ADVERTISEMENT

Everyone had their fair share of blunder years and whether we like it or not, there are still pieces of evidence hiding deep in the dusty shelves at your parents’ house. No one dares to touch it, and you’re not allowed to reclaim those photos.

But while people change, some change beyond recognition, pushing their genes, spirits and good looks up to the very max. Known as ‘ugly duckling’ transformations, these before and after photos serve as a testament to the beauty of change. And although it takes persistence and hard work, demands sacrifices and invites you into a battle with your inner demons, the final result seems worth it when you see people smile in their eyes.

So no, it’s not quite like growing out of your blunder years, it’s figuring out how to unite your inner and outer worlds and become the person who you really are. Psst! More inspiring posts on ugly ducklings-turned swans are waiting here, here and here.

#1

32 vs. 37. 75 Lbs Lost, Picked Up A Skincare Routine, Brushed Up My Makeup Skills, Cut My Hair, Got Some Bangs, Still Working On Getting Some More Confidence You Can Glow Up At Any Age!

32 vs. 37. 75 Lbs Lost, Picked Up A Skincare Routine, Brushed Up My Makeup Skills, Cut My Hair, Got Some Bangs, Still Working On Getting Some More Confidence You Can Glow Up At Any Age!

Brokenpun4one Report

James016
Community Member
5 years ago

You went from 37 to 32.

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    18 - 23 Went Through A Weightloss Journey And Learnt How To Look After And Groom Myself

    18 - 23 Went Through A Weightloss Journey And Learnt How To Look After And Groom Myself

    Liam61961 Report

    Laura Zaini
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    very good job

    View more comments
    #3

    Me At 13 vs. Me At 27 Do I Belong Here?

    Me At 13 vs. Me At 27 Do I Belong Here?

    Ms_UmUmIStutter Report

    That Bored Panda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Yes you do! Great work!

    View more comments
    #4

    Depressed, Lost, Demotivated Because Of Chronic Tinnitus And Hearing Loss, But I've Decided To Take Things In Hand And Make It Better, Here I Am After 4 Months Of Transformation Journey.. Still Got Miles To Go

    Depressed, Lost, Demotivated Because Of Chronic Tinnitus And Hearing Loss, But I've Decided To Take Things In Hand And Make It Better, Here I Am After 4 Months Of Transformation Journey.. Still Got Miles To Go

    saan555 Report

    Jennifer lackey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    DAAAAMMNNNN. ..... YOU ARE LOOKING GREAT. I love how u said u were taking matters into ur hands, I wish I wouldve so many years ago.. I'm 62, & not to happy with my life. Pat ur self on the back my friend, GOOD U YOU ..

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Me At 25, College Dropout, Living In My Car vs. Me At 33, About To Finish My Phd!

    Me At 25, College Dropout, Living In My Car vs. Me At 33, About To Finish My Phd!

    SnooDonuts7954 Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wow, even your skin color changed and your hair magically grew back.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Maybe Not As Drastic As Others Here, But I Feel Like I’ve Had A Bit Of A Glow Up (2012-Present)

    Maybe Not As Drastic As Others Here, But I Feel Like I’ve Had A Bit Of A Glow Up (2012-Present)

    scoot_da_fut Report

    Lilly Rose Poppy
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    A bit?!? That's a glow up to me! Looking great pal!

    View more comments
    #7

    First Picture 19f, Second One 22f, Third One 23f. Farewell To 4~ Years Of Depression And Excess Weight!

    First Picture 19f, Second One 22f, Third One 23f. Farewell To 4~ Years Of Depression And Excess Weight!

    Novosibirskchennai Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Beautiful, good for you

    View more comments
    #8

    15 vs. 21

    15 vs. 21

    mycatownsmeforever Report

    anarkzie
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    It's like a Hollywood move from the 80's, they take the glasses off and everything changes.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    13 vs. 26 I Just Don't Know What To Say

    13 vs. 26 I Just Don't Know What To Say

    asionahaya Report

    Sarcastic Cow
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    You were a cute child back then! Now you´re a woman -that is completely different story.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    10 To 20 To 30. Thank Goodness I Found Some Better Glasses & Stopped With The Rawr Hand

    10 To 20 To 30. Thank Goodness I Found Some Better Glasses & Stopped With The Rawr Hand

    melon_can Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Just save the rawrr hand for special occasions

    View more comments
    #11

    19 To 23. Therapy And Excersice Certainly Made A Change Mentally And Physically. Still Struggling With Confidence And Selflove But All Good Things Take Time. Slow And Steady

    19 To 23. Therapy And Excersice Certainly Made A Change Mentally And Physically. Still Struggling With Confidence And Selflove But All Good Things Take Time. Slow And Steady

    bliblablub0 Report

    Elvira Kreft
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    You are beautiful then and now

    View more comments
    #12

    13 To 29 - Puberty Helped Me Out

    13 To 29 - Puberty Helped Me Out

    Blankcarbon Report

    Xottel
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Disagree. Your handsomeness was quite predictable (judging from that photo).

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Dropped 73lbs And Picked Up 65

    Dropped 73lbs And Picked Up 65

    morningspear Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Good title!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    10,18, 29~ A Lot Has Changed Every Eight Years

    10,18, 29~ A Lot Has Changed Every Eight Years

    agisshi Report

    Bobert Robertson
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    But 18-29 is 11 years.

    View more comments
    #15

    16-20 Been Battling With Self Hate And Depression For Years, 2020 Was The Year I Wanted To Look After Myself

    16-20 Been Battling With Self Hate And Depression For Years, 2020 Was The Year I Wanted To Look After Myself

    cuzzy_rob Report

    Jennifer lackey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Such a big change, you look great !!

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    When Puberty Hits You Like A Bus…

    When Puberty Hits You Like A Bus…

    emqos Report

    PjandBolt
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Omg she looks like she belongs in a Jane Austen movie

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    18-28. It’s Been A Long Road

    18-28. It’s Been A Long Road

    sgimfl Report

    A B C
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    IMO bottom left looks best. The chin is sharper/more pointed (dunno how to say properly in English, any suggestions?), I like that more. I guess that's just personal opinion, but he certainly had a jump in attractiveness due to puberty doing its thing.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    12 To 20, A Lot Changed Along The Way, I’m Glad To Be Where I’m At Now

    12 To 20, A Lot Changed Along The Way, I’m Glad To Be Where I’m At Now

    LittleUglyBruh Report

    K. Anderson
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wow!!

    View more comments
    #19

    13-26 Improved My Style Ever So Slightly

    13-26 Improved My Style Ever So Slightly

    crp0821 Report

    Laura Dawson
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    You look like a girl on 90 day fiancé she was Colts second wife. I can’t remember her name but she had an amazing accent & loved cats.

    View more comments
    #20

    18/19 vs. 21! One Of My Proudest Achievements

    18/19 vs. 21! One Of My Proudest Achievements

    Nitrasy Report

    Natalia A
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    You are/were beautiful, irrespective of weight.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    (12, 19, 20) I Was Always Self Conscious About How I Looked

    (12, 19, 20) I Was Always Self Conscious About How I Looked

    Larreh515 Report

    Jennifer lackey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Love the haircut u have now, it looks great on you.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    13 To 30. Middle School Sucked

    13 To 30. Middle School Sucked

    i_should_b3_working Report

    Neil Bidle
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    He looked like Zuckerberg still does.

    View more comments
    #23

    18 To 25

    18 To 25

    3-1-6 Report

    Sarcastic Cow
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    Left - Oscar Wilde, love it. Right - James Potter - definitely love it.

    View more comments
    #24

    17//20 I'm Happier And Healthier Now. Can't Believe That Was Me Tho

    17//20 I'm Happier And Healthier Now. Can't Believe That Was Me Tho

    Lauraandser Report

    Incitatus
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Darling!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Finally Let The Hair Curl. Did A Lot

    Finally Let The Hair Curl. Did A Lot

    TheDiison Report

    Niki Norway
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Okay, it's been about ten minutes now, I think it's time to stop staring at this picture.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    12 And 26 - I Was Pretty Cool Back Then Tho

    12 And 26 - I Was Pretty Cool Back Then Tho

    nighttimeinparis Report

    Danieletc
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    A bit like Olivia WIlde.

    View more comments
    #27

    Last Week vs. Today

    Last Week vs. Today

    RandoyComando Report

    Karin Gibson
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    That beard is awful.

    View more comments
    #28

    14 To 22.... I'll Never Forget How Much I Thought I Rocked That Bow

    14 To 22.... I'll Never Forget How Much I Thought I Rocked That Bow

    Snoo-88479 Report

    Jackie Fraser-Easton
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    You totally did rock it!!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    12 - 23 Years - What A Wild Ride!

    12 - 23 Years - What A Wild Ride!

    AliveAioli Report

    Shine Caramia
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I'm pretty sure I know this person in real life

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #30

    Me At 12 vs. 30

    Me At 12 vs. 30

    ShanWulff Report

    Michael Rubery
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    What I love is that this young lady grew into her beauty...her face barely changed, but just blossomed!

    View more comments
    #31

    12 And 15 vs. 32 Years Old. We All Have Potential, Don't Give Up!

    12 And 15 vs. 32 Years Old. We All Have Potential, Don't Give Up!

    abva1 Report

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Bet the now-grown up kids from middle school are thinking, “Wow!” #swan

    #32

    17 To 19 To 20

    17 To 19 To 20

    KidCudli Report

    Susan Green
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Very handsome.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    My Self-Portrait From 10th Grade Art Class To Me Now At 34. The Self-Portrait Is Actually Spot On

    My Self-Portrait From 10th Grade Art Class To Me Now At 34. The Self-Portrait Is Actually Spot On

    reddit Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    16>19, From Short Asian Nerd To Tall Asian Nerd Except Now They Say I Look Like A Yakuza Npc. Weight Loss, Hairstyle Change, Skincare And Puberty I Guess

    16>19, From Short Asian Nerd To Tall Asian Nerd Except Now They Say I Look Like A Yakuza Npc. Weight Loss, Hairstyle Change, Skincare And Puberty I Guess

    Ressericus Report

    #35

    18 vs. 24

    18 vs. 24

    danlcfc7 Report

    Jennifer lackey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Great smile !!

    #36

    Lost A Bit Of Weight And Gained A Bit Of Confidence From 17 To 19

    Lost A Bit Of Weight And Gained A Bit Of Confidence From 17 To 19

    LeilaintheDark Report

    Ocean
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    OMG I LOVE IT i personally loooooooooooooooooove ur first pic. ITS ADORABLEEEEEEEE

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    [17-21] Those Glasses Did Not Suit Me

    [17-21] Those Glasses Did Not Suit Me

    GuruKannak Report

    Jennifer lackey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Beautiful eyes!!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Time Really Does Fly [2017 - 2021]

    Time Really Does Fly [2017 - 2021]

    Odd_Spirit_5788 Report

    Jennifer lackey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    U look great, I'll bet if u grew ur hair out a bit and give it a tussle, it would be a good look for you.

    #39

    Super Weird, Don’t Know Why My Last Post Was Deleted! It’s Me! Ages 14-16 vs. 22 Years Old. I Realise I Look The Same Really Just Slimmer, More Confident And Less Awkward Poses. Very Late Bloomer

    Super Weird, Don’t Know Why My Last Post Was Deleted! It’s Me! Ages 14-16 vs. 22 Years Old. I Realise I Look The Same Really Just Slimmer, More Confident And Less Awkward Poses. Very Late Bloomer

    Cherrygirlcake Report

    Janine B.
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I wouldn't agree about the less awkward poses though. :)

    View more comments