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Apart from creating connections, a large part of social media is about gaining validation. It’s why you will likely see a flood of “glow-up” posts on your timelines where people proudly showcase their caterpillar-to-butterfly transformations.
But in recent years, the exact opposite trend has emerged: glow-downs. Instead, people are now showing how they’ve “declined” physically over the years. These people from TikTok took part and shared past photos from when they felt they were in their prime physical self.
If you’re learning about glow-downs for the first time, scrolling through these photos may help you understand why they became such a hit.
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#2
Luke Branwen 6 months ago (edited)
Idk but the "before" looks like a frat d0uche, "after" looks like a chill dude you'd meet at a metal concert
The “glow-down” trend began in April 2020 when TikTok user Gabrielle McDonald issued a challenge. She admits to having physically peaked at 18 in high school, and she wanted others to share photos of when they were at their “hottest” and compare them to their current self.
Her video racked up more than 150,000 engagements and mixed reactions from commenters. Some felt the challenge fit them perfectly, while others didn’t appreciate the “negativity.”
#4
Pat Bond 6 months ago (edited)
Ahh, Michael Barrymore, once a king of British quiz shows on ITV. However the former TV presenter, was embroiled in controversy surrounding the death of Stuart Lubbock in 2001. Lubbock was found dead in Barrymore's swimming pool, and Barrymore was later arrested on suspicion of sexual a*****t and murder. While he was released without charge and has always maintained his innocence, the events significantly impacted his career and reputation. Here is a link to his cover of Coolio's (I'll) See you when you get there, it's a gem, It's more Alan Partridge than Alan Partridge!!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_bIaF7P9WA
#5
Brittania Kelli 6 months ago
This is not talked about enough. Cancer treatment absolutely robs you of your looks, I was also 20/21 and remember begging my oncologist to cut down the steroids in my treatment because of the moon face it gave me. I know it shouldn't matter, but I've never felt good about my looks post cancer.
While McDonald’s challenge was likely out of curiosity and to defy the social media status quo, it quickly became viral. Many people, mostly women, shared past and present photos of themselves.
A lot of them were comparisons from when they were in their teens, while some were photos after giving birth and going through different stages of life.
#7
#9
BeesEelsAndPups 6 months ago
So she went from blonde to brunette. I don't think I understand this thread. This woman hasn't changed in appearance at all. Is it because she'll never wear a wedding dress again?
On the surface, the glow-down challenge may signify a negative transformation. In fact, it is a way of showing the reality of daily life, without the makeup and filters.
Naturopathic physician Dr. Heidi Lescanec compares it to cooking videos with neatly prepped ingredients, hiding the chaos behind the scenes.
“The truth? A truly delicious meal, like personal growth, emerges from the disarray: trial and error, adjustments, a pinch of salt here, a squeeze of lemon there, until you taste it and say, Wow, now that’s it,” she wrote.
#11
Winnie the Moo 6 months ago
I spent ten plus years as an ice blonde bleached hair woman; thank God my hair grows back now. Haven’t dyed it for 1,5 years; it’s looking so healthy now
Experts recognize that the glowing-up trend does more harm than good. But for social psychologist Dara Greenwood, media portrayals and Hollywood are to blame for glorifying unattainable beauty standards.
“As long as A-list celebrities and social media influencers who attempt to critique the beauty myth don’t actually disengage from it themselves, young girls and women, and indeed boys and men, will not get the message,” Greenwood wrote.
Now, we’d like to hear from you. What do you think about the glow-down trend? Does it help encourage people to be proud of their natural selves despite the “decline” with age? Or does it carry a negative message? Share your thoughts in the comments!
#21
BeKind&Rewind 6 months ago
If 99% of brides compared themselves on a regular day to themselves on their wedding day, this wouldn't be a thing. Just a way to show off pics of themselves on their best day.
#27
#32
LakotaWolf (she/her) 6 months ago
Sorry, friend, but your eyes look completely dead and lifeless in the photo of you when you were 11 O_O;
#34
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#42
LakotaWolf (she/her) 6 months ago
I honestly see very little difference here other than the hairstyle...?
#45
#50
Damned_Cat 6 months ago
No, they still have those filters you were playing with at 16...you can look like that anytime you want.
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Brittania Kelli 6 months ago
So many of these are just silly. Girl, you look the same, just with a little less make-up or filter/retouching. Have a feeling the whole trend is mostly girls fishing for compliments, which is sad in and of itself.
Auntriarch 6 months ago
Most of the "when I was pretty" photos are professionally done, if that's what it takes to make you pretty, then you never were. And yet, none of them are too different from the now photos. Even the woman after cancer treatment looked rather lovely.
Brittania Kelli 6 months ago
So many of these are just silly. Girl, you look the same, just with a little less make-up or filter/retouching. Have a feeling the whole trend is mostly girls fishing for compliments, which is sad in and of itself.
Auntriarch 6 months ago
Most of the "when I was pretty" photos are professionally done, if that's what it takes to make you pretty, then you never were. And yet, none of them are too different from the now photos. Even the woman after cancer treatment looked rather lovely.
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