I was well below the age of wearing makeup when I realized that pretty girls "earn more" than less attractive girls. They earn more attention both from boys and from other girls. They earn more opportunities. Adults are "nicer" to them and more patient. They are constantly being complimented for their looks and are given extra perqs, just because. I was a Plain Jane, and I knew the difference.

By some miracle, I became very pretty in my 20s. Even allowing for what I witnessed in my youth, I had no idea that life could be so good. I "earned" all sorts of privileges I hadn't really earned.