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It looks like the glow down challenge is here to stay. We wrote about it last week, but it's still going strong; women who think they "peaked" in high school continue posting photos to show how much their looks have changed since then.
Of course, the definition of peak beauty can change over the years, but it's worth mentioning that some of these glow downs appear to have only happened very recently, and the participants of the challenge are still beautiful.
While it's still important, physical appearance isn't the most important thing in the world. That being said, people keep applauding these women for their "honesty" and "sense of humor".
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#1
Sheri O'Sullivan 5 years ago
So you're not a size 8 anymore it doesn't mean you're not still beautiful! If she put her hair in the same style, put on the same amount of make-up, and smiled, she would look just as beautiful. Young women: Please know you do NOT have to look like 'Barbie' for the rest of your life! Do not believe all the propaganda on TV, social media, celebrity magazines, etc. it will only ruin your self-esteem. If a partner only loves you because you're beautiful he doesn't really love you - it's just the image he loves. What happens if you're in a car accident and get scars? What happens if you get breast cancer? Will he stand by you if you're dying? Love yourself. If you don't like the way you look then change it. Your happiness is totally in your control.
But do we really peak as early as high school? William Klemm, Ph.D., who is a senior professor of Neuroscience at Texas A&M University, thinks that ours is a youth-obsessed culture. And says that it shouldn't be this way. "We are all going to get old, assuming we don't die first," Klemm writes. "Our friends, relatives, and loved ones are or will get old. As baby boomers retire, older people are coming to dominate the population. Modern medicine and the wide pursuit of healthier living styles have enabled many older people to live longer and remain vigorous and productive in their old age. Yet [in many] Western countries, we shun, neglect, and sometimes abuse the old."
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#2
BLACKA BLACKA 5 years ago
I think people's priorities change therefore theirs looks change as well. Not worried so much about being liked but living their own lives.
Nancy Tate-Leach 5 years ago
Why are we doing this? It is not funny or inspiring and I can’t imagine it makes these women feel good.
On the surface, it makes sense. We fear aging and being sick and lonely. But is fear of aging really really warranted? By the time we get old, we all have accumulated a "rich reserve" of life experiences and lessons learned. We can act our age or act young. We can do things we didn't have time for in the past. Like smelling flowers. We can take naps in the middle of the day without feeling guilty. We feel less guilty about the way we raised our kids, because now they know just how hard raising kids is and are having many of the same difficulties.
"Time becomes precious, because it is running out. You therefore spend it more wisely. You don't waste time on harmful emotions or personal animosities," Klemm says.
So what if we looked better in high school? In the absence of debilitating sickness, aging can be a blessing. So when you think about it, understanding this — posting a TikTok acknowledging it — is really mature. You go girls.
#3
Antoine Gagnon 5 years ago
Lol there is a maximum of 4 years between these pics... Can these young ladies relax a bit about "glowing down"? They are not even in their 30's.. ffs
Anders Kanten 6 months ago
If she regrows her hair and do makeup she will still look the same.
Christel Nellemann 5 years ago
Yes it sucks to have a flare up of some skin condition, but that will pass again, and this girl could be one of those , who look even better with maturing features . Chin up, kid 🤗
#4
Debbie Diskey 4 years ago
When a woman is that big in the chest finding a shirt that fits properly in next to impossible. It's always going to be too big is some areas while being too tight in others. She's going to have to spend hundreds of dollars on just one shirt to get it fitting properly by having it special made
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Debbie Diskey 4 years ago
That you cared enough to ask if possible health issues are causing her issues shows you was raised right.
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#5
Rosemari Ferreira Gebbran 5 years ago
But in the first pic she's posing, there's good light and stuff, in the second it's like when we turn on the frontal camera. Not even Beyonce look good in the frontal camera.
Melinda Jensen 4 years ago
A close up with a wide angled lens makes everyone look very different to the way they truly look. This pic is particularly exaggerated. Hope she cuts herself some slack.
#6
Storm Rise 5 years ago
Apart from the hair colour, I'm not seeing a difference! That smile is radiant <3
Richard Henderson 4 years ago
“Marriage, PCOS & 1 kid later” and still cute? Also, lucky to have a kid with PCOS. Unless she’s in her 40’s too, in which case even better aging results.
#7
Little Dino 5 years ago
Just because you gained some weight doesn't mean you're not beautiful. It's natural and you look amazing! :)
Melinda Jensen 4 years ago
She's actually prettier in the second photo, if only she realized it.
#8
Coat Guy 5 years ago
you do know the picture on the left is the "Before" picture, right?
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#9
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
Get out from under the covers and go live! You are beautiful! Smile amd show the world your beautiful self! Don’t measure yourself against others! BE the woman you are!
#10
Marvin HoG 5 years ago
You must not have had bad acne in school, everyone in my family chose the airbrushed package
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FurryPotatoCat 5 years ago
Honestly the second pic is way better! First one looks like the fake doctor in medication ads.
Stephen Branley 4 years ago
I think the second picture is an improvement. Naturally pretty girl.
#11
#12
Dennis Stanley 5 years ago
So no makeup, hair up in a bun, neutral facial expression is "glowing down"?
Anna Neemus 5 years ago
Trying so hard to "glow down" and you're so pretty it doesnt work. Such a burdensome trend to have to be a part of.
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Stephen Branley 4 years ago
A lot of these are just a comparison between "with makeup" and "no makeup, pulling a face".
Ellie 5 years ago
I have never met any guy or man who likes the "made up" look. For special occasions, of course they like the effort. But I have to agree that every one of these women, including you, look amazing with no makeup and much younger. You can see the perfect skin and the eyes pop. You are so lucky to look that good with no makeup. Show it off!
#13
Antoine Gagnon 5 years ago
21 years old and worrying about "glowing down"... we live in a f*****g sad world
Nora 5 years ago
And the second could pass for 40. No saying this woman isn't beautiful, she most definitely is, in both pictures. I guess I'm just tired of the constant focus on age and appearance. Why not ask if she has some interesting ideas or if she is a good and compassionate friend?
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Rubee Tubesteak 5 years ago
Girl, don't worry, no woman has reached her full potential by age 13.
Elena Andreia 4 years ago
If she keeps eating that kind of waffles... she will be worst in a couple of years... Just saying
Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 5 years ago
13?? she looks a lot older in that photo
#14
#15
Yvonne Blau 5 years ago
Right? It's just her before putting on her make-up. I feel like some of these posts are just clickbait
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Monica Sargent 5 years ago
Kids. She got kids. You can see it in her eyes. Don't nobody make you tired like that but kids....
#16
Anna Neemus 5 years ago
This looks attention-seeking. Clearly she looks the same. Fishing for compliments. *eyeroll*
Harper Hale-Gibson 5 years ago
Not trying to be rude, I swear, but you shouldn't assume that they're a girl. They could easily be nonbinary or a trans male. Not that big of a deal obviously, it's just good to be careful.
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Melinda Jensen 4 years ago
Cute as a button in both photos but I think she really rocks that short hair.
Richard Henderson 4 years ago
Before and after a haircut she didn’t like? Don’t worry, it’ll grow on you.
Sue Sanders 5 years ago
Give a little smile and there's no big, or even small, difference. Smiles change a lot.
#17
Yvonne Blau 5 years ago
How is this supposed to be a glow-down?? She's just not wearing make-up, that's all. And we can't even see her supposed overweight in the picture.
#18
#19
Blackheart 5 years ago
News flash...all people age. The only alternative is to die. Women in particular go through extreme changes to their bodies with childbirth, varying levels of hormones, age, etc. We need to realize what beauty truly is, and that it is important to have substance as a person.
semelina pitrone 5 years ago
"THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO DIE" me: *holds up gun* 'oh well...'
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Kitty Bermuda 5 years ago
These women didn't peak in high school. They aged and also the comparison is between a glam or professional or dressed up pic versus a regular at home or relaxing pic
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
Our idea of beauty, really needs to change! We are not all models! So do not compare yourself to them! All of you young ladies are so beautiful still!
Aitchilm 5 years ago
With a little effort, makeup, exercise, weight loss, and clothing all of these lovely ladies could be just as hot as they were in high school or early college. We all slack off some as we age. A lot of different factors and influences make us who we are and who we become. Just depends on what is important to you.
Terri Rimmer 5 years ago
I am shocked by what you girls call glowing down. I was hot in my 20s. Now I'm in my 50s and weigh 232. I'm not even going to post my pics. Depression is a bitch.
#20
Enna Kazclah 5 years ago
so, a glam-it-up photo vs your every day look, and this is what you call glowing down?
Sue Sanders 5 years ago
It's like we get a bit older, complacent, not consulting Instagram every day, and then believe we're glowing down. Not that Instagram is the beat-all, end-all, but just spend a few minutes primping (men do it too) and I feel this young woman can match her yet younger self.
Stephen Branley 4 years ago
Well, attending the University of Liverpool is certainly a glow down ;)
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What do you think ?
Enuya 5 years ago (edited)
Actually, many of them either didn't change too much or have second photo taken in very unflattering state/pose. Everybody looks like s/he "glow-down" while lying in bed or wearing dirty, baggy clothes. Also, there is no such thing like "glow-down". We are getting older, our bodies change and I think it's beautiful, as long as we take care of ourselves.
Pamela24 5 years ago
I don't really understand the point of this whole "Look at me how I ugly I've become!" challenge. I'm not saying they are ugly but that by participating they're kinda claiming that about themselves, right? Weird.
giovanna 5 years ago
Agree with you Pamela. I dont see the point either. I find it very boring and, on the other hand, here we are talking about women's bodies and beauty AGAIN.
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Sheanna Caban 5 years ago
Yo, these aren't glow downs. Y'all just didn't get dressed up and put on makeup. And that's okay! I don't think I've done those things either in MONTHS considering the current state of affairs. It's been liberating....And comfortable. Honestly not sure if I can go back to the way things were.
Antoine Gagnon 5 years ago
This is a bad post... The majority didn't even reached their 30's eith the majority only putting a few pounds or simply a bad picture.... Can we stop about body image for a while? No wonder kids these days are getting more f****d up mentally.
Saima Urooj 2 years ago
Actually true, my best pics are before 10 years of age. Went to a wedding in 2012 in a very nice gown but the photos got lost while changing phones as they weren’t saved on any google account 😭
Load More Replies... Blackheart 5 years ago
News flash...all people age. The only alternative is to die. Women in particular go through extreme changes to their bodies with childbirth, varying levels of hormones, age, etc. We need to realize what beauty truly is, and that it is important to have substance as a person.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Can't relate at all. I was an ugly duckling at 17. Girls like the ones in this article were scary to me.
Mad Mar 5 years ago
And in all and all, reality is that you need to work for things to enjoy them. The outside don't matter. Looks fade. Brains just grow smarter. Being insta-famous doesn't last. Being the cute drinking girl doesn't last. Being the sleep all day and party all night girl doesn't last. Etc. The wake up call comes to everyone regardless. Some hear it sooner than others. And ladies, you are still beautiful human beings.
Enuya 5 years ago (edited)
Actually, many of them either didn't change too much or have second photo taken in very unflattering state/pose. Everybody looks like s/he "glow-down" while lying in bed or wearing dirty, baggy clothes. Also, there is no such thing like "glow-down". We are getting older, our bodies change and I think it's beautiful, as long as we take care of ourselves.
Pamela24 5 years ago
I don't really understand the point of this whole "Look at me how I ugly I've become!" challenge. I'm not saying they are ugly but that by participating they're kinda claiming that about themselves, right? Weird.
giovanna 5 years ago
Agree with you Pamela. I dont see the point either. I find it very boring and, on the other hand, here we are talking about women's bodies and beauty AGAIN.
Load More Replies... Sheanna Caban 5 years ago
Yo, these aren't glow downs. Y'all just didn't get dressed up and put on makeup. And that's okay! I don't think I've done those things either in MONTHS considering the current state of affairs. It's been liberating....And comfortable. Honestly not sure if I can go back to the way things were.
Antoine Gagnon 5 years ago
This is a bad post... The majority didn't even reached their 30's eith the majority only putting a few pounds or simply a bad picture.... Can we stop about body image for a while? No wonder kids these days are getting more f****d up mentally.
Saima Urooj 2 years ago
Actually true, my best pics are before 10 years of age. Went to a wedding in 2012 in a very nice gown but the photos got lost while changing phones as they weren’t saved on any google account 😭
Load More Replies... Blackheart 5 years ago
News flash...all people age. The only alternative is to die. Women in particular go through extreme changes to their bodies with childbirth, varying levels of hormones, age, etc. We need to realize what beauty truly is, and that it is important to have substance as a person.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Can't relate at all. I was an ugly duckling at 17. Girls like the ones in this article were scary to me.
Mad Mar 5 years ago
And in all and all, reality is that you need to work for things to enjoy them. The outside don't matter. Looks fade. Brains just grow smarter. Being insta-famous doesn't last. Being the cute drinking girl doesn't last. Being the sleep all day and party all night girl doesn't last. Etc. The wake up call comes to everyone regardless. Some hear it sooner than others. And ladies, you are still beautiful human beings.
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