opens the door to unwanted advances or manifestations of jealousy. And to make way for career advancement, we thus revert.

Unfortunately, a career may still depend on your bra size, especially in old-fashioned SMEs where the manager is still called “boss.” According to a British university study reported by Nicolas Gueguen, a professor of social psychology and author of “Why should smile if you’re not beautiful?”, women with small breasts are generally seen as more ambitious, more competent and more moral than their better-endowed colleagues, who seem nonchalant and prone to shirking responsibilities.

It is far from simple aesthetic considerations. Not just chest size, but the hair colour also matters. A lot. Whilst most of us Asians are raven-haired, in organisations, the darker haired nominees lose ground against lighter coloured ones. According to Nicolas Gueguen, those with lighter coloured hair are always associated with youth and health.

At the same time, because of stereotypes, those with lighter-coloured hair pass of as less competent and less intelligent than brunettes (since some of us still believe  that neurons nestle in hair follicles). If you have bleached hair, and are busty, you will probably be at an advantage for positions in relation to the public, but not for higher level office positions.

In the end, brunette or blonde, it does not matter compared to your makeup skills these days. American researcher Nancy Etcoff has highlighted the influence of makeup. A woman well (but lightly) made-up is more likely to be hired, to maintain her position than a girl wearing too much makeup or none at all, unless it applies for a traditionally female job (hostess, saleswoman, etc.). Natural beauty outweighs the glamor and prepares the clever girl with high potential. For the heart has its reasons which reason does not know, in the professional sphere as well.

Read more from this series:

Are we recruited based on our looks?

Physical workplace discrimination: Your stories.

Valérie Rodrigue