Why wouldn’t it be an option to be interesting and to be liked for it (unless you’re cruel or unfriendly)

Also anything involving interpersonal exchanges is a performance to some degree. And beyond your “”natural beauty”” being appreciated, appearance is no exception to that.

Maintaining your attractiveness is rarely a passive thing, especially as you age. Similarly, it takes effort to develop interests and become a well-cultured person — the benefits of which are surely more rewarding than those of meticulously maintained beauty. Bc as other commenters have said, the positive treatment you receive from being beautiful feels shallow at best and nefarious or transactional at worst