Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@pollysekacheva
Topics: TikTok, Women's Health, Beauty
Kya Buller
The latest Gen Z TikTok craze sweeping the internet is that of 'looksmaxxing', but there is more than meets the eye with regards to the beauty-based trend.
'Looksmaxxing' first emerged as a trend young men were partaking in as a result of damaging 'incel' culture - a term which refers to those who are 'involuntarily celibate'.
Today, however, people of all genders and life experiences are taking part in the trend which sometimes encourages cosmetic surgery.
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As per BBC, "With roots in online incel (involuntarily celibate) forums, looksmaxxing claims to be about the 'maximisation' of one's appearance.
"The aim of looksmaxxing is becoming the most attractive one can possibly look according to a set of prescribed criteria, with particular importance given to jawlines, eyes and physique (including 'hunter' eyes, angled slightly upward toward the temples – a positive canthal tilt)."
Influencers all over TikTok are having their faces analysed by accounts who proclaim to be able to help them 'looksmaxx' to their best potential.
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One such influencer, Polly Sekacheva, had an account analyse her appearance -which included digitally altering her hair colour, which she has now done in real life.
Watch the video here:
Polly explained it's as simple as reaching out to the business she used, asking what they need and how much it costs - in a comment, Polly confirmed she paid paid $47 (£35) - and then sending over a clear selfie which will remain private unless you give consent for it to be published on their social profiles.
Polly said: "She asked me if I wanted 'softmaxxing' or 'hardmaxxing'", before explaining that softmaxxing is haircut, hair colour, eyebrows and tan.
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Whereas, hardmaxxing is filler and surgery.
Polly added: "She edits your face, and gives you a visual of what it'll look like. She gives you advice on how to achieve it."
Polly then explains that off the back of the advice, she dyed her hair a 'champagne-y brown', arched her eyebrows less, opted for 'rosy, clean girl makeup,' and that she got chin filler to help her heart-shaped face look 'more extended, elongated and beautiful'.
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Polly allowed the looksmaxxing account to post her before and after, and said: "To all the people that saw this video and commented 'you saved her,' she really did."
An article for the Guardian noted that 'looksmaxxing influencers have gained huge followings, while algorithms promote videos watched by millions,' and 'The trend has prompted bewilderment among parents and teachers and concern that young people are finding yet more reasons to feel bad about themselves.'
But it seems many young women in particular are finding the advice and tips genuinely helpful.
One person commented on Polly's video: "Yesss. Blonde washed you out. The new colour is warm and compliments your undertone!"
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Another person said: "It's somehow making you glow. like actually glow."
While a third added: "You look amazing before and after girl!!"