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

I'm going to add another perspective: your parents' refusal to invest in your teeth was neglect, and it is hard to love oneself if you have been neglected. They had no reason not to pay for your braces (if they couldn't afford that they had no business having a child, but it sounds as if they didn't want to pay regardless of expense)
I'm not saying that there is nothing that you could do to change your appearance, but the fact that you can't recognise your (amazing!) weight loss suggests that your self image is very skewed, and I don't blame you for that.

I really think this sounds like a low self esteem problem. Most people at the gym are focused on what they’re doing and don’t notice/laugh at others. Are you sure it is directed at you and not just they’re laughing/smiling at something else and you’re perceiving it to be a negative about you?

Also if men are matching with you and talking to you then they must find you at least somewhat attractive. Maybe you are suggesting meeting up too soon? If you are desperate to find a partner then that might be coming across in your messages and putting people off.

I would suggest just focusing on other things- spend time with loved ones, go to social events, take up some hobbies, join some groups. I know it’s hard to stop fixating on a perceived flaw, but it’s not going to benefit you to keep thinking about it.

I think you don't just underestimate yourself but you also highly overestimate everybody else. You have just described most people. Most people (me included) aren't really special. Not overly intelligent, not particularly skilled at anything and also not really useful to anyone. It's ok. You have worth not because you are amazing but because you are alive. You might want to look at upskilling or doing something useful in your community but that is so that you find your life more rich and fulfilling. It wouldnt increase your worth.

You sound very depressed. Id speak to your gp and probably try a course of anti depressants. You could try talk therapy but I've got the feeling that at the moment it might be better to do something to get you to stop thinking about and analysing yourself.

Ok so that’s the hair sorted - extensions
weight sorted- losing it and becoming more healthy
you’re ok girl. Keep going

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way. Does your job have an employee assistance programme? If so maybe you would benefit from some counselling?

Re the hair - mine is a nightmare. Have it cut to a chin length bob so it bounces up and is quick to style and invest in some proper tools to give it some volume. I use a parlux hairdryer (you won't believe the difference a proper hairdryer makes), babyliss hot air brush when I want some proper bounce, and GHD straighteners for the front, and use zhoosh foam. I have to style it every day but only takes 10 mins.

This. I'm betting it's your negativity and zero self esteem or confidence that's putting potential partners off rather than thin hair.

Listen hun u need to see someone to help u realise that even if u are the most ugliest, worst haired worst nosed worst crooked teethed fattest band 2 house renter in the world SO WHAT!!!!!?! U are worthy and u DESERVE to be here ugly or not (and no one is EVER EVER as ugly as they imagine they are no matter what ur brain tells u) and yeah so what!!!! U don’t live to please other people, if ur hair is that bad and u don’t want to be here due to it shave the lot off and be free from it!! Its hair!!! Lots of people would love to have hair, any hair!! The problem is not
ur hair. Hun ur gonna find probs with every inch of u until you get sorted! U have zero self esteem and that can only come from within. From yourself. Fuck your hair and ur crooked teeth too. You really need to get some professional help to see how you are focusing on all the wrong things. Beauty comes from within. It’s really true. I have crooked teeth, thinning hair, putting on weight again, hate my tits, hate my belly overhang. But fuck that wrecking the best days of my life. Honestly. Please Google the shit out of self
esteem. And speak to gp’s, online groups, friends, anyone to get the ball rolling to get u thinking that u are beautiful and u owe no-one anything to be otherwise!!

I have to agree with above. If you don’t see the weight loss then maybe you have dismorphia?

i think you’ve done loads at your age. Trained for one career didn’t like it and started over? And you’re 26? I had to keep checking that I read that right. That’s impressive.

the hair- I don’t think matters. I know you don’t like it but when you feel better about yourself you can try a new colour and style.

teeth - if they genuinely are affecting your self esteem you need to save up and get them fixed. You’re a young girl still.

nose- i do like big noses! It’s a feature and gives character so I wouldn’t worry as much there.

it’s absolutely confidence that gives you charisma. I’m old now but I can tell you I still show photos to my children of two men I used to work with many years ago. They were so incredibly attractive to a lot of women- truly charismatic and constantly pursued. Objectively these men were not obviously physically attractive. At all. I show their pictures to people to make this point- these men were gorgeous. Breaking hearts everywhere. This was all down to their characters. Beautiful people. Confident kind and great fun. Attentive too. I wish I could have some of that riz

well done on your achievement of losing weight and changing career to prioritise your mental health. You’re so young. Lots of better days are coming.

You sound like me. I’m ugly, fat and have a crap job. No point dieting as I’d still be ugly, and at least If I’m fat I can eat which is what brings me a little happiness. No man wanted me as I was to fat and ugly. I then started online dating at 40 and against all odds met a man. We moved in together and had an amazing life for 14 years, until he died unexpectedly of cancer. I’m now alone again. Life is shite. Life is unfair. Some people have everything and some people like me have nothing. I feel for you OP. But you’re only 26. Try and change your life while you still can. Don’t be a bitter old hag like me.

Congratulations on that amazing weight loss,

although sadly one side effect of rapid weight loss, can be hair loss and maybe it’s contributing
to it’s current condition.

to all the people saying “ a man won’t fix this”
it’s not a failure of self esteem to want a life partner.it’s perfectly normal.

No-one at the gym is laughing at you OP.

Tomorrow morning please call a therapist.

Well ok let’s say you are objectively ugly with a dull job. You would therefore be a great match for someone who also thinks they are ugly and hasn’t ended up as ruler of the free world, that once they thought they might.

Theres over 8 BILLION people. Different colours, shapes and sizes.
Get perspective and enjoy life, as it’s only one you’re getting. Thin hair isn’t even a problem if you think about it properly.

OP, you sound depressed. I’m sure you’re not ugly we just live in a society where if you don’t have lips pumped with filler, fake eye lashes and a snatched waist you’re considered “ugly”. Well no. God made us perfectly in hi imagine. I’m sorry the WORLD makes you feel awful but guess what? That voice you hear inside your head those feelings you get inside you is who you are. That’s your soul. Your body is a shell. Don’t let this world get you down.

I have fine hair. I use wax to give it a bit of body and texture. I don’t aim for ‘groomed’ or ‘styled’. Windswept is nearer my look! I ruffle at the roots with the wax, and run my fingers through the ends to break up the flatness.

Plenty of ugly men around - you have to cut according to cloth.

Working for the nhs gives you lots of progression opportunities? Are you nursing? Would you consider the HCA apprenticeship for band 3 or even training?

You really sound down on yourself. Are you part of the local gym? NHS perks mean very cheap memberships, I pay £24 a month for my local gym. I’ve met lots of people and it does wonders for your mental health.

It's notable that you've focussed on that you can't curl your hair rather than the screamingly obvious staring-you-in-the-face deep seated self-esteem issues.

I've been where you are. "I'm so unlovable, awful, I'll never find anyone, I'll be alone for ever" etc.

I know that script. Inside out I know it. And that is why I know there's nothing seriously wrong with you apart from your head. I cannot emphasise this enough: please see a therapist.

I have yet to meet an ugly person. We just love to kick our self esteem around and be extremely harsh, how often do you see an ugly person? Not their actions, their looks? Honestly give yourself a break.
Braces are cool and common in your 30's, save £5 a week, I'm mid 40's and only fixing mine.
16/18 isn't huge or anything like that. You have lost a lot of weight already.
Feeling good genuinely comes from the inside, do something that you enjoy.

OP please know that the universe hears what you put out, the words you speak, and it makes them come true. You are speaking so negatively about your life and yourself and your future. This WILL be what you manifest unless you change the way you speak about yourself. I worked with a guy who had a good job, a nice house and a beautiful wife but all he did was speak negatively about her and his job — zero positivity came out of his mouth. He got what he manifested. He lost his wife, the house, got let go from his job and is now living in a van. There is power in words. Affirm yourself. Speak kindly to yourself. See the beauty that you have within you.

I agree that it sounds like you have very low self-esteem; you sound very down about your career and even your hobby. Why on earth do you think baking is not a valid pastime? I think it's a highly prized skill!
You say your career is shit but do you actually like what you do now?
On the looks front, I do think looking better gives self-esteem a big boost. Which thing bothers you the most? I wonder if there would be a way to address at least one issue.

Are there other things you do like about yourself / your life? That is not meant to be a provocative question but it sounds as though you have a low mood clouding your whole perception of yourself.

This is heartbreaking!!! You are so young with your whole life ahead of you. And how you live and what you put in will be what shapes your ultimate contentment - not your hair, or a relationship with some bloke. Save money for your teeth if that could really help but I would suggest the greater effort should go on working on how you feel about yourself and learning to love yourself.