Blondes have more fun: Fairer haired ladies less likely to succeed in the workplace

Blondes have more fun: Fairer haired ladies less likely to succeed in the workplace

• Certain facial traits are associated with success and leadership
• Those with straight dark hair most likely to succeed
  
• David Cameron and Nick Clegg have most successful 'political faces'
• Ed Milliband should spend £13,869 on plastic surgery to improve success

By Bianca London

PUBLISHED: 13:39 EST, 24 January 2013 | UPDATED: 06:51 EST, 25 January 2013

It is an age-old saying that is regularly contested by brunettes all over the world.

But it seems blondes do indeed have more fun. So much more, in fact, that their careers are now suffering.

Britain's leading facial mapping team has revealed just how important looks are when it comes to success in the workplace, and it seems having fair hair doesn't actually fare all that well.

Blondes have too much fun: Fair-haired ladies such as Holly Willoughby, left, and Mollie King, right, are less likely to succeed at work, according to the new study

Brunette success: Women with straight dark hair like Kim Kardashian, left, and Pippa Middleton, right, are destined for more success in the workplace, according to new research

The research team, led by the UK's leading facial mapping expert Dr Chris Solomon, was tasked with analysing the facial features we associate with success and leadership in the workplace, and the results found that those with straight dark hair are considered most likely to succeed.

Respondents ranked faces in terms of perceived business acumen and leadership qualities, taking into account a range of facial features such as the shape, size and position of the head, eyes, lips and overall symmetry.

The findings revealed that the shape of the male jaw line is a key metric when it comes to perceived leadership qualities; indeed we associate 'hyper' leaders with having a very strong jaw line.

Conversely, faces which get narrower towards the jaw line were perceived as weaker and less credible.

Face for success: The research found that David Cameron, left, and Nick Clegg, right, have a perfect face for success

Interestingly, Steve Jobs and Peter Jones were cited as business leaders who fit the leader profile, and David Cameron and Nick Clegg most closely match the 'leadership at work' prototypes. 

Future leadership hopeful and current Major of London Boris Johnson scored lower for his down-turned eyes and fleshy jawline.

Ed Milliband, meanwhile, may want to consider removing the dark rings under his eyes which are associated with unsuccessful people in the workplace

For Boris, however, the face for success is not too far out of reach. Based on average UK plastic surgery prices, the London Mayor would need to spend £11,847 on plastic surgery to fit the hyper-leader model.

Ed Milliband, meanwhile, may want to consider removing the dark rings under his eyes which are associated with unsuccessful people in the workplace.

But Ed's facial-altering work might be a little more costly: experts estimate that he would have to part with £13,869, which would include rhinoplasty surgery (nose shaping), a chin implant, eye lid bag removal surgery and a brow lift to improve his physical hyper-leader qualities.

Work needed: It seems that Ed Milliband, left, and Boris Johnson, right, need some extra work done if they want to progress in their political career

Steve North, General Manager of TV channel Dave who commissioned the research, said: 'We all know that first impressions count but this is the first time that a study has actually delved into the facial traits that help us make those decisions. 

'The results are fascinating and make for depressing reading for the likes of Ed Milliband and Boris Johnson who may want to consider a little cosmetic work before their next election campaigns.’

The study was carried out to celebrate the start of the second series of Suits, on Dave, Thursdays 9pm