What Exactly Is Looksmaxxing?

If you’re as chronically online as we are, you’ve probably heard of the term “looksmaxxing.” If not, lucky you — let us explain. The word originates from incel online message boards, and it’s when a man tries to become as attractive as he possibly can, according to a set of pre-existing beauty standards, to get attention from women and, therefore, social currency. Basically, looksmaxxers are chasing pretty privilege. 

As of late, looksmaxxing discourse has expanded far beyond its messaging board roots. Earlier this year, countless publications—including the New York Times, The Guardian, and GQ, just to name a few—wrote pieces about the topic. But why is looksmaxxing such a big deal? Ahead, we explore this current phenomenon, why people are fascinated by it, and why it’s not as unique as some might believe it to be.

Why Are People Talking About Looksmaxxing?

The most popular looksmaxxer is 20 year-old Braden Peters, who refers to himself as “Clavicular.” Peters is known for the extreme lengths he’s gone to achieve his appearance. According to the New York Times, he started looksmaxxing at age 14, ordering testosterone and fat dissolvers online and editing photos of himself on Photoshop to create his aesthetic ideal. Peters also uses meth to suppress his appetite and has gotten double jaw surgery; but if you are on a budget, he recommends smashing your facial bones with a hammer, so when they heal, they’ll settle in a way that looks more physically attractive. (This isn’t true and actually very dangerous.) 

Peters’s social media following paired with the dangerous and risky actions he has taken in the name of beauty has captured the attention of many people and news outlets.

Looksmaxxing Isn’t Anything New

It’s breaking news when men talk openly about the standards women are expected to uphold. (It’s not dieting, it’s biohacking!) Some looksmaxxing trends that are known to women from a painfully young age? Spending massive amounts of money on procedures to change what is natural to fit beauty standards (like rib fracturing surgery for a smaller waist); following rigid diet and exercise routines to fight out body types; deep knowledge of ever-changing “beauty trends;” and constantly measuring ourselves against Eurocentric beauty ideals that we just can’t seem to shake. Like florals for Spring, none of these expectations are groundbreaking for women.

The Final Word

While all the coverage on looksmaxxing hasn’t been positive (which, good), there doesn’t seem to be much attention around the fact that over 90% of plastic surgery in the United States is performed on women by mostly male plastic surgeons. Or the fact that these looksmaxxers are seeking gender-affirming care while aligning with politics that bars equal access for everyone.

The one thing, however, that holds true is that the pursuit of beauty in service of society’s standards is a lonely endeavor. While it may get views on an algorithm, looksmaxxing isn’t empowering, educating, or enlightening. The pressure to chase some one-size-fits-all beauty ideal isn’t worth it for anyone.

As always, you’re Dieux-ing great.