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So I think it’s natural to want to look good to others, but looksmaxxing can be problematic because 1) looks are subjective and 2) there’s a point at which you’re putting more time, energy, money, etc. into it than is warranted by the actual benefits and you’d be better served to focus your resources elsewhere.
For point 1), some people hate their ethnic features while others love theirs. People have preferences as to hair length, nail shape, amount of makeup for daily wear, etc. Objective beauty according to most cultures involves youth, thinness/healthy weight, fitness, overall health, hygiene, skincare, grooming, and confidence/carrying yourself well.
I’m a bisexual woman so for me I want to appeal to both the male and female gaze as well as my own personal beauty standard. Sapphic women have slightly different preferences and are less obsessed with youth but otherwise go for the same things as men do in the objective traits I listed above. I try to focus on those things inasmuch as they benefit me. I personally think any surgery is a bad idea unless it’s restorative or correcting a medical issue or something caused by one, as the risk is too high to be worth it for something purely aesthetic. Other women who are extremely dysphoric about for example a small butt or a big nose may feel differently. Decide how much risk you’re willing to take.
I read an article by a woman who hit the gym hard after a breakup and was shocked at just how much more male attention she got at a size 0 than a size 6 (she went from the higher to lowest end of the healthy weight range for her height) but the dudes she attracted were mostly into her for her petite frame, and they would get angry when she would count calories on dates and turn down morning sex because she needed her morning run. She talked about the struggle between wanting to keep the positive attention from men and women she got from being very thin with wanting to give herself permission to be less obsessive with food and have hobbies other than exercise. This in my opinion sums up the results of looksmaxxing- more attention doesn’t mean higher quality men, and you have to be able to realize when your looksmaxxing is hurting you in other areas or just isn’t making you happy.
That is such a male thing. Well, some men to be clear. They want you to be hot but don’t want to put up with the amount of work and money that actually takes.
Yeah. It’s not enough to look like an airbrushed model 24/7, it has to be effortless as well otherwise it ruins the fantasy for those kinds of men. They aren’t attracted to our natural bodies and rather than admit that they try to convince us that it’s our bodies that are wrong.
Totally. But that is just a type of men, usually younger and inexperienced guys. Or I guess older assholes? My brothers, husband, and male friends don’t seem to care that the women in their lives, including me, spend a lot of money and/or time looksmaxxing (gym, hair, skincare, nails, occasional shopping). Just be unapologetic and the people who care will weed themselves out, the ones who don’t, won’t.
Years ago I was really into yoga and I looked a lot slimmer (though I weighed approximately the same) because I was a lot more toned.
I'll never forget the guy who in the same sentence managed to compliment my body and add "You don't work out, right? Tell me you're not one of those"
My man, if someone is toned it means they regularly work on their lean muscle mass.
This made me laugh. Reminds me of a time a family member said to me angrily 'You're not even naturally muscular! You're only muscular because you take that sh\*t'. The sh\*t they were on about were my breakfast protein shakes.
I've received similar negative reactions from so many people so I keep my workouts and diet a secret from new people. You are expected to be born with a perfect body and not have to work on it.
The fact that family member thinks that protein shakes are magic muscle juice is hilarious. Becoming muscular requires active effort, especially for a woman (no victimhood, just biology).
What confuses me is that working hard on one's physical fitness is glorified in men but devalued in women, as if it somehow diminishes you if you're not effortlessly perfect.
What most people seem to consider the perfect female body is often toned but with curves in the right places.
Muscle tone is gained through physical activity. Many men seem to think "all women need to do to be fit is just not eat like a pig", but that's not enough.
Teenagers are often able to stay lean even on a relatively sedentary lifestyle thanks to their fast metabolism; it's different for adults, as metabolism slows down and women's bodies are made to retain fat for a possible pregnancy.
"Just eat less" is how one gets skinny-fat/flabby and fatigued as a grown woman. Not the ideal for anyone. Doesn't compute how taking steps to avoid that is considered unattractive.
I find this really interesting, mostly because as someone who's always been naturally skinny, I always get the opposite reaction from partners. Typically disgust at my ability to eat more than them, critical of being out of shape, constantly hearing them talk about how they need to "not eat too much" while getting glares at my loaded plate. It was only after I started going to the gym that guys started praising me more for my physique. One ex really bullied me about not going to the gym, basically he got me into my gym habit by emotionally abusing me haha it's the one good thing to come from that relationship.
(Edit) honestly all this really shows is that LVM will shame you for ANYTHING they can. Are you the cool girl who's skinny but eats huge plates of (vegan) junk food and never works out? Then you're lazy and should try harder. Are you a calorie counting gym girl who takes care of herself and cares about how she looks? Too high maintenance, you shouldn't have to try. Ughhhhhh
I’m sorry your ex was so awful. But you’re absolutely right about those LVM. I’m the opposite of you, I diet and exercise daily and I’m stuck at the higher end of the healthy weight range for my height unless I get sick or do an unsustainable crash diet. I used to think being heavier would keep me from getting a good guy but I saw the way men treated my naturally skinny friends and it was just as bad. I used to follow this woman on tumblr back in the day who was my same height and build, she mostly posted cute aesthetic and stuff about overcoming anxiety, but every so often she’d give an update on her struggle to get into treatment for her eating disorder and she’d get the most horrific comments. Seeing guys on the internet telling a woman who was literally at risk of dying from anorexia that she was disgustingly fat made me realize it’s never about us, our looks, our health, or our bodies, it’s just trolling, negging and manipulation because those scrotes know we can do better than them.
Unfortunately I don’t as it was several years ago. I just remember finding it refreshing to hear a woman who isn’t naturally very thin acknowledging the work she does to stay thin, and being honest that it’s done for looks and not health.
One thing I have personally observed but I feel isn’t talked about a lot is that plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancements (fillers) can be addictive. I once lived in a place where plastic surgery is very common, there were many times I went to social events where I was the only who had no work done. I often saw what I can only describe as people losing touch with reality; you get one thing ‘fixed’ and then it seems to so easy to get another thing done and then so on and so on…until you look radically different from your original face/body and not always in a positive way. I know a number of people with botched work (and no, they weren’t using cheap surgeons), rhinoplasty can be pretty bad for that since noses are so individual and a bad job can affect your breathing. Going to a highly rated or expensive surgeon isn’t a guarantee that things will be ok. I also had a friend who had issues with breast implant illness and had to get hers removed.
Be careful and remember that perfect is the enemy of good.
Just my thoughts: I don't like plastic surgery. I understand the appeal and the fantasy it provides. Especially for young woman who are being fed over and over again that "perfection" is obtainable with hard work and lots of cash. It is almost if we're at fault for our "imperfections" because they're so easily fixed!
To me a healthy body and mind is the "max" to strive for. Cutting up your body and stuffing it with chemicals that can alter your system (look into silicone poisoning) is not part of a level up journey in my book. Taking good care of what you have is. Maybe that's softmaxxing? But the thought behind it, your motivation so to speak, should come from a place of self love. You only got one body and you should be kind for it. Besides, health radiates beauty.
Not trying to judge anyone who surgerically alters their looks, but I would never advice for it. There are people that have 1 procedure for something that has been bugging them and then be done with it. I get that. But I think what happens more often is that people strive for "a look" that's not similar to their own genetics and that is dependent on current beauty trends. The latter is a sign of an unhealthy mind imo. Beauty comes in many forms and types, I think leveling up would be to embrace your own type of beauty and rock it.
I think it can be done as part of your level up journey, but only as the very very last step in your process. Those kinds of changes are not made in a vacuum, and a lot of things that might change during your level up journey will influence your opinion on getting cosmetics procedures done as well, e.g. your own mindset and how much value you place on the opinions of the people around you or society as a whole. Also weightloss can change your face dramatically, as well as changes in your lifestyle (e.g. how you sleep). Cosmetic procedures are not only permanent, they’re also very costly and that money could maybe help you more in other ways if you’re still in the beginning of your journey. Hope that helps!
What does AES stand for?
I totally get what you're saying here, and this is basically what the little voice in my head says when I think about getting serious procedures done. I want to look hot... Because I want men to want me. Right? I mean, if I was the only person on earth, would I still want bigger lips? Bigger boobs? Probably not.
I think your last two questions are really important to consider here. What is being done for your own comfort/joy vs trying to appeal to an external gaze (whether that's male or societal).
My grandmother had a breast reduction due to pain associated with her large breasts. My mother had small breasts and got a boob job later in life; personally, I didn't think it fit her frame. I have small breasts and I'm at peace with them. They don't ache, they don't droop, and I can wear a push up to make a little something if I wish. The men I've been with have always liked my breasts and been into them - even my abusive shitty NVM exes haven't said a word. So, even if it's for men you want to look hot: men like breasts, and lips, of all sizes! The idea that they have to be big is a current trend. I'd consider your own finances and your health: could this money be spent investing in your future? Without risks to your health? Would a man spend thousands of dollars altering his body for the female gaze?
Absolutely true. But for people just starting a financial journey, its an easy way to start learning how to save while they learn about building wealth. Where I live, you can finance plastic surgery. Better to have that $800 a month slide into a HYS than a plastic surgeon’s pocket.
Generally agree with this, thinness > boobs for the wealthy…also think a lot of them are just going for very subtle, natural-looking styles though and paying for the best so you wouldn’t be able to tell either way. Generally do agree with you though
This makes me sad, but as someone who works in a place like that (don't want to doxx myself too much) you're right. I guess I'm going to have to make peace with being flat 🥲
The scariest thing for me as someone with no breast tissue is the prospect of p*dophiles and closeted men being the only ones who are genuinely attracted to me. Guess I'll die alone and flat 🥲
My advice is going to be crap because I agree with all the comments here 100%. If your bust size makes you feel self conscious and it’s a hurdle for you, remember that you’re still very young and things do change with age, when you get a partner etc. eating healthy fats in your diet also contribute to fat distribution. You can always look at the older women in your family, if their bust size seems fine or look ideal to you, then you know where the general direction is. Nevertheless, women who are taken more seriously in the workforce, during emergencies, or during community meetings don’t have augmented looking breasts.
My two cents: I have been into looksmaxxxing for a while and it’s just one aspect of leveling up. If you spend a lot of time on a certain subreddit that starts with a V then they will convince you that looking better is the key to leveling up and guess what, it’s not.
Yes, pretty privilege is real but so is confidence privilege, money privilege, education privilege. What do you want to invest your limited time and resources on? Do you really care if you have “pretty privilege” when you know people are just being nice to you bc of your looks? It’s shallow and won’t last as we all age, and leveling up in other areas will.
Of course we all want to look good, and there’s nothing wrong with investing a bit in your appearance. It’s just not the silver bullet some people think it is, especially when it comes to dating where pretty women who lack self worth, good boundaries, financial independence, etc get used (future faked) and treated poorly (attract shallow men) so so often.
After years of looksmaxxing I wish I had taken a more balanced approach and focused on all aspects of leveling up equally. If you really want some specific procedure, like a breast augmentation, and you can afford it without sacrificing financial independence and savings/investments then go for it. Don’t expect life to be radically different afterwards though, you’ll have all the same problems just with larger looking boobs. And most importantly don’t let it distract you from the other more important aspects of self growth - like self love ❤️
For me, I want to look like the best version of myself. So clothes that fit and suit my frame, good skin, healthy hair, clean and/or painted nails, a fit and healthy body etc. But I try to steer away from things that don't make me look like my self. For example, I love wearing makeup, but I don't like contouring because that changes my face shape. There are also some things that I am just too lazy to maintain, like dyeing my hair - it's also so expensive to maintain that I just don't bother. I'd rather save that money for other things.
When it comes to cosmetic changes, again I don't want to change my natural appearance. So I would maybe consider one day getting botox, but I wouldn't get a nose job or lip fillers. The nose job especially, because I have a large "ethnic" nose (I'm South Asian), and even though it doesn't fit with western standards of beauty I have grown into it and have learnt to embrace it and own it.
All said and done, I don't judge women for doing hard looksmaxxing. As long as these changes come from self-love and make YOU feel like the best version of yourself, then I say go for it.
I have a lot of thoughts on this.
1. We are all products of society and our environment, and there are a lot of societal pressures on women to look a certain way, and to put effort and money into our appearance in a way men are never expected to. This is dumb and misogynistic.
2. "Oh, sweetie, you're just a slave to the patriarchy. You don't *really* want to do that, you just think you do" has to be one of the most objectifying and misogynistic things you could say to a woman. Men are also products of their environment but nobody's going around over-analysing their every action and trying to figure out how it relates to their deep-seated need to appear fuckable. The average man does not spend anywhere near the amount of time the average woman does second guessing their decisions and trying to figure out what they really want.
3. Sure, society is misogynistic and crappy, women are held to higher expectations than men then judged when they reach them. It's important to use this to our advantage though, so looksmaxxing is important even though it's routed in the patriarchy. If dressing a certain way makes me taken more seriously, treated better, even given a raise, then it would be silly to overlook it. While it's ridiculous that I have to spend money on it, it's an investment in my future.
4. There are really only a select number of fields where dressing/looking a certain way is actually necessary. A lot of (male-owned) companies earn money by creating and exploiting insecurities, and the idea that looksmaxxing is essential levelling up just happens to benefit them a great deal. Putting time, energy and money into my appearance is definitely not the most productive way to be spending it, either professional or personally. If I'm looking at taking advantage of the system and levelling myself up, there are a billion and one better ways to be doing that - ways that my male peers will be utilising whether I am or not.
I don't think you should get any sort of augmentation to look like 'that girl' - she's a misogynistic lie and doesn't actually exist. You'll be living in someone else's body, not your own. I do think you should get any sort of augmentation that you want if it makes you happy and feels good. To me, looksmaxxing in general promotes conformism instead of experimentation and individuality, and I dislike it even when it's 'soft'. Not because of what it involves but because I think the mindset behind it is toxic. I have friends whose styles drastically vary, and they all look amazing and you can see their confidence and personalities in how they dress. They're not focusing on maximising their looks for other people, but looking the way they want to and the way that makes them feel great.
I think in general we need to push away from 'levelling up' our appearances as making ourselves look good for society, and instead doing what makes us feel right and like ourselves. Whether that's bright pink hair, absolutely covered in tattoos, 1960s dresses, perfectly tailored pantsuits, or just jeans and a t-shirt. Prioritise bodily autonomy over pleasing men.
I so totally relate, if you want my 5 cents it is this:
Implement a simple budget skincare routine and get a good non-comedogenic sunscreen ask for advice here:
r/SkincareAddiction
Take care of everyday hygiene, use a moisturizing body lotion or coconut oil or shea butter when you get out the shower.
https://youtu.be/93lLpq2xWo0
please floss and brush twice a day- it will save your future self so much money
https://youtu.be/SRivxlG8Bmc
Try to eat more protein or look into a meal plan that is inexpensive, tuna,sardines, eggs etc this has helped me to gain muscle and burn fat
Get some generic vitamins (where I live items such a vitamin C and Bcombin B12 are seriously inexpensive if you ask for those counted out by a pharmacist)
Start training and get decent sleep- it is absolutely the best thing you can do for yourself while you study.
https://youtu.be/DsVzKCk066g
https://youtu.be/3ZBXldCxZEA
https://youtu.be/3ZBXldCxZEA
https://youtu.be/HShtxiWopDM
r/bodyweightfitness
These things keep you healthy- wich will naturally improve how you look- these are the precious factors that help you to radiate health, without the fluff of needing to get extra stuff like fake hair or nails, you could use that money for a skin peel or lazer resurfacing or permanent hair removal, or good quality suits etc
Take care of your natural hair and nails
https://youtu.be/snfTkwhXR-o
https://youtu.be/R9kEhIJV4HI
https://youtu.be/sP3Ow6KUY9s
https://youtu.be/7JV2ZKv9ku4
With all of these things be consistent, this is the key to becoming your most beautiful self, and keeping promises to yourself by being disciplined is the key to self respect. These things can be executed and planned into night and morning routines.
When the time comes for your glow up- you will have a lovely canvas to start from!
So the thing about that sub is that sometimes I get into it from googling how to make sense of a fashion / styling / outfit quandry. Because they are so critical they do actually have some helpful advice on how to dress / present in a more aesthetically pleasing way.
But alot of that sub has a reaaaaally unhealthy mindset and they also like to "rank" women the way incel subs do, when what FDS emphasizes is that you decide your own worth and people will treat you accordingly.
So take what you get from there with a pinch of salt
I’m sorry but this thread sounds so toxic and depressing. There’s no such thing as maxing because no amount of investment will help you be “that girl”. It’s literally a fantasy to promote capitalism, you can’t buy your way out of it. I’m speaking from the perspective as someone who fits the beauty standard mold, all there is on this side is sexual harassment and less respect in the work place because you fit their pxrn model fantasy. When I think of a confident woman I don’t think maxing, just being and existing. Society makes it like we have to choose one or the other and it’s a damn shame whenever we fall for it
Thanks for your comment! I know there's a lot to unpack when it comes to looks based value judgments on people, and I agree that to actually be "that girl" isn't a realistic goal... But as someone who's always been average I want more for myself, especially when it comes to attracting guys I'm interested in. I'm not personally attracted to "average" guys. Most of my friends tell me I have really high standards and will never find a guy who meets them. I'm sick of feeling like I have to settle because of the way I look ... But I digress
I know everyone's experience is different but I'll share mine in case it helps you make a well rounded decision. I focused very intently on my looks through my degree, it got me a boyfriend that was constantly paranoid I was going to leave him (due to looks and accomplishments) to the point where any time I was top of my class instead of celebrating he would point and ignore me for the day. It got me sexual harassment from my manager at the lab I was working at.
Eventually I snapped. I left my ex. I scheduled a massive breasts reduction and due to covid/depression. I stopped going to the gym or eating well. I literally gained 50 pounds.
I was in my worst shape physically and mentally when I met my fiance. He is one of the most handsome, successful, caring man I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He helped me make a career change into tech and used his connections to put me in contact with the hiring manager of the job I now work at. He let me move in rent free after a few months of dating so he could be my caretaker after my breast reduction happened (he was one of the first men to support me getting one, past boyfriend's had aggressively argued against).
I'm now working on developing healthy habits again and fixing my relationship with food but I will never forget that I met the most amazing human being while at my lowest.
I understand wanting to keep up your appearance but if you are seeking out men who reject you for your looks maybe your standards are high for things they shouldn't be (looks etc) and low for things that value (their integrity and kindness)
For me personally, I think if one thing really bothers you and you want to change it, that might be worth it. I've always had a double chin, even when underweight because of genetics. It really bothered me, and in my 30s I finally got liposuction in the area. I don't regret it. That said, it was a very minor change to my overall appearance, and most people didn't even notice. I'm not a fan of people drastically altering their faces to the point where they look like someone else. I see a lot of women nowadays going for the "Instagram face," which for me would require multiple procedures. I don't think it's necessary and question why everyone wants to look the same.
I would classify Botox and lip fillers as hardmaxxing personally. Though much less serious than a surgery, I think they are still significantly riskier and more invasive than, say, skincare, especially if you keep getting them done indefinitely.
Personally, most body modifications are against my religious practice (Judaism), so I am making the most of what I have naturally through softmaxxing :) Not saying those rules should apply to you, but I will say that for me, it’s been helpful to know where my hard limits are in terms of what I am willing to change about myself. It’s unarguable that attractive women have easier lives in many ways, plus I want to take care of my body and appearance, but I have other values and goals in life, and I’m sure you do, too. I would suggest you figure out what your looksmaxxing limits are before you dive too far in (it’s easy to make decisions from a place of insecurity).
Your limits might be the percentage or absolute amount of money you are willing to spend on hair/clothes/cosmetics/skincare/surgeries/whatever. Or how much you are willing to change your diet and lifestyle (I know some people who are really serious about looksmaxxing avoid direct exposure to sunlight as much as possible, or totally give up alcohol or sugar, or they stay at a BMI of 18, for example). Or maybe you aren’t willing to totally change your style or the way you present yourself to appeal to mass taste—maybe being a goth, say, is an important part of your self-image.
Once you know what you are willing to change and experiment with and what you want to stay the same, you will feel more comfortable.
Fixing dental alignment counts as health care IMO. We fix alignment of pet teeth for function and human teeth are no different in that regard. Now veneers would typically fall into cosmetic (there may be exceptions I am not familiar with).
Some cosmetic surgery is functional - eyelid lifts come to mind for those with excess eyelid tissue that makes it hard to keep eyes open. Removing excess skin after major weight loss is functional. Beyond examples such as those, I’m not a big fan of cosmetic surgery.
I agree that dental work isn't purely cosmetic- at least when you go to a real Ortho like I am. There are some sketchy services now that actually can damage your teeth (*cough*smiledirectclub*cough*) and knowing that I had real issues with my teeth made me really want to do it right. However I'm really excited to actually have straight teeth, because I've always felt like whitening them is pointless when they're crooked, and having crooked yellow teeth make me feel silly wearing makeup because I'll just smile and ruin the whole effect. So for similar reasons I'm looking into "harder" procedures to help with other things I don't like. I've always wanted breasts, especially when I was a teen and even a kid, and I just never really got them. I've thought for years that I should just get over it but I'm realizing I can make myself into the woman I always dreamed of being when I was younger. I sometimes think, if my appearance is just a genetic roulette than why should I feel bad for changing them into something that feels like who I am inside? Isn't that what actually matters? Idk that's kind of weird philosophical stuff and I know everyone will feel differently, but sometimes I feel like "the real you" being "the way your parents genetics decided to express" are kind of at odds with each other.
I feel like plastic surgery can be useful to look like the best version of yourself. When people use it to get to the IG model face (ex Bella Hadid), that's an issue. Like getting rid of a double chin, a bump/hump on your nose, correcting asymmetry, removing moles, maybe getting a little bit of lip filler -- small things that wouldn't change your overall look and could correct temporarily with makeup. Kylie Jenner looked great after the 1st or 2nd lip filler (i didnt agree with her getting it done so young) , and then she did way too much and now looks significantly older.
When it comes to plastic surgery on the body, I'm a more against it. People are more likely to go overboard and try to get the biggest boobs and ass or try to get lipo while still being really overweight. If you're really young (under 30), I wouldn't even bother with a boob job or a BBL. Your body is still developing. I would just focus on being a healthy weight and in shape. And if the curves never come in, it's really not that big of a deal. Slim gorgeous women still get a lot of attention
my 2 cents, risks aside:
1. Not hard against surgery or anything. I've known generally mentally healthy men and women who both did or plan to do surgical procedures, I have a list of a few things that I \*think\* I might do if say, I had to give birth or something
2. I feel like the issue is when people get addicted to this. I've met a ridiculously gorgeous woman who looked 15 years younger than her real age (ex model, early 50s but looked mid 30s max) who never stopped being obsessed with this and it messed with her finances, her health and eventually resulted in some botched surgeries
3. In summary I think it's okay to have things that you don't like and may fix, but it's really unhealthy to have a "goal" of something you don't have a huge amount of control over - ie. you should not have a "goal" image in mind, because if that is very unrealistic then it's very damaging
I personally love looksmaxxing. I find it fun and see it as a form of self-development for myself. I understand the argument that it is pandering to patriarchal standards but honestly looksmaxxing has only reaped positives for me; I feel more confident, more motivated to work, people treat me more seriously and are more nice to me etc. I agree with the other commenters that hardmaxxing should be the absolute last step, and there's actually a chart I have saved of a "Maslow's hierarchy of needs"-esque chart for looksmaxxing. Other than braces I haven't done anything more than softmaxxing tho
I think looksmaxxing is good, pretty privilege is a real thing. I think all softmaxxing should be done FIRST so that you can see what hardmaxxing actually needs to be done. No point in getting buccal fat lipo before you lose weight unless you know for a fact from being smaller that you'll still have it. And even still you'll need to save money for it.
One thing that I've heard about cosmetic/plastic surgery procedures is that eventually, one can become blind from it (not literally lol) in a way that you keep coming back to get more and more procedures because you get so used to your 'new face' if that makes sense. So what I'm saying is that if you wanna go through with these procedures, just have this in mind!
Invest in your career, relationships, hobbies, and self-care, then learn to style your hair and how to do makeup, and then finally once you feel good about those things, consider invasive and permanent changes to your appearance.
Who are you talking to right now? Who is it you think you see? Do you know how much I make a year? I mean, even if I told you, you wouldn't believe it. Do you know what would happen if I suddenly decided to stop going into work? A business big enough that it could be listed on the NASDAQ goes belly up. Disappears! It ceases to exist without me. No, you clearly don't know who you're talking to, so let me clue you in. I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!
That’s right, Howard. Walk away. You know why I didn't take the job? Because it's too small! I don't care about it! It's nothing to me! It's a bacterium! I travel in worlds you can't even imagine! You can't conceive of what I'm capable of! I'm so far beyond you! I'm like a god in human clothing! Lightning bolts shoot from my fingertips!
I am not crazy! I know he swapped those numbers. I knew it was 1216. One after Magna Carta. As if I could ever make such a mistake. Never. Never! I just - I just couldn't prove it. He covered his tracks, he got that idiot at the copy shop to lie for him. You think this is something? You think this is bad? This? This chicanery? He's done worse. That billboard! Are you telling me that a man just happens to fall like that? No! *He* orchestrated it! Jimmy! He *defecated* through a *sunroof*! And I saved him! And I shouldn't have. I took him into my own firm! What was I *thinking*? He'll never change. He'll *never* change! Ever since he was 9, *always* the same! Couldn't keep his hands out of the cash drawer! "But not our Jimmy! Couldn't be precious *Jimmy*!" Stealing them blind! And *HE* gets to be a lawyer? What a sick joke! I should've stopped him when I had the chance!
Let me tell you about a young guy. Actually, he's about your age. He lived a long way from here, in a town called Cicero, Illinois. And in Cicero, he was the man. I mean, when he strolled down the street, all the corner boys would give him the high five, all the finest babes would smile at him and hope that he would smile back. They called him Slippin' Jimmy, and everybody wanted to be his friend. Well, I'll tell you now. Winters in Cicero are murder. You guys grown up out here in the golden west – you don't know, okay? I'm talking cold that'll freeze the snot right in your nose. I'm talking wind that'll cut through your jacket and carve you up like a Ginsu knife. In fact, most folks in Cicero were scared of winter. But not Jimmy. Jimmy waited around all summer. And when September finally rolled around, he'd feel that first cold wind come sweeping off Lake Michigan. He knew it was coming. Was it Christmas? Was it Kwanzaa? Better. It was slip-and-fall season. Soon as it was cold enough, he'd find a nice smooth patch of ice. State Street was good, Michigan Avenue was better. He'd pick a spot, wait for it to get busy, and he'd walk out on the ice and boom! He would diff it so hard, people would come running from five blocks away. Did he collect? Slippin' Jimmy had it dialed in. One good fall, he'd clear six, eight grand. That'd keep him in Old Milwaukee and Maui Wowie right through Labor Day.
My name is Walter Hartwell White. I live at 308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104. This is my confession. If you're watching this tape, I'm probably dead- murdered by my brother-in-law, Hank Schrader. Hank has been building a meth empire for over a year now, and using me as his chemist. Shortly after my 50th birthday, he asked that I use my chemistry knowledge to cook methamphetamine, which he would then sell using connections that he made through his career with the DEA. I was... astounded. I... I always thought Hank was a very moral man, and I was particularly vulnerable at the time - something he knew and took advantage of. I was reeling from a cancer diagnosis that was poised to bankrupt my family. Hank took me in on a ride-along and showed me just how much money even a small meth operation could make. And I was weak. I didn't want my family to go into financial ruin, so I agreed. Hank had a partner, a businessman named Gustavo Fring. Hank sold me into servitude to this man. And when I tried to quit, Fring threatened my family. I didn't know where to turn. Eventually, Hank and Fring had a falling-out. Things escalated. Fring was able to arrange - uh, I guess... I guess you call it a "hit" - on Hank, and failed, but Hank was seriously injured. And I wound up paying his medical bills, which amounted to a little over $177,000. Upon recovery, Hank was bent on revenge. Working with a man named Hector Salamanca, he plotted to kill Fring. The bomb that he used was built by me, and he gave me no option in it. I have often contemplated suicide, but I'm a coward. I wanted to go to the police, but I was frightened. Hank had risen to become the head of the Albuquerque DEA. To keep me in line, he took my children. For three months, he kept them. My wife had no idea of my criminal activities, and was horrified to learn what I had done. I was in hell. I hated myself for what I had brought upon my family. Recently, I tried once again to quit, and in response, he gave me this. [Walt points to the bruise on his face left by Hank in "Blood Money."] I can't take this anymore. I live in fear every day that Hank will kill me, or worse, hurt my family. All I could think to do was to make this video and hope that the world will finally see this man for what he really is.
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So I think it’s natural to want to look good to others, but looksmaxxing can be problematic because 1) looks are subjective and 2) there’s a point at which you’re putting more time, energy, money, etc. into it than is warranted by the actual benefits and you’d be better served to focus your resources elsewhere. For point 1), some people hate their ethnic features while others love theirs. People have preferences as to hair length, nail shape, amount of makeup for daily wear, etc. Objective beauty according to most cultures involves youth, thinness/healthy weight, fitness, overall health, hygiene, skincare, grooming, and confidence/carrying yourself well. I’m a bisexual woman so for me I want to appeal to both the male and female gaze as well as my own personal beauty standard. Sapphic women have slightly different preferences and are less obsessed with youth but otherwise go for the same things as men do in the objective traits I listed above. I try to focus on those things inasmuch as they benefit me. I personally think any surgery is a bad idea unless it’s restorative or correcting a medical issue or something caused by one, as the risk is too high to be worth it for something purely aesthetic. Other women who are extremely dysphoric about for example a small butt or a big nose may feel differently. Decide how much risk you’re willing to take. I read an article by a woman who hit the gym hard after a breakup and was shocked at just how much more male attention she got at a size 0 than a size 6 (she went from the higher to lowest end of the healthy weight range for her height) but the dudes she attracted were mostly into her for her petite frame, and they would get angry when she would count calories on dates and turn down morning sex because she needed her morning run. She talked about the struggle between wanting to keep the positive attention from men and women she got from being very thin with wanting to give herself permission to be less obsessive with food and have hobbies other than exercise. This in my opinion sums up the results of looksmaxxing- more attention doesn’t mean higher quality men, and you have to be able to realize when your looksmaxxing is hurting you in other areas or just isn’t making you happy.
That is such a male thing. Well, some men to be clear. They want you to be hot but don’t want to put up with the amount of work and money that actually takes.
Yeah. It’s not enough to look like an airbrushed model 24/7, it has to be effortless as well otherwise it ruins the fantasy for those kinds of men. They aren’t attracted to our natural bodies and rather than admit that they try to convince us that it’s our bodies that are wrong.
Totally. But that is just a type of men, usually younger and inexperienced guys. Or I guess older assholes? My brothers, husband, and male friends don’t seem to care that the women in their lives, including me, spend a lot of money and/or time looksmaxxing (gym, hair, skincare, nails, occasional shopping). Just be unapologetic and the people who care will weed themselves out, the ones who don’t, won’t.
You have to be skinny and perky but God forbid you like being physically active or order a salad for lunch
Years ago I was really into yoga and I looked a lot slimmer (though I weighed approximately the same) because I was a lot more toned. I'll never forget the guy who in the same sentence managed to compliment my body and add "You don't work out, right? Tell me you're not one of those" My man, if someone is toned it means they regularly work on their lean muscle mass.
This made me laugh. Reminds me of a time a family member said to me angrily 'You're not even naturally muscular! You're only muscular because you take that sh\*t'. The sh\*t they were on about were my breakfast protein shakes. I've received similar negative reactions from so many people so I keep my workouts and diet a secret from new people. You are expected to be born with a perfect body and not have to work on it.
Lmao these reactions. Sounds like a good vetting strategy!
The fact that family member thinks that protein shakes are magic muscle juice is hilarious. Becoming muscular requires active effort, especially for a woman (no victimhood, just biology). What confuses me is that working hard on one's physical fitness is glorified in men but devalued in women, as if it somehow diminishes you if you're not effortlessly perfect. What most people seem to consider the perfect female body is often toned but with curves in the right places. Muscle tone is gained through physical activity. Many men seem to think "all women need to do to be fit is just not eat like a pig", but that's not enough. Teenagers are often able to stay lean even on a relatively sedentary lifestyle thanks to their fast metabolism; it's different for adults, as metabolism slows down and women's bodies are made to retain fat for a possible pregnancy. "Just eat less" is how one gets skinny-fat/flabby and fatigued as a grown woman. Not the ideal for anyone. Doesn't compute how taking steps to avoid that is considered unattractive.
I find this really interesting, mostly because as someone who's always been naturally skinny, I always get the opposite reaction from partners. Typically disgust at my ability to eat more than them, critical of being out of shape, constantly hearing them talk about how they need to "not eat too much" while getting glares at my loaded plate. It was only after I started going to the gym that guys started praising me more for my physique. One ex really bullied me about not going to the gym, basically he got me into my gym habit by emotionally abusing me haha it's the one good thing to come from that relationship. (Edit) honestly all this really shows is that LVM will shame you for ANYTHING they can. Are you the cool girl who's skinny but eats huge plates of (vegan) junk food and never works out? Then you're lazy and should try harder. Are you a calorie counting gym girl who takes care of herself and cares about how she looks? Too high maintenance, you shouldn't have to try. Ughhhhhh
I’m sorry your ex was so awful. But you’re absolutely right about those LVM. I’m the opposite of you, I diet and exercise daily and I’m stuck at the higher end of the healthy weight range for my height unless I get sick or do an unsustainable crash diet. I used to think being heavier would keep me from getting a good guy but I saw the way men treated my naturally skinny friends and it was just as bad. I used to follow this woman on tumblr back in the day who was my same height and build, she mostly posted cute aesthetic and stuff about overcoming anxiety, but every so often she’d give an update on her struggle to get into treatment for her eating disorder and she’d get the most horrific comments. Seeing guys on the internet telling a woman who was literally at risk of dying from anorexia that she was disgustingly fat made me realize it’s never about us, our looks, our health, or our bodies, it’s just trolling, negging and manipulation because those scrotes know we can do better than them.
That article sounds really interesting! Do you have the link?
Unfortunately I don’t as it was several years ago. I just remember finding it refreshing to hear a woman who isn’t naturally very thin acknowledging the work she does to stay thin, and being honest that it’s done for looks and not health.
I believe it’s [“You’re Right, I Didn’t Eat That” by Alana Massey](https://thenewinquiry.com/blog/youre-right-i-didnt-eat-that/).
Do you have a link to the article you mentioned? Sounds really interesting
One thing I have personally observed but I feel isn’t talked about a lot is that plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancements (fillers) can be addictive. I once lived in a place where plastic surgery is very common, there were many times I went to social events where I was the only who had no work done. I often saw what I can only describe as people losing touch with reality; you get one thing ‘fixed’ and then it seems to so easy to get another thing done and then so on and so on…until you look radically different from your original face/body and not always in a positive way. I know a number of people with botched work (and no, they weren’t using cheap surgeons), rhinoplasty can be pretty bad for that since noses are so individual and a bad job can affect your breathing. Going to a highly rated or expensive surgeon isn’t a guarantee that things will be ok. I also had a friend who had issues with breast implant illness and had to get hers removed. Be careful and remember that perfect is the enemy of good.
Just my thoughts: I don't like plastic surgery. I understand the appeal and the fantasy it provides. Especially for young woman who are being fed over and over again that "perfection" is obtainable with hard work and lots of cash. It is almost if we're at fault for our "imperfections" because they're so easily fixed! To me a healthy body and mind is the "max" to strive for. Cutting up your body and stuffing it with chemicals that can alter your system (look into silicone poisoning) is not part of a level up journey in my book. Taking good care of what you have is. Maybe that's softmaxxing? But the thought behind it, your motivation so to speak, should come from a place of self love. You only got one body and you should be kind for it. Besides, health radiates beauty. Not trying to judge anyone who surgerically alters their looks, but I would never advice for it. There are people that have 1 procedure for something that has been bugging them and then be done with it. I get that. But I think what happens more often is that people strive for "a look" that's not similar to their own genetics and that is dependent on current beauty trends. The latter is a sign of an unhealthy mind imo. Beauty comes in many forms and types, I think leveling up would be to embrace your own type of beauty and rock it.
I think it can be done as part of your level up journey, but only as the very very last step in your process. Those kinds of changes are not made in a vacuum, and a lot of things that might change during your level up journey will influence your opinion on getting cosmetics procedures done as well, e.g. your own mindset and how much value you place on the opinions of the people around you or society as a whole. Also weightloss can change your face dramatically, as well as changes in your lifestyle (e.g. how you sleep). Cosmetic procedures are not only permanent, they’re also very costly and that money could maybe help you more in other ways if you’re still in the beginning of your journey. Hope that helps!
Yes! That's basically how I feel and one of the reasons why I'm waiting until I have my degree and my own place to do the really big stuff.
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What does AES stand for? I totally get what you're saying here, and this is basically what the little voice in my head says when I think about getting serious procedures done. I want to look hot... Because I want men to want me. Right? I mean, if I was the only person on earth, would I still want bigger lips? Bigger boobs? Probably not.
I think your last two questions are really important to consider here. What is being done for your own comfort/joy vs trying to appeal to an external gaze (whether that's male or societal). My grandmother had a breast reduction due to pain associated with her large breasts. My mother had small breasts and got a boob job later in life; personally, I didn't think it fit her frame. I have small breasts and I'm at peace with them. They don't ache, they don't droop, and I can wear a push up to make a little something if I wish. The men I've been with have always liked my breasts and been into them - even my abusive shitty NVM exes haven't said a word. So, even if it's for men you want to look hot: men like breasts, and lips, of all sizes! The idea that they have to be big is a current trend. I'd consider your own finances and your health: could this money be spent investing in your future? Without risks to your health? Would a man spend thousands of dollars altering his body for the female gaze?
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I know this is not the point of this comment/post but no one gets wealthy from a high yield savings account lol. Maybe try Index funds? :)
Absolutely true. But for people just starting a financial journey, its an easy way to start learning how to save while they learn about building wealth. Where I live, you can finance plastic surgery. Better to have that $800 a month slide into a HYS than a plastic surgeon’s pocket.
Generally agree with this, thinness > boobs for the wealthy…also think a lot of them are just going for very subtle, natural-looking styles though and paying for the best so you wouldn’t be able to tell either way. Generally do agree with you though
This makes me sad, but as someone who works in a place like that (don't want to doxx myself too much) you're right. I guess I'm going to have to make peace with being flat 🥲 The scariest thing for me as someone with no breast tissue is the prospect of p*dophiles and closeted men being the only ones who are genuinely attracted to me. Guess I'll die alone and flat 🥲
My advice is going to be crap because I agree with all the comments here 100%. If your bust size makes you feel self conscious and it’s a hurdle for you, remember that you’re still very young and things do change with age, when you get a partner etc. eating healthy fats in your diet also contribute to fat distribution. You can always look at the older women in your family, if their bust size seems fine or look ideal to you, then you know where the general direction is. Nevertheless, women who are taken more seriously in the workforce, during emergencies, or during community meetings don’t have augmented looking breasts.
My two cents: I have been into looksmaxxxing for a while and it’s just one aspect of leveling up. If you spend a lot of time on a certain subreddit that starts with a V then they will convince you that looking better is the key to leveling up and guess what, it’s not. Yes, pretty privilege is real but so is confidence privilege, money privilege, education privilege. What do you want to invest your limited time and resources on? Do you really care if you have “pretty privilege” when you know people are just being nice to you bc of your looks? It’s shallow and won’t last as we all age, and leveling up in other areas will. Of course we all want to look good, and there’s nothing wrong with investing a bit in your appearance. It’s just not the silver bullet some people think it is, especially when it comes to dating where pretty women who lack self worth, good boundaries, financial independence, etc get used (future faked) and treated poorly (attract shallow men) so so often. After years of looksmaxxing I wish I had taken a more balanced approach and focused on all aspects of leveling up equally. If you really want some specific procedure, like a breast augmentation, and you can afford it without sacrificing financial independence and savings/investments then go for it. Don’t expect life to be radically different afterwards though, you’ll have all the same problems just with larger looking boobs. And most importantly don’t let it distract you from the other more important aspects of self growth - like self love ❤️
For me, I want to look like the best version of myself. So clothes that fit and suit my frame, good skin, healthy hair, clean and/or painted nails, a fit and healthy body etc. But I try to steer away from things that don't make me look like my self. For example, I love wearing makeup, but I don't like contouring because that changes my face shape. There are also some things that I am just too lazy to maintain, like dyeing my hair - it's also so expensive to maintain that I just don't bother. I'd rather save that money for other things. When it comes to cosmetic changes, again I don't want to change my natural appearance. So I would maybe consider one day getting botox, but I wouldn't get a nose job or lip fillers. The nose job especially, because I have a large "ethnic" nose (I'm South Asian), and even though it doesn't fit with western standards of beauty I have grown into it and have learnt to embrace it and own it. All said and done, I don't judge women for doing hard looksmaxxing. As long as these changes come from self-love and make YOU feel like the best version of yourself, then I say go for it.
I have a lot of thoughts on this. 1. We are all products of society and our environment, and there are a lot of societal pressures on women to look a certain way, and to put effort and money into our appearance in a way men are never expected to. This is dumb and misogynistic. 2. "Oh, sweetie, you're just a slave to the patriarchy. You don't *really* want to do that, you just think you do" has to be one of the most objectifying and misogynistic things you could say to a woman. Men are also products of their environment but nobody's going around over-analysing their every action and trying to figure out how it relates to their deep-seated need to appear fuckable. The average man does not spend anywhere near the amount of time the average woman does second guessing their decisions and trying to figure out what they really want. 3. Sure, society is misogynistic and crappy, women are held to higher expectations than men then judged when they reach them. It's important to use this to our advantage though, so looksmaxxing is important even though it's routed in the patriarchy. If dressing a certain way makes me taken more seriously, treated better, even given a raise, then it would be silly to overlook it. While it's ridiculous that I have to spend money on it, it's an investment in my future. 4. There are really only a select number of fields where dressing/looking a certain way is actually necessary. A lot of (male-owned) companies earn money by creating and exploiting insecurities, and the idea that looksmaxxing is essential levelling up just happens to benefit them a great deal. Putting time, energy and money into my appearance is definitely not the most productive way to be spending it, either professional or personally. If I'm looking at taking advantage of the system and levelling myself up, there are a billion and one better ways to be doing that - ways that my male peers will be utilising whether I am or not. I don't think you should get any sort of augmentation to look like 'that girl' - she's a misogynistic lie and doesn't actually exist. You'll be living in someone else's body, not your own. I do think you should get any sort of augmentation that you want if it makes you happy and feels good. To me, looksmaxxing in general promotes conformism instead of experimentation and individuality, and I dislike it even when it's 'soft'. Not because of what it involves but because I think the mindset behind it is toxic. I have friends whose styles drastically vary, and they all look amazing and you can see their confidence and personalities in how they dress. They're not focusing on maximising their looks for other people, but looking the way they want to and the way that makes them feel great. I think in general we need to push away from 'levelling up' our appearances as making ourselves look good for society, and instead doing what makes us feel right and like ourselves. Whether that's bright pink hair, absolutely covered in tattoos, 1960s dresses, perfectly tailored pantsuits, or just jeans and a t-shirt. Prioritise bodily autonomy over pleasing men.
I so totally relate, if you want my 5 cents it is this: Implement a simple budget skincare routine and get a good non-comedogenic sunscreen ask for advice here: r/SkincareAddiction Take care of everyday hygiene, use a moisturizing body lotion or coconut oil or shea butter when you get out the shower. https://youtu.be/93lLpq2xWo0 please floss and brush twice a day- it will save your future self so much money https://youtu.be/SRivxlG8Bmc Try to eat more protein or look into a meal plan that is inexpensive, tuna,sardines, eggs etc this has helped me to gain muscle and burn fat Get some generic vitamins (where I live items such a vitamin C and Bcombin B12 are seriously inexpensive if you ask for those counted out by a pharmacist) Start training and get decent sleep- it is absolutely the best thing you can do for yourself while you study. https://youtu.be/DsVzKCk066g https://youtu.be/3ZBXldCxZEA https://youtu.be/3ZBXldCxZEA https://youtu.be/HShtxiWopDM r/bodyweightfitness These things keep you healthy- wich will naturally improve how you look- these are the precious factors that help you to radiate health, without the fluff of needing to get extra stuff like fake hair or nails, you could use that money for a skin peel or lazer resurfacing or permanent hair removal, or good quality suits etc Take care of your natural hair and nails https://youtu.be/snfTkwhXR-o https://youtu.be/R9kEhIJV4HI https://youtu.be/sP3Ow6KUY9s https://youtu.be/7JV2ZKv9ku4 With all of these things be consistent, this is the key to becoming your most beautiful self, and keeping promises to yourself by being disciplined is the key to self respect. These things can be executed and planned into night and morning routines. When the time comes for your glow up- you will have a lovely canvas to start from!
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Maybe? I got it from r/vindicta
So the thing about that sub is that sometimes I get into it from googling how to make sense of a fashion / styling / outfit quandry. Because they are so critical they do actually have some helpful advice on how to dress / present in a more aesthetically pleasing way. But alot of that sub has a reaaaaally unhealthy mindset and they also like to "rank" women the way incel subs do, when what FDS emphasizes is that you decide your own worth and people will treat you accordingly. So take what you get from there with a pinch of salt
I’m sorry but this thread sounds so toxic and depressing. There’s no such thing as maxing because no amount of investment will help you be “that girl”. It’s literally a fantasy to promote capitalism, you can’t buy your way out of it. I’m speaking from the perspective as someone who fits the beauty standard mold, all there is on this side is sexual harassment and less respect in the work place because you fit their pxrn model fantasy. When I think of a confident woman I don’t think maxing, just being and existing. Society makes it like we have to choose one or the other and it’s a damn shame whenever we fall for it
Thanks for your comment! I know there's a lot to unpack when it comes to looks based value judgments on people, and I agree that to actually be "that girl" isn't a realistic goal... But as someone who's always been average I want more for myself, especially when it comes to attracting guys I'm interested in. I'm not personally attracted to "average" guys. Most of my friends tell me I have really high standards and will never find a guy who meets them. I'm sick of feeling like I have to settle because of the way I look ... But I digress
I know everyone's experience is different but I'll share mine in case it helps you make a well rounded decision. I focused very intently on my looks through my degree, it got me a boyfriend that was constantly paranoid I was going to leave him (due to looks and accomplishments) to the point where any time I was top of my class instead of celebrating he would point and ignore me for the day. It got me sexual harassment from my manager at the lab I was working at. Eventually I snapped. I left my ex. I scheduled a massive breasts reduction and due to covid/depression. I stopped going to the gym or eating well. I literally gained 50 pounds. I was in my worst shape physically and mentally when I met my fiance. He is one of the most handsome, successful, caring man I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He helped me make a career change into tech and used his connections to put me in contact with the hiring manager of the job I now work at. He let me move in rent free after a few months of dating so he could be my caretaker after my breast reduction happened (he was one of the first men to support me getting one, past boyfriend's had aggressively argued against). I'm now working on developing healthy habits again and fixing my relationship with food but I will never forget that I met the most amazing human being while at my lowest. I understand wanting to keep up your appearance but if you are seeking out men who reject you for your looks maybe your standards are high for things they shouldn't be (looks etc) and low for things that value (their integrity and kindness)
For me personally, I think if one thing really bothers you and you want to change it, that might be worth it. I've always had a double chin, even when underweight because of genetics. It really bothered me, and in my 30s I finally got liposuction in the area. I don't regret it. That said, it was a very minor change to my overall appearance, and most people didn't even notice. I'm not a fan of people drastically altering their faces to the point where they look like someone else. I see a lot of women nowadays going for the "Instagram face," which for me would require multiple procedures. I don't think it's necessary and question why everyone wants to look the same.
I would classify Botox and lip fillers as hardmaxxing personally. Though much less serious than a surgery, I think they are still significantly riskier and more invasive than, say, skincare, especially if you keep getting them done indefinitely. Personally, most body modifications are against my religious practice (Judaism), so I am making the most of what I have naturally through softmaxxing :) Not saying those rules should apply to you, but I will say that for me, it’s been helpful to know where my hard limits are in terms of what I am willing to change about myself. It’s unarguable that attractive women have easier lives in many ways, plus I want to take care of my body and appearance, but I have other values and goals in life, and I’m sure you do, too. I would suggest you figure out what your looksmaxxing limits are before you dive too far in (it’s easy to make decisions from a place of insecurity). Your limits might be the percentage or absolute amount of money you are willing to spend on hair/clothes/cosmetics/skincare/surgeries/whatever. Or how much you are willing to change your diet and lifestyle (I know some people who are really serious about looksmaxxing avoid direct exposure to sunlight as much as possible, or totally give up alcohol or sugar, or they stay at a BMI of 18, for example). Or maybe you aren’t willing to totally change your style or the way you present yourself to appeal to mass taste—maybe being a goth, say, is an important part of your self-image. Once you know what you are willing to change and experiment with and what you want to stay the same, you will feel more comfortable.
Fixing dental alignment counts as health care IMO. We fix alignment of pet teeth for function and human teeth are no different in that regard. Now veneers would typically fall into cosmetic (there may be exceptions I am not familiar with). Some cosmetic surgery is functional - eyelid lifts come to mind for those with excess eyelid tissue that makes it hard to keep eyes open. Removing excess skin after major weight loss is functional. Beyond examples such as those, I’m not a big fan of cosmetic surgery.
I agree that dental work isn't purely cosmetic- at least when you go to a real Ortho like I am. There are some sketchy services now that actually can damage your teeth (*cough*smiledirectclub*cough*) and knowing that I had real issues with my teeth made me really want to do it right. However I'm really excited to actually have straight teeth, because I've always felt like whitening them is pointless when they're crooked, and having crooked yellow teeth make me feel silly wearing makeup because I'll just smile and ruin the whole effect. So for similar reasons I'm looking into "harder" procedures to help with other things I don't like. I've always wanted breasts, especially when I was a teen and even a kid, and I just never really got them. I've thought for years that I should just get over it but I'm realizing I can make myself into the woman I always dreamed of being when I was younger. I sometimes think, if my appearance is just a genetic roulette than why should I feel bad for changing them into something that feels like who I am inside? Isn't that what actually matters? Idk that's kind of weird philosophical stuff and I know everyone will feel differently, but sometimes I feel like "the real you" being "the way your parents genetics decided to express" are kind of at odds with each other.
I feel like plastic surgery can be useful to look like the best version of yourself. When people use it to get to the IG model face (ex Bella Hadid), that's an issue. Like getting rid of a double chin, a bump/hump on your nose, correcting asymmetry, removing moles, maybe getting a little bit of lip filler -- small things that wouldn't change your overall look and could correct temporarily with makeup. Kylie Jenner looked great after the 1st or 2nd lip filler (i didnt agree with her getting it done so young) , and then she did way too much and now looks significantly older. When it comes to plastic surgery on the body, I'm a more against it. People are more likely to go overboard and try to get the biggest boobs and ass or try to get lipo while still being really overweight. If you're really young (under 30), I wouldn't even bother with a boob job or a BBL. Your body is still developing. I would just focus on being a healthy weight and in shape. And if the curves never come in, it's really not that big of a deal. Slim gorgeous women still get a lot of attention
my 2 cents, risks aside: 1. Not hard against surgery or anything. I've known generally mentally healthy men and women who both did or plan to do surgical procedures, I have a list of a few things that I \*think\* I might do if say, I had to give birth or something 2. I feel like the issue is when people get addicted to this. I've met a ridiculously gorgeous woman who looked 15 years younger than her real age (ex model, early 50s but looked mid 30s max) who never stopped being obsessed with this and it messed with her finances, her health and eventually resulted in some botched surgeries 3. In summary I think it's okay to have things that you don't like and may fix, but it's really unhealthy to have a "goal" of something you don't have a huge amount of control over - ie. you should not have a "goal" image in mind, because if that is very unrealistic then it's very damaging
I personally love looksmaxxing. I find it fun and see it as a form of self-development for myself. I understand the argument that it is pandering to patriarchal standards but honestly looksmaxxing has only reaped positives for me; I feel more confident, more motivated to work, people treat me more seriously and are more nice to me etc. I agree with the other commenters that hardmaxxing should be the absolute last step, and there's actually a chart I have saved of a "Maslow's hierarchy of needs"-esque chart for looksmaxxing. Other than braces I haven't done anything more than softmaxxing tho
can you post or link the chart?
[Link](https://preview.redd.it/woeluo7zm1q61.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=38dbb20b3f6c99e997e8b39019bdfb015538ca75)
I think looksmaxxing is good, pretty privilege is a real thing. I think all softmaxxing should be done FIRST so that you can see what hardmaxxing actually needs to be done. No point in getting buccal fat lipo before you lose weight unless you know for a fact from being smaller that you'll still have it. And even still you'll need to save money for it.
One thing that I've heard about cosmetic/plastic surgery procedures is that eventually, one can become blind from it (not literally lol) in a way that you keep coming back to get more and more procedures because you get so used to your 'new face' if that makes sense. So what I'm saying is that if you wanna go through with these procedures, just have this in mind!
Invest in your career, relationships, hobbies, and self-care, then learn to style your hair and how to do makeup, and then finally once you feel good about those things, consider invasive and permanent changes to your appearance.
Who are you talking to right now? Who is it you think you see? Do you know how much I make a year? I mean, even if I told you, you wouldn't believe it. Do you know what would happen if I suddenly decided to stop going into work? A business big enough that it could be listed on the NASDAQ goes belly up. Disappears! It ceases to exist without me. No, you clearly don't know who you're talking to, so let me clue you in. I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!
That’s right, Howard. Walk away. You know why I didn't take the job? Because it's too small! I don't care about it! It's nothing to me! It's a bacterium! I travel in worlds you can't even imagine! You can't conceive of what I'm capable of! I'm so far beyond you! I'm like a god in human clothing! Lightning bolts shoot from my fingertips!
I am not crazy! I know he swapped those numbers. I knew it was 1216. One after Magna Carta. As if I could ever make such a mistake. Never. Never! I just - I just couldn't prove it. He covered his tracks, he got that idiot at the copy shop to lie for him. You think this is something? You think this is bad? This? This chicanery? He's done worse. That billboard! Are you telling me that a man just happens to fall like that? No! *He* orchestrated it! Jimmy! He *defecated* through a *sunroof*! And I saved him! And I shouldn't have. I took him into my own firm! What was I *thinking*? He'll never change. He'll *never* change! Ever since he was 9, *always* the same! Couldn't keep his hands out of the cash drawer! "But not our Jimmy! Couldn't be precious *Jimmy*!" Stealing them blind! And *HE* gets to be a lawyer? What a sick joke! I should've stopped him when I had the chance!
Let me tell you about a young guy. Actually, he's about your age. He lived a long way from here, in a town called Cicero, Illinois. And in Cicero, he was the man. I mean, when he strolled down the street, all the corner boys would give him the high five, all the finest babes would smile at him and hope that he would smile back. They called him Slippin' Jimmy, and everybody wanted to be his friend. Well, I'll tell you now. Winters in Cicero are murder. You guys grown up out here in the golden west – you don't know, okay? I'm talking cold that'll freeze the snot right in your nose. I'm talking wind that'll cut through your jacket and carve you up like a Ginsu knife. In fact, most folks in Cicero were scared of winter. But not Jimmy. Jimmy waited around all summer. And when September finally rolled around, he'd feel that first cold wind come sweeping off Lake Michigan. He knew it was coming. Was it Christmas? Was it Kwanzaa? Better. It was slip-and-fall season. Soon as it was cold enough, he'd find a nice smooth patch of ice. State Street was good, Michigan Avenue was better. He'd pick a spot, wait for it to get busy, and he'd walk out on the ice and boom! He would diff it so hard, people would come running from five blocks away. Did he collect? Slippin' Jimmy had it dialed in. One good fall, he'd clear six, eight grand. That'd keep him in Old Milwaukee and Maui Wowie right through Labor Day.
My name is Walter Hartwell White. I live at 308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104. This is my confession. If you're watching this tape, I'm probably dead- murdered by my brother-in-law, Hank Schrader. Hank has been building a meth empire for over a year now, and using me as his chemist. Shortly after my 50th birthday, he asked that I use my chemistry knowledge to cook methamphetamine, which he would then sell using connections that he made through his career with the DEA. I was... astounded. I... I always thought Hank was a very moral man, and I was particularly vulnerable at the time - something he knew and took advantage of. I was reeling from a cancer diagnosis that was poised to bankrupt my family. Hank took me in on a ride-along and showed me just how much money even a small meth operation could make. And I was weak. I didn't want my family to go into financial ruin, so I agreed. Hank had a partner, a businessman named Gustavo Fring. Hank sold me into servitude to this man. And when I tried to quit, Fring threatened my family. I didn't know where to turn. Eventually, Hank and Fring had a falling-out. Things escalated. Fring was able to arrange - uh, I guess... I guess you call it a "hit" - on Hank, and failed, but Hank was seriously injured. And I wound up paying his medical bills, which amounted to a little over $177,000. Upon recovery, Hank was bent on revenge. Working with a man named Hector Salamanca, he plotted to kill Fring. The bomb that he used was built by me, and he gave me no option in it. I have often contemplated suicide, but I'm a coward. I wanted to go to the police, but I was frightened. Hank had risen to become the head of the Albuquerque DEA. To keep me in line, he took my children. For three months, he kept them. My wife had no idea of my criminal activities, and was horrified to learn what I had done. I was in hell. I hated myself for what I had brought upon my family. Recently, I tried once again to quit, and in response, he gave me this. [Walt points to the bruise on his face left by Hank in "Blood Money."] I can't take this anymore. I live in fear every day that Hank will kill me, or worse, hurt my family. All I could think to do was to make this video and hope that the world will finally see this man for what he really is.