I’m coming to terms with the fact I’m really very ugly

I am so sorry you are feeling so low.

For now, I would park the online dating as it can make the most confident, beautiful people feel like shit.

Concentrate on making yourself happy. I agree with everyone else on your terribly low self esteem. Get the braces, find hobbies that make you happy; get counselling. I go to a gym with many beautiful gym bunnies - they are the nicest people - you have been very unlucky if people are laughing at you.

The vast majority of people are average looking. But the people that attract people towards them (not just the opposite sex) are the people that are positive, kind and confident. I am still working on the confidence myself as I am naturally awkward. But I find that in groups, trying to click with one person helps me.

In terms of what you have to offer (one person mentioned work abroad), kindness, willingness to learn and help are all that are needed. You do not need some amazing skills to volunteer for example.

Make yourself happy first ( and helping other people can make you feel good.) After, that when you are in a better place, you are in a better position to meet someone. And a hobby group, volunteering etc is always a better way to click with and meet someone:)

Hardly nothing Op.
You’ve clearly got some brains to have got 2 x 2:1s.
Can you focus on what else you’ve got, ie there must be lots of other skills, traits, strengths you’ve got, that are positive and valuable, to be celebrated.

A lot of dentists do finance options, make a 4 year plan to have your teeth done for your 30th birthday.
Try saving 50%.
Another thing, which might feel weird to begin with, but wearing a wig or hair piece will really help your confidence, it might take colleagues a week or two to get used to it, but why not.

You sound physically quite like me, OP. I’ve got fine hair, a big nose, a snaggle tooth and I’m a size 16. Without make up, I have eyes like a mole. On bad days that’s all I see. And my double chin. I have a lot of bad days

On good days, I see that I have lovely full lips that people pay for filler to achieve. My boobs are relatively “up”. I have an hour glass figure that looks good in dresses. Long legs. I don’t look like the contemporary definition of beautiful- I’ve been told a number of times over the years that Ive got a look of having stepped out of the 1920s- , but with my hair and make up done, I am I think sometimes quite striking.

I definitely look better thinner, but life is what it is. I’m too busy right now to diet. All things in their season.

You need to look at yourself kindly, like you would a friend.

I would love you to do the exercise I’ve just done above. Look at yourself on a good day, and list what is lovely about you- then really focus on that. Every day, remind yourself of what you have- and do not, I repeat do NOT, define yourself by the contemporary beauty standard. It isn’t real. And it isn’t, objectively, always very beautiful in the classical sense.

You need to love yourself first! Please PLEASE go and see a therapist, you are actually doing really well (job, hobbies, interests) so go get some kind counselling and work on your self esteem before thinking about romance 🙏🏻

I don't think that's a good attitude for them to have. They do owe you, because they should have found the money before. I don't want to be nasty, but I cannot fathom a parent refusing a child dental care even if it isn't 'essential'. People on here sometimes say the bar for men is in hell, but I sometimes think the bar for parents is as well.

What area of law interests you?

I am almost certain your hair is perfectly nice. The grass is always greener. People with thick hair complain it’s “unruly” and spend load on straighteners etc to make it “acceptable” and not frizzy. People with straight hair complain their hair is “boring” and “limp”. I never had braces, have a big nose, have pale freckley skin.

The main reason you’ve probably not had “attention” is that you feel ugly and undeserving.

What is wrong with baking as a hobby? I bet it’s up there in the top 3 hobbies men wish their OH have!

Try to learn to love yourself and learn to laugh about the negative stuff. It will help you, and it might help your interactions with men.

And when you say “love what?” Is this honestly how you would see someone else? Would you say to someone else “you are not worth loving because you don’t have any special talents?” Not many of us would be worth loving then, would we?

Why won't they? Also, 'it would have been a struggle' isn't a good enough reason not to do something like that.

Slightly off topic but I always think of Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean is a complete nerd and not attractive in the slightest, but in Blackadder he's much more attractive, but what's changed as it's still the same person? It's confidence and attitude I think, not looks....
OP I hope you feel better about yourself very soon and I'm willing to bet you're not as half as unattractive as you think you are..

Jakers You're a clever wee thing.

What field are your degrees in?

I'm not being mean. I commented on page 1. As I said I've never met an ugly person, I'm sure OP is lovely, at 26 she has a world of opportunities with the right attitude and plan, focusing on the negative pushes opportunities away and people. If you want to attract people, you have to be positive, not men, friends etc.
Given OP's update, baking cakes for her colleagues, I bet none of them think she's ugly, they see a big heart and if OP taps into that she'll feel more positive.

Perhaps one way of looking at it is that beauty can be a curse. Pretty women can attract superficial wonaniser men. When you’re not blessed with beauty , then there is perhaps more opportunity to find love with someone who loves you for who you are.

Also beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Smiling is attractive.

We are always most critical of our own looks especially when younger. With age comes acceptance and even gratitude for how we look, imperfections and all.

Focus on health, style, looking the best you can and your beauty within. Beautiful people can appear unattractive when they are unpleasant people.

You are twenty six. Do you have GCSEs, A levels, NVQS ?

Have you ever had a job, if so in what field.

Slight derail but does the Parlux actually make that much of a difference @FantasiaTurquoise? (I also have fine, thin hair)

No, I'm not insane. Obviously the teeth were crooked enough to bother OP. What the NHS seems crooked enough is probably fairly bad.

Anyone else hoping that the OP will post a picture of herself, and just turn out to be beautiful and not know it?!

That's a bit mean. There is some truth to it, but OP came here to vent, she may not be like that all the time. Also, there is nothing worse than feeling ugly, especially in your twenties.