I've just seen a photo of myself and I look dreadful

[StopMeLookingShit]

My hair looks really yellow, my teeth look horrendous and I just look really bloody boring. I also have terrible skin.

I've had issues with myself ever since I was a teen when I overheard someone say 'she'd be hot if she had a bag over her head'. I don't mind my body so much, I just really hate myself from the neck up.

I used to shy away from photos but I started to regret having no photos of myself to look back on, and now I bloody regret letting anyone near me with a camera.

What are your tips for making yourself feel better? I am in the process of looking into braces for my teeth, which I hope will make a big difference.

I think lightening my hair would also help, but I follow the Curly Girl method now and I can't work out whether bleaching it will damage the curls.

I'm only bloody 28, I really don't want to be feeling this rubbish about myself when I should be feeling my best.

I'd post the picture, but I don't have a thick enough skin to deal with the negative comments.

To be honest OP, I don't think anyone feels completely confident in themselves ever. I have never been a looker, but I get a lot of pleasure out of being with people, so look pretty plain in a picture, but am animated and vivacious (apparently) in real life, which is kind of what Wh1sles said. I think you look lovely, and you sound lovely too which is much more important. Go and enjoy your youth now please, as my grandad used to say "we're a long time dead"!

And if you are insistent on touching that beautiful hair...go to a salon that will mix the colour with Olaplex (google it if you don’t know it already) as it’ll keep your hair in good condition

I am notoriously really blunt and honest and I have to say you are very pretty. The only thing that you could do to improve is get braces, and you said you're doing that anyway. You look great and I think your hair colour is lovely.

You have the same colouring as me. Under certain lights it can look a bit yellow. Purple shampoo or some chunky high lights.

You look pretty good. Don't forget a high SPF if you are outdoors loads, on neck and chest as well. In 20 years you will kick yourself for missing how fab you are.

You look lovely in both pictures, I love the straight light blonde look

I most definitely need quite extensive dentistry. It's rather a long story about why, but I'm trying to save up for it now.

Do you live anywhere near a Dental School attached to a University or a teaching Hospital OP?

Sometimes they will do free cosmetic work (but you may need a referral from your doctor to say that your dentition is affecting your physical or mental health.

My son is currently undergoing extensive dental treatment following an accident. Treatment that would have cost about £4K isn't costing him anything. And because it's at a Dental School the standard o treatment is phenomenally good! It might be worth making enquiries

My natural hair colour is a dark ashy sort of blonde that gets lots of highlights in the summer. This yellowy colour is from a box dye I shoved on about this time last year! We live and learn. I did used to use purple shampoo a lot, but I haven't found a sulphate free one yet.

I've just seen your photos - you are lovely!

I can only think that school bullying or similar has affected your self-perception, because you are honestly and truly very attractive indeed!

Schaden I did look into similar a little while back, but sadly I didn't get very far trying to find a dental hospital near me.

I think you're beautiful OP, and you have a lovely smile

Op you have a LOT going for you....id suggest changing specs to a more angular frame maybe, or rimless ones?
Yours may well look better on more olive skin tones...

Your features are delicate and deserve showing off x

Thanks to the pp who posted the video, that was very interesting to see.

You are really quite lovely! Seriously. But I know what it's like when you feel that way about yourself.

I can't see your teeth but I had crooked teeth (was bullied about them at school)
Had an Inman aligner at 28z best thing I ever did.
Paid for it in instalments
I actually would do full on braces if I did it again. The Inman was noticeable anyway, even bought it's supposed to be discreet (it's not!) so may as well do it cheaper and just go whole hog.

At last I don't smile with my hand covering my mouth

Also I use the Charlotte Tilburg colour chameleon stick in dark pearl with my green eyes. It's not actually The or for green eyes. But v simple to use. Smudge some on and blend out with cotton bud. Looks nice with the green

Changing glasses is a good idea. I don't like red or brown on me at all really, but I have to buy glasses from the 'teen' range as my face is so small so choice is always a little limited. I've had these about 2 years now, so there's probably something better out there now.

Sweetie - you're a looker, you really are.

Looks like Charlotte Tilbury is very highly recommended!

Good woman, that's the spirit! I wear glasses, which is probably why I notice them. Happy shopping!

OMG 😲 shocked
At your pics -
You look lovely !!!! Having read your self description I was not expecting you to look like that !!!!

Was literally expecting to see shrek. You are lovely op!!! Your hair is fab i would love hair like yours embrace it sod changing colour it really suits u as it is!

You remind me of my Best Friend.
Absolutely lovely but cannot see what we all see so I really hope this thread has helped somewhat but I you have such a lovely face, beautiful hair and gorgeous features.

I just saw you were going to look at some new glasses....I tried on the Kylie range at Specsavers after seeing them on other people. But my head was just too big for them .....however, they would be perfect for you!

Gaaahhhh apologies! Didn't check before I posted so first paragraph doesn't make sense

I think you are very pretty! I wish I hadn’t seen the photo now because if I say anything about teeth now it will look like I can see a problem with your teeth and I can’t!! You are lovely.
Anyway, regarding teeth, my friend had a yellow front crown to match her teeth for years but then she got her teeth whitened and the crown replaced with a whiter crown. It’s a front tooth (and I know because it was a skipping rope incident when we were very small that knocked the tooth out!)
You are lovely. Any pictures of me wearing glasses on, I think I look boring too!
About the curls, I have very curly hair and it’s the one thing everyone admires on me. People with curly hair come up and ask me what I use on it too, I use John Frieda frizz ease mousse, and if I run out I use John Frieda conditioner (and just leave it in!)

If you heard anyone being as harsh to your daughter or mother, as you are on yourself, you would be really cross! Don’t be so hard on yourself, life is for smiling!

Thank you all. I feel like I need to print this thread out and read it frequently to remind myself!

I'm feeling a bit better about myself today. Like perhaps it's worth the effort to spend a bit more time on looking after myself.

I've started asking around for a good curly haired hairdresser, so fingers crossed for that, and I'll have a browse of the CT website. I am going to give myself a nice face mask today and then try and remember to be better at the whole cleansing thing.

Lots of things to try, thank you all. Wish me luck!

I really wish people would not make such nasty remarks, which they're making because of their own insecurities or nastiness. Like bullying, there is nothing 'wrong' with the person being attacked, only the perpetrator.

I think you look lovely, especially in current photo. I know how comments can stick in your head tho. Really hope you can put them behind you. Isn't there some saying about living well and happily being the best revenge?