Good looks less and less important after time

[chevalier]

It seems to me that the message is that if you are not Hollywood in the looks department

You mean the Photoshop department? Actors are fitter than most people but not necessarily prettier than the girl/guy next door, before they put on the paint and the camera operator starts to play with the light.

It’s a good thing this is true, because most of us don’t get more attractive as we get older.

Yeah, my bank account is as lean as ever.

“top” choices are, more often than not, whatever flavors the media tells us are acceptable

Fake tan, shiny gloss, strategic cleavage and needy/borderline nymphomaniac look? Eek!

It is funny how easily affection can turn someone into “your type.”

Yes, and while men are indeed visual and perhaps remain so throughout, good looks are basically a conversation starter, they provide a reason, incentive or excuse to act, basically like a USP attracts a buyer/consumer before decisions are really made. With (subjectively) good looks, affection will either catch up or not, while the relationship is interaction more dating-like. Without, affection will have to develop first as friends before anything happens to suggest a different turn.

This is largely connected with the fact that men are initiators, with a more active role. That needs hooks to attract one’s attention and differentiate a potential target. Which is different from reacting, sifting through offers etc.