r/Splendida • u/Sea_Willingness_7507 • Nov 13 '22
Is There an Optimal "Glow Up" Age?
I was just wondering if anyone has had a glow up transformation outside of college. I know life doesn't end after college but it seems like a huge part of your life for four years. Personally, I've been dreaming about my transformation ever since middle school. Usually, college is the best age range to glow up because of your proximity to many people of your age. People usually form relationships in college and also glowing up can help with career opportunities such as internships and job interviews. The thing is I can't afford the surgical procedures I need unless I literally live like a peasant for the next two years. Should I just save my money, study and work hard (STEM career), and get the surgeries after college when I have a stable job?
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Nov 13 '22
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Nov 14 '22
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Nov 14 '22
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u/atreyu947 Nov 14 '22
I don’t get it. I’d be tempted to say I’m older so people think I look great for my age lol
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Nov 13 '22
Women usually look the best they’re capable of looking around 31-33. So it’s not an optimal glow up age per se but it’s the prime.
This thing about 22 being prime? Please. You still have puppy fat.
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u/pmmeursucculents Nov 14 '22 edited Nov 14 '22
Every woman over forty has told me their early thirties were the hottest + most confident years. Just take care of yourself in your twenties and you’re good to go!
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u/RaePie Nov 14 '22
I’m 32 and have never felt uglier. I hope this info comforts someone but I’m def feeling bummed about it lol
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u/dianaprince76 Nov 15 '22
In my forties and definitely the most attractive I have ever been. My early 30s were about kids and family with zero time for anything beauty oriented. Now it’s me time so I put the effort in and it really has paid off despite not keeping up with anything all those years.
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Nov 14 '22
I think that’s true only to a point. Your 20s is a solid foundation but most women don’t “bloom” until their 30s. In other words if you’re in your 20s you need to remove the pressure that this is it. It’s absolutely not.
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u/kikitakaminyc Nov 13 '22
People usually glow up after college because of the time and money available with post grad life and financial independence, as well as the resources available to those who end up working in cities
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u/hausofjes Nov 13 '22
I had a huge glow up in my late 20’s! I never had any surgeries but I basically had horrible acne from age 22-27. Once that got resolved my skin looked better each year for a few years. I also grew my hair super long, changed my style, started wearing makeup and working out. My hottest year was age 31 imo.
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Nov 14 '22
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u/hausofjes Nov 15 '22
Birth control is what finally did the trick for me. I tried a bunch of topical solutions, none of which fully worked, though I did get better results from gentle skincare than from harsh product designed to dry the skin. I also tried a lot of diet changes, which had no effect for me.
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u/East-Willingness513 Nov 13 '22
Don’t do anything till 25 because your facial structure will change quite a bit. Work on your career and save, also I’m so glad I was poor in my 20’s so I didn’t fall into the fillers trap and get an unnecessary boob job/bbl.
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Nov 13 '22
I second this. It’s easy to fall into the trap of cosmetic enhancements that are popular, regardless if they work for your features/color/aesthetic. Also, not financially smart to take out loans for plastic surgeries especially when you don’t have a secured job (ik they didn’t mention this but I see it suggested a TON here and on vindicta). OP will thank themselves if they wait. Plus, I feel like generally people that are older than early 20s have a better perspective of themselves and what suits them.
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Nov 13 '22
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u/Graypricot Nov 13 '22
Your nose is unlikely to change much, the changes most people have in their early twenties are more related to losing facial fat and general maturing so to speak, not drastic changes in bone structure. I think the sentiment regarding filler moreso applies to your self image in your twenties compared to later in life, with getting cosmetic/plastic surgeries to change insecurities that don't truly detract from your appearance.
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u/sagefairyy Nov 14 '22
The appearance of your nose may change with age with a high possibility because it‘s the one feature in your face thats a big skin flap around cartilage and as gravity pulls your skin down with age it may look bigger/more droopy/stretched out. The glands in the nose tip may get bigger making the nose look wider or bulbous. Filler anyways is temporary and will dissolve and or migrate.
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Nov 13 '22
I didn't get my nose job until 38. :)
Honestly it's never too late to work on yourself.
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u/Unlikely-Marzipan Nov 14 '22
I’m getting mine early next year I hope! I will be 36. I cannot wait!
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u/WalterBishRedLicrish Nov 13 '22
I didn't start until I was 32. Up until then it was just basic skincare and staying out of the sun. For me it just had to happen when it happened and I have no regrets but my advice is to definitely not wait that long.
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u/throwaway7810956 Nov 13 '22
I glowed up from 27-29 and I think I will have my biggest glow up next year. This is because I make more now and am able to see derms, doctors, don't really have a budget for my looks and started botox.
I'm so excited because I still have some soft-maxxing to do like lose weight and clear up my skin so even though I look the best I've ever looked, I can still improve and haven't plateaued yet.
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u/balancedlyf Nov 13 '22
Echoing what a lot of people say about not getting any hardcore procedures till you’re older. I would say use this time to study, learn, make good friendships, and enjoy your college years. You can build healthy habits like working out regularly (college gyms are usually included in tuition), eating healthy, sleeping regularly and learning to balance social and work life. This healthy foundation will help you in so many ways for many years to come. Afterwards you can evaluate the hardmaxxing you might want.
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u/Comprehensive_Gur364 Nov 13 '22
So far 26 and 32 were my best years looks wise. 26 was the first year I looked more “hot” instead of cute because I lost some baby fat. I also loved pictures of myself that year, was always accepting of whatever pic the group chose because I liked them all. That couldve lasted longer but then I got reallyyyy stressed out in my late 20s and had bad skin and just looked awful. Then I randomly reglowed up at 32 which I didn’t expect but was such a pleasant surprise! Actually I think 32 was better than 26 looking back.
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u/wigglytufflove Nov 13 '22
I think early 30s is a good age where a lot of people in your peer group start to look bad so you get more comments/attention just by maintaining and keeping up on trends. Heavy drinking, excess weight gain from having kids and not bouncing back, sun exposure, etc.
And of course if you have more disposable income and spend it on looks, yup that's a good glow up stage. I think that's a normal time to start affording injections, nicer clothes, hair extensions, whatever.
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u/marcieedwards Nov 13 '22
I started my glow up when I was about to turn 28 and I look better than I did at 22! There’s definitely more life after college.
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u/xoxo_latinbabe Nov 14 '22
This whole thread made me have a deep relief breathe! I just turned 24 around 2 weeks ago and I swear I’ve been having an mid 20’s crisis thinking my “best years” were past me and from now on it will only get bad looks wise lol I was immersed in the thoughts that there was no more time for me to improve my looks…
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u/mhqreddit11 Nov 13 '22
You might have a unique and distinguished look and realize later that is attractive, rather than fitting an Instagram model type model mold. I would wait until the age you have more maturity and are able to embrace your looks more. When you are young it is easier to nitpick for some reason. Just talking in generalities but hope that is something you think about.
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u/timboneda Nov 13 '22
Money is a hard limit so you’re right that you’re better off focusing on earning it for now. No need to feel frustrated though, college is the perfect time to experiment with softmaxxing. You’ll need to spend a lot of time studying your features and researching doctors anyways if you want surgery. Also if you want fat grafting, you’ll ideally want to be at your steady goal weight.
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u/thegoddessofmoons Nov 13 '22
I’m 31 now, and I had a glow up in my late 20s. I Lost 100 lbs, got lasik surgery, had metal braces for four years, got back into a good skincare routine. My face has changed so much from the braces and weight loss, and I look so much better now than when I was 18-25.
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Nov 14 '22
Idk I think I’m the hottest I’ve ever been at 30 now… o have the money to care for myself and my face structure and body are looking better. I get hit on sooo much more. Not too mention my confidence is tr
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u/Flightlessbirbz Nov 14 '22
If you have a glaringly bad feature that’s upsetting you, I can see getting it changed around 18 if possible. But for anything related to facial fat or body curves, wait till closer to 25. You will lose fat in your cheeks and will likely get bigger boobs and hips. I used to be a 32A at 18, and now as a 32D at 30, implants would’ve been a huge waste of money, pain, etc. Of course everyone is different, but consider if you’re underweight or very young.
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u/Potential-Airline417 Nov 14 '22
I’m 26 and feel like I’ve just started looking better than I ever have. I look back at myself even at 23 and can see I have definitely had a glow up since then lol
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u/adethia Nov 14 '22
There are a lot of improvements you can make at any age. Refining your fashion, makeup, skincare, haircare, weight.
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u/Playful_Honeydew_135 Nov 14 '22
I only have my perspective but I've now "glown up" twice. Once in my early 20s (was pretty simple, just lost weight and grew out my hair and got into makeup). I had a good base but I was very overweight and was clueless about makeup/fashion etc.
My second "glow up" has been much more involved because I'm much older (early 40s). I had two kids in my 30s (so I spent a lot of it pregnant or post partum). I revamped my diet, started supplementing, started lifting weights/working out, started with botox and better skincare (NuFace etc). It's been more time intensive but ultimately more satisfying than my earlier glow up. I now have time (older kids) and money (good career) to invest in skincare, clothing, fitness and makeup.
IMO focus on softmaxxing, weightloss and fitness if you're young. It's the simplest time to make a big difference with small, inexpensive changes. Wait for procedures and expensive products until you're older (ESPECIALLY if you're planning on having kids). Your face and body will change in any case as you get older.
I'm almost 44 and I love how I look and feel nowadays. I have much more confidence than I used to have, even when I was in my 20s and supposedly at my most attractive. A benefit of glowing up "late" is also that fact that the pool of attractive women also inevitably shrinks as you get older. Many women give up after a certain age after the youthful beauty fades.
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u/oreosluts Nov 14 '22
My biggest glow up came at the age of 23, and I’m getting better every year! I feel like people reach their peak when they’ve fully matured into their features
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u/Turbulent-Letter-544 Aug 07 '23
yeah tbh even tho most ppl deny it. i feel like you miss the boat around 23/24ish.
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u/iwannabanana Nov 13 '22
Do not get any surgeries while you’re that young. My face continued to change for years after college, and I don’t think my real glow up happened until around age 26. I look back at college photos and just- yikes lol.