Smythson Soho Diary
28th October 2012Do you have ‘Executive Presence’?
6th November 2012Better than Botox: Do Mormons have a ‘glow’?
Psychologists at Tufts University recently set out to test if Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – the dominant religion in Salt Lake City, Utah, where I was raised and, indeed, the church in which I was baptised and reared) have an aura, if you will. The ‘Mormon Glow’ has been a topic since Donnie and Marie Osmond starred in films and had headline acts in Las Vegas, carrying on when Brook White was ferreted out as Mormon after her turn on American Idol. I’ve heard about this fabled glow all my life, mostly when boys and later men would try to pick me up, find out I was from Utah, and then tell me I clearly had the ‘glow’ — an unusual pickup line but, there you go. (If your US geography is sketchy – Utah is West – go to Las Vegas, then hang a right…)
The psychologists cropped headshots of Mormons and non-Mormons beyond recognition, just showing a face without real features, and asked volunteers if they could pick out the Mormons. The results were surprising – they could pick out the Mormons at just a glance more than 60% of the time, beating the odds significantly.
Researchers theorize it’s because of health in the skin tone and texture that are a result of the Mormon ‘clean living’ anti-smoking, anti-drinking policy – and that for some reason Mormons live 10 years longer than the average American and are happier.
Where it gets really interesting is when going beyond ‘Mormon’ and into values and personality traits. The photos identified as Mormon were also decided to be more competent, trustworthy, intelligent, likable and kind — all desired ‘thin slice’ attributes you’d want someone to think about you in a job interview, sales call, presentation, or other first impression situation. (Although, this Mormon Glow may or may not do Mitt Romney any good, as the wholesomeness can also read “Ken/Barbie” doll if not tempered with some realism.)
So, how to get a Mormon glow without converting religion?
1. Have glowy skin: use sunscreen, frequent facials, ‘clean’ and minimal makeup featuring dewy finish, light mascara, and peach/pink lip
2. Have healthy, moderate hair: nothing overprocessed, no colours that don’t occur in nature, not too long nor too short, in general – nothing extreme, just healthy and flattering
3. Don’t show too much skin: you don’t need to be a prude, but the Mormon dress code requires members in good standing to be able to wear specially designed undergarments. This means wearing roughly the equivalent of a scoop neck, cap sleeved t-shirt and biking shorts under your clothes. Nothing strapless, plunging, backless, thigh baring. Form-fitting, however, is allowed. You may also have plastic surgery to enhance your assets. In fact, Utah is one of the biggest states for plastic surgery – surprisingly.
4. Good-two-shoes rules: Adam Ant sang “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, what do you do?” That’s the Mormon code. Sparkling cider as an accessory is fine for parties. You can also take Xanax if prescribed by your doctor and drink caffeine-free beverages.
5. Smile with gleaming white teeth. Mormons spend a lot on their teeth. Whitening is big. Not drinking coffee, smoking, or red wine also helps with the pearly whites.
6. Be fluent in another language. Many mormon men go on missions when they’re 19 , women when they’re 21 – often to far flung lands where they live and teach in the culture for two years, becoming fluent in said language.
7. Use substitute swears. “Fricking”, “gosh”, “geez” and the like. The youngsters come up with more of these as in every culture.
8. Believe in something bigger in the universe – like God (or Heavenly Father in Mormonese) and do good things for other people. Some Mormons actually do good works not to be seen, not because God will bless them, not to get attention, but just to be nice. Being nice makes you glow.
Researchers theorize it’s because of health in the skin tone and texture that are a result of the Mormon ‘clean living’ anti-smoking, anti-drinking policy – and that for some reason Mormons live 10 years longer than the average American and are happier.
Where it gets really interesting is when going beyond ‘Mormon’ and into values and personality traits. The photos identified as Mormon were also decided to be more competent, trustworthy, intelligent, likable and kind — all desired ‘thin slice’ attributes you’d want someone to think about you in a job interview, sales call, presentation, or other first impression situation. (Although, this Mormon Glow may or may not do Mitt Romney any good, as the wholesomeness can also read “Ken/Barbie” doll if not tempered with some realism.)
So, how to get a Mormon glow without converting religion?
1. Have glowy skin: use sunscreen, frequent facials, ‘clean’ and minimal makeup featuring dewy finish, light mascara, and peach/pink lip
2. Have healthy, moderate hair: nothing overprocessed, no colours that don’t occur in nature, not too long nor too short, in general – nothing extreme, just healthy and flattering
3. Don’t show too much skin: you don’t need to be a prude, but the Mormon dress code requires members in good standing to be able to wear specially designed undergarments. This means wearing roughly the equivalent of a scoop neck, cap sleeved t-shirt and biking shorts under your clothes. Nothing strapless, plunging, backless, thigh baring. Form-fitting, however, is allowed. You may also have plastic surgery to enhance your assets. In fact, Utah is one of the biggest states for plastic surgery – surprisingly.
4. Good-two-shoes rules: Adam Ant sang “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, what do you do?” That’s the Mormon code. Sparkling cider as an accessory is fine for parties. You can also take Xanax if prescribed by your doctor and drink caffeine-free beverages.
5. Smile with gleaming white teeth. Mormons spend a lot on their teeth. Whitening is big. Not drinking coffee, smoking, or red wine also helps with the pearly whites.
6. Be fluent in another language. Many mormon men go on missions when they’re 19 , women when they’re 21 – often to far flung lands where they live and teach in the culture for two years, becoming fluent in said language.
7. Use substitute swears. “Fricking”, “gosh”, “geez” and the like. The youngsters come up with more of these as in every culture.
8. Believe in something bigger in the universe – like God (or Heavenly Father in Mormonese) and do good things for other people. Some Mormons actually do good works not to be seen, not because God will bless them, not to get attention, but just to be nice. Being nice makes you glow.
