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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does watching Love Island make anyone else just feel old and ugly?

33 replies

JKDcot · 02/02/2023 23:13

I get the whole premise of the show is to show hot people. And I enjoy the drama of it and get it is what it is.

But my gosh the girls are all so beautiful. I just can’t get over how lovely their teeth, hair and figures are. Does it make anyone else just feel bad about themselves ? Even being a millionaire to spend endless money on treatments I would never be that lucky to look so beautiful and be so confident. Anyone else??

OP posts:
Orangepolentacake · 02/02/2023 23:14

I’ve been watching Bling Empire and I feel so poor.
suppose I know where you’re coming from

AllOfThemWitches · 02/02/2023 23:16

No, they will age too and I could not be arsed with all the maintenance.

Walterwhiteswifey · 02/02/2023 23:17

At the risk of irking mumsnet...Um no? Do you feel this way watching films with beautiful actors in it? Just be happy in your own skin.

AllOfThemWitches · 02/02/2023 23:17

Also, they are conventionally pretty but all very 'samey.'

LadyWithLapdog · 02/02/2023 23:19

I haven’t watched this series. But I don’t envy the maintenance time and effort. I don’t need to do my lips every X weeks, my eyebrows, etc etc. I think it’s stifling to always be looking over your shoulder for the younger, plumper, slimmer, whatever replacement. Then they’re also the OFF button. I use that.

Boomboom22 · 02/02/2023 23:20

But they don't look good they look fake and ridiculous, it's not attractive. I'd be more concerned about their mh and how they will feel about the show when they grow up a bit!

JustAGirlInACountrySong · 02/02/2023 23:21

Well I looked like that at their age.... but kids, life,ageing...I no longer do

It's fine, I'm happy to have once been that way.

QueenOfHiraeth · 02/02/2023 23:22

I'm 63, life makes me feel old and ugly! Grin

SpinningFloppa · 02/02/2023 23:23

Not really lots of them have work done to look that way I’ve heard of some of them having £££ love island “make over” before applying if you look at before pics of some of the old islanders you can see how much work they’ve had done

Original poster
JKDcot · 02/02/2023 23:26

I agree it does seem a bit bonkers to spend so much time on your looks … and they do fade! It’s just being 40+ and a mum, I thought I’d care less about how I look and how it makes me feel and I still do. I want to feel pretty and confident in a crowd?! Maybe it’s time for a new hair cut or some pampering. Been too busy working and being a mum

OP posts:
CitronVert22 · 02/02/2023 23:38

I turned it on a couple of seasons ago and just found it so depressing, the way that while they might be diverse in term of skin colour, they all had the same body. It was just a certain look. And while shows like that have always tended to feature the young, slim and pretty, this was different. I would like a slimmer body but I didn't really relate the show to my world because it's just such a fake environment. I really don't like how these women are becoming a commodity. And yes, it does filter through into the rest of society, hence you feeling how you feel.

Mossstitch · 02/02/2023 23:39

Just makes me think how uncomfortable those barely there bikini bottoms look..........😂

unsync · 02/02/2023 23:41

No, they are all so fake. It's not real is it. It's fantasy telly for entertainment.

Youpillock · 02/02/2023 23:41

No, it makes me thank christ im not young and living in a vacuous bubble.

NowDoYouBelieveMe · 02/02/2023 23:41

According to past participants, Love Island even makes the beautiful contestants feel ugly and not good enough! So you're not alone.

I've never seen it and all the unhappiness that seems to follow it around puts me right off ever watching it.

NowDoYouBelieveMe · 02/02/2023 23:43

SpinningFloppa · 02/02/2023 23:23

Not really lots of them have work done to look that way I’ve heard of some of them having £££ love island “make over” before applying if you look at before pics of some of the old islanders you can see how much work they’ve had done

Yeah and apparently afterwards they are bombarded by cosmetic surgeons offering to give them free procedures. It's pretty sick.

2023a · 02/02/2023 23:43

JKDcot · 02/02/2023 23:26

I agree it does seem a bit bonkers to spend so much time on your looks … and they do fade! It’s just being 40+ and a mum, I thought I’d care less about how I look and how it makes me feel and I still do. I want to feel pretty and confident in a crowd?! Maybe it’s time for a new hair cut or some pampering. Been too busy working and being a mum

What are you doing to feel pretty and confident, though? Do you work out, eat properly, take care of yourself? It’s not about pampering, it’s about maintenance and putting in the work. You obviously aren’t required to do said work, but that’s what’s required.

GallantGus · 02/02/2023 23:44

I don’t even think they look good anyway. They all look like they’ve had too much work done and look so fake and samey. It’s not a look I aspire to or am attracted to.

AnonWeeMouse · 02/02/2023 23:45

No. It makes me grateful I'm.capable of critical and logical thought.

Oysterbabe · 02/02/2023 23:46

Nah I don't give a shit. I fucking hate the look of Turkey teeth too.

fUNNYfACE36 · 02/02/2023 23:47

No, it makes me feel intelligent and deep

NowDoYouBelieveMe · 02/02/2023 23:50

2023a · 02/02/2023 23:43

What are you doing to feel pretty and confident, though? Do you work out, eat properly, take care of yourself? It’s not about pampering, it’s about maintenance and putting in the work. You obviously aren’t required to do said work, but that’s what’s required.

Show quote history

Do you really think the Love Island contestants look the way they do because they "work out and eat properly and take care of themselves"?? You say "that's whats required"...

Love Island is creating a whole load of beauty standards that are only reachable through surgery and other procedures. Most contestants have some before going on there, and plenty after.

I think learning to love who you are and not what you look like is the key to feeling better about yourself. But that's not very profitable in today's world.

(Not sure who said it first but -) "In a world that profits from your insecurity, loving yourself is a revolutionary act".

Original poster
JKDcot · 02/02/2023 23:52

Turkey teeth! I like that!!

@2023a 100% agree it’s about work and focus on things to make you feel stronger and happier.

actually I am pretty proud I’ve started the year with a fix it attitude. Signed up for 10 weeks of personal trainer, a weekly Pilates class and I’ve booked in to see a dentist to start to try and fix some teeth issues that have made me feel very self conscious.

all stuff I said I’d do years ago but didn’t bother.

OP posts:
OpalexBlonde · 02/02/2023 23:53

No, I know I was that lovely when I was their age (didn’t really appreciate it at the time though) but now I’m not as I’m older, don’t watch my weight carefully or exercise as much as I could, and can’t be bothered to even wear make up most of the time, maybe my DH is responsible for some of that confidence though as I know he genuinely fancies me, regardless of how perfect or imperfect I look on any given day.

I‘ve accepted my appearance happily in my 40’s ( late 30’s was hard though as I was visibly “losing it” in front of my eyes 😂)

I do agree with the idea of getting your hair done though OP. A good cut/colour could go a long way to making you feel nicer on a daily basis.

JackieDaws · 02/02/2023 23:56

As the saying goes, "you're not ugly, you're just poor".