This makes me laugh. I am from Southern Calif and when I turned 18, my friend and I went to Calgary. This was in the 80's and you wouldn't believe how shunned we were because we weren't blonde and tanned!!! I am red-haired and freckled and I guess I didn't fit the stereotype.

Way back then, I turned into this punk purple-haired pseudo-mohawk (curly hair doesn't do mohawks so well unless you do extreme measures) kind of person. I didn't/don't like "competing" with what I should be so I went the other way. I still don't care, so much, but there are times I wish I fit into the cute category.

When I moved to Seattle and was recently divorced, I had to get braces. I remember being at a company function with new braces and not being able to eat (food in my braces!) or speak without spitting on someone. Seattle isn't so good for dating either, I agree with Biciclista's story. When I first met and went out with DH, I ended up spitting water on him when we went out to dinner because I had never eaten in public with braces. He was good with it. I was over 40 at the time too, which is what made the braces all the more insulting.

So I guess looks DO matter but I pretend like they don't. I'm getting older and my body doesn't behave like it used to. I do different stuff with my hair but then again I've always done that. I like makeup because it is fun but I have to admit that now I'm getting anti-aging moisturizers too. It isn't so much looks I mind anymore, it's the Aging Process. It's rude. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't fit into the "cute" category. Individuality has its rewards and the right person appreciates you for who you are instead of what you look like.