Glowmaxx blog

100 guides

Start my glow-up

Camera vs mirror

Why Do I Look Asymmetrical in Front Camera?Why do I look asymmetrical in front camera? Every face is uneven, and the flip plus a close lens exaggerate it. Here's why, and how to find your better side.
Double Chin in Photos but Not in Mirror? Why It HappensDouble chin in photos but not in mirror? It's the phone below your chin and your head tipped down. See why the camera catches it and the 2-second fix.
Face Looks Fat in Photos but Not in Mirror? It's the LensFace looks fat in photos but not in mirror? It's the lens, not you. Learn why close cameras widen faces and fix it with distance, angle and light, no editing.
Is Front Camera How Others See You? The Honest AnswerIs front camera how others see you? No, and the mirror isn't either. Here's what the flip, lens and distance do, plus a 30-second test to see your real face.
Why Do I Look Better in Videos Than Pictures?Why do I look better in videos than pictures? Movement hides what a still frame freezes. Learn why, then steal video tricks like burst mode for photos.
One Eye Smaller Than the Other in Photos? Here's WhyOne eye smaller than the other in photos? It's usually head tilt, lens distance, light or your smile. Here's why photos exaggerate it and the angle fixes.
Why Do I Look Chopped on Camera? 7 Fixable CausesWhy do I look chopped on camera? It's usually phone distance, overhead light and a low angle, not your face. What chopped means, plus 7 fixes for tonight.
Why Do My Eyes Look Small in Pictures? 6 Quick FixesWhy do my eyes look small in pictures? Squinting, big smiles, bright light, glasses and low angles shrink them. Here are 6 quick fixes for your next photo.
Why Does My Nose Look Bigger in Selfies? The Real ReasonWhy does my nose look bigger in selfies? Your phone is too close. Here's what the Rutgers selfie study found and the distance and lens fixes to use today.
Why Do I Look Different in Photos Than in the Mirror?Why do I look different in photos than in the mirror? Three things change: the flip, the lens distance and the light. Here's the science and a 5-minute fix.

Softmaxxing and healthy looksmaxxing

Are Face Rating Apps Accurate? What They Really MeasureAre face rating apps accurate? Not in the way you'd hope. Why the same face gets different scores, where your photo goes, and a more useful thing to measure.
Glow Up vs Looksmaxxing: Same Goal, Different MindsetGlow up vs looksmaxxing: both aim to look better, but one is about becoming your best self and the other about ranking. Mindset, methods and risks compared.
Healthy Looksmaxxing: What's Worth Doing (and What Isn't)Healthy looksmaxxing means working on what you can change: skin, hair, grooming, posture and fit. What's worth doing, trends to skip and a starter routine.
How to Start Softmaxxing: A Safe First-Month PlanHow to start softmaxxing safely: a 4-week beginner plan covering sleep, skin, hair, brows, posture and fit, plus a photo check and the forum tips to skip.
Is Looksmaxxing Bad? The Good Parts and the Red FlagsIs looksmaxxing bad? The habits are mostly fine; the extremes are not. See which parts help, the red flags doctors warn about and how to tell it hurts you.
Looksmaxxing Tips for Teens: The Safe VersionLooksmaxxing tips for teens that are safe and actually work: skin, hair, sleep, posture and photos. Plus which trends waste your time and which are risky.
Softmaxxing vs Hardmaxxing: A Clear, Honest ComparisonSoftmaxxing vs hardmaxxing compared on risk, cost and reversibility. What each means, why under-18s should skip hardmaxxing, and where to start instead.
Softmaxxing vs Looksmaxxing: What's the Difference?Softmaxxing vs looksmaxxing: looksmaxxing is the umbrella for improving your looks, softmaxxing is the safe, reversible part. See the table and healthy take.
What Is Softmaxxing? Meaning, Examples and LimitsWhat is softmaxxing? The meaning in plain English, where the word came from, real examples like skin care and haircuts, what it isn't, and whether it works.

Lighting for photos

How to Avoid Glasses Glare in Photos and Video CallsHow to avoid glasses glare in photos, selfies and Zoom calls without editing: tilt your frames, move the light up and aside, and tame your ring light.
How to Take Golden Hour Selfies Without SquintingHow to take golden hour selfies without going blind: when golden hour starts, where the sun should be, squint-free tricks and poses for warm light.
How to Look Good in Flash Photos (Parties, Concerts)How to look good in flash photos at parties and concerts: stop the shine, beat the blink, dodge harsh wall shadows and nail the flash-photo look on purpose.
How to Look Good in Harsh Lighting and Direct SunHow to look good in harsh lighting and midday sun: find open shade, put the sun behind you, stop squinting and fix hat shadows. No photographer needed.
How to Look Good in Overhead Lighting (Classrooms, Bathrooms)How to look good in overhead lighting at school, in bathrooms and changing rooms: why ceiling lights make you look tired, and easy posture and position fixes.
Ring Light vs Natural Light for Selfies: Which Wins?Ring light vs natural light for selfies: an honest side-by-side on look, cost, glare, skin and eye sparkle, plus when to use each and how to set up.
How to Get Good Selfie Lighting at Night (No Ring Light)How to get good selfie lighting at night with what you own: a lamp, your laptop screen, white paper and a second phone. No ring light, no grain, no orange.
How to Take a Selfie With Good Lighting (Any Room)How to take a selfie with good lighting in any room: face the light, use windows, lamps and open shade, dodge overhead light, and run a 60-second light check.
Why Do I Look Orange on Camera? White Balance, FixedWhy do I look orange on camera? It's warm bulbs confusing your camera's white balance. Plain-English fixes for iPhone, webcams, Zoom, Teams and FaceTime.

Selfie angles and face shape

Best Selfie Angles for Round Face ShapesThe best selfie angles for round face shapes: camera just above eye level, a three-quarter turn, chin forward and side light. Setups that add shape.
How to Find Your Best Angle for Selfies (10-Minute Test)How to find your best angle for selfies in 10 minutes: test camera height, left vs right side and chin tilt, score every shot, then pick one default angle.
How to Take a Good Selfie for a Profile PictureHow to take a good selfie for a profile picture that still looks great as a tiny circle: simple background, front light, head-and-shoulders crop, clear smile.
How to Look Good in Back Camera PhotosHow to look good in back camera photos: why the rear camera shocks you, and how to use a timer, stand, 2x zoom and front light to get a flattering shot alone.
How to Take a Good Mirror Selfie: Light, Angle, PoseHow to take a good mirror selfie: clean the glass, hold the phone at chest height, face the window, frame full or half body and pose loose. A full checklist.
How to Look Good in Photos With Glasses (No Glare)How to look good in photos with glasses and zero glare: clean the lenses, tip the frames down slightly, move the light to the side and keep your eyes visible.
How to Look Good in Pictures With a Big ForeheadHow to look good in pictures with a big forehead: camera at eye level or just below, chin level, a side part or fringe and soft light that won't shine.
How to Make a Big Nose Look Smaller in PicturesHow to make a big nose look smaller in pictures with camera fixes only: step back, use the 2x lens, find the right angle and face the light. No editing.
How to Take Pictures With a Long Face: Angles That WorkHow to take pictures with a long face: keep the camera at eye level, try straight-on shots, crop smart and use side light. Easy angles that add balance.

Smiling and posing

How to Have Good Posture in Photos (Without Looking Stiff)How to have good posture in photos without looking stiff: the string cue, shoulders back and down, a long neck, weight on one leg and how to sit for pictures.
How to Not Blink in Photos: 5 Tricks That WorkHow to not blink in photos: 5 tricks that work, from close-and-open-on-three to burst mode, plus how to not blink at flash and fix a closed-eye photo later.
How to Look Good in Pictures Without SmilingHow to look good in pictures without smiling: the soft neutral face in 4 steps (relaxed jaw, slight eye squint, closed lips) plus head angles that work.
How to Smile in Photos Without SquintingHow to smile in photos without squinting: soften the smile, lift your brows a touch, get harsh light out of your eyes and pick the frame just before the peak.
How to Smile in Pictures Without Looking AwkwardHow to smile in pictures without looking awkward: the breathe-out trick, tongue behind teeth, smiling with your eyes and a 5-minute daily mirror drill.
How to Smile With Your Eyes in Photos (Smize Guide)How to smile with your eyes in photos: a simple 3-step smize, a 2-minute mirror drill and the common mistakes that make eyes look tense instead of warm.
How to Stop Looking Awkward in Photos: 9 Pose FixesHow to stop looking awkward in photos: 9 simple pose fixes for stiff bodies, weird hands and frozen faces, plus a timer drill to relax in front of a camera.
What to Do With Your Hands in Pictures, Guys: 9 Easy PosesWhat to do with your hands in pictures, guys: 9 easy hand poses (pockets, thumbs, crossed arms, holding a drink) plus group photo tips and hands to avoid.
Why Do I Look Angry in Pictures? (And How to Fix It)Why do I look angry in pictures? Usually it's brow tension, flat mouth corners and overhead light. Here's a 20-second relaxed default face that fixes it.

Glow up plans

30 Day Glow Up Challenge: Healthy Day-by-Day PlanA healthy 30 day glow up challenge in four weekly themes: sleep and skin, hair and grooming, posture and style, then photos and confidence. Full calendar.
7 Day Glow Up Challenge: One Small Move a DayA 7 day glow up challenge with one small move a day: light, skin, hair, brows, posture, fit, then rest and compare. No makeup, no crash diets, real results.
Glow Up Checklist for School (Printable, No Makeup Needed)A printable glow up checklist for school: what to do 4 weeks before, 1 week before, the night before and every school morning. No makeup needed, teen-safe.
Glow Up Morning Routine for School (15 Minutes)A 15-minute glow up morning routine for school, timed step by step: water and light, skin, hair, outfit and a final check. Plus a 7-minute lazy-day version.
How to Glow Up Overnight for School Without MakeupHow to glow up overnight for school without makeup: a 20-minute night-before routine, a sleep setup, and a 15-minute morning that looks fresh by first period.
Glow Up Routine for Teenagers: Daily Plan (Printable)A healthy glow up routine for teenagers: a 10-minute morning, a quick after-school reset, a calm night routine and a printable daily checklist for teens.
How to Glow Up in 2 Weeks: A Realistic 14-Day PlanHow to glow up in 2 weeks, honestly: what changes in 14 days, what doesn't, and a realistic day-by-day plan for sleep, skin, hair, grooming, posture and fit.
Summer Glow Up Checklist: A Healthy 10-Week PlanA healthy summer glow up checklist for a 10-week break: sun-smart skin, a summer sleep schedule, a new hairstyle, moving for fun and biweekly photo checks.

School and ID photos

How to Look Good in ID Photo Booths and at the DMVHow to look good in ID photo booths and at the DMV: what to wear, how to stand under harsh counter light, and the neutral smile that works for any ID card.
How to Smile for School Pictures (Without Looking Fake)How to smile for school pictures without looking fake: a 10-second routine for the chair, teeth vs no teeth, eyes and chin tips, and how to ask for a retake.
How to Look Good in Graduation Photos (Cap and Gown)How to look good in graduation photos: set your cap angle, fit the gown, find open shade, pose with a diploma and take family shots that don't look stiff.
How to Look Good in Yearbook Photos: Senior EditionHow to look good in yearbook photos as a senior: a prep-week plan, what to wear under a drape, hair and grooming, the poses you will do, and smile tips.
How to Look Good on School Picture Day: Full ChecklistHow to look good on school picture day: a night-before and morning-of checklist for skin, hair, outfit, smile and posture, plus how to ask for a retake.
Picture Day Hairstyles for Teens: 12 Easy LooksPicture day hairstyles for teens: 12 easy looks with how-tos for long, short, curly and coily hair, plus quick styles for guys and a 30-second flyaway fix.
How to Look Good in School Photos With UniformHow to look good in school photos with uniform: fix your collar and tie, fit your blazer, sort hair and grooming, and sit tall. All the parts you control.
What to Wear for School Picture Day (Colours That Work)What to wear for school picture day as a teen: the best colors, patterns to skip, necklines, layers, uniform tweaks and glasses tips. A simple outfit guide.

Teen guys glow up

Eyebrow Grooming for Men at Home: A Simple GuideEyebrow grooming for men at home in 3 steps: brush and trim, clean the unibrow, pluck strays only. Tools, mistakes to avoid and how to keep brows natural.
Glow Up Checklist for Guys (Printable)A glow up checklist for guys, in priority order: hair, skin, grooming, posture, fit and photos. Quick wins first, plus a printable version you can copy free.
How to Glow Up as a Teen Boy: The No-Nonsense GuideHow to glow up as a teen boy: haircut, skin basics, brows and facial hair, posture, fit and photo angles. A healthy guide that skips toxic looksmaxxing.
How to Look Good in Pictures for Guys: 11 Simple FixesHow to look good in pictures for guys: 11 simple fixes for angle, light, posture, hands and grooming that make you more photogenic in your very next photo.
How to Look Taller in Photos, Guys: Angle and PoseHow to look taller in photos, guys: shoot from waist height, stand closer to the lens, fix your posture and dress for length. No editing, no apps required.
Skincare Routine for Teen Boy With Acne: Simple 3 StepsA simple skincare routine for teen boy with acne: gentle cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen. What to avoid, habits that help, and when to see a doctor.
What Age Do Guys Glow Up? What Actually ChangesWhat age do guys glow up? There's no set age: puberty timing varies a lot. What changes in the teen years, what changes later, and what you control right now.

Glow up basics and habits

Glow Up Tips Mentally and Physically: A Balanced PlanGlow up tips mentally and physically that support each other: sleep, movement, less comparison, grooming and a simple weekly plan for mind and body.
Glow Up Tips for 13 Year Olds (Healthy and Simple)Glow up tips for 13 year olds that are healthy and simple: sleep, gentle skin care, hair, grooming and confidence. No expensive products or diets needed.
Glow Up Tips for Teen Girls: 15 That Don't Cost Much15 glow up tips for teen girls that don't cost much: skin, sleep, hair, brows, style and photo confidence. A healthy upgrade, not a fix. Easy to do at home.
How to Glow Up Without Makeup: 10 Things That WorkHow to glow up without makeup: 10 changes beyond basic hygiene, from brows and hair shape to light, angle and posture. Look more awake with a bare face.
12 Healthy Glow Up Habits That Actually Show12 healthy glow up habits that actually show in photos: sleep, water, SPF, posture, grooming and light. What each habit changes and how to track it daily.
Self Care Glow Up Checklist (Printable)A self care glow up checklist you can print: daily, weekly and monthly lists, plus a low-energy version for rough days. Simple, cheap and actually doable.
What Is a Glow Up? Meaning, Types and How Long It TakesWhat is a glow up? The slang meaning, where the word came from, the main types (physical, mental, style) and how long a real glow up takes. Plain answers.

Candids, groups and video

How to Look Good in Candid Photos (Even Unplanned Ones)How to look good in candid photos, even surprise ones: why candids feel worse than selfies, plus the posture, light and burst-mode habits that fix them.
How to Look Good in TikTok Videos (No Filters Needed)How to look good in TikTok videos without filters: film on the back camera, step back, face the light, record in 1080p and upload in high quality. Easy steps.
How to Look Good on FaceTime: Light, Angle, SettingsHow to look good on FaceTime: raise your phone to eye level, face the light, step back, and turn on Eye Contact. Night call and iPhone setting fixes inside.
How to Look Better on Zoom Settings: 6 Changes to MakeHow to look better on Zoom settings: turn on HD, touch up, low-light adjust, fix mirroring and framing on desktop and phone. Six changes, five minutes total.
How to Look Good in Group Photos: Where to StandHow to look good in group photos: where to stand (not the edge), how to angle toward the centre, chin and posture tips, what to do with your hands, and more.
How to Look Good on Zoom Without Makeup (Class or Call)How to look good on Zoom without makeup: let light do makeup's job, raise the camera, use Zoom's touch-up setting and a two-minute skin prep. No filters.
How to Take Good Candid Photos of Yourself (Solo)How to take good candid photos of yourself with no photographer: a phone, a timer or video, a few movement prompts, and a quick way to pick the keeper shot.

Hair and put-together

How to Get Rid of Flyaway Hair in Pictures (Before the Shot)How to get rid of flyaway hair in pictures before the shot: the toothbrush trick, a dryer sheet, hairspray on a brush and styles that hide flyaways for good.
How to Look Clean and Fresh at School (Every Day)How to look clean and fresh at school all day: a quick morning routine, hair and clothes tips, a backpack kit, and what to do after PE. For guys and girls.
How to Look Good in Photos With Curly HairHow to look good in photos with curly hair: refresh curls, control frizz, add volume and pick the light and picture day hairstyles that show real definition.
How to Look Good in Photos With Short HairHow to look good in photos with short hair: styling for texture, the best angles for short cuts, earrings and collars that frame your face, and tips for guys.
How to Look Put Together Without Makeup: 12 HabitsHow to look put together without makeup: 12 small habits for hair, brows, nails, clothes fit, posture and skin, plus a 10-minute daily version you can keep.
How to Pick a Haircut for Your Face Shape (Step by Step)How to pick a haircut for your face shape: find your shape, know your hair texture, match the cut, then brief your barber or stylist. For guys and girls.

Photogenic and confidence

How to Be Photogenic When You're Not: A Practice PlanHow to be photogenic when you're not: treat it as a skill. A 7-day practice plan for light, angle, expression and posture, and a way to score your shots.
How to Look Confident in Photos (Even When You're Not)How to look confident in photos even when nervous: simple body language cues for your chin, shoulders, eye line, space and expression that read as sure.
How to Look Good in Photos With BracesHow to look good in photos with braces: smile options that work, the band colors that photograph best, lip and angle tricks, and how to document your journey.
Best Poses for Unphotogenic People: 10 Easy OnesThe best poses for unphotogenic people: 10 easy standing, sitting, walking and group poses with step-by-step how-tos, and a 5-minute drill to make them stick.
What Colors Look Good in Pictures? A Simple GuideWhat colors look good in pictures? Solid mid-tones like navy, teal, burgundy and soft blue flatter most people. Find your undertone and picture-day picks.
Why Am I So Unphotogenic? 8 Reasons (Not Your Face)Why am I so unphotogenic? Usually it's lens distance, bad light, tension and a flipped image, not your face. 8 real reasons and what to try this week.

Skin and looking fresh

Basic Skincare Routine for Teens: 3 Steps, 5 MinutesA basic skincare routine for teens in 3 steps: cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen. Morning and night charts for oily, dry and acne-prone skin, plus what to skip.
How to Look Good in Photos With Acne (No Editing)How to look good in photos with acne, no editing: soft front light, the right distance and angle, and gentle skin prep. Kind, practical camera fixes.
How to Look Less Tired in Photos (Camera Tricks)How to look less tired in photos: move the light in front of you, raise the camera to eye level, wake up your eyes and prep your skin. Fixes that work today.
How to Look Less Tired Without Makeup: 10 Quick FixesHow to look less tired without makeup: 10 quick fixes using cold water, brows, hair, posture and light, plus longer-term habits that keep you looking awake.
Why Do I Look Shiny in Photos? Causes and Quick FixesWhy do I look shiny in photos? Flash, hard light and oil bounce straight back at the lens. Here's how to blot, move the light and stop shine without editing.