People trust me without knowing me, tell me all the time I seem ‘innocent’ (…this is not how I view myself), apologize for cursing in front of me, express surprise when I curse (I actually have a huge potty mouth, but no one seems to notice!). Almost everyone is very friendly and nice to me right off the bat, most especially men of all ages. Men are always offering to do things for me, holding doors, giving me things, etc (this makes me uncomfortable and I prefer to do my own heavy lifting). People compliment me on my looks all the time. I don’t have a career, but I’ve gotten hired right away at 90% of the jobs I’ve ever applied to.
I wouldn’t say I’m ‘extraordinarily beautiful’ at all (I’m not my own ‘type’ anyway), but I am pretty, and in a particular kind of way: I’m very thin and small-breasted, have a youthful face and big eyes, and am ‘cute’ rather than overtly sexy. I’m not threatening, and don’t grab a ton of attention when I walk into a room.
I feel that my looks have been an ENORMOUS advantage. I feel that just about everything would have been different in my life if I was a dude, or if I didn’t look how I do.
I’ve never felt I wasn’t taken seriously because of how I look, but I also am somewhat nerdy and serious in person and people often tell me I am smart. So… I dunno. Looking young and cute would probably bite me in the ass in a ‘real’ job, especially one in a male-dominated field.
Maybe there is a huge difference between a woman like me and someone who is the kind of beautiful that makes everyone in the room stare when she walks in… but I don’t think the (certain) drawbacks of being that stunning are enough to make her experience in life negative or equal to someone of average looks.
As someone said upthread, if being gorgeous is a drawback it’s quite possible to downplay your looks in a variety of ways. But the most naturally beautiful people I have met almost always tend to be very well-put-together in every aspect… flattering clothes, care taken with grooming/makeup, etc.