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Beauty above brains

A QUARTER of New Zealanders would rather be more attractive than more intelligent, a survey has revealed. And 42 per cent would change something about their partner's facial appearance if they could.

But if they are tough on their partners, they are even harder on themselves, according to a study carried out by Australian research company ACA for Botox manufacturer Allergan.

Although three-quarters of people were "satisfied" with their facial appearance, about 90 per cent of women and 71 per cent of men would' change something about it if they could. As people got older, they were less inclined to think facial appearance was important.

The survey involved 500 New Zealanders and 500 Australians. The Aussies thought physical appearances were important slightly more than the Kiwis did.

One in three said they would have -facial- cosmetic treatments or procedures if they could afford it.

About 30 per cent thought it was fashionable for women to have cosmetic treatments, but only 17 per cent said the same for men.

When asked to describe people who had cosmetic facial procedures, people used words like "vain", "insecure", "rich" and "confident".