Trends for June 25, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, June 25, 2001 | 8:41 a.m.

Seeing things clearly

We at Trends are all for putting on appearances. In honor of our vanity issues, this week's column is brought to you purely for aesthetic reasons.

We'll start with the latest news from Lens Express, makers of eye wear, which recently released the results of its you don't say? national eye wear survey.

Here's how things broke down: Of the 1,308 respondents, 619 said that they're more likely to flirt outrageously when wearing contact lenses; followed by sunglasses (641) with plain old glasses in last place (48).

You know the old adage: Guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses. Or do they?

Forty-two people reported that they are more likely to make a pass at a someone sporting specs. Don't get too excited 231 people said they wouldn't. Still, 1,035 people said it wouldn't matter whether or not they were wearing glasses.

"Did you ever wear eyeglasses just to look smarter?" "Are you kidding? How lame" was (essentially) the answer given by 958 people, while 194 said "You bet," and 156 said "sometimes."

Wear did they get this?

More poll results. This one, titled "Work Your Image," was conducted by the National Network for Women's Employment and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association earlier this year.

Here are the not-so-terrific results: Apparently 76 percent of Americans said that a woman's on-the-job appearance is probably a factor in whether or not she's taken seriously, while 64 percent said it likely also affects her consideration for a raise.

Forget about intellect, skills and talent: Clothes, hair and makeup were cited by 78 percent of people as having an effect on a woman's ability to do her job well. Eighty-four percent said a woman's appearance probably comes into play when deciding whether or not she will be asked to represent her company at meetings outside the office.

Geez,and we thought we were vain.

To 'do or not to 'do

Can't fret too much over your 'do when you're bald, now can you?

No matter. Yet another survey thank hair-product maker Salon Selectives for this one names U.S. consumers' picks for the actress that would be most beautiful, even if she were bald.

The winner? No surprises here: Auburn-tressed Julia Roberts, who garnered 32 percent of the votes. She's followed by actress Ashley Judd (28 percent), "Tomb Raider" Angelina Jolie (18 percent), "Charlie's Angel" Drew Barrymore (11 percent), and the new Hollywood "It" girl, Kate Hudson (6 percent).

Other queries posed in this riveting survey included: Should Madonna ditch her blond hair color and go back to a dark hue? Twenty-three percent of respondents said yes. And, it seems, 23 percent really would rather see Barrymore go bald they said her hair "should be cast away to a deserted island." Don't hate her because she's beautiful, people.