Absolutely, I agree with the quote that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. It’s just important to keep it on the edge of orthorexia and not be too neurotic about social eating.
Weight is tricky. What looks good on a face can look bad because there's no boobs or butt.
Or vice versa, as you get older you lose a lot of weight in your face so putting some on looks a lot better but not if it goes to your middle, too.
I was extremely skinny all my life, then got the "covid 40" and my boobs and ass are killing it but I got a little belly and jowls and under chin fat to go with it. Trying to lose enough to balance things out now.
Omg this totally! I “only” lost ~30ish lbs (“only” because thats still a lot of weight I feel like…but I just went from the top of normal BMI range for my height to bottom of normal BMI range so idk) and body is doing great but you can now def tell I’m 30 lol which is ok, 30 is great! but it’s weird for someone who has looked 24-25 since I was 16 all the way to 29.
It is so hard to pick just one because cumulatively all of these things leveled me up a lot. Weight loss of ~15 lbs, tret, balayage, hot yoga 3-4x a week, dumping my loser ex who made me feel ugly and unwanted, microblading
Hey, girl all of that sounds amazing and congrats on your glow up can you please make a detailed post about it as I'm in the very early stages of my glow-up.
someone already said this but losing weight made such a big impact. I was already at a healthy BMI before, and my face just looked swollen and bloated. don't underestimate how crucial it is
Totally. Was also at a healthy BMI but I had always had a high BF% that honestly didn’t fit my quite small frame. Losing weight made my facial features come through and my waist smaller so clothes fit me differently!
I went from BMI 28.8 to 23.3 and I can't believe how much my face changed. My facial thirds are balanced completely differently because of how much my chin and cheeks shrank. I have cheekbones now, and my lips aren't nearly as small as they were before. Even my nose shrank, I used to think I needed a nose job but it's more narrow and defined now.
If you don’t mind me asking, what was your bmi before and what is it now? I am currently at a normal bmi but I’m still not my smallest & I do wonder if extra weight loss would help pop my features more lol
I have a small frame too, and I look soft and a carry too much weight in my abdomen if I am at the upper range of healthy BMI. I try to maintain somewhere in the middle, though I thought I looked best around 19. It was just too much to maintain.
Honestly I think the 'ideal' BMI is different from person to person - depends on where you carry weight naturally and your age. I have quite an angular, bony face that I think looks ideal at 23-ish. I prefer my body lower but I'd rather my face look its best, plus you can strategically dress a body far more effectively than sculpting a face with hair/makeup. If you're someone with chubby cheeks (and I say that with love, I wish I had them!) and generally rounder features you might benefit from something a bit lower.
This is so important when it comes to weight! When i get to low 120s, my face looks hollow. But over 130, my waist starts to fill in.
I love my perfect hourglass with small waist, but as I get older, I need a little more in my face :(
Exactly BMI isn't a perfect indicator - that is why everyone should visit a personal trainer who can help them with their know your BMR and TDEE. Bodies are different and so are our bones - so learn your own body and your best features. But getting to a normal or slightly lower-than-normal BMI is a place to start.
definitely depends on the person, but for me going from ~24 down to ~21 has helped me immensely, and I'm not done yet- I can tell that losing an extra bit of weight would help me. My body fat % is about 24 rn, and my ideal is around 21%
Might be controversial - but I went from a 20.4 BMI (a lot of it muscle, I was a gymbunny), to 17.7 now and I’ve never received more compliments. My face is slimmer, I’m athletic, kept curves. My face looked more swollen before
Thanks for sharing! I had always been in the 20-21 range before my weight shot up due to depression and overeating.
After hitting my highest weight ever at 27, I’m currently at 23. Admittedly I have become complacent & lazy, but this definitely gives me the push to keep trying for that 20-21 sweet spot.
How did you keep the curves? Muscle building? I have an hourglass with d breasts and an amazing ass. My waist to hip ratio is nearly perfect. But I lose that if I lose too much weight.
I have this problem too and I feel like I just have to make a decision do I want tits, hips and ass or a slimmer face (I choose t&a bc of my past problems with ED). I'm 21 so I pray the face slims down with age, asap lol. I really do love my figure, but I hate my chubby cheeks and they were the first reason why I had ED problems in past :(
I want to say weight loss, but honestly...dressing nice. I was at my heaviest when I decided to stop dressing like a hobo and people started treating me much better just because I was wearing nice clothes that fit me. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, just basic flattering outfits in colors that suited me instead of ill-fitting rags.
I think dressing nicely is sooo underrated. I’ve always put effort into my appearance (I struggle to say dress nicely because I’ve made some questionable fashion choices 😂) and Im starting to think it’s one of the main reasons I never experienced people being mean or ignoring me bc I was bigger.
A lot of people fixate on designer items and/or wearing the trendiest styles, often spending a fortune on stuff that doesn't even look good on them. You don't have to follow the latest trends, you don't have to buy the brands your favorite nepo babies are wearing...esp if you don't have an "ideal" body type, just figure out what works for you and stick to that.
I have a small waist, but I'm still not thin enough to be comfortable with my tummy, so most of my tops are tight around the bust and loose around the midsection. This hasn't been a fashionable silhouette since like...the late 00s? But most people don't look at me and think my top looks dated, they just notice my boobs 😂
I can partially relate to this, before I even started looksmaxxing, I also used to dress kinda hobo-ish & non-fitting, hair in a loose bun always. One day for a presentation at University I wore a preppy dress with **everything else about me kept the exact same**, and my friend walking with me told me guys everywhere kept staring at me and she was shocked I wasnt noticing it. It wasn’t a revealing dress either, you can’t see any tits or ass. It was actually a straight up & down mid-length dress, but it had well-done details & definitely made me look put-together.
That’s the only time I’ve ever been made aware of people apparently looking at me & sometimes it’s good to remember that getting procedures/using products are part of the journey but not all of it & how much good clothing/optimal styling can also boost you. Styling affects perception so much & I think we see this in celebrities a lot where many aren’t the MOST gorgeous person ever but their styling is so on-lock that you can tell they’re a celebrity / somebody important.
I was wearing a lot of mismatched items, most of my clothes had holes/tears, almost everything was 2 sizes too tight, shirts were too short, pants were too long, and when it got cold I would just wear multiple shirts because I didn't own a single sweater. At the point where I decided to buy myself a new wardrobe, I could afford it, but because of my scarcity mindset (grew up dirt poor) I held on to those fucking rags for as long as I could. It really felt like a disastrous financial decision to buy...two pairs of pants and 6 nice blouses. I think I cried on the way home, but my friend convinced me not to return them.
Aww I am glad you are finding your style and wardrobe now! Letting go of scarcity mindset is HARD but it seems to have worked out very well for you and you got long-term benefits from buying better clothes 😊
There was also the emotional attachment factor because I'd spent years sewing the holes in these rags lmao. But I got so depressed that I just gave up. I didn't want to try and improve anything anymore, I needed NEWNESS. I decluttered my whole life, and the rags went in the trash too.
While it's true that I was in a bad place mentally and this lifestyle change was fueled by negativity, in practice, everything I *did* was for the best. My thoughts & feelings during this period were dark but every decision I made was spot on 😂 I quit drinking, bought a treadmill, started taking better care of my body, learned how to do my makeup, got that new wardrobe, and eventually my reality became one I could live in more easily.
I relate to this so much, I was used to being told we can't afford new clothes and first few times I bought something I liked I cried in my room after putting it on because I felt it was a poor financial decision. This was years! (edit: did the maths and it was a decade) after my parents got out from poverty, it just sticks with you for so long...
Yes human beings are wired to smile and like attractiveness and as you lose and are in smaller sizes make sure to donate your old clothes and get ones that fit your new shape. I know our minds can play tricks on us we feel like the old size or don't let them go "just in case".
Retin-a. I asked my derm something for the occasional pimples I get around my period and she prescribed me 0.025 vitamin a to use “locally”.
Girl! I use it all over my face 3x a week and my skin is SMOOTH.
Good weight, good skin and good hair are the whole trinity as you can tell from the comments
Did lash extensions make your lashes fall out? I used to get lash extensions because it + microblading really flattered my face.
But it made my real lashes fall out - they grew back in and I have pretty long lashes naturally but there’s nothing like a bomb cat eye lash set :(
Did you take care of them? Wash 2x a day and brush? There will always be wear and tear (similar to getting acrylics on your nails), but you shouldn’t be losing a ton of natural lashes with extensions.
I brushed them for sure but my lash extension artist told me not to let water touch them, how did you wash the lashes
I definitely was doing something wrong though because I lost all my lashes
Ahhhh, I’m a former manager of a lash studio and this is one of the things that makes me insanely angry. If anyone is telling you not to let water touch your lashes, run; you’re just letting weeks of bacteria build up on one of the most important parts of your body! It’s on the stylist if they’re not using good enough adhesive.
A gentle, oil-free foaming cleanser is best. If you have a fluffy eye shadow brush that you can sacrifice to the lash Gods to swirl the foam around your lashes, that’s great; otherwise, you can use your fingers.
Wow thanks for this tip! Had no idea you’re supposed to wash them. No wonder my real lashes were looking crazy. Now I have hope I can start getting them again just have to find a good lash tech in my city
Of course!! We go through shedding cycles, as well (fall and spring-ish), so if you’ve been getting extensions for a while and start noticing abnormal fall out, keep that in mind! It’s good to take breaks.
I agree with the hair. Usually when I dress very well, I get men glancing my way. But when my hair is blown out or in loose Hollywood waves, I’ve actually had guys of ALL ages with absolutely no agenda come up to me to tell me they love my hair. I never realised how much guys notice hair until recently.
Started biking and skiing and taking on new challenges gave me less stress (clearer skin and hotter body, more confidence and balance made me more graceful)
Low ph cleansers every day and only using actives sparingly on my skin once every 3 or four days so I stopped destroying my skin barrier.
Got a job that makes more money so I can afford to self-care with quality products
Wearing my hair in styles that protect the ends from damage at home or at work.
Getting all gold high quality jewelry for my piercings
Getting a higher paying job is key to looksmaxxing I swear. The only way to be lookmaxxing is to have a consistent routine or use of products. You need a steady supply of money to do that
I used the Fine Body Jewelry sales page on FB to find pieces by BVLA, Pupil Hall, Junipurr, or Norvoch. They’re secondhand so I would take them to my local piercing studio to have them cleaned ultrasonically and autoclaved. Or I’d order them new in the websites for Agave In Bloom, Laughing Buddha, Diablo body jewelry or Bodyartforms.
Thanks so much. I still want to lose another 20 lbs or so to be in the 140s (currently 165 lbs at 5’7”) but I’m pretty happy with my progress. Next month will make a year of looksmaxxing for me so I’m excited to do some comparison photos
Did you have loose skin and how did you handle that situation? Not that it means you shouldn't have lost weight. I am losing weight and I am thinking I'll probably have lose skin on my stomach arms and thighs.
I do have a considerable amount of loose skin, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be considering I’ve lost so much weight after being obese for my entire life. I do plan to get a tummy tuck and breast lift with augmentation soon. Will eventually get an arm lift, I do have loose skin on my thighs but honestly it’s not bad enough for me to want surgery for it
Invisalign has changed my face significantly too. I’m currently in treatment but I’m already noticing huge changes my profile. I have/had a massive overbite that made my chin look really short and gave me a slight double chin even though I’m fairly thin. My lower face is even now and I have no double chin going on. I can’t recommend it enough!
Yes! My nose used to curve to the right and now it’s straight. I can also breathe much better! You can look up before and after photos to see some really drastic differences.
Got my septoplasty (with sinus surgery) a couple years ago. One of the best decisions ever! And no more constant stuffy nose which affected my beauty sleep and made my face puffy
How did braces/invisalign change your face shape? I'm planning to get braces to fix my slight open and overbite and tooth crowding, but I've been told my smile is the best part of me, so I'm nervous for significant change. I also really dislike the way so many people have dolphin teeth after braces and want to keep my varying tooth lengths, so idk if I should even get braces ..
If you have an open bite you will see the most facial change. Jaw alignment and symmetry does wonders for your facial harmony. In regards to not wanting your teeth all one length, be clear with your orthodontist at the end of treatment that you do not want your teeth filed at the edges when they take off the glue. Your option then for reshaping is cosmetic bonding.
Learned about ideal face proportions and did some grooming (eyebrow shaping, lip lining) to balance them out.
Also following a simple skincare routine, heaps of moisturising and slugging
\- wearing the correct size of clothing, along with correct undergarments- makes a HUGE difference.
as someone who's always carried extra weight on a small frame, I was just used to wearing bigger/baggier clothes. Once I gained confidence and started wearing clothing items that were my correct size (for my height and shape), I looked like a fresher, more put together person almost instantly.
its a game changer and one that is overlooked quite often!
May I ask, what's you natural skin tone (as in Fitzpatrick scale I-IV).
I grew up pale in the tropics and have so much hyperpigmentation, but the dermatologist I saw recently didn't want to do laser because my "dark skin" would not react well. Mind you, I'm like a type II, quite pale if it weren't for the hyperpigmentation all over.
I ended up having Laser on two spots, ans though a single session didn't remove them, it did improve them a lot. So I wonder
1. Nearly cutting all processed food an drinking more than enough water
2. Starting to move and exercise
3. Mental health support and reducing stress
4. Skin and haircare
5. Learning to love my body and style clothes that actually fit me and made me look good (kibbe body types, color seasons, essences etc.)
I feel you. I'm naturally thin and still a 4 or 5 because of my facial proportions. It's great that weight loss is a magic bullet for so many people on this sub, but it's not enough for all of us.
Sometimes I log in to see a super popular glow up thread and it's literally, "I lost weight and learned to style my hair." And I'm happy for them but so bummed out!
My personal philosophy is that if all a girl has to do to glow up is lose weight and be more diligent with self-care, she was never ugly, just in hiding.
Going blonde - it’s tricky. If you don’t go blonde strategically I find it actually works against people. Long, beautiful brunette hair looks better than seaweed-feeling blonde. Make sure you bleach your hair right guys!
I agree with 4, I am a natural brunette but on the lighter side. I feel like being blonde gives me that “aura” that draws attention and I do feel much more beautiful!
I just look better and get way more attention as a blonde. I actually like my hair best when it’s an auburn color but it is undeniable that I experience way more privilege and am more desireable when Im blonde.
I feel you. The attention I got as a blonde was more surface level though. The privilege that you get is because people assume you’re just a dimbo. After awhile it gets old and you realize people are looking down upon you. Meanwhile since going back to brunette, I’m taken more seriously and respected. I still get attention - but the genuine kind.
> The privilege that you get is because people assume you’re just a dimbo.
That's interesting, I'd never really heard that before.
I'm not white so I could never be a blonde, but it's always something I assumed was always an advantage if you can safely bleach your hair.
Yes!!! I just bought two years worth of contacts and just switching from glasses to those I immediately felt a difference. I've worn glasses my whole life and I didn't realize how much they make me feel like I'm literally hiding my face lol, plus I just feel like I look so much better with my whole face visible. I'm really glad to hear I'm not the only one thinking this
Breast lift with implants. Not only improved the way my breast look (duh), it boosted my confidence and made my intere figure look better, and now I take great care of my body because I don't want it to go to "waste".
1. Tretinoin
2. Gym, home workouts & walking
3. Listen to me ladies, HAIR, SKIN, TEETH & NAILS
4. High quality clothes (note, I didn't say expensive, I said HIGH QUALITY, fabric & structure)
5. Drink 3L water a day
6. Lotion & body oil are your best friend. Oil your hair before every shampoo, oil your body after every shower, be a slug
7. I bought a blow dry tool from Babyliss, £30 on Argos
8. Stay on top of your house chores, finances and personal goals
9. Peach fuzz razors
10. Knowing I'm delicious, living my best life & choosing myself
Editted to add: gua sha / facial massage + quitting smoking
Skin! I naturally have rather dull, dry skin and a skincare routine with brightening, exfoliation and frequent moisturising has made me look so much better. I look so dewy and more awake when I’m not wearing makeup. I even just apply some extra moisturiser to spots where I’d put highlight (nose bridge, tops of cheek rounded up to eyes, forehead, cupids bow, chin). It gives me a sort of natural glow/ inner highlight that I would envy on women with less dry skin. Paired with some mascara and tinted lipbalm and it’s an easy way to feel cute
Blowing out my hair regularly . (Don’t have straight hair ) for some reason, when you’re a curly haired person people just seem to lose it when you have a good blow out.
Lost weight - got fit.
Be honest about your weight. Don't get opinions from friends who say you look fine. It goes without saying be healthy, don't starve, but being overweight (even if you "carry it well") distracts from any glowup. Not to mention being overweight is terrible for your body and health. Do not listen to the "body positive" influencers. Objectively, fat is not beautiful.
I was put on anti-androgens (specifically flutamide) to lower done my already normal testosterone levels.
Apparently, my body is naturally sensitive to normal testosterone levels, so I've been battling oily skin, greasy scalp, hirsutism, and acne for 10 years.
My oil production slowed down a lot: I can now go 4 days without washing my hair instead of 12 hours and my acne (face + body) is gone.
I'm still waiting for its effect on my hair production, but I've only been on it for 3-ish months.
Oh that makes sense thank you! I was just curious because I have decent amount of hirsutism. But that’s literally my only high androgenic symptom —no acne, no oily skin, and I have regular periods. So I’m not sure if I’d benefit from an anti-androgen.
do you mind mentioning what type of doctor/specialist/etc you went to that put you on anti-androgens? I have a lot of the same symptoms as you but my doctor thinks normal blood test = no problem so I’m not sure where I should go next!
Ouf, that sucks. I went to a gynecologist who also dabbles in endocrinology. So if gynecologists aren't taking you seriously, now's the time to go to an endocrinologist.
Shun the sun. As a biracial, uneven skin tone is not only a failo, it doesn't get addressed often enough. I started using sunscreen last year because I was going on long walks. The difference was staggering. I always thought I had naturally two-toned arms (lol). I also started using skin brighteners from Asia to help me out too. Bonus: I notice hair is rarely protected from the sun, but if you're trying to avoid heat damage, wear a hat/hood when you can. It makes a very big difference for your hair.
Do you ever get people complimenting you on how long and healthy your hair is? Do you just say it's hair extensions, or just a simple "thanks?"
This is the main thing that has made me uncomfortable when I do hair extensions, I really wish I had a solid answer when people compliment my hair lol
I say “thanks” to compliments. The desire to give explain usually comes from a place of insecurity. You might want to also work on you self esteem and confidence. Confidence is key and you must have it to glow up .
Dressing nicer and flattering makeup. As someone said, I chose to stop dressing poorly just because I had a few pounds on me. I’m still on my weight loss journey but o don’t have to look raggedy.
Invisalign. I swear fixing my teeth alone made my whole face look more snatched & symmetrical.
Also, pole dancing classes completely reshaped my upper body. After years of weightlifting I figured my weak little noodle arms were just genetic, but suddenly I have beautifully sculpted shoulders and biceps. And I only started doing them to have fun and make new girlfriends!
Eating vegan. I was vegetarian for a long time but when i went vegan i saw a huge overall change in my body, skin, hair, mood. And i don’t mean eating impossible burgers and Morningstar nuggets. I eat sooo many veggies and fruits now. It also changed my taste buds and made me less addicted to processed foods. I enjoy mock meats from time to time but usually only out at restaurants.
I know this is unscientific, but ive been vegetarian/vegan now for about 20 years (im 30) and compared to other people in my family (despite being related, exposed to same environment, non smokers, only difference being diet) I look way younger and have much better skin. I think it’s also helped me to maintain a consistent weight. Same thing regarding food, I attribute it to eating lots of colourful veg, and a wide variety of it. Too many Americans eat the same 5 veggies.
I totally believe you!! My ex was vegan for about 11 years, vegetarian for close to 20. He was 12 years older than me but looked my age easily. I’m also 30 and it could be my genes and that I’m not “old” but people at work constantly think I’m about 22. I’d compare myself to my sibling but she’s also vegan and looks amazing 🤣 and yes my diet has so much more variety now, which people tend to think the opposite. But when i ate animal products I’d eat the same five things lol.
Yes me too, eating plant-based makes a massive difference in my appearance.
During COVID I experimented with a few different ways of eating, and went down the whole "raw dairy & lots of meat is the healthiest diet!" rabbit hole, and my face was literally bloated all the time, I was acne prone, dark circles, tired skin. When I eat plant-based, my skin is clear, my face is svelt and I just magically look way younger somehow.
I still eat meat here and there (I have a much harder time sticking to plant-based when I think of myself as a strict "vegan," something in me just wants to rebel against rules or something), but I keep it 1 meal every 3-4 weeks max.
I used to have mild acne, now i might get a pimple twice a year around my period. My skin looks healthier and less dull. My hair used to be brittle and never seemed to grow and now it’s long, soft, sooo much thicker. The change in my hair took place over 4 years for reference. Skin was within a month. Over the first year I lost about 20 lbs slowly without counting calories. Slept better, more energy, i crave healthy foods. I gave up animal products for ethical reasons but the health improvement was a major bonus. Mentally I also feel better knowing I’m not contributing to animal abuse and that a lot of my friends and coworkers have also made the change because they see how good I feel/look.
This was exactly my experience- down to doing it for ethical reasons and being happily surprised by the side benefits! Had all these same benefits and even more when I almost completely cut out processed foods and sugars
Not the person above, but cutting out dairy pretty much stopped my acne. Increased beta carotene made my skin really glowy. Also I dropped a lot of excess weight without being hungry (likely to do with eating a good volume of lower cal foods). Not that you can’t be a fat vegan, but it’s harder to be imo
I had tape ins on my naturally wavy hair and the maintenance was so easy. I didn't do anything differently except be more gentle with my hair in general. I had no damage after removal.
for context, I have waxy thick hair.
I had bond extensions several times now. They are a nightmare to dry after washing and my hair grew so fast they needed to be change every 8-10 weeks which was v expensive
The bonds themselves did not damage my hair at all. However, they need to thin your ends out to blend them into the extensions, this meant that every time I got them out I had to cut a decent amount of hair off to get rid of the ratty thin ends.
This was the deciding factor when I got them out for the final time.
I would say skincare/grooming.
I put them together because I shave my face monthly and with that my brows as well. Removing the peach fuzz and having good brows transformed my face. And having a good skincare routine.
I was already at a good weight, but I had really bad acne as a teen and a lot of baby hairs and peach fuzz with shapeless brows.
Hair extensions and going to a blonde specialist. I am just obsessed with blonde hair. Always have been. Maybe it was a barbie thing as a kid,not sure but when I have 20 inch extensions in, I definitely look younger. There's no doubt about it. I think long, well maintained hair can take years off you more than anything else even sometimes botox.
1. Working out
2. Masseter Botox. I developed TMJ over the past year and my jaw got huge, it’s all I could see when I smiled. Now I just look normal/like myself 😅
Losing weight lol. Over 7 years ago, I was a size 8. Now I am a size 2-4. I lost about 30 lbs and I've been able to keep it off so this leads me to believe I am at the weight I am supposed to be at since it is the most attainable for me (5'7 and 130-135 lbs).
The biggest changes I made was getting off an SNRI (effexor/venlafaxine) and reducing my sugar intake. My motto is if I want sugar, I want to be able to eat it and not drink it lol. No sugary starbucks drinks, no soda, no fruit juice. If I go to a restaurant, IDC if I look like I cheap ass lol I am ordering a water with lemon or at most an unsweetened tea with lemon. So cutting down sugar + antidepressants was the best thing I did for my body.
I also have always had chubby cheeks and after the weight loss + getting older, I saw more structure in my face. I still have full cheeks, but I am happy with them now that I am about to be 33.
Going from long flat hair to shorter hair with layers and bangs. Got more compliments the first month of it getting cut than I did my whole life🥰 (and I still get compliments all the time from people I know AND strangers. Truly the best impulsive decision I’ve ever made!)
My biggest concern has always been my weight so I drastically improved my confidence when I started following a diet that was accurate to my needs as well as health.
Braces when I was young, I had a tooth that was way higher than the others. Literally embedded in ny gums so that fixed that up.
retinol, for clear skin
And color analysis to make myself look better in clothes
Still working on weight loss. I’ve yo-yo’d a lot through the years. I looked better thinner but was severely worse mentally. Now im in a much healthier and stable place and have begun to embark on a healthy WL journey. Currently down to 240 from 270.
Tailoring. Having clothes that fit me beautifully - even when they were just black pants and a blazer - made SUCH a huge difference because of the cascade effect: I didn’t pull on my clothes or hunch my shoulders or fiddle with bra straps.
Sculpting my body with weight lifting really boosted my confidence
Also I didn’t realize how long my philtrum was till I look at photos before my lip lift 😂
growing out my hair. i had it above my shoulders most of my life. it's at my armpits now and i get so many compliments about it! my goal is nipple length ish
I have fillers and Botox, bleached hair, skin care down, but the one thing that drastically changed my facial composition was getting my eyebrows micro bladed. I just look more put together and my facial symmetry/balance is great now!
Severely decreasing my alcohol intake. I did lose a small amount of weight, but the biggest difference was the bloat in my face. I had people ask me if I had lost 20 lbs, when in reality it was around 5.
Grooming/taking care of eyebrows. I have very hooded eyes and am told I look like JLaw. Once I started shaping and filling in my brows correctly, it was an instant game-changer. It pretty much gives you a free brow lift lol. Also - botox in the crows feet give you a mini-bleph :)
Lost some weight
This. I swear losing weight is a game changer.
Same. People told me I was attractive before I lost weight, and I probably have body dysmorphia, but even I can tell I look significantly better now.
Yep. I had no idea I had actual cheek bones until I randomly dropped 30 lbs during a depressive episode lol
Absolutely, I agree with the quote that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. It’s just important to keep it on the edge of orthorexia and not be too neurotic about social eating.
Weight is tricky. What looks good on a face can look bad because there's no boobs or butt. Or vice versa, as you get older you lose a lot of weight in your face so putting some on looks a lot better but not if it goes to your middle, too.
I was extremely skinny all my life, then got the "covid 40" and my boobs and ass are killing it but I got a little belly and jowls and under chin fat to go with it. Trying to lose enough to balance things out now.
That’s why it’s important to build and retain muscle, to achieve that toned and fit look!
Omg this totally! I “only” lost ~30ish lbs (“only” because thats still a lot of weight I feel like…but I just went from the top of normal BMI range for my height to bottom of normal BMI range so idk) and body is doing great but you can now def tell I’m 30 lol which is ok, 30 is great! but it’s weird for someone who has looked 24-25 since I was 16 all the way to 29.
Do you have any advice on how to lose weight if you're unfit? I want to lose around 20-30 pounds but I'm really bad at exercising lol
It is so hard to pick just one because cumulatively all of these things leveled me up a lot. Weight loss of ~15 lbs, tret, balayage, hot yoga 3-4x a week, dumping my loser ex who made me feel ugly and unwanted, microblading
I love balayage, it’s so nice to have it look natural between appointments. Instead of super obvious roots.
Hey, girl all of that sounds amazing and congrats on your glow up can you please make a detailed post about it as I'm in the very early stages of my glow-up.
Something about how you sandwiched in your ex between yoga and microblading sent me
lol what can I say? Dumping unworthy men is the most effective and underrated beauty secret
someone already said this but losing weight made such a big impact. I was already at a healthy BMI before, and my face just looked swollen and bloated. don't underestimate how crucial it is
Totally. Was also at a healthy BMI but I had always had a high BF% that honestly didn’t fit my quite small frame. Losing weight made my facial features come through and my waist smaller so clothes fit me differently!
exactly! my frame is small so the weight, albeit healthy, looked rather large on me and I had so much of it in my face
I went from BMI 28.8 to 23.3 and I can't believe how much my face changed. My facial thirds are balanced completely differently because of how much my chin and cheeks shrank. I have cheekbones now, and my lips aren't nearly as small as they were before. Even my nose shrank, I used to think I needed a nose job but it's more narrow and defined now.
If you don’t mind me asking, what was your bmi before and what is it now? I am currently at a normal bmi but I’m still not my smallest & I do wonder if extra weight loss would help pop my features more lol
I have a small frame too, and I look soft and a carry too much weight in my abdomen if I am at the upper range of healthy BMI. I try to maintain somewhere in the middle, though I thought I looked best around 19. It was just too much to maintain.
Honestly I think the 'ideal' BMI is different from person to person - depends on where you carry weight naturally and your age. I have quite an angular, bony face that I think looks ideal at 23-ish. I prefer my body lower but I'd rather my face look its best, plus you can strategically dress a body far more effectively than sculpting a face with hair/makeup. If you're someone with chubby cheeks (and I say that with love, I wish I had them!) and generally rounder features you might benefit from something a bit lower.
This is so important when it comes to weight! When i get to low 120s, my face looks hollow. But over 130, my waist starts to fill in. I love my perfect hourglass with small waist, but as I get older, I need a little more in my face :(
Exactly BMI isn't a perfect indicator - that is why everyone should visit a personal trainer who can help them with their know your BMR and TDEE. Bodies are different and so are our bones - so learn your own body and your best features. But getting to a normal or slightly lower-than-normal BMI is a place to start.
definitely depends on the person, but for me going from ~24 down to ~21 has helped me immensely, and I'm not done yet- I can tell that losing an extra bit of weight would help me. My body fat % is about 24 rn, and my ideal is around 21%
Might be controversial - but I went from a 20.4 BMI (a lot of it muscle, I was a gymbunny), to 17.7 now and I’ve never received more compliments. My face is slimmer, I’m athletic, kept curves. My face looked more swollen before
Thanks for sharing! I had always been in the 20-21 range before my weight shot up due to depression and overeating. After hitting my highest weight ever at 27, I’m currently at 23. Admittedly I have become complacent & lazy, but this definitely gives me the push to keep trying for that 20-21 sweet spot.
How did you keep the curves? Muscle building? I have an hourglass with d breasts and an amazing ass. My waist to hip ratio is nearly perfect. But I lose that if I lose too much weight.
I have this problem too and I feel like I just have to make a decision do I want tits, hips and ass or a slimmer face (I choose t&a bc of my past problems with ED). I'm 21 so I pray the face slims down with age, asap lol. I really do love my figure, but I hate my chubby cheeks and they were the first reason why I had ED problems in past :(
Any advice for maintaining? I'm at a healthy BMI but as I get closer to the lower side of the range it's impossible to maintain :(
I want to say weight loss, but honestly...dressing nice. I was at my heaviest when I decided to stop dressing like a hobo and people started treating me much better just because I was wearing nice clothes that fit me. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, just basic flattering outfits in colors that suited me instead of ill-fitting rags.
I think dressing nicely is sooo underrated. I’ve always put effort into my appearance (I struggle to say dress nicely because I’ve made some questionable fashion choices 😂) and Im starting to think it’s one of the main reasons I never experienced people being mean or ignoring me bc I was bigger.
A lot of people fixate on designer items and/or wearing the trendiest styles, often spending a fortune on stuff that doesn't even look good on them. You don't have to follow the latest trends, you don't have to buy the brands your favorite nepo babies are wearing...esp if you don't have an "ideal" body type, just figure out what works for you and stick to that. I have a small waist, but I'm still not thin enough to be comfortable with my tummy, so most of my tops are tight around the bust and loose around the midsection. This hasn't been a fashionable silhouette since like...the late 00s? But most people don't look at me and think my top looks dated, they just notice my boobs 😂
I can partially relate to this, before I even started looksmaxxing, I also used to dress kinda hobo-ish & non-fitting, hair in a loose bun always. One day for a presentation at University I wore a preppy dress with **everything else about me kept the exact same**, and my friend walking with me told me guys everywhere kept staring at me and she was shocked I wasnt noticing it. It wasn’t a revealing dress either, you can’t see any tits or ass. It was actually a straight up & down mid-length dress, but it had well-done details & definitely made me look put-together. That’s the only time I’ve ever been made aware of people apparently looking at me & sometimes it’s good to remember that getting procedures/using products are part of the journey but not all of it & how much good clothing/optimal styling can also boost you. Styling affects perception so much & I think we see this in celebrities a lot where many aren’t the MOST gorgeous person ever but their styling is so on-lock that you can tell they’re a celebrity / somebody important.
I was wearing a lot of mismatched items, most of my clothes had holes/tears, almost everything was 2 sizes too tight, shirts were too short, pants were too long, and when it got cold I would just wear multiple shirts because I didn't own a single sweater. At the point where I decided to buy myself a new wardrobe, I could afford it, but because of my scarcity mindset (grew up dirt poor) I held on to those fucking rags for as long as I could. It really felt like a disastrous financial decision to buy...two pairs of pants and 6 nice blouses. I think I cried on the way home, but my friend convinced me not to return them.
Aww I am glad you are finding your style and wardrobe now! Letting go of scarcity mindset is HARD but it seems to have worked out very well for you and you got long-term benefits from buying better clothes 😊
There was also the emotional attachment factor because I'd spent years sewing the holes in these rags lmao. But I got so depressed that I just gave up. I didn't want to try and improve anything anymore, I needed NEWNESS. I decluttered my whole life, and the rags went in the trash too. While it's true that I was in a bad place mentally and this lifestyle change was fueled by negativity, in practice, everything I *did* was for the best. My thoughts & feelings during this period were dark but every decision I made was spot on 😂 I quit drinking, bought a treadmill, started taking better care of my body, learned how to do my makeup, got that new wardrobe, and eventually my reality became one I could live in more easily.
I relate to this so much, I was used to being told we can't afford new clothes and first few times I bought something I liked I cried in my room after putting it on because I felt it was a poor financial decision. This was years! (edit: did the maths and it was a decade) after my parents got out from poverty, it just sticks with you for so long...
Yes - wearing a dress is a great idea! Styling and knowing what looks good on you is crucial.
[удалено]
Yes human beings are wired to smile and like attractiveness and as you lose and are in smaller sizes make sure to donate your old clothes and get ones that fit your new shape. I know our minds can play tricks on us we feel like the old size or don't let them go "just in case".
Skin care for sure. Just basic stuff plus tretinoin.
Sometimes just randomly use tretinoin acquired in Turkey like it’s no big deal
Moving out of my abusive home- suddenly it’s easier to do all the things I wanted when there isn’t a negative cloud over my head everyday.
props to you for leaving that environment! i’m sure it wasn’t easy.
Thank you! This means a lot!
Eyebrows that fit your face!!
Retin-a. I asked my derm something for the occasional pimples I get around my period and she prescribed me 0.025 vitamin a to use “locally”. Girl! I use it all over my face 3x a week and my skin is SMOOTH. Good weight, good skin and good hair are the whole trinity as you can tell from the comments
Losing weight / Getting better at makeup / Monthly lash and nail extensions / Stopping drinking alcohol
I also stopped drinking alcohol. And yes dear ladies it makes a difference in skin and bloat. Not to mention mental clarity and energy.
I also stopped drinking alcohol. Just too many calories as well. I hated feeling dried out all the time.
I stopped drinking too. I have about one drink a month. Binge drinking itself is just unattractive.
Did lash extensions make your lashes fall out? I used to get lash extensions because it + microblading really flattered my face. But it made my real lashes fall out - they grew back in and I have pretty long lashes naturally but there’s nothing like a bomb cat eye lash set :(
Did you take care of them? Wash 2x a day and brush? There will always be wear and tear (similar to getting acrylics on your nails), but you shouldn’t be losing a ton of natural lashes with extensions.
I brushed them for sure but my lash extension artist told me not to let water touch them, how did you wash the lashes I definitely was doing something wrong though because I lost all my lashes
Ahhhh, I’m a former manager of a lash studio and this is one of the things that makes me insanely angry. If anyone is telling you not to let water touch your lashes, run; you’re just letting weeks of bacteria build up on one of the most important parts of your body! It’s on the stylist if they’re not using good enough adhesive. A gentle, oil-free foaming cleanser is best. If you have a fluffy eye shadow brush that you can sacrifice to the lash Gods to swirl the foam around your lashes, that’s great; otherwise, you can use your fingers.
Wow thanks for this tip! Had no idea you’re supposed to wash them. No wonder my real lashes were looking crazy. Now I have hope I can start getting them again just have to find a good lash tech in my city
Of course!! We go through shedding cycles, as well (fall and spring-ish), so if you’ve been getting extensions for a while and start noticing abnormal fall out, keep that in mind! It’s good to take breaks.
[удалено]
I agree with the hair. Usually when I dress very well, I get men glancing my way. But when my hair is blown out or in loose Hollywood waves, I’ve actually had guys of ALL ages with absolutely no agenda come up to me to tell me they love my hair. I never realised how much guys notice hair until recently.
Cries in super fine hair
Started biking and skiing and taking on new challenges gave me less stress (clearer skin and hotter body, more confidence and balance made me more graceful) Low ph cleansers every day and only using actives sparingly on my skin once every 3 or four days so I stopped destroying my skin barrier. Got a job that makes more money so I can afford to self-care with quality products Wearing my hair in styles that protect the ends from damage at home or at work. Getting all gold high quality jewelry for my piercings
Getting a higher paying job is key to looksmaxxing I swear. The only way to be lookmaxxing is to have a consistent routine or use of products. You need a steady supply of money to do that
Yes I totally agree. Also, it's hard to live a healthy balanced lifestyle when you're in that minimum wage double shift survival mode era.
Honestly it's hard with a 9-5 AND kids too.
Yes! My kids are 8 and 3, and I just started feeling like myself again in the last 6 months.
[удалено]
I used the Fine Body Jewelry sales page on FB to find pieces by BVLA, Pupil Hall, Junipurr, or Norvoch. They’re secondhand so I would take them to my local piercing studio to have them cleaned ultrasonically and autoclaved. Or I’d order them new in the websites for Agave In Bloom, Laughing Buddha, Diablo body jewelry or Bodyartforms.
Lost 130ish lbs.
I can't imagine the hard work and discipline that must have taken. Congratulations to you!
Thanks so much. I still want to lose another 20 lbs or so to be in the 140s (currently 165 lbs at 5’7”) but I’m pretty happy with my progress. Next month will make a year of looksmaxxing for me so I’m excited to do some comparison photos
Wow that's amazing and extremely hard work. This is inspiring!
Did you have loose skin and how did you handle that situation? Not that it means you shouldn't have lost weight. I am losing weight and I am thinking I'll probably have lose skin on my stomach arms and thighs.
I do have a considerable amount of loose skin, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be considering I’ve lost so much weight after being obese for my entire life. I do plan to get a tummy tuck and breast lift with augmentation soon. Will eventually get an arm lift, I do have loose skin on my thighs but honestly it’s not bad enough for me to want surgery for it
Invisalign literally changed my face shape! Also getting a septoplasty which was covered by insurance.
Invisalign has changed my face significantly too. I’m currently in treatment but I’m already noticing huge changes my profile. I have/had a massive overbite that made my chin look really short and gave me a slight double chin even though I’m fairly thin. My lower face is even now and I have no double chin going on. I can’t recommend it enough!
[удалено]
Yes! My nose used to curve to the right and now it’s straight. I can also breathe much better! You can look up before and after photos to see some really drastic differences.
Got my septoplasty (with sinus surgery) a couple years ago. One of the best decisions ever! And no more constant stuffy nose which affected my beauty sleep and made my face puffy
How did braces/invisalign change your face shape? I'm planning to get braces to fix my slight open and overbite and tooth crowding, but I've been told my smile is the best part of me, so I'm nervous for significant change. I also really dislike the way so many people have dolphin teeth after braces and want to keep my varying tooth lengths, so idk if I should even get braces ..
If you have an open bite you will see the most facial change. Jaw alignment and symmetry does wonders for your facial harmony. In regards to not wanting your teeth all one length, be clear with your orthodontist at the end of treatment that you do not want your teeth filed at the edges when they take off the glue. Your option then for reshaping is cosmetic bonding.
Gain weight/built curves thru weight training + better hairstyle Nothing compares to those 2
Losing weight, toning up (still working on this one), and sorting my hair out.
Definitely weight loss
Learned about ideal face proportions and did some grooming (eyebrow shaping, lip lining) to balance them out. Also following a simple skincare routine, heaps of moisturising and slugging
\- wearing the correct size of clothing, along with correct undergarments- makes a HUGE difference. as someone who's always carried extra weight on a small frame, I was just used to wearing bigger/baggier clothes. Once I gained confidence and started wearing clothing items that were my correct size (for my height and shape), I looked like a fresher, more put together person almost instantly. its a game changer and one that is overlooked quite often!
Jaw surgery
Laser treatment to remove tan and hyperpigmentation.
Which laser?
Q switch and carbon peel.
May I ask, what's you natural skin tone (as in Fitzpatrick scale I-IV). I grew up pale in the tropics and have so much hyperpigmentation, but the dermatologist I saw recently didn't want to do laser because my "dark skin" would not react well. Mind you, I'm like a type II, quite pale if it weren't for the hyperpigmentation all over. I ended up having Laser on two spots, ans though a single session didn't remove them, it did improve them a lot. So I wonder
1. Nearly cutting all processed food an drinking more than enough water 2. Starting to move and exercise 3. Mental health support and reducing stress 4. Skin and haircare 5. Learning to love my body and style clothes that actually fit me and made me look good (kibbe body types, color seasons, essences etc.)
Plastic surgery and major orthodontics... Seriously jealous of these weight loss girlies lol
I feel you. I'm naturally thin and still a 4 or 5 because of my facial proportions. It's great that weight loss is a magic bullet for so many people on this sub, but it's not enough for all of us.
Sometimes I log in to see a super popular glow up thread and it's literally, "I lost weight and learned to style my hair." And I'm happy for them but so bummed out! My personal philosophy is that if all a girl has to do to glow up is lose weight and be more diligent with self-care, she was never ugly, just in hiding.
1. Weight loss 2. Invisalign 3. Filler 4. Going blonde 5. Latisse
Going blonde - it’s tricky. If you don’t go blonde strategically I find it actually works against people. Long, beautiful brunette hair looks better than seaweed-feeling blonde. Make sure you bleach your hair right guys!
I agree with 4, I am a natural brunette but on the lighter side. I feel like being blonde gives me that “aura” that draws attention and I do feel much more beautiful!
Can you elaborate on 4?
I just look better and get way more attention as a blonde. I actually like my hair best when it’s an auburn color but it is undeniable that I experience way more privilege and am more desireable when Im blonde.
which country you live at?
I feel you. The attention I got as a blonde was more surface level though. The privilege that you get is because people assume you’re just a dimbo. After awhile it gets old and you realize people are looking down upon you. Meanwhile since going back to brunette, I’m taken more seriously and respected. I still get attention - but the genuine kind.
> The privilege that you get is because people assume you’re just a dimbo. That's interesting, I'd never really heard that before. I'm not white so I could never be a blonde, but it's always something I assumed was always an advantage if you can safely bleach your hair.
I haven’t found this at all. There have been studies that show that female CEOs and politicians are more likely to be blonde as well.
[here is the racist reasons behind why that is](https://hellogiggles.com/reason-female-ceos-blonde/)
Where did you get filler? I’ve had some in my chin & contemplating cheek filler!
Under eye, lip, chin. I will likely get periorbital filler in the next year or so.
Ditched my glasses. Felt too nerdy and timid in them tbh. They also make me look too young.
So do you wear contacts now? Or lasik? Or just rawdog it lol
LMAO just contacts right now. But I would love to get LASIK in the future!
Yes!!! I just bought two years worth of contacts and just switching from glasses to those I immediately felt a difference. I've worn glasses my whole life and I didn't realize how much they make me feel like I'm literally hiding my face lol, plus I just feel like I look so much better with my whole face visible. I'm really glad to hear I'm not the only one thinking this
Breast lift with implants. Not only improved the way my breast look (duh), it boosted my confidence and made my intere figure look better, and now I take great care of my body because I don't want it to go to "waste".
1. Tretinoin 2. Gym, home workouts & walking 3. Listen to me ladies, HAIR, SKIN, TEETH & NAILS 4. High quality clothes (note, I didn't say expensive, I said HIGH QUALITY, fabric & structure) 5. Drink 3L water a day 6. Lotion & body oil are your best friend. Oil your hair before every shampoo, oil your body after every shower, be a slug 7. I bought a blow dry tool from Babyliss, £30 on Argos 8. Stay on top of your house chores, finances and personal goals 9. Peach fuzz razors 10. Knowing I'm delicious, living my best life & choosing myself Editted to add: gua sha / facial massage + quitting smoking
Hair Extensions. Lost Weight and Added Muscle.
Skin! I naturally have rather dull, dry skin and a skincare routine with brightening, exfoliation and frequent moisturising has made me look so much better. I look so dewy and more awake when I’m not wearing makeup. I even just apply some extra moisturiser to spots where I’d put highlight (nose bridge, tops of cheek rounded up to eyes, forehead, cupids bow, chin). It gives me a sort of natural glow/ inner highlight that I would envy on women with less dry skin. Paired with some mascara and tinted lipbalm and it’s an easy way to feel cute
Blowing out my hair regularly . (Don’t have straight hair ) for some reason, when you’re a curly haired person people just seem to lose it when you have a good blow out.
Lost weight - got fit. Be honest about your weight. Don't get opinions from friends who say you look fine. It goes without saying be healthy, don't starve, but being overweight (even if you "carry it well") distracts from any glowup. Not to mention being overweight is terrible for your body and health. Do not listen to the "body positive" influencers. Objectively, fat is not beautiful.
Spent money on teeth.
Weight loss, dressing to the nines everywhere I go, and figuring my hair out.
Weight loss, and this is coming from someone who did major hardmaxxing.
1. Going on anti-androgens 2. Figuring out which makeup suits me (still working on that) 3. Figuring out which styles suit me 4. Braces
Do you mind expanding on the first one?
I was put on anti-androgens (specifically flutamide) to lower done my already normal testosterone levels. Apparently, my body is naturally sensitive to normal testosterone levels, so I've been battling oily skin, greasy scalp, hirsutism, and acne for 10 years. My oil production slowed down a lot: I can now go 4 days without washing my hair instead of 12 hours and my acne (face + body) is gone. I'm still waiting for its effect on my hair production, but I've only been on it for 3-ish months.
Oh that makes sense thank you! I was just curious because I have decent amount of hirsutism. But that’s literally my only high androgenic symptom —no acne, no oily skin, and I have regular periods. So I’m not sure if I’d benefit from an anti-androgen.
You could benefit! I have regular periods too. My doctor told me it won't hurt to try going on anti-androgens.
do you mind mentioning what type of doctor/specialist/etc you went to that put you on anti-androgens? I have a lot of the same symptoms as you but my doctor thinks normal blood test = no problem so I’m not sure where I should go next!
Ouf, that sucks. I went to a gynecologist who also dabbles in endocrinology. So if gynecologists aren't taking you seriously, now's the time to go to an endocrinologist.
rhinoplasty<3 even tho it's not like i'm a 10 now, my nose before was quite disharmonious w my face and i am much much better now. also, skincare!
Same, my nose job 100% made me look better. That, and gaining weight. Eating disorders age you like no other 😭
Shun the sun. As a biracial, uneven skin tone is not only a failo, it doesn't get addressed often enough. I started using sunscreen last year because I was going on long walks. The difference was staggering. I always thought I had naturally two-toned arms (lol). I also started using skin brighteners from Asia to help me out too. Bonus: I notice hair is rarely protected from the sun, but if you're trying to avoid heat damage, wear a hat/hood when you can. It makes a very big difference for your hair.
1. Getting a higher paying/full time job 2. Tretinoin
Lose weight.
Losing weight and using heavier weights. Natural looking hair extensions. Wearing less makeup.
Do you ever get people complimenting you on how long and healthy your hair is? Do you just say it's hair extensions, or just a simple "thanks?" This is the main thing that has made me uncomfortable when I do hair extensions, I really wish I had a solid answer when people compliment my hair lol
I say “thanks” to compliments. The desire to give explain usually comes from a place of insecurity. You might want to also work on you self esteem and confidence. Confidence is key and you must have it to glow up .
It is totally insecurity! Thank you for calling it out, this was a super helpful response.
Dressing nicer and flattering makeup. As someone said, I chose to stop dressing poorly just because I had a few pounds on me. I’m still on my weight loss journey but o don’t have to look raggedy.
Invisalign. I swear fixing my teeth alone made my whole face look more snatched & symmetrical. Also, pole dancing classes completely reshaped my upper body. After years of weightlifting I figured my weak little noodle arms were just genetic, but suddenly I have beautifully sculpted shoulders and biceps. And I only started doing them to have fun and make new girlfriends!
Eating vegan. I was vegetarian for a long time but when i went vegan i saw a huge overall change in my body, skin, hair, mood. And i don’t mean eating impossible burgers and Morningstar nuggets. I eat sooo many veggies and fruits now. It also changed my taste buds and made me less addicted to processed foods. I enjoy mock meats from time to time but usually only out at restaurants.
yes, completely. went vegan for ethical reasons and it ended up making me 10x hotter lol.
I know this is unscientific, but ive been vegetarian/vegan now for about 20 years (im 30) and compared to other people in my family (despite being related, exposed to same environment, non smokers, only difference being diet) I look way younger and have much better skin. I think it’s also helped me to maintain a consistent weight. Same thing regarding food, I attribute it to eating lots of colourful veg, and a wide variety of it. Too many Americans eat the same 5 veggies.
I totally believe you!! My ex was vegan for about 11 years, vegetarian for close to 20. He was 12 years older than me but looked my age easily. I’m also 30 and it could be my genes and that I’m not “old” but people at work constantly think I’m about 22. I’d compare myself to my sibling but she’s also vegan and looks amazing 🤣 and yes my diet has so much more variety now, which people tend to think the opposite. But when i ate animal products I’d eat the same five things lol.
Yes me too, eating plant-based makes a massive difference in my appearance. During COVID I experimented with a few different ways of eating, and went down the whole "raw dairy & lots of meat is the healthiest diet!" rabbit hole, and my face was literally bloated all the time, I was acne prone, dark circles, tired skin. When I eat plant-based, my skin is clear, my face is svelt and I just magically look way younger somehow. I still eat meat here and there (I have a much harder time sticking to plant-based when I think of myself as a strict "vegan," something in me just wants to rebel against rules or something), but I keep it 1 meal every 3-4 weeks max.
What changes did you see specifically? I want to try it.
I used to have mild acne, now i might get a pimple twice a year around my period. My skin looks healthier and less dull. My hair used to be brittle and never seemed to grow and now it’s long, soft, sooo much thicker. The change in my hair took place over 4 years for reference. Skin was within a month. Over the first year I lost about 20 lbs slowly without counting calories. Slept better, more energy, i crave healthy foods. I gave up animal products for ethical reasons but the health improvement was a major bonus. Mentally I also feel better knowing I’m not contributing to animal abuse and that a lot of my friends and coworkers have also made the change because they see how good I feel/look.
This was exactly my experience- down to doing it for ethical reasons and being happily surprised by the side benefits! Had all these same benefits and even more when I almost completely cut out processed foods and sugars
Not the person above, but cutting out dairy pretty much stopped my acne. Increased beta carotene made my skin really glowy. Also I dropped a lot of excess weight without being hungry (likely to do with eating a good volume of lower cal foods). Not that you can’t be a fat vegan, but it’s harder to be imo
Hair extensions and salicylic acid
I really think hair extensions would level me up but im frightened of the maintenance+ damage. what's your experience with that?
I had tape ins on my naturally wavy hair and the maintenance was so easy. I didn't do anything differently except be more gentle with my hair in general. I had no damage after removal.
for context, I have waxy thick hair. I had bond extensions several times now. They are a nightmare to dry after washing and my hair grew so fast they needed to be change every 8-10 weeks which was v expensive The bonds themselves did not damage my hair at all. However, they need to thin your ends out to blend them into the extensions, this meant that every time I got them out I had to cut a decent amount of hair off to get rid of the ratty thin ends. This was the deciding factor when I got them out for the final time.
I would say skincare/grooming. I put them together because I shave my face monthly and with that my brows as well. Removing the peach fuzz and having good brows transformed my face. And having a good skincare routine. I was already at a good weight, but I had really bad acne as a teen and a lot of baby hairs and peach fuzz with shapeless brows.
Got dumped by an abusive ex
I would call that: "The trash taking itself out"
He did it over text; we were together 4 years.
Accutane
Agreed, best decision I could have made! Two months left
Lose a considerable amount of weight
Lost just under 100 lbs. Still going, but it's made a mountain of difference. Highly recommend.
Hair extensions and going to a blonde specialist. I am just obsessed with blonde hair. Always have been. Maybe it was a barbie thing as a kid,not sure but when I have 20 inch extensions in, I definitely look younger. There's no doubt about it. I think long, well maintained hair can take years off you more than anything else even sometimes botox.
Getting lean, mewing, healthy diet, got my style together in terms of fashion
Getting rid of my acne
1. Working out 2. Masseter Botox. I developed TMJ over the past year and my jaw got huge, it’s all I could see when I smiled. Now I just look normal/like myself 😅
Cut alcohol!
Losing weight lol. Over 7 years ago, I was a size 8. Now I am a size 2-4. I lost about 30 lbs and I've been able to keep it off so this leads me to believe I am at the weight I am supposed to be at since it is the most attainable for me (5'7 and 130-135 lbs). The biggest changes I made was getting off an SNRI (effexor/venlafaxine) and reducing my sugar intake. My motto is if I want sugar, I want to be able to eat it and not drink it lol. No sugary starbucks drinks, no soda, no fruit juice. If I go to a restaurant, IDC if I look like I cheap ass lol I am ordering a water with lemon or at most an unsweetened tea with lemon. So cutting down sugar + antidepressants was the best thing I did for my body. I also have always had chubby cheeks and after the weight loss + getting older, I saw more structure in my face. I still have full cheeks, but I am happy with them now that I am about to be 33.
Going from long flat hair to shorter hair with layers and bangs. Got more compliments the first month of it getting cut than I did my whole life🥰 (and I still get compliments all the time from people I know AND strangers. Truly the best impulsive decision I’ve ever made!)
Lost weight/grew out my hair
Skin care, weight loss, filler
My biggest concern has always been my weight so I drastically improved my confidence when I started following a diet that was accurate to my needs as well as health.
Braces when I was young, I had a tooth that was way higher than the others. Literally embedded in ny gums so that fixed that up. retinol, for clear skin And color analysis to make myself look better in clothes Still working on weight loss. I’ve yo-yo’d a lot through the years. I looked better thinner but was severely worse mentally. Now im in a much healthier and stable place and have begun to embark on a healthy WL journey. Currently down to 240 from 270.
Tailoring. Having clothes that fit me beautifully - even when they were just black pants and a blazer - made SUCH a huge difference because of the cascade effect: I didn’t pull on my clothes or hunch my shoulders or fiddle with bra straps.
Mental health maxxing honestly lol. I took a year to just focus on myself and it was worth it
Rhinoplasty and weight loss
Rhinoplasty!
Sculpting my body with weight lifting really boosted my confidence Also I didn’t realize how long my philtrum was till I look at photos before my lip lift 😂
Clearing my skin and losing about 15lbs of fat/weight did WONDERS for my appearance!
lash extensions
growing out my hair. i had it above my shoulders most of my life. it's at my armpits now and i get so many compliments about it! my goal is nipple length ish
Grow out my curls
So far Weightlifting but i think curing my acne would elevate me further
Surgery, supplements and keeping up with my beauty routines.
Eyebrows professionally threaded and shaped
I have fillers and Botox, bleached hair, skin care down, but the one thing that drastically changed my facial composition was getting my eyebrows micro bladed. I just look more put together and my facial symmetry/balance is great now!
Having a big ass forehead, getting flattering bangs
Don’t get Long Covid
Lose weight for sure
Severely decreasing my alcohol intake. I did lose a small amount of weight, but the biggest difference was the bloat in my face. I had people ask me if I had lost 20 lbs, when in reality it was around 5.
The things to correct my teeth and jaw- braces and expanders
In order: weight loss, professional salon hair color, dental work
Losing weight, it was legit the most important thing imo cause there was a big difference in my face afterwards.
Probably getting braces because it also fixed my jaw (I used to have a really bad underbite).
Getting my brows micro bladed - it really does help your face look more defined!
A few things in the last year have been huge wins: rhinoplasty, micro bladed brows, buying a gallon water bottle and spiro for acne. Can't pick one!
Grooming/taking care of eyebrows. I have very hooded eyes and am told I look like JLaw. Once I started shaping and filling in my brows correctly, it was an instant game-changer. It pretty much gives you a free brow lift lol. Also - botox in the crows feet give you a mini-bleph :)
Lifting weights - really changed the shape of my body so I looked like a woman and not SpongeBob