Dr. Marianne LaFrance, director of the study First Impressions and Hair Impressions, and Professor of Psychology and Professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Yale University, asserts that until now there has been no investigation of the unique effect hairstyle has on first impressions.

"We wanted to learn whether the frame around the face - the hairstyle - can significantly alter how a person is seen," says Dr. LaFrance. "We found that different hairstyles quickly lead others to 'see' different kinds of people."

The following key findings demonstrate that different hairstyles are linked to perceived personality traits, a fact you might want to keep in mind when preparing yourself or your client for an important appearance or media interview.

Key study findings: Women's hairstyles

Can women have it all?

It appears that this is not the case, as the study showed that any hairstyle (relative to base) increases a woman's perceived sexiness, but decreases a woman's perceived intelligence. We wonder how stereotypes start.

Short tresses equals successes
Women wearing short, tousled hairstyles (think Meg Ryan and Charlize Theron) are seen as the most confident and outgoing, an asset when meeting new people or starting a career.

Does length matter?
It is no surprise that women with long, straight, blond hairstyles, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Christina Aguilera, are perceived as the sexiest and most affluent. By contrast, women with medium-length, casual-looking hairstyles, like Liv Tyler or Sandra Bullock, are viewed as more intelligent and good-natured.

Key study findings: Men's hairstyles

Who's the sexiest of them all? - Men wearing short, front-flip hairstyles (think Brad Pitt and Matthew LeBlanc) are perceived as most confident and sexy - and the most self-centered.

Why Wall Street men walk tall
Men with medium-length, side-parted hair are viewed as the most intelligent and affluent - great for that job interview. However, men with these styles are also seen as the most narrow-minded.

Fabio ain't so fab
Bad news for long-haired Fabio types. The study validates the myth that men with long hair are seen to be all brawn and no brains. They are perceived as least intelligent and most careless. But all is not lost - they are also seen as the most good-natured.

"Working with Dr. LaFrance and her team last year (An Experimental Investigation into the Effects of 'Bad Hair,' January 2000), we confirmed that hairstyles have a profound psychological impact," says Diana Shaheen, North American Marketing Director for Physique. "We now have clear evidence that hairstyle does dramatically affect first impressions and is linked to perceived personality traits. You might even say that projecting the right image depends on creating the hairstyle that's right for you."