I’ll be real. I saw a selfie that made me wince. Bad skin day, flat hair, dull eyes. I wasn’t mad—just tired of feeling “meh.” So I ran a small test on myself for two months. No surgery. No wild hacks. Just simple changes I could keep. If you’re curious how someone else approached a similar timeline, this 60-day looksmax experiment breaks down every tweak in sharp detail.
You know what? Some little things made a big difference. Some flopped. I’ll tell you both.
Skin That Looks Awake (Not Shiny, Not Dry)
I live in humid Austin. Sunscreen can feel sticky here, but clinical research shows that consistent SPF use keeps photo-damage at bay even with lightweight formulas. (If you’d rather invest in a few smart budget products than overhaul the whole shelf, this test of inexpensive makeup brands that actually work is a goldmine.)
What I used, and I liked:
- Morning: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46, and a pea-size vitamin C (La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 on my T-zone).
- Night: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene) three nights a week, then CeraVe PM lotion.
Real talk: Differin made me peel for two weeks. Tiny flakes on my chin. Not cute. Then my forehead smoothed out, and those small jaw bumps faded. After week four, my skin tone looked even. Not perfect. Just calm. If you want a peek at how those fancy peptide serums start life in the lab, swing by Girindus for a surprisingly readable rundown.
Little hack that felt silly but worked: COSRX pimple patches on whiteheads. I wore them to bed. In the morning, the bump was flat. Weird, but satisfying. Spray-on complexion fixes sounded tempting, but this one-week spray makeup experiment convinced me it’s not a shortcut I need.
What didn’t work for me: using retinoid every night. I tried. I turned red. Three nights a week was my sweet spot.
Hair That Frames Your Face, Not Fights It
I have fine hair that goes limp by noon. My barber gave me a low skin fade with a bit more length on top—about 1.5 inches. We pushed volume forward, not straight up. This breakdown of whether to start with hair or makeup saved me time on busy mornings. I used a tiny dab of Hanz de Fuko Claymation on dry hair. Then I set it with a quick blast of the blow dryer.
Result: my face looked slimmer. My cheekbones showed more. I got two “Did you do something different?” comments at work. That felt nice.
Tiny rule that helps: show your barber a photo of the front and the side. Say what you don’t want. I said, “No hard line. I want soft edges.”
Brows, Beard, and Those Little Edges
I thought brows didn’t matter. I was wrong. I used Tweezerman slant tweezers to take only the hairs in the middle and a few under the arch. Then I brushed them up with a clear gel (NYX Control Freak). My eyes looked more open. If you like experimenting, this monster test of every makeup type shows what actually moves the needle without overdoing it.
Facial hair: I used a Philips Norelco OneBlade to keep a short stubble, then faded the neck from a 2 to a 1 guard. I once shaved a super sharp cheek line. It looked harsh on me. I went softer, and it looked natural.
Nose hair? Trimmer. Fast. No one wants to see that.
Teeth And Smile: Small Moves, Big Payoff
I used Crest 3D Whitestrips for 10 days. I got mild tooth zing on day 3, so I skipped a day and used Sensodyne at night. End result: one shade brighter in photos. In person, people just said, “You look fresh.” Floss picks in my bag helped me stay consistent. A Waterpik on Sundays made my gums feel less puffy.
Posture And Body: The “Frame” Matters
This sounds boring. It works.
- Three days a week: 20-minute lift. Push, pull, legs. Basic stuff—incline push-ups, rows with a band, goblet squats.
- I added 5g creatine monohydrate (NOW Sports brand) with water after workouts. Research backs creatine’s safety and muscle-building benefits here.
- I walked 8,000 steps daily. No hero moves.
After four weeks, my sleeves filled a bit. My neck looked longer. I didn’t chase specific “clavicle” routines, but if that niche interests you, this candid review of clavicular looksmax methods separates hype from reality. My face held less bloat—less late-night chips helped too. Not a new person, just more “alive.”
Posture trick I do at my desk: feet flat, chin back like I’m holding an orange under it, shoulders down. I set a timer every hour to stand and stretch my chest on a door frame. Sounds goofy. Works.
Clothes: Fit Over Fancy
I wanted style, but not a costume.
- Uniqlo Airism tee in off-white. Smooth. Doesn’t cling.
- Levi’s 511 jeans. Slight taper. No puddle at the ankles.
- Clean white sneakers (Nike Air Force 1). Crisp, not loud.
- One simple watch. I wear a Timex Weekender most days.
I learned this the hard way: dark colors slim, but a bit of contrast near your face wakes you up. A light tee under a darker jacket did the trick.
Scent: Keep It Clean, Not Cloudy
I tested two. For daytime, I used Nautica Voyage. Fresh, cheap, does not smack people in the face. For dates, I used Maison Margiela Replica “Jazz Club.” Warm and cozy. One spray on the chest, one on the back of the neck. That’s it. Too much reads try-hard. Putting my revamped grooming to the test in real social settings mattered too. If you're ever up near Saratoga Springs and want to see how your “smell-good, look-good” package plays in a lively lounge environment, check out Tryst Saratoga—the guide breaks down dress expectations, vibe, and pro tips for scoring a relaxed yet confident night out with zero guesswork.
Photos And Lighting (Because People Will See You On A Screen)
No filter. Just better light.
- Face a window. Don’t stand under ceiling lights; they cast shadows.
- Hold the phone slightly above eye level. Chin down a touch. Look at the top third of the screen.
- Clean the lens with your shirt. It matters.
I took new LinkedIn and dating pics this way. More matches. More replies. Same face. Better setup.
Curious how far the right lighting and angles can take you? Some people push the concept to the extreme; check out this boldly honest French photo diary to see step-by-step how careful framing and a fearless attitude can make even very revealing selfies look polished and empowered.
Food, Water, Sleep: The Quiet Fixes
I cut salty snacks after 8 p.m. I drank a big glass of water at dinner and one before bed. I aimed for 7–8 hours of sleep. When I slept less, my under eyes puffed. I tried The Ordinary Caffeine Solution under my eyes in the morning. It cooled the area and helped a bit, but sleep helped more.
Things I Tried And Dropped
- Home microneedling: I bailed. I didn’t trust myself. Skin is precious.
- Over-plucked brows: looked sharp in the mirror, too thin in photos. I let them grow back.
- Using too much product in my hair: made it look greasy. Pea-size was enough.
Quick Start Checklist (What Gave Me The Fastest Wins)
- Get a clean, simple haircut that fits your face. Take photos to your barber.
- Wash face, use sunscreen, add a retinoid a few nights a week.
- Tame brows, trim nose hair, shape beard or shave clean.
- Wear clothes that fit. Tailor pants if needed. White tee, dark jeans, clean shoes.
- Walk daily. Lift a little. Creatine can help fullness.
- Fix your lighting for photos. Window light