Mog or Be Mogged
Looksmaxxing is a multifaceted trend with a wild history and crazy implications. Some have sworn Looksmaxxing has changed their lives, yet others think it is a waste of time. In order to fully understand the breadth of this concept, multiple sides of this complex trend must be analyzed.
Contextmaxxing
Looksmaxxing is broadly defined as “a practice involving several forms of facial exercising and body care routines, in an effort to improve one's physical appearance.” This concept dates back further than the TikTok timeline. The word “Looksmaxxing” has been around for about ten years, initially used in conversations between incels on obscure internet forums within the manosphere. Evidently, there seems to be a long history of misogyny and extreme gatekeeping.
However, the Looksmaxxing community that has recently gained traction on TikTok is less focused on putting women down and more focused on picking men up. Mainstream Looksmaxxers belong to “glow-up TikTok,” which distances them from the misogyny of their predecessors. Instead, they focus on prescribing methods of achieving a physical standard to their audience. This audience usually comprises of teenage boys, most of whom are struggling with their body image during a peak transitional stage of life.
Methodmaxxing
In the realm of Looksmaxxing, there are certain physical characteristics that equate to how handsome a man can be; more specifically, facial features. The ideal Looksmaxxing face consists of chiseled cheekbones and a strong jawline. The eyes demonstrate a positive canthal tilt, where the outer corners of the eyes are higher than the inner corners, which produces an intense “hunter eye” effect.
It is not unreasonable to say that many Looksmaxxers start with “Softmaxxing.” These techniques are nothing out of the ordinary. Developing a skincare routine, eating healthy, and exercising regularly fall under the Softmaxxing umbrella. A more unique example of Softmaxxing is mewing: the technique is achieved by holding one's tongue to the roof of the mouth. Orthodontist John Mew pioneered the technique in the 70s, and his son, Mike Mew, now claims mewing produces a more defined jawline over time. There is no major evidence to back up Mew’s claims, yet TikTokers remain obsessed with his practice.
The next step up from Softmaxxing is “Hardmaxxing,” and that is where things get a bit extreme. Likely one of the most recognizable examples of Hardmaxxing is “bonesmashing.” One who bonesmashes purposely breaks his jaw or cheekbones in hopes of them reforming after the healing process, thus producing the desired Looksmaxxing facial structure. This method, along with other types of Hardmaxxing, can be extremely dangerous and are likely ineffective. Hardmaxxing in mainstream media is usually a target of satire, but it continues to stand as a testament to the dark side of Looksmaxxing.
Toxicmaxxing
Notable TikToker, Dillon Latham brought sensative information from the incel side of Looksmaxxing to TikTok back in August of 2023. Lantham revealed the name of a vehemently gatekept website filled with what incels would consider the best Looksmaxxing advice. Because Latham shared this information on a mainstream platform, he became the target of some severe retaliation. He was doxxed, inciting strangers to show up at his house to threaten him. Latham’s family was also impacted, as these strangers would appear at his parents' and grandparents' houses, too. For the safety of himself and his family, he had to remove the video that revealed the incel’s sensitive information.
Latham’s story proves that while Looksmaxxing can be harmless advice from one man to another, it has a more nuanced history than meets the eye. There are extreme Looksmaxxers who also stand behind belittling women and using deceit to get them in bed. They endorse using threats and exploitation to gatekeep their secrets.
Looking at the bigger picture, anything promoting a certain beauty standard can become toxic. No matter how much someone tries to help others achieve these standards, feelings of inadequacy are bound to surface. It is imperative to remember there is beauty in variation, and differences make each individual uniquely beautiful. If all people met the standard set by Looksmaxxers, then everyone would look the same. How boring would that be? No one should be afraid to make healthy choices to improve their well-being and appearance, but they should never lose sight of what makes them unique.
Written by Abbie Billingsley, Photography: Atithi Shresha, Social Media: Manuela Diez