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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My beautiful friend is causing me horrible jealousy

222 replies

LifeTakeTwo · 28/06/2026 19:58

Can't believe I'm posting this but I really do need advice and alternative perspectives here because this is not healthy.

I have a really close friend. We are both single mums, dating and enjoying life. We've been good friends for years and do a lot together, speak pretty much everyday and go on holidays together.

My friend, let's call her 'Jasmine', is absolutely stunning. I mean, the first thing people say when I mention her name is 'jasmine, is that the really pretty one?' or 'oh is jasmine that girl in your photo? She's so beautiful!'

Jasmine is naturally gorgeous I'll admit, but she's also had a lot of work done. Lip filler, veneers etc. She puts in A LOT of work to maximise her beauty. She is definitely aware of her beauty because that's the first thing people comment on when meeting her (men and women).

As me and Jasmine are both single, we go on nights out and events together a couple of times a month when we don't have our kids. Every place we go too, every man in the room is checking her out, whether partnered or on their own. If we end up speaking to a group of guys, they are all pretty much talking to her and I'm the third wheel or second option once she's chosen which one she's going to give her attention too.

Despite the myth that men like 'natural beauties' and don't like women with 'work done', or only a certain type of man goes for that look, I can attest that this is completely untrue. Jasmine has been asked out by:
A surgeon
Journalist
Police officer
Tradesmen
GP

Pretty much every genre of guy. Intelligent, interesting etc They all seem nice enough and are eager for the chance to date her. And not just for sex, but for an actual relationship. Even after she's had sex with whoever she likes, they are then super eager to form an exclusive relationship.
I remember one week we were both laughing she'd have to buy more vases because she had three different men have flowers sent to her house.

Jasmine has a fun personality as well as looks so she's very much relationship material.

Now the problem is, over recent months when we've spent more times together, it's started to affect my self esteem. I normally have pretty good self esteem. Never had a problem in dating or was conscious about my looks. However I now can't help but compare myself to Jasmine. Comparison is the thief of joy, I know this. However how can you not compare when wherever you go, every man in sight are trampling over eachother for a chance to speak to her and I'm just sat on the sidelines as the 'wing woman'.

I've never once been asked out in her presence unless its by the friends of the man Jasmine has chosen, like a consolation prize of sorts.

I've NEVER had this issue before with any friendships. I've other pretty friends or course, but like most people, some will say pretty, others will say 'nit my cup of tea'. However Jasmine is EVERYONE'S cup of tea.

Unfortunately I feel my jealousy is ruining my friendship. I don't really want to attend events with her anymore because i always come home so deflated after a night of being overlooked and stood like a spare part when guys are hitting in her at the bar or at an activity.
It's not just men but women too. We'll get chatting to a group of other women somewhere and they'll always comment 'well aren't you a beauty!' and the like.

I actually worry that if I was to meet someone, I'd feel a bit anxious about them meeting her because I know they'll definitely be thinking 'damn she's attractive!'.

I really don't want this to affect my friendship with her, but I've found myself looking up veneers and fillers.
I have a lot of female friends, several groups of friends actually, and none have ever made me feel like this.

I was always so confident in my appearance but the more I hang out with her, the more I'm starting to doubt myself.

Does anyone have any advice to give me? Anyone ever been in this situation or similar?

I'd much appreciate any advice out there.

OP posts:
Iwantaircon · 28/06/2026 22:57

LifeTakeTwo · 28/06/2026 22:52

@SonnyHoney I don't want to be too outing but imagine a young Salma Hayek with a touch of Penelope Cruz. Undeniably gorgeous and not your everyday beauty.

I've even had male colleagues ask me at work 'who's your friend?!' when I've posted pictures of us on social media.

She’s an exception. Not many people are that beautiful. There’s no point comparing yourself to her , just enjoy her friendship.

Merryoldgoat · 28/06/2026 23:01

Anyone would feel rubbish in the situation you describe.

The bit I don’t get is the chatting for ages to men she’s not interested in. What’s the point of that?

She’s clearly got something else going on. Most gorgeous people I know are perfectly polite if not interested but don’t spend ages talking to them.

Cuntydumpty · 28/06/2026 23:04

LifeTakeTwo · 28/06/2026 21:29

@MabelAnderson you make a good point about the friendship in general and I have been really reflecting on this aspect.

I've noticed that when these men approach her, I am ditched in a way. I'm not included in the conversation and actually it's the men chatting her up that try and include me to not be so blatantly rude.
As it happens constantly it's become more and more noticeable and I think that rubs salt in the wounds. Fair enough, she can't help me constantly hit on and she is single and looking so should entertain prospects. However it's like I also become invisible to her as well as whoever else it is she's chatting too.

A few mutual female friends have distanced themselves in a big way from her. When I asked them why, they said it was because she'd ditched them on nights out for men and is also very self centered. She is also judgemental in regards to other people so they felt very judged by her so couldn't really relax in her presence as they knew she'd be internally thinking 'what a slob' etc, as she's said this about other people.

She follows a lot of influencers and is obsessed with 'aesthetics'. Her house is immaculate, very much a show home. Her child is immaculately dressed.
It does unfortunately seep into her outlook on other people.

Now in terms of our friendship and her positives. She always makes an effort to see me and plan things. She is very funny and up for a laugh. She's been there for me in tough times. I can talk to her about pretty much anything.

I don't want to throw away the friendship. But when I started looking into getting work done myself, I was like woah! Hold on a minute! I've never considered fillers or the like before. I'm generally pretty attractive and other than the usual hangups people have, I've not been self critical. So it's clearly affecting me more than I thought.

It's why I was thinking of taking a step back. Not so much because of jealousy of her but how it makes me feel about myself if that makes sense?

I was going to say, I used to have a friend like this. Beautiful and nice. Luckily at the time i was married so most of it didn’t bother me when we went out, but good god, it made me see the worst of men. Desperate, rude (to me) pathetic little creatures. I clearly remember one of them standing in front of me, back to me, to try and chat her up. I felt very sorry for her tbh.

But also, by your second or third post you sound like you also actively hate Jasmine so YABU. Stop being a bitch and just move on if you don’t like her anymore

LifeTakeTwo · 28/06/2026 23:04

@Iwantaircon she really is. It's almost like being out in public with celebrity when with her.

I myself am attractive, never had an issue. Lots of my friends are attractive. But this is another level, because she's not 'everyday pretty' if you see what I mean?

A guy I was having a bit of a fling with a few months ago kept asking me about her in a subtle way, if we we're going out in a group setting he'd always drop in casual conversation 'is Jasmine going?'
It stings but I also can't blame him 😂. She is lovely to look at.

OP posts:
OneFineDay22 · 28/06/2026 23:04

Just because there are lots of guys from all different backgrounds or careers who fancy her does not mean all men fancy women with her kind of look (talking about fillers etc). If you were to go and get fillers you would be in direct competition with her for the men that do find that look attractive.

If you remain natural and attract a man who likes natural, then he won’t fancy her more if you introduce her will he?

Tbh, it sounds like she’s not much of a friend if she’s ignoring you as soon as a man shows her any attention.

For what it’s worth, my best friend is absolutely beautiful (and exotic) and I was always ignored by men when I was with her and felt like a third wheel. She didn’t drop me though, so she’s not the same kind of person. I just had to deal with it because it wasn’t her fault if men were tripping over themselves to talk to her.

Anyway, let’s say my DH has a thing for (not my actual appearance but say) very pale skin with very dark hair and blue eyes - like Elizabeth Taylor or something (again, not what I look like, but he has a thing for my physical type which is like the opposite of a Brazilian model). So he fancies me and he doesn’t fancy her. 🤷‍♀️

Men genuinely are individuals. I don’t fancy Tom Hardy, George Clooney, Brad Pitt etc - I’m sure they have queues, but I’m not in them IYKWIM.

ToucheTurtle123 · 28/06/2026 23:05

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Cuntydumpty · 28/06/2026 23:06

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LifeTakeTwo · 28/06/2026 23:07

@Cuntydumpty why?

OP posts:
PeachySmile2 · 28/06/2026 23:08

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She’s really not

PrimeSeason · 28/06/2026 23:09

My first thought is if you could still see Jasmine but to meet her for a lunch, just the two of you. Or a walk. Of a coffee. Or A shopping trip. A trip to the nearest big city to see an exhibition. You get the picture. A daytime friendship date just for the two of you. Something that doesn’t involve getting glammed up, drinking, or being around men.

Littlejellyuk · 28/06/2026 23:10

LifeTakeTwo · 28/06/2026 22:39

To the people asking why Jasmine is still single it's because she has a specific type and person she's looking for and won't settle for anything less (which is great). She has so many options of lovely, good looking men with good jobs who other women would gladly snap up. But unless she feels that chemistry with all the other boxes ticked, she won't commit.

She could have a good looking, financially stable man tomorrow if she wanted. But she's holding out for the one. It's admirable.

But despite it being admirable it also adds to the annoyance. Because on nights out and weekends away she's entertaining and centering these men that she has 0 interest in and will never go on a date with.
I think it'd maybe grate less if I was being sidelined for genuine connections and potential partners. But being ignored by her or having to hang out with a group of men she has no interest in romantically is a kicker and a waste of both out time.

I don't know whether or not too address the whole ignoring me thing with her. I did the time she spent 30 minutes ignoring me and her response was along the lines of 'sorry, I wouldn't mind if you did it. Let's not fall out'. It was brushed off essentially.

I don't want to slate her because she does have some good qualities or I wouldn't entertain her. But I think I've realised the friendship is bringing me more negatives than positives at the moment. Whether that's purely because of me and my jealousy, her and her judgement/dismissive behaviour or a mixture of both.

I've been avoiding her the last couple of days. Last time I saw her, several guys approached her as usual and I was left scrolling on my phone. Then a few days later when I found myself looking up fillers and I had a sudden jolt of 'wtf am I doing?'. So decided to take a step back to reflect on this.

For the record, I have many other friendships but they are all in relationships which is why I spend the most time with her as were in the same situation with regards to our life stage.

I've never once had feelings of jealousy or insecurity with any of my other friends and I once lived in a house of 5 women for 2 years. Many of them very pretty! Still friends with them all and never any issues.

But being ignored by her or having to hang out with a group of men she has no interest in romantically is a kicker and a waste of both out time.

So Jasmine will hang out will men that she has no romantic interest in? It is for an ego boost? 🤔

No OP, you have every right to feel annoyed, as it hurts to be sidelined and ignored, especially when you are making an effort to go out with your pal, then get treated this way, and then it's minimised and brushed off! 🫩
Some attractive people seem to think they are entitled /can get away with anything, as long as they flash a smile. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I knew a lady like this. My pals sister. She was an absolute stunner, had very high standards and wanted the best match for herself (which is great) after she divorced a very wealthy man.
She would go out with pals and chat away to blokes, but time and time again, she would drop her pals like a hot potato on a night out, just for some bloke who chatted to her/showed her attention. 🫩

She was NOT a team player. She was out for herself, and would either just be engrossed with the bloke /ignore her pal, or just leave her pal behind in a nightclub and go off. 🤯

And when her friend's finally saw her for the self absorbed, artificial, selfish lady that she truly was and that she ended up having zero female friendships...
Her answer? Women are all jealous of her. 😬
Not the fact that she would sack her mates off, to get attention and look after her little self with any/every Tom, Dick and Harry who looked at her. Oh no...
It was everyone else's problem, everyone else who was at fault and was envious, because she was so beautiful blah blah blah 🤢

Honestly if it is making you self aware and lowering your self esteem, (I wouldn't like to be ignored by someone who is supposed to be a loyal friend), then I honestly would have a little detox from her and the nights out and see how you feel about the friendship.
Don't feel guilty.
If you wish to remain friends then you could always change the environment?
Swap cocktails for play dates with the kids, and swap nights out for coffee and a natter during the day. 😌

Some pals are friends for a reason, a season or a lifetime. She may just be a pal for now and not forever.

I hope you are okay OP
@LifeTakeTwo 💐

PixieTales · 28/06/2026 23:12

Maybe your spending too much time with her and need a bit of break. It shouldn’t be effecting you this much.

As a side note, there will always be another ‘Jasmine’ someone better looking, funnier, more easy going etc it sounds like you should focus on your own self worth. I mean that with kindness.

PinkPonyCIub · 28/06/2026 23:12

@LifeTakeTwo And yet, she is a single mum, so at one point, a man, the father of her child, did not want to carry on with her, so she can't be that wonderful can she??? Or did she have an affair so the father left her?? Whatever. She must have something that the most significant other couldn't cope with

DixonD · 28/06/2026 23:15

Justhereforthebants · 28/06/2026 20:23

What a kind and reflective post! OP, you only need to read this response 👆🏻

It’s an AI generated response.

LuckyHazelFox · 28/06/2026 23:18

Safarisagoody · 28/06/2026 21:37

Wow this escalated, what an amount of vitriol and hatred you have for her,

I agree. The friend has done nothing wrong, except take pride in her appearance and living standards. @LifeTakeTwo this is all on you and your projecting onto Jasmine. For both your sakes, you need to keep your distance.

Aluna · 28/06/2026 23:18

Edit: I missed the latest post. Doesn’t sound like it’s working for you.

DixonD · 28/06/2026 23:19

HaveCreditWillShop · 28/06/2026 20:47

Did you ChatGPT that?

Very clearly; anyone who has used any AI chat facility can see it a mile off. It’s fine; but OP could have asked ChatGPT or Meta AI herself to get that computer generated response. It’s not the same as having REAL opinions from actual humans.

Letmebeeee · 28/06/2026 23:19

I’ve got a friend like that so I can well believe how people/men react when she is around.
My friend still turns heads in her 50s but when we were in our 20s/30s you would be amazed at the attention she got. Men would literally queue up on a night out to talk to her. Some knew they would have no chance but they would want to tell her how stunning she was.
She was also lovely and funny too and would talk to anyone. There was no Botox and fillers in those days, she was just tall and gorgeous with lovely teeth and stood out a mile.

I was never jealous of her as I could not remotely compete but I remember a friend telling her she wouldn’t go on a night out with her any more as she never pulled when she was with her and I never did either!

I agree that the first answer you got was a good one.

DixonD · 28/06/2026 23:20

NotAWurstToIt · 28/06/2026 20:55

No?

Yes you did 😂

Didimum · 28/06/2026 23:20

LuckyHazelFox · 28/06/2026 23:18

I agree. The friend has done nothing wrong, except take pride in her appearance and living standards. @LifeTakeTwo this is all on you and your projecting onto Jasmine. For both your sakes, you need to keep your distance.

It’s wrong to sideline your friend when you are out together on every occasion in favour of men. Unless they are out on the pull, expressly, every time, then Jasmine can and should simply say that she isn’t interested, turn away, and focus on OP.

EarthSight · 28/06/2026 23:22

Despite the myth that men like 'natural beauties' and don't like women with 'work done', or only a certain type of man goes for that look, I can attest that this is completely untrue.

I agree. Many men say they like natural beauty because they think it makes them sound virtuous, or because there's some kind of male status in being with a woman like that, but reality is different. My impression is that men don't find fake lips or fake boobs that bad or questionable because if they did, you wouldn't see glamour models or porn stars looking like that as it would hurt their business. Also, many men say 'natural' when what they mean is they prefer sophisticated or nice looking make-up that they can't easily detect, not an actual bare face.

I feel for you OP. Whilst I wouldn't want to be in the position whereby every friend I have eventually doesn't want to spend time with me because of it, I wouldn't feel great being at a constant disadvantage either. Your friendship is quite asymmetrical and you're not able to do something you'd really like to enjoy with her, which is go out at singles and have a good time.

PfizerFan · 28/06/2026 23:23

PinkPonyCIub · 28/06/2026 23:12

@LifeTakeTwo And yet, she is a single mum, so at one point, a man, the father of her child, did not want to carry on with her, so she can't be that wonderful can she??? Or did she have an affair so the father left her?? Whatever. She must have something that the most significant other couldn't cope with

Or maybe she left him?

EarthSight · 28/06/2026 23:23

DixonD · 28/06/2026 23:19

Very clearly; anyone who has used any AI chat facility can see it a mile off. It’s fine; but OP could have asked ChatGPT or Meta AI herself to get that computer generated response. It’s not the same as having REAL opinions from actual humans.

It did come across like this.

LuckyHazelFox · 28/06/2026 23:27

Sorry, but some of these accounts of men queuing up to talk to one woman are widely exaggerated! Like I said before, it all sounds like a Jackie Collins novel. I'm surprised Jasmine hasn't been given the name Octavia 😂

Lifeomars · 28/06/2026 23:33

While never being of the same standard as Jasmine, I was the looker in my group of friends, always had lots of male attention, was generally referred to as "the beautiful Lifeomars". I can remember finding out that a couple of girls while pretending to like me actively resented the attention I got and did not like going out if I was part of the group, Time did its thing and do you know who I envy? my friends who managd to sustain lasting marriages/relationships because I never did. Looks don't last