It’s normal to want to feel good about how you look, but sometimes, people go to extreme lengths to boost their confidence, only to end up feeling just as insecure as before.
Whether it’s obsessing over tiny details, chasing beauty trends, or relying on quick fixes, many attempts to feel better about the reflection staring back at you in the mirror every day just don’t work in the long run. These are just a few of the desperate things people do to feel better about their looks that never actually do the trick. While everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin, doing these things probably isn’t the way to achieve that.
1. Obsessively checking the mirror every chance they get
You’d think that constantly checking your reflection would help you feel more in control of your appearance, but it usually does the opposite. The more you stare, the more flaws you start to notice — ones that probably weren’t even on your radar before. Instead of giving a confidence boost, this habit just feeds self-criticism. A quick glance to make sure you’re presentable? Fine. However, standing in front of the mirror, nitpicking every detail is just a guaranteed way to feel worse about yourself.
2. Using heavy filters and editing every single photo
Editing apps and filters can be fun, but relying on them for every single picture is a slippery slope. At first, it might feel good to see a smoother, more “perfect” version of yourself, but eventually, it just makes real life feel like a disappointment. When the gap between your edited photos and your actual appearance gets too wide, it fuels even more insecurity. Instead of obsessing over erasing every wrinkle or pore, embracing natural photos (even just occasionally) can actually help build real confidence.
3. Buying expensive beauty products expecting instant results
Source: Unsplash It’s easy to fall for the idea that a new skincare serum or high-end foundation will magically transform your face overnight. Beauty brands know this, which is why they market their products like they’re selling self-esteem in a bottle. While good products can make a difference, they’re not going to completely change how you feel about yourself. No amount of expensive creams will fix deep-rooted insecurities, and chasing the next “miracle” product just drains your bank account more than anything else.
4. Constantly fishing for compliments
Asking “Do I look okay?” or posting selfies just to see how many likes you get might give a temporary boost, but it’s not a real fix for self-doubt. The reassurance lasts for a moment, but then the insecurity creeps back in, and you end up needing more validation. The problem is, when your confidence relies on other people’s opinions, it’s never stable. Learning to feel good about yourself without constant external approval is the real game-changer.
5. Following extreme beauty trends that don’t actually suit them
Trends come and go, and some of them aren’t flattering on most people. But when someone’s desperate to feel more attractive, they might jump on every new trend, whether it actually works for them or not. Bleached brows, overly contoured faces, or outfits that don’t suit their body type — it’s all fun until they realise they don’t feel comfortable or confident in any of it. Instead of chasing trends, finding a personal style that actually suits them makes a much bigger difference.
6. Overdoing cosmetic procedures or treatments
Source: Unsplash There’s nothing wrong with getting a little tweak here and there if it makes someone feel better, but when it turns into an endless cycle of fixing one thing after another, it’s a sign that no amount of work will ever feel “enough.” At first, a treatment might give a confidence boost, but once the excitement fades, the focus shifts to something else that needs “fixing.” It’s a cycle that never ends unless the real issue — self-acceptance — is addressed.
7. Comparing themselves to celebrities and influencers
Scrolling through Instagram and seeing flawless, perfectly styled people can make anyone feel like they’re not good enough. But the reality is that most of those images are highly curated, edited, and designed to look effortless when they’re anything but. Comparing real life to a filtered, posed highlight reel is a losing game. The more someone does it, the worse they feel. The only way to win is to stop playing; limiting screen time or following more realistic accounts can actually help.
8. Trying to impress people who don’t actually matter
Source: Unsplash Some people change their entire look just to impress an ex, a crush, or even a group of people they don’t really like. They convince themselves that if they just looked a certain way, they’d finally get the attention or approval they want. But here’s the harsh truth: chasing someone else’s validation rarely works. People who truly care about you won’t need you to change how you look, and those who do? They’re not worth the effort.
9. Wearing uncomfortable clothes just to look good
There’s nothing wrong with dressing up, but if someone is constantly squeezing into painful shoes, wearing clothes they can’t breathe in, or spending the entire day adjusting their outfit, it’s not confidence — it’s self-inflicted torture. Confidence comes from feeling comfortable in your own skin, and that includes your clothes. Wearing something that actually fits well and feels good is far more attractive than looking stylish but miserable.
10. Covering up “flaws” that no one else even notices
Everyone has things they’re insecure about, but some people obsess over tiny details that no one else would even think twice about. Whether it’s a slightly uneven eyebrow, a barely-there scar, or the shape of their ears, they fixate on it as if it’s the first thing people notice. The reality is that most people are too busy thinking about their own insecurities to even notice yours. Fixating on tiny “flaws” just creates unnecessary stress without actually changing anything.
11. Overloading on makeup to “fix” their face
Makeup can be an amazing tool for self-expression, but when someone starts using it as a mask rather than an enhancement, it becomes more of a crutch than a confidence booster. Caking on layers to hide every little imperfection only fuels more self-consciousness. Instead of trying to create a whole new face with makeup, learning to appreciate their natural features, even just a little, can be far more empowering.
12. Changing hairstyles constantly in search of the “perfect” look
Some people cycle through hair colours, cuts, and styles because they’re convinced that their confidence is just one good haircut away. But no matter how many times they change it, they never quite feel satisfied. While switching things up can be fun, real confidence doesn’t come from a haircut — it comes from how you carry yourself, regardless of what’s on your head.
13. Spending a fortune on products that don’t actually change much
From anti-ageing creams to cellulite treatments, the beauty industry thrives on making people believe they need to “fix” themselves. Some people fall into the trap of buying every new product, hoping it’ll finally give them the confidence boost they want. But at the end of the day, no cream, serum, or supplement is a substitute for self-acceptance. Investing in things that make you feel good, like skincare that’s actually helpful rather than gimmicky, is one thing, but expecting a product to completely change how you feel about yourself is unrealistic.
14. Waiting until they “look better” to start living life
Some people put their life on hold, convinced that they’ll start dating, travelling, or wearing what they want once they lose weight, clear their skin, or “fix” whatever they think is wrong with them. But that day never comes because the goalposts keep shifting. The truth is, life is happening right now, not five pounds from now or one skincare routine later. The happiest people don’t wait until they feel perfect to enjoy life — they just live it.
