Welcome (back)


If you’ve been following me along for the ride this year then you’ve probably noticed I’ve wasted no time in switching some things up.  A new YouTube channel, a shiny new product, and a new face - which has since grown back.  However, I’d like to also introduce you to the newly revamped newsletter.  

For those of you who were already subscribed, you know how the newsletter has been in the past.  I share a story.  I share some advice.  And I leave you with a helpful message.  Don’t get me wrong, I still have plenty of stories and inspiration to share but I wanted to create something you can read on a weekly basis that also leaves you with the tactics to live your best life.

Think of this as the ultimate men’s digest, buttoned up as the read to start your week.

So, with that all said, welcome to the Image Lab by Alex Costa. 

And welcome back.

Your image can
make you more money

Life is essentially split up between the things you can control and the things you can’t.  

And while you should always try your best not to worry about the things you can’t control, the things you can control should always be top of mind - like your image.

Investing in what you look like isn’t vanity - it’s strategy.

Studies have shown that good-looking people earn about 3-4% more money than their less attractive counterparts.  Why is this?  Well, who would you rather hire?

Candidate 1 → well-dressed, hair combed, confident posture

Candidate 2 → poorly dressed, hair messy, slouching posture

The Science Behind Beauty

In a study from the University of Southern California and Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that attractive MBA graduates were more likely to land a good job with a higher salary than their less attractive peers.  

Over a period of 15 years attractive graduates had a 52.4% higher chance of holding a good job earning between $2500-$5000 more yearly than their peers.

Appearance shapes not only the start of your career, but also its trajectory over decades.  Even if it’s not always true, the world tends to think good looking people are better at their job.

This is better known as the beauty premium, or the idea that attractive people receive advantages in life, like better jobs, higher pay, and just more opportunity for positive social interactions than people considered less attractive.

What does this all mean for your relationships?

There’s this thing called the halo effect, where we might think one good thing about someone based on a single trait, and then assume many other good things about them, which often starts with how someone looks.

So, think about it, if your appearance is the first thing you’re being judged on, you should already have an idea about what to expect when you meet someone for the first time.

In dating this could be your profile picture and in the workplace this could be how you look at a job interview.

Your image is a reflection of a culmination of things:

• How you groom yourself

• Your personal style and how you dress

• The way you carry yourself through body language and confidence

• And your overall health and wellness

All of this to say, this isn’t about becoming someone you’re not.  If you want to truly give yourself an advantage in life, it’s about being the best version of yourself that you can be.  Your image plays a large part in this.

IN MY
SHOPPING CART

WHAT’S NEW