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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask when you became ok with being unattractive?

52 replies

Mysteriocheerios · 30/10/2019 23:44

I'm 31. I'm not hideous, not beautiful, not 'hot', but not plain. I feel like I spend a lot of my time being ok with it but every now and again I feel down about my looks. Today we went out for the day and someone took some photos. It just makes me sad, that I look like that. I'm overweight, I never have any time or money to spend on my appearance. Honestly I don't worry about it 80% of the time but just sometimes it upsets me.
My friends are nearly all very attractive and sometimes it gets depressing to read all the 'looking hot' comments and mine are just 'you're so funny' or 'you're always so happy.' One particularly beautiful friend commented the other day that 'it must be so great to just not care so much, to not have any anxiety about the way you look.' Except I do. I really do.
When do you become secure with not being a looker? I just want Kathy Burke confidence.

OP posts:
Lilyflower1 · 31/10/2019 05:06

It is clear, not it clear, sorry.

AntCrawley · 31/10/2019 05:07

@Sashkin shes not unattractive...
Nobody is universally attractive to everyone.

ukgift2016 · 31/10/2019 06:00

I am an average looking woman. Have been my whole life. The good news is I rarely been harassed in the street by men etc. I largely get left alone and ignored.

I am ok with my looks most of the time but sometimes it does hit me. As I get older, it gets easier in a way (I'm 30)

It can be heartbreaking at times though, especially when single as I always thought "if only I was that bit more prettier"

My DD (7) is a pretty girl. She is a confident child and was never the shy, timid girl I was. I am thankful she did not inherit my bad looks.

Bluesheep8 · 31/10/2019 06:18

sashkin the girls in your link are head turning and striking because of their colouring. Attractive is such a subjective word, meaning that "conventionally attractive or conventionally beautiful" are total oximorons as a result. I am proud of the fact that my colouring is unusual. Not in the same way as your pics, think pale skin, black hair, light eyes (from the same part of the world as the pics). One of the nicest compliments I've ever received was when i compared myself unfavourably to someone very pretty and someone else saying " well x is very pretty, there's a lot if it about but you'd never lose bluesheep in a crowd"

skiddley · 31/10/2019 06:19

I've always been plain, verging on a bit ugly. Have had some horrible comments in my teens and as a result I have zero confidence and try to be as invisible as possible. However last year I felt great! I made the best of things, I have decent skin can add a touch of make up and was happy with how i looked for the first time ever and looked younger than my actual age. Then the fekkin menopause- I'm getting spots, eccess hair, bags under my eyes, hair has gone wild, and getting a spare tyre - I have never felt so ugly. I cant remember if this is how I felt in my teens ibut I know that right now, I struggle every day with getting out the door to go to work, I hate .eeting new clients, and my temper is starting to show when yet another new person meets me and looks me up and down. The new member of staff did it on her first day, my sigh was was very audible. I know I'm a frumpy- just dont show your contempt so obviously. Grrrrrrrr

AJPTaylor · 31/10/2019 06:30

I have never been beautiful, pretty or striking. I look more like my Dad than my mum. I avoided looking in mirrors my whole life.
However, recently I decided that I needed to pull myself together and make the most of what I have.
I dye my hair and pay to have the eyebrows and face waxed. I spent some money on bare minerals make up. I have bought better clothes.
I also actively look when out and about for women that look more like me. There are lots out there. I see what they wear and what works for them. This is very true of clothing. I have found some really good things by looking at other women. What does not work is walking around comparing myself to 5 '10" super models.

madcatladyforever · 31/10/2019 06:37

I was beautiful as a young woman, slim, all waist length long hair and long legs but all I got was mauling and no respect from men, and hatred and jealousy from women. Promotion was a joke, all my males bosses did was look at my DD's.
Now I'm fat and 57 and no looker that's for sure and couldn't be happier.
I don't have any big mirrors in my house but now I have friends who aren't always suspicious that I'm going to steal their husbands and lots of male friends who actually respect me. I finally have a nice big group of friends and a good social life
Looks can be a real curse.
You can make the most of your looks with make up and clothes but being a looker can be a really miserable existence.
Even my own mother was always trying to compete with me. It was really tedious.
On e of my male friends from 40 years ago told me I'd "let myself go". I laughed out loud, he was fat and bald.

Oblomov19 · 31/10/2019 06:47

I accepted it years ago. How can you do anything other than accept it? You can't change it. I'm small and non descript looking. Non- memorable. That's ok. I don't really care.

I take care, I look presentable. I know I'm not pretty or attractive, but I scrub up well. I can put on a dress and go out to dinner and feel good.

What exactly is the problem here? When you think about it, there isn't one. Or maybe you are looking at it wrong? You probably do have plenty of time to do the little things, like go for regular haircuts, file your nails, apply a tinted moisturiser. But you actually choose not to do those things. Choosing to spend your time presumably doing other things. So you do have a choice. At least admit it?

I make minimal effort, but I do go for regular hair cuts, occasional low lights and highlights. If I remember I have my eyelashes and eyebrows dyed twice or three times a year?

Every morning I shower, wash my hair ( because it's incredibly greasy) blow dry it.

My make up takes about 30-40 seconds? You could do that. But you choose not to.

Even on a night out I can do my make up in about 2-3 minutes! A swipe of eyeshadow and a lipstick can be done in a few seconds. Come on!

I think it's just your view. And your priorities.

Quirrelsotherface · 31/10/2019 07:02

Looks are a curse. I was v pretty in my late teens and twenties - an ugly duckling who blossomed. People judged me before they had even spoken to me, unwanted attention from men, pure jealousy from women. It was a horrific time and I was desperately unhappy for years.
Now older, becoming invisible, soft round the edges and permanently tired, I have a wonderful family and the best network of friends I've ever had. I am genuinely the happiest and most content I have ever been in my life. Be grateful for what you have, OP and find peace and contentment in other aspects of your life Flowers

Thedevilofsmallthings · 31/10/2019 07:34

In my 50s and have not come to turns with being unattractive. I'm like one of the people in the 'Who are you calling fat program?'. The woman who said she would never find fat attractive.

I was brought up to believe that the outside didn't matter but the inside did. All very sensible except the outside does seem to matter more than my family realised.

Perhaps if I had gained confidence in other areas of my life such as a career and friendships I would be less bothered about my looks but I haven't got that either.

As a counter to Quirrels and I know this has been discussed at length on other threads: people judged me before they got to know me, I got unpleasant attention from boys and men and although girls and women have never been jealous of me they haven't ever made a bee-line to hang out with me either.

Being unattractive is yet another stick to beat myself up with.

Blobby10 · 31/10/2019 08:06

Who defines 'attractive' or 'unattractive'? Bella Hadid is supposed to be one of the most beautiful women in the world but I don't think she is at all. Similarly Jerry Hall and Joanna Lumley - I don't see it. However Emma Watson I think is really pretty but my daughter doesn't. Beauty and attractiveness is truly in the eyes of the beholder.

I've never thought of myself as particularly attractive but my boyfriend, my parents and my children think I'm beautiful so who am I to argue with those I love the most? Surely that's what matters.

Mysteriocheerios · 31/10/2019 08:12

Thanks everyone. The friend who said that to me is very anxious and insecure, despite being very attractive and having botox and lip fillers. She's very close to having a deposit saved for her dream house but messaged me asking if she thinks I should take £3,000 out of it to have braces as her teeth are wonky (they aren't.) I said that I didn't think she should as having her own house is the best feeling, and nothing would compare to walking through that door and knowing that you own it. She said that I didn't understand that her wonky teeth are all she can think about and she won't be able to rest until she at least has a consultation.
I suppose I feel down when I see pictures but I know that these things aren't accidental. Being hot is a lot of work. My friends that drink slimfast for lunch everyday whilst I tuck into my leftover curry, my friend who spends every Sunday evening bathing, scrubbing and reapplying her fake tan, my friends that love real ale but will never drink it because calories. As pp said I do have a choice and I decide to enjoy life and think sod it. If I was going up in clothes sizes I might feel different but I've been a 16 since I was 16 so through physical jobs, sedentary jobs, two pregnancies and breastfeeding. It does feel like it's the way I should be, even if I don't love my chins.

OP posts:
LoyaltyBonus · 31/10/2019 08:19

I'm nothing special to look at, never have been and haven't ever really made much effort to change that. I thank my father for that, it was never a priority, there were/are always so many more important things. Appearance was never something given any credit and certainly not something to waste time and money on, when I could be inproving my mind and/or contributing to society.

That said, I don't think I'm unattractive. Obviously people vary in their view of me but I think I have other qualities that make me attractive and make others want to spend time with me.

CAG12 · 31/10/2019 08:20

I guess I became ok with it when I started being happy within myself. Honestly, after that epiphany I couldnt care less what others think

CherryPavlova · 31/10/2019 08:31

attractiveness is not only about appearance though. I know plenty of imperfect looking people who are charismatic and very attractive. Conversely there are technically good looking people who are seriously unattractive. Dress and presentation come into it too.
There’s also the matter of taste. I find a highly made up and added to look very unattractive (false eyelashes, artificial tan, large hoop earrings, white puffer jackets, stilettos during the day, puffed up lips etc). Similarly with men, tattoos, shaved or partly shaved hairstyles, vests as clothing, low slung scruffy jeans are for me a huge turn off.

I’m sure you’re not ugly. Attractiveness you can do something about. It’s confidence, knowing what suits (try a colour assessment), being well presented with a huge, quick smile, a genuine warmth, well looked after teeth and hair.

ThatMuppetShow · 31/10/2019 08:42

Never, I would never be ok with it.

I have always known I would never be Miss World or these perfect features women who are just stunning, but would always be just about ok. I am fine with it.
However I can still make the most of what I have: I spend as much as I want on my hair, on decent clothes, I exercise a lot - because I love it - and I am as happy as can be about my body. Again, you will never see me in a magazine, but I am not embarrassed by photos of me in a bikini!

That's all i need. If you feel unhappy with something, I honestly believe you can just change it. You cannot complain about something and not do anything with it.

I think it's important to have a brain, an education, a career, but it doesn't mean it's wrong to bother about your appearance. You can have both!

priceofprogress · 31/10/2019 09:16

I wouldn’t just accept I wasn’t happy with my looks, no. Life is too short, and it’s too simple to make positive changes to feel better about yourself and how you look. I’m not objectively beautiful fresh from the shower, but with a bit of effort I really like the way I look and it’s a great feeling to move through the world knowing I look at my own best, it gives me confidence in how I interact with people.

If you’re genuinely unhappy with how you look, do something to improve it! You mentioned being overweight for example, getting to a healthy weight is one of the main things that can elevate someone from plain or unattractive to attractive, it signifies good health, that you care about yourself and your body, that you are treating yourself well (so you’re worth being taken care of) etc. Clothes fit and hang better, more options for stylish nice clothes available in the shops, you can dress according to what you like rather than just what physical attributes you’re trying to hide or flatter.

Anyone can lose weight barring a serious diagnosed medical condition, and it doesn’t have to cost any more than you already spend on food. If anything I found it was a hell of a lot cheaper losing weight than not as by default I cut out all the spending on junk and takeaways and ate a smaller volume. You don’t have to exercise to lose weight either, just eat at a calorie deficit. My fitness pal is excellent and free. I lost 24lb using it and kept it off.

Being hot is a lot of work. My friends that drink slimfast for lunch everyday whilst I tuck into my leftover curry, my friend who spends every Sunday evening bathing, scrubbing and reapplying her fake tan, my friends that love real ale but will never drink it because calories.

You’re making it sound like doing things to look more attractive are super onerous and unrealistic and out of reach as a way of justifying to yourself doing nothing about how you look (and I’m not saying there’s anything objectively wrong with how you or anyone looks, but you’re clearly unhappy). Not everyone who maintains a healthy weight lives on slimfast 😂 it just takes eating normal sized portions of food, not eating junk and takeouts as a matter of course regularly, people at a healthy weight have treats and alcohol and cake too just don’t go overboard and eat way too much over the course of a week. You don’t have to spend an evening per week in the bath either. I don’t know many people who bother with fake tan.

Get a nice haircut at a local hairdressing college, much cheaper, I spend about £30 every two months on mine. Figure out what makeup suits you if you’re so inclined and look up some YouTube tutorials on attaining a natural look that highlights your features using budget brands (there are some lovely makeup brands very cheap these days). Invest in a cheap skincare routine and stick with it, nothing fancy, Superdrug’s vitamin R range is great and cheap as chips, just use a cleanser each night and moisturiser overnight. Lose the weight and buy a nice piece of clothing each month if you can afford it or charity shops and start figuring out what suits your new figure. Tiny touches like jewellery (yep, cheap jewellery from Primark and Claire’s looks just as put together as anything more expensive) and perfume (again, cheap is great).

If you genuinely don’t feel attractive there’s no reason to just accept it unless that’s what you actively want. I see women every day who probably aren’t objectively stunning if they were fresh out of bed (barely anyone is) but who come across as attractive because they’ve put a bit of effort into their appearance, even if it’s just nice clean straight hair and a bright lipstick. And don’t feel you have to wait until you’ve lost weight to start improving your appearance, make small changes now while you’re shifting the weight and as your confidence improves it’ll spur you on to continue.

Or you can just carry on as you are, up to you. But it’s sad to see a defeatist attitude of ‘how do I accept I’m unattractive’, don’t write yourself off so fast.

skiddley · 31/10/2019 10:47

I'm with a PP whi doesn't like the current trend on make up and looks for young girls. They look far too made up. I'm glad I'm too old to be worrying about this new look because it would have done me no favors whatsoever. My silicone is beautiful in a very understated way - no make up and has a very classy look. She has great skin, bone structure and hair. Her beauty shines and she doesn't need to enhance with make up.

LellyMcKelly · 31/10/2019 10:53

@Sashkin that girl is really beautiful. You’re very lucky - don’t be so hard on yourself.

OunceOfFlounce · 31/10/2019 13:05

If the friends you think of as attractive are admitting to the same kind of anxiety about their looks then doesn't that tell you everything?

VisibleShantiLine · 31/10/2019 14:04

It's sad to read the stories of so many women who consider themselves unattractive/plain/ugly in this thread. I don't understand how anyone can consider themselves or others "plain" or "ugly" and could never describe anyone in those terms. "Unattractive" - yes because some people are fecking arseholes so you don't want to be anywhere near them. So they don't attract you. So attractiveness is everything about you - the whole package, not just your appearance.

The friend who said that to me is very anxious and insecure, despite being very attractive and having botox and lip fillers.

Nothing against people who have botox and fillers but I don't find them attractive. At all. I find wonky teeth far more attractive than perfect teeth. And asymmetry, big noses, natural quirks mesmerising. It would be great if people embraced their bits. Like a PP I hated my scars and gap-teeth when I was an early teen so hid them away. As an adult there are plenty more things I know don't fit the societal ideal - small boobs, cellulite, weird pigmentation etc - but I wouldn't even rate appearance in my top 10 list of self-improvement goals. I've got far bigger fish to fry.

I suspect you're very attractive, OP. At least you come across as such. Obviously people like you because you have friends who trust you enough to confide in you about their insecurities. This is no small thing. Though maybe it might be time to branch out a bit and seek other friends whose self-esteem is less wrapped up in their looks and have other things to talk about.

PookieDo · 31/10/2019 14:06

I just don’t care as much anymore. It happened when I was about 35 or so, gradually. It also doesn’t bother me much

PookieDo · 31/10/2019 14:09

I saw a woman in a shop yesterday it was about 9am and she had clearly had a lot of surgical procedures done, false eyelashes and a lot of make up with very very large filled lips that looked a bit odd. I did look at her and wonder if she thought it was too far, would she keep going, or whether it had made her happy. I have face pigmentation so I do wear make up but I think I am realistic as this is what I look like and I’m not inclined to start messing with it too much

EmeraldShamrock · 31/10/2019 14:15

I think you and others on the thread whi feel like this have to work from the inside.
It is your confidence that needs work on, it is deep routed in your mind.
I've never saw an ugly person every body has something unique.

Carabello · 31/10/2019 14:15

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