30 People Who Didn’t Realize They Were This Stunning Until They Worked on Themselves

Remember how you used to walk around the mall with your girlfriends on a Saturday to stare at that skater boy that worked at PacSun? The guy that you never talked to but bought socks just because he was at the cash register.

Please tell us this guy didn’t glow-up to be your 12-year-old self’s ultimate crush. This guy always had potential – you can see that sensual look in his eyes, it just got so much better when he decided to grow his hair out.

You can tell by the way that this girl crossed her arms she wasn’t completley confident in the way she looks. The huge headphones also hint that as a teenager, she preferred to listen to music rather than interact with her peers.

That changed when she hit the age of 24 – growing into herself, her smile radiates self-confidence, and her eyes are sparkling with joy. Most importantly, those eyebrows may be some of the best eyebrows we have ever seen.

Sometimes all you need to feel great about yourself is a great dress. That, and maybe getting yourself into shape.

It may be hard at first, convincing yourself that at the end of the day, it’ll be worth it, but you can tell by this woman’s pose and the fact that she was taking selfies in the mirror – she knows that her hard work paid off. We love seeing this kind of self-love and cannot wait to see more of it!

Looking back at photos of ourselves as adolescents can bring up memories of some hard fashion choices we may have made. This girl looks like your average teen, the glasses, the braces – it’s all pretty standard. She grew up to be stunning.

Although we can’t know exactly what her hair looked like under her coat’s hood, her hair now looks amazing. We know braces can be annoying – they didn’t stop her from smiling big when she was younger, and they aren’t stopping her from smiling now.

Some glow-ups happen over many years, others only take a year or two. “The difference between these photos is 20 months. I lost weight, and now I’m not shy about the natural structure of my hair,” the girl in this photo posted.

Upgrading herself was more important to her than upgrading her phone, and we are obsessed. Let that hair grow, girl! We hope the jams you’re listening to are more upbeat and that you dance like no one is watching!

Are you more jealous of this guy’s hair or his beautiful eyes – there are no wrong answers! After losing the weight and shaving his goatee, this guy transformed into a modern-day Disney prince.

He was always handsome, we will give him that, but the weight loss in his face accentuates his ocean blue eyes. Now that we’re done staring into his dreamy eyes let us focus on that hair! Prince, if you’re reading this, what conditioner are you using? We need to know!

We all had that one kid that looks exactly like this guy back in high school. He hated everyone, you can tell by the look on his face that he was not enjoying anything about the moment this photo was taken.

After going away to college and reinventing himself, this guy looks beyond happy. He looks like he has always been happy, but then again, who wouldn’t be happy with a pile of french-fries on their plate?

We’re not sure if this guy models for a living or if this photo looks like it came out of a fancy catalog – either way, we are blown away. Of course, he lost a little weight, and his skin cleared up, but it’s not that this guy wasn’t cute when he was younger.

He always had a sense of style, but HOLY MOLY did he grow up to be a dream. The dreamy look in his eyes, it’s like he knows the secret to life itself…

Getting into shape is amazing for all sorts of reasons. At the end of the day, when you start working out and shedding weight – you’ll feel more productive, improve your mental and physical health, have more energy, and you may even find that you sleep better.

We are sure all of this happened for this guy, but best of all, he got his dimples back! Not that they ever went missing, but we are sure it is much easier to see them now – and that this guy is smiling much more now that he’s running marathons!

We don’t know if this guy’s name is Dan or not, but from here on out, we insist everyone that knows him refers to him as “Dapper Dan.” Dan lost 100 pounds and has never looked better.

Aside from the fact that he lost a significant amount of weight, he cut his hair, went shopping, and let his facial hair grow. If this guy showed up on our Tinder, believe us, we would press the “SuperLike” button and hope that he is, in fact, our future husband.

Sometimes, going through a major change also means we lose the things that make us, us – that differentiates us from the people around us. This woman lost weight and chopped off her hair, feeling more confident than ever.

That being said, she was not keen on giving up her favorite characteristic – her unique hair color. This newfound confidence didn’t mean she was going to leave her “old” self behind. Despite her whole new look, this rocking chick kept her funky green hair – and we love it!

This smize has us wishing we had this woman’s finesse. You can tell that over the years, she has fallen in love with her true self, ditching the glasses and braids and embracing her natural features.

Learning how to take pictures that “catch your good side” is not an easy skill to acquire – but she has got it down. Her selfie game is on point. To top it all off, we love that she’s wearing minimal makeup. This is what we call the perfect glam up!

It’s hard to imagine that the photo on the left was taken in the early 2000s and not way back in the ’70s. We don’t really know what’s going on with her bangs – but we’re guessing after this haircut she decided to swear off bangs for the rest of her life.

She also tossed the glasses and opted for contacts, which in our opinion was the right choice! With eyes as beautiful as hers, we wouldn’t ever hide behind lenses that big.

In many cases, all it takes to feel better about yourself is a good haircut. Changing up your hairstyle can alter how you perceive yourself – you realize that the parts you thought you hated about yourself aren’t that bad after all.

This guy chopped off his long locks and has never looked better – the clean-cut look had a positive effect on him. We’re not sure if it’s the different angles these photos were taken or his newfound self-confidence, but there is a certain softness in his eyes that only appeared after his haircut.

When you’re addicted to junk food, it’s hard to think that a healthy lifestyle could ever make you feel better than a good burger. Mike decided to take that chance and give up his two favorite things, two of the most addicting things.

“I restored what was destroyed by 20 years of McDonald’s and Coke.” We don’t know if we have Mike’s willpower, but if someone were to tell us that we would look as good as him if we stopped eating junk food – we would go cold turkey.

It may seem trivial to many, but to some individuals, a haircut may be more than a haircut. After struggling with depression and poor self-confidence, this man decided to chop off all of his hair.

You can tell by his massive smile in the “after” photos, that he made the right move. After ten years of what he describes as being “a lazy hippie,” he made the bold move and said that he has never felt more refreshed.

“Got a haircut, got braces, and a new wardrobe!” Yes, to all of this, girl! The confidence radiating off of this woman is contagious. We love that this “new me” came with a “short hair, don’t care” kind of attitude.

She is killing this rocker hairstyle, one that not many can pull off, in our opinion. We could learn a thing or two about the cat-eye eyeliner look, she is winning at life, and we are here for it.

This has got to be one of our favorite makeovers. Weight aside – this girl has got it all going on. Her style changed, her eyebrows look amazing, and don’t get us started on her hair. That hair is everything we have ever hoped and dreamed of, and she has it.

Thank goodness she got rid of those bangs, they were not doing anyone any good. Although she doesn’t have a huge smile, you can tell she is smiling with her eyes – she knows it, she is the queen of the world.

You’ve probably already heard the saying “couple goals,” right? Well, this couple is our literal couple goals! They had a goal, and they reached it together, as a couple. Although they admit that weight loss is an ongoing process, they both look great.

We can’t help but wonder if they would ever renew their vows now that they have both reached their goal weight. A couple that glows together stays together.

Insecurities come around strong around Halloween – everyone dresses up (or down), and there are usually major parties going on no matter where you are. It is hard not to care about what other people think or say, and when you’re in costume, you become vulnerable.

This girl had one goal, to wear her dream Halloween costume. She succeeded in reaching her goal and went from Shrek to Esmeralda. There was no trickin’, everyone that saw her that night got a real treat!

Although it may seem like insecurities are something you deal with when you’re younger, some people carry it with them their whole lives. This woman proves that there is no age limit to feeling good about yourself.

“Life begins at 40!” she wrote. The picture on the left is from age 25, and the one on the right is at 40. As you may know, we love a good mirror selfie, and we’re all for this one.

We can’t exactly put our finger on why but to us, this guy looks like he could be a Hogwarts student. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Mind. Blown. Right?

The version on the left looks like he could have been housed in Hufflepuff, and the version on the right looks like he is a straight-up Slytherin. We don’t know which version we like (or trust more), but they are both equally cute.

We’re so used to people telling us we should aspire to be more like the people in fashion magazines, sometimes we lose sight of the beauty that is right in front of us.

The difference between these two photos is four years, but she was so used to not enjoying what she looked like, it felt like forever. It took her years before she could look in the mirror and realize that she was just as beautiful as anyone in any magazine or movie.

Coming to terms with the fact that you are balding isn’t easy. Some people go for the not so subtle comb-over. Some let their hair grow in hopes that the hair in the back will compensate for the hair loss in the front.

This guy made the bold move of shaving it all off, and we are here for it. He didn’t give up growing his hair out completely, and instead of hair on his head, he decided to grow a beard. Yes, please!

Some people need to reach a low to decide it’s time they make a change in their lives – Ivan needed to reach a “high.” He was 330 pounds when he finally decided to start losing weight.

He took it step by step, on his first day, he stopped eating bread and sugar and headed to the gym. In the photo on the right, he is 220 pounds, and although he is satisfied with the way he looks and feels, he wants to make it to 180! You’re on a roll, man, you got this!

Everyone goes through a chubby phase, and this guy is reminiscent of the gang of nerdy boys hanging out at the triple features at the local movie theatre. He’s even got the supersized soda to prove it!

This dude transformed from awkward teen to cool dude. He probably hangs at the local craft brewery in that denim jacket and plaid shirt combo. The look is completed with adorable horror movie pins, showing that the passion for film lasted longer than the curls!

Ah, those braces photos always come back to haunt us! This girl looks happy in her before picture but seems to be a little shy, hiding behind her floppy fringe, train track braces, and oversized sweater.

It seems like someone got bit by the confidence bug, though! In her after photo, she is radiating some serious girl power, from her piercing blue eyes to her subtle and classy makeup and relaxed, tousled hairstyle. Love this look!

When does a hairstyle stop becoming an expression of your personality and start being your personality? Probably when the dreads grow to longer than a meter. This brave girl finally plucked up the courage to go for the chop!

You can see the lightness in her face, and probably in her body too, now that she’s gotten rid of all that extra dreadlocked weight dragging her down all the time! Looking fresh-faced, fly, and free-spirited. You go, girl!

This guy went from your kid brother’s annoying computer club buddy to looking like a model in a perfume advertisement. There’s a lot to be said for getting a good haircut and growing some fashionable facial hair.

It seems like this Reddit user spent the most time, however, working on his self-confidence. If you find your focus and set your own goals, everything else will follow, and this guy has set an admirable trajectory for himself. Bravo!

There’s something telling about the way this girl starts on the sand, barely dipping her toes, and ends up on the wide-open ocean looking like she hasn’t got a care in the world! What’s her secret?

This Reddit user said losing weight was her first big challenge, and soon after she started to feel happier in many other areas of her life too. Her glorious smile and relaxed posture in the second photo really says it all.

This guy started out looking kind of like a boy scout leader, and like any good scout, he put the work in to make a change. It’s clear he lost weight, but the biggest transformation is in his face. He really turned that frown upside down!

He is looking all kinds of healthy, happy, and strong! He seems to have maintained his passion for the great outdoors and even found a girl to accompany him on his arm. Kudos to them!

This next photo comes from a girl with a heartwarming story. She shared on Reddit that she was struggling with her mental health after the birth of her child, and found herself in a bad place mentally, physically, and emotionally.

A couple of years on, and she has conquered her problems, finding a new lust for life. She looks so fit and healthy, and will certainly be getting all the exercise she needs chasing around an excited toddler all day.

This Reddit user underwent a total style revamp, and she looks so good for it. In high school, sometimes it was easier to hide in a clique than to stand out, and it looks like she fell hard for the gothic crowd.

This girl has ditched the dark eyeliner, deep lipstick, and pale foundation, opting instead for a natural look. Her newfound confidence and sense of self allows her to show the world who she really is without hiding under makeup!

In this guy’s before photo, it seems like he doesn’t lack confidence, although hiding behind a big hooded sweater might suggest that he wasn’t that happy with his looks. We can barely believe this is the same person!

Everything about this after photo is a class act, right down to the stylish watch and jewelry. It looks like shaving his head and hitting the gym has allowed him to go from frat boy to smooth and sophisticated.

Those high school photographers are on a mission to take the most embarrassing photos. Even though she’s smiling, this girl on the left looks like she’s cringing at having her picture taken. But it all changed!

A couple of years later, and some considerable care and attention for those beautiful long locks of hair, and she is out here looking like a Disney princess. Maybe a mix between Jasmine and Rapunzel? Whoever she is, she’s stunning!

This girl underwent a drastic transformation that is not just skin deep. It’s clear she’s always been attractive, but she looks quite awkward initially, and her slumped shoulders and bad posture would indicate a lack of confidence in herself.

Fast forward a few years and she looks poised, regal, and positively radiant. She’s clearly decided to go back to her original hair color and loose curls as well, which just accentuates how gorgeous her eyes and bone structure are.

It takes a second to realize what’s strange about the photo on the left, but once you see it, you can’t unseen it. Those eyebrows! There was a time when it was all the rage to over-pluck but good lord!

Luckily, this girl decided that keeping things authentic was the best course of action, and she looks all the better for it. It’s crazy how much of a difference eyebrow shape can make. This girl shows us how it should be done!

This girl looks like a really cheerful kid, although the combination of glasses with all of that flyaway hair must have been a nightmare for her. She decided to change things up as an adult and went for classy blunt bangs.

It’s not easy to pull off this vintage vibe, complete with cute freckles and French winged eyeliner, but you can tell that she’s grown into a look that really suits her style and personality. This curly cut is on point!

While others go for a shorter hairstyle when they want a radical look, this woman decided to go the other way, growing out her girly long bob into some enviable tresses. There was a beauty queen inside all along!

She also got tired of the floral tops and glasses, and her clear skin and relaxed pose show that she is healthy and confident with the look that she has grown into. Who run the world? Girls like this!

In his before photo, this guy looks like your typical high school sports fan. He loves a polo shirt, track pants, and hooded sweater, like most guys at that age! However, growing up has brought him a style of his own.

With this sharp haircut and shaped, but not overstayed, facial hair, he looks totally suave. The navy blue suit was a perfect choice to match his eyes, and you can tell from his expression that he is just living for this look

Can someone please call all the toothpaste companies up and cut this guy a deal? We have never seen such a bright smile, and we are smiling just looking at this guy’s pearly whites.

Yes, this is yet another case of your classic “brace-face,” but at the end of the day, the time he spent at the orthodontist was worth it on so many levels. Does anyone know what we need to do to get teeth this white?

This may come as somewhat of a surprise to you, but this guy is only 25 years old! We know we are shocked as well! There is something about the maturity in his face that gives off the vibe that he is older.

This optical illusion probably has something to do with the fact that he went through a lot during his weight loss process. He lost 120 pounds and continues to maintain his weight by working out every day.

It seems like the braces and glasses combo has made this list a couple of times. It doesn’t surprise us, half of the people we went to high school with were nicknamed either “four-eyes” or “brace-face” – including us.

Considering almost everyone we know used to look like this, it’s astonishing to us that this guy was considered “an ugly duckling.” On the bright side, it’s nice to see that he finally let his hair grow long, seeing as he was always a fan of shaggy hair.

Losing things sometimes means receiving other things in return. This woman has always been beautiful, and there is no doubt in our minds about that. When she decided to lose weight, she gained a lot of herself back.

She stopped dyeing her eyebrows, and her unique features started to shine through. For the first time in her life, people shifted their attention to traits she had other than her weight. She received endless compliments on her piercing eyes and her porcelain skin.

We don’t think we can say this guy was ever on the “heavy” side – he had baby fat and chubby cheeks. We all did – you’d be lying if you said you didn’t. Being an elegant dresser always worked in this guy’s favor, and he has gotten better at styling his hair throughout the years.

Losing his baby weight and those chubby cheeks did this guy wonders, who knew that underneath it all hid the most defined jawline we have ever seen?

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