I’m 28f. When I was younger I had frizzy curly hair, no sense of style and my skin was pretty bad. As I got older I learnt how to straighten my hair, do makeup and my skin completely cleared. In addition to this from about age 14 my figure went from skinny to skinny with a small waist and a shapely figure if you get what I mean.

So I’ve pretty much experienced life as an ugly girl and a fairly pretty girl. I wouldn’t describe myself as model material but I’m ok looking and in good shape.

I hate hate hate the fact that I’m a really kind caring person, I have loads of hobbies, interests and talents and I always got good grades in school, I have a good career but in the eyes of a lot of men I’m reduced to just being valued on my looks.

I’ve also had more than one occasion where I dated a guy who seemed really interested until a better looking option (who was far less kind, interesting or intelligent) came along. I’ve also been in a bar before on a day my hair was a mess, I had no makeup and my skin had flared up. I was with my stunningly beautiful cousin and a guy even told me to ‘move out the way’ because I was blocking his view of my cousin. To be fair I did laugh about that because it was so ridiculous but it just shows how rude men can be to women who don’t look a certain way.

I know women can be superficial too but I think the criteria is at least based on more than one thing so slightly less depressing. I would much rather my ‘value’ be based on my earning potential, looks and social skills than just my looks.