50 Times “Ugly Ducklings” Underwent Incredible Transformations And Stole The Show At Reunions (New Pics)

The term "glow-up" refers to a dramatic transformation of one's look, self-esteem, or life in general, most times, in a positive and encouraging way. Though most commonly associated with physical change, such as improved skin, improving one's wardrobe, or losing weight, the concept of a glow-up has evolved to include personal growth, emotional enhancement, and even professional success.

The word entered fashion in the 2010s, specifically among young online communities, and is now a standard fixture of online culture. In essence, a glow-up is all about transformation. It is usually used to describe the move from child or teenager to adult, when one has more control over how they present themselves, their health, and general wellbeing.

However, glow-ups can come later in life, and are not limited to any specific age or phase. An individual can "glow up" after a break-up, through a diet regimen, or with enhanced mental health. The process might involve changing eating habits, exercise, skin care regimen, sense of style, make-up skills, or even therapy and nutrition. The unifying thread is transformation, generally framed as a kind of resurrection or fulfillment of potential.

Glow-up material on the internet has gone viral, driven primarily by the visual and storytelling pull of social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and even Twitter. There are millions of threads that include before-and-after pictures or videos, usually set to motivational songs, which create a satisfying before-and-after tale of self-reinvention.

Some of the videos are over-the-top and emotionally intense, depicting internal struggles and the work involved in change. Others are sarcastic and lighthearted, using glow-up "challenges" or trends that prompt users to share their own betterment over some period of time, e.g., "From 2016 to Now" or "High School Me vs. Now."

It's why glow-up content is so well-liked: its aspirational value and relatability. The majority of the audience identifies their own weaknesses in the "before" and idealizes their own "after." Such content is very motivational, it presents proof that change is attainable, oftentimes by the simplest or actionable steps like drinking more water, dressing more confidently, or adopting a new habit.

Glow-up posts and stories are usually tutorials in themselves, taking the consumer step by step through skincare regimens, wardrobe updates, or productivity habits. Influencers and everyday users both share their tips, building a self-help community.

However, the glow-up trend is not criticism-proof. Some argue that it can reinforce unflattering beauty ideals or force people into conformity with beauty ideals based on weight loss, Eurocentric facial features, or expensive beauty routines. The focus on looks, especially in "glow-up" montages, has the side effect of suggesting that the value is tied up with how traditionally attractive one appears. There is also concern that highly edited or posed content sets out unrealistic expectations, which causes viewers to compare themselves with filtered or selectively presented versions of other individuals' lives.

In the midst of all this angst, though, glow-up culture endures in large part because it touches on something exceedingly human: the desire to change and be seen as our best selves. In an era of social media, where identity and image are curated and shared online, a glow-up can symbolize more than a makeover, it's a seal of survival, of growth, and of potential rebirth. Both authentic and performative, the glow-up phenomenon speaks to our collective interest in change, and the faith that, through effort and passage of time, anyone can become better.