Looks Matter

Ah, inner beauty. The phrase you utter to describe and reassure people you don't find attractive. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's all a bunch of bullshit.We tell each other that beauty doesn't matter; all that matters is someone's personality. That's a lie. Beauty matters. Period. 

Source: PREPARING FOR SHFT

Humans (along with most other animals) are genetically wired to place beauty and appearance first. Back when we were merely puny little humans, trembling in caves, the ability to judge something was very vital. We needed to judge whether someone or something is dangerous at first glance. We couldn't really give anything the benefits of the doubt. If a plant looked toxic, we stayed clear of it, regardless of whether or not it was really toxic. We saw a dangerous-looking animal, we ran and hid. First impressions were literally the line between life and death. 

In additional to survival, beauty is vital for mating. Fool yourself all you want, but we have been and do look for mates in terms of appearance. Males look for females with large hips because they could produce more offspring. Females look for strong and masculine males because they could protect the females; hence, ensuring their survival. Not much has changed since then. We also look for symmetry in a mate because good symmetry means that "an individual has the genetic goods to survive development, is healthy, and is a good and fertile choice for mating." Would you stay with someone you aren't physically attracted to and infertile, even though they are extremely intelligent? Maybe some do, but let's face it, most of us wouldn't.

And then there's the first impression. I won't deny that personality and "inner beauty" matter, but first impression matters far more than people let on. If you see a mysterious men who wears all black and covers his face in a dark alley, I'm pretty sure you won't stay around and chat to see if he's dangerous. You'd run. If you see a dude with a polo shirt, expensive watch, and looks like he spent three hours getting ready, you're probably going to think he's a douche. I'm not saying he is, but most of us would judge them as that.

We judge books by its covers. Metaphorically and literally. I know I judge whether or not I want to read a book by its cover and synopsis. And I know that in a way, I also subconsciously have a preconceived idea of who a person is before they open their mouth. It's not being shallow. It's just how humans are. Ask any good-looking person. How many times have they gotten their way just because of how they look?

Source: Design Taxi

In the long run, yes, personality and brain matter more. But for someone to get to your "inner beauty", they have to want to spend time with you first. If one person is not physically attracted to someone, would they stick around long enough to unearth their "inner beauty"? 

The problem, however, is that the media fuels and cater the preconceived ideas to their own advantage. They put the ideas in our head of what we should find attractive. That's where the conflict lies. And it can be very misleading, too. Hollywood drills in our skulls that to be attractive, you have to be white, blond, thin, and busty. 

Putting emphasis on beauty is natural and instinctual. But we have evolved. Instead of being herded by the media into thinking that there's only one type of beauty, why not expand our horizons. Maybe step outside of our "beauty" box once in a while. Learn to find beauty outside of conventional beauty; understand that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors; and that distortion can be beautiful, too. No one's really "ugly" ugly. Accentuate your physical and inner beauty. Open people's mind and let them see what kinds of beauties there can be.  

Love, Catherine
XOXO

Related read: 
First impressions matter more than you think, The Sydney Morning Herald
The rules of attraction in the game of love, Livescience