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.

Interesting. You say you don’t suit red or brown glasses and that your hair is naturally ashy. Definitely stay away from any golden/yellow hair. That’s why the lighter blonde is better, it’s much cooler.
I bought my last glasses online, try give measurements so you can look for small ones. I found all the Kylie range looked too small for my big meaty face so maybe they’d work for you.

Should say they give measurements!

Your curly hair is a bit like mine , I do curly girl and it’s more defined but a similar length and curly . I actually prefer your hair straight which is weird as everyone hates mine straight . Your teeth are fine , not classically straight but to be honest everyone on tv either has veneers or is airbrushed so you aren’t comparing yourself with normality . Most of my friends don’t have perfect teeth and are very attractive .

I don’t like telling people to “improve” their appearance but looking at your photo, it seems you have a very mild presentation problem. Your face is not part of the problem.

IMHO a little bit of blusher would be your friend as the pink in your cheeks fades at about 25

And

Your smile is fine, but the noticeable thing about it is that it’s tentative and nervous, like you don’t WANT to smile. As a result it’s not really reaching your eyes, which are huge and pretty. Practice huge cheesers in front of a mirror.

You look beautiful. I'd recommend braces if your teeth need straightening. They really do wonders.

Qvar you are right about the smile. When my sister got married, the photographer kept telling me to smile properly and I only did after I'd made him promise to edit my teeth!

My hair is a bit fluffy in the curly pic because we'd been having pictures taken out in Storm Brian - it's normally a bit more defined. It's funny, because I started doing Curly Girl for ease since it just used to frizz when I'd step outside, but I blow-dried it a few weeks back as a practise run for the wedding. DP came home and said he hated it straight, and I've had more comments on my hair than I ever have since it's been curly. I do like it curly, just the colour isn't the right tone for my colouring I think.

Definitely get your teeth sorted out, if it bothers you. A colleague of mine (similar age to you) had braces and veneers on a couple of her teeth which were grey. She looks like a different person, mainly because she smiles now.

Find a hairdresser that suits your hair. Is there an Aveda salon near you?

Skin is easy. Just find some nice skincare that works for your type of skin. Believe it or not, M&S is amongst the best skincare out there (I am a skincare expert, it's my job).

As for make-up, what kind of style do you like? Conservative? Bold? Tell us and we can recommend some brands.

You’re lovely looking OP and I agree with everything people have said. Re teeth I would say definitely save up or do what I did and pay monthly interest free and get it done! I started to cringe at my teeth as I got older having had a brace as a child. Overcrowded and pointy. I had Invisalign and I love my teeth now so much. I take even better care of them, they’re a nice natural white and however fat or whatever I feel I look in photos I still like my smile.

Could you go to Boots or a department store and have your make up done for free at one of the counters? You could ask them to put a mirror in front of you as they do it/explain in detail what they're doing and also let them know the kindof things you'd like to be able to do (good eye make up etc) and then, if you like some of it, you can buy a couple of products to try.

Please don't hate yourself/your looks/your body. Cosmetic fixes of any kind should make you feel better about yourself, but you shouldn't feel that you need to do them to be more worthy, more loveable, etc.

Also, can I ask how you got your curls back, they look amazing! I'm desperately trying to with mine, and my hair curl type looks similar to yours.

Hi Op,

Really sorry to hear you’re feeling so down on yourself, it’s horrible feeling like that.

Have you thought about having any counselling to try and get to the route of what’s causing it because I am certain that no one else will think that about you.

I had braces on my teeth a couple of years ago, If it’s something you wanted to do then go for it! Maybe do some things for you that will make you feel more confident? Have you got any friends you could confide in that could help you out? Or maybe your mum?

Not sure what Your upset about about your skin but maybe try and get a referral to a dermatologist from your doctor if there’s anything physically wrong, I had really bad acne for years and didn’t do anything about it and as soon as I went to the doctor he gave me some cream and it cleared up in a couple of months!!

If you’ve got the money you could try going to a salon and asking some advice about your hair and using a good toner should help with any yellow tones in your hair.

I’m so sorry you’re feeling so down, like I said it’s the worst! Xxx

Just seen the pictures of you after posting and honestly do not touch your hair! It is absolutely beautiful!!! You have a gorgeous style and a gorgeous face!!

I know how you feel about teeth as I was the same I had such a bad overbite and was worried about it for years! they do loads of 0% finance offers at cosmetic dentists, could you not investigate and see why they have to offer?? Xxx

Makeup wise I think I prefer a simpler look, a natural dewy look that is just a better version than not wearing makeup. I went to Space NK a few years ago and got the loveliest tinted moisturiser, but I think going to a counter and having some help with subtle eye makeup would be good.

For my curls, I wash once a week with Sainsburys own brand coconut conditioner (75p!) and then sometimes add an Aesop conditioner to help detangle. I slather a big dollop of Cantu curl activator creme through soaking wet hair, then wrap it all up in a tshirt until it's slightly damp. Bit of gel scrunched into it and that's it. I just pineapple it on top of my head for sleeping then.

It's so interesting to hear how differently you all view me to how I view myself. Scary, really, that we can be this critical of ourselves.

I am hoping to get braces next year one way or another! My teeth are a bit complicated, so they won't put anything on them yet, and I will likely need crowns or veneers on the top four at least after having the brace, so it's a big job. It will definitely be worth it though. Lovely DP always says the only issue he has with my teeth is the fact I'm so self conscious of them - whether that's true or not I don't know!

You look lovely! The person who made such an awful comment is obviously someone who feels very insecure themselves and sadly has a very biter personality to go with. Learn to love yourself and remember nobody is perfect.

I read your posts and was going to say that I look rubbish in photos too, some of us are just better in motion, etc etc...and then saw your pictures! You look amazing. Really and truly not "just saying that". You look really, really pretty. I love your hair, your skin is fresh and glowy, I am quite envious of how relaxed and youthful you look. I get that we're our own worst critics, but honestly, imho you don't need to do a thing.

Oh Wow OP, Your Gorgeous.
Please don’t hide your Smile!
Hope you feel better about yourself soon
X

Somebody asked if I have an Aveda salon near by - I've just looked and there's one very close by. Are they good? They seem very expensive!

I honestly just see a VERY attractive woman! Please don't be so hard on yourself. Others don't see you as you see yourself...

Have y tried the redken sulfate free blonde? The best blue shampoo I find is fudge and conditionr Maria mila colour refresh

Is your prescription for glasses high?
Have u thought about teeth whitening - my teeth are horrendous to me obviously and the onlyonly thing that made me feel OK was them being whiter as cosmetic dentist wold involve teeth out braces then a permanent fixture behind teeth with a retainer forever. Your abonnie girl stop finding faults with yourself x

Ps I love your hair! However, I do think you would really suit the cut EvelynsWardrobe posted. :)

OP you're the double of my Aunty when she was younger.

I haven't RTFT sorry.

If you think your hair is yellow get a toner, you don't have to bleach your hair to give it a bright colour. It also won't damage your curls if you do bleach it! Mines curly and bleached to the heavens.

Skin wise - mine used to be horrendous and dull I now use the ordinary vit C - it's £5 from beauty bay/asos/ feel unique and it's amazing. I also use Mario badescu I purchased his starter kit and now my skin is glowing.

I can't do make up - eye make up I'm blind in one eye so it's impossible for me to do eye make up, I just try and keep it simple which I hope is effective. If you have Instagram there's a lot of MUAs that do videos and give tops.

There's nothing wrong with you though.

Tips not tips

Just noticed you think you might need a veneer or crowns after a brace, is composite bonding not an option for you?

I think you look great. So classy and elegant.