Omg what do I do now?

Is it a big hoop earring? That's unforgivable.

Just reply "Ugh" and delete and block 🤣🤣

...is what I wish I'd do in your shoes. In reality I'd probably go along out of politeness, hate the whole experience and shag him anyway out of pity. That's why it's just as well I've never done OLD!!!

You could say:

"What next? An eye patch? Fuck off you pirate, you ain't getting your hands on my treasure!"

Exactly!
My DH has a stubbly beard if he hasn’t shaved for 2 days 😂

He lied to her and intentionally misled her...

Just tell him OP and stick to the facts. He knew exactly what he was doing when he posted a close up photo just before the date.

Just say "you look different to what i expected in youre latest photo. To be honest, im not into facial hair and earrings. Im sure youre a nice guy. I dont think its a good idea that we meet today, I dont want either of us to waste our time".

Aren't you meant to be meeting him today? Please don't ghost him or cancel at the last minute, that's shitty.

If you're really not feeling it, then message him and say you've decided to take it further with another date so won't be able to meet him and wish him all the best.

Stubble and a hoop earring is just my type. If it’s not yours, either meet him and give him a chance, or make an excuse (I wouldn’t comment on his looks there’s no need to be cruel) and cancel - just say you have met someone else and you want to give that a go so it wouldn’t be fair to meet him, or something. It may be how you have written it here op, but you are coming across as really judgemental and shallow and I do think the poor bloke has dodged a bullet given the way you have spoken about him.

But I thought you said you had standards? Now he's just a bloke that lives the closest

Honestly, imagine if a man said this because a new photo had been uploaded and she looks fat

Grew whiskers?

Is he a bloody cat or my grandpa?

the issue seems to be ear ring beard and you say he looks scruffy on that individual picture

i don’t think anyone has mislead you by growing a bread or wearing an earring
As for being scruffy thats one picture

honestly just cancel the guys dodging a bullet

If you’re fine with misleading people, then you and this guy should get on, OP can pass his number to you.

What do you think we did in the old days of blind dating?

In my much younger days, I remember meeting all sorts of men that I knew I wasn’t compatible with. Either looks, their jobs or even still living at home was enough to make me realise I didn’t want to see them again. Had I have know before hand, like you I wouldn’t have met them.

You're allowed your own opinion.

Don’t give a temporary excuse because he’ll still come back (when your shits have gone, for example). Just be honest and say, you’ve reflected and realise you’re not compatible and therefore don’t want to waste either of your time. Don’t try to justify why you don’t want to see him.

I think he’s had old photos and now uploaded a recent one so you know what he looks like. I’d slowly stop responding, like slowly ghost and then say sorry I’m going to have to bow out, life has got in the way and I’m not in the right place or getting back with an ex, I’d not say I saw your image and don’t fancy you.

"I do feel rotten and still haven’t told him! I hate lying, but I don’t want to upset him."

Although that's kind-hearted, you are setting yourself up to be taken advantage of, or worse, thinking like that when you are online-dating and have only chatted with this guy for a week. You don't want to upset him, yet he faked you out with his leading pics. He's deceitful.

Can someone who doesn't think the OP is being shallow by rejecting this person based on their looks please tell me what they think the definition of shallow is?

It's a couple of hours of your life. Practice for the next date. Don't sweat it - you could miss out, you could be delighted. Got anything else on?

Well, what were you intending to do tomorrow? Have a coffee, chat, walk, have lunch, …………you weren’t considering getting married and committing to this bloke were you??? No you weren’t so why be so shallow and judge him on appearance……you might be surprised when you get to know him. Remember, beards can be shaved, earrings removed……..shallow personalities will remain so.

You're not shallow OP, we like what we like and this guy has turned you off. Make an excuse and break the date. Think nothing more of it.

goodness, is this cat fishing?
he has just decided to grow a beard,
men can do this sort of thing
it doesnt change them

Can’t believe how many ‘be kind-ers’ have piled on to call you shallow for wanting to date someone you find attractive. This guy has deliberately cat-fished you, hoping you too have swallowed the ‘be kind’ nonsense.
Agree with the PP- this is social conditioning in action. Resist!

I'd be more concerned about the un inspiring chat tbh. That's a real turn off. Combined with looks that doesn't fit with your type, just call it off.

just meet him
how can his looks be so off putting?