What is Looksmaxxing? The Trend, The Terms, and The Culture Explained
Looksmaxxing has taken over TikTok and male self-improvement spaces. Here's everything you need to know about the trend, the terminology, and what "ascension" actually means.
If you've been on TikTok, YouTube, or pretty much anywhere online in the past year, you've probably seen it: young men analyzing facial structures, debating "mewing" techniques, rating each other's "PSL scores," and talking about their "ascension."
Welcome to looksmaxxing.
What started in niche internet forums has exploded into a full-blown cultural movement with millions of followers, its own vocabulary, and influencers like Clavicular bringing these concepts to the mainstream.
Whether you're trying to understand what your younger brother is talking about or considering jumping in yourself, here's everything you need to know.
What is Looksmaxxing?
Looksmaxxing is the practice of systematically improving your physical appearance through various methods, from basic grooming and skincare to fitness, posture correction, and in some cases, surgical procedures.
The term combines "looks" with "maxing" (as in maximizing). The core idea: don't leave your appearance to chance. Treat it like any other area of self-improvement with research, strategy, and consistent effort.
Think of it as the male equivalent of the beauty and skincare optimization that's been normal in female spaces for decades, but with its own unique terminology and community culture.
The Philosophy in One Sentence: You can't change your genetics, but you can maximize what you were given.
Where Did Looksmaxxing Come From?
Looksmaxxing has roots in several internet subcultures that merged over time:
The PSL Community (2010s) "PSL" originally stood for forums like PUAHate, Sluthate, and Lookism (now mostly defunct or rebranded). These communities developed rating systems and terminology for analyzing facial aesthetics. While some of these spaces became toxic, the analytical frameworks they developed spread to healthier communities.
Looksmax.org Looksmax.org became the primary hub for appearance optimization discussion. It hosts everything from skincare guides to surgical consultation threads. The forum culture here shaped much of the vocabulary used today.
The TikTok Explosion (2023-2024) Creators like Clavicular brought looksmaxxing concepts to mainstream social media. Suddenly millions of people were learning about mewing, bone structure analysis, and "ascension" transformations.
The #looksmaxxing hashtag on TikTok now has billions of views, and #clavicular alone has over 15 million posts.
Reddit and YouTube Subreddits and YouTube channels dedicated to male grooming, skincare, and self-improvement adopted looksmaxxing terminology, further normalizing the concepts.
Key Figures in the Looksmaxxing World
Clavicular (@kingclavicular)
The biggest name in looksmaxxing right now. Clavicular streams on Kick and TikTok, giving appearance advice, rating viewers, and discussing optimization strategies. He's known for his direct, no-BS approach and has become synonymous with the movement for many newcomers.
He also runs clavicular.org for mentorship.
Why He Blew Up: Clavicular combines entertainment value with actual information. He'll roast someone's hairstyle while simultaneously giving legitimate advice about skincare or posture. The format works.
Other Notable Creators:
- Various "face analysis" accounts that rate and provide feedback
- Fitness creators who've adopted looksmaxxing terminology
- Dermatologists and skincare experts responding to the trend
The Looksmaxxing Hierarchy
The community generally organizes improvements into tiers:
Softmaxxing
Non-invasive improvements anyone can do:
- Skincare routines
- Fitness and body composition
- Grooming (hair, facial hair, eyebrows)
- Posture correction
- Style and fashion
- Mewing and oral posture
This is where 95% of people should focus. The ROI on softmaxxing is enormous, and there's no risk involved.
Hardmaxxing
Surgical or medical interventions:
- Rhinoplasty (nose job)
- Jaw implants or jaw surgery
- Hair transplants
- Orthodontics/orthognathics
- Other cosmetic procedures
The community generally advises exhausting all softmaxxing options before considering hardmaxxing. Surgery carries real risks and costs.
Ascension: The Ultimate Goal
Ascension is the looksmaxxing community's term for a significant, noticeable improvement in appearance. It's the glow-up. The transformation. The before-and-after that makes people do a double-take.
The term borrows almost religious connotations intentionally. Ascending means rising to a higher level, transcending your previous limitations.
What Qualifies as Ascension?
There's no strict definition, but generally:
- Significant body recomposition (visible fat loss, muscle gain)
- Major skin transformation (clearing acne, anti-aging results)
- Successful surgical enhancement
- Overall transformation that noticeably changes how others perceive you
Examples of Ascension:
- Going from 25% to 12% body fat, revealing jawline
- Clearing severe acne and developing a proper skincare routine
- Fixing posture, updating style, and grooming simultaneously
- Successful hair transplant addressing balding
The community loves transformation posts showing before and after photos with details on what was done.
"Ascending" vs. "Ascended"
You'll hear both. "Ascending" means actively improving, on the journey. "Ascended" implies you've reached your goals, maximized your potential.
Complete Looksmaxxing Glossary
Here's every term you need to know:
Core Terms
Looksmaxxing / Looksmax The practice of maximizing physical appearance through various methods.
Softmaxxing / Softmax Non-invasive appearance improvements: skincare, fitness, grooming, posture, style.
Hardmaxxing / Hardmax Surgical or invasive appearance improvements.
Ascension / Ascending Significant improvement in appearance. The glow-up.
PSL Rating scale used in looksmaxxing communities, typically 1-10. Named after the original forums. A "PSL 6" is considered above average.
Mog / Mogging When someone's appearance significantly outshines another's. "He mogged everyone at the party." Can be used as verb or noun.
AMOG Alpha Mog. When someone completely dominates others in appearance.
Mewing Technique of maintaining proper tongue posture (tongue pressed against roof of mouth) to potentially improve facial structure over time. Named after Dr. Mike Mew.
Facial Analysis Terms
Canthal Tilt The angle of the eye from inner to outer corner. Positive canthal tilt (outer corner higher) is considered more attractive.
Hunter Eyes Deep-set, hooded eyes with positive canthal tilt. Considered ideal male eye area.
Prey Eyes Wide, rounded eyes with more visible sclera (white). Considered less masculine.
Forward Growth Facial development where the maxilla (upper jaw) grows forward rather than downward. Associated with better facial aesthetics.
Maxilla Upper jaw bone. Forward maxillary growth is associated with better facial structure.
Mandible Lower jaw bone. A defined mandible creates a strong jawline.
Gonial Angle The angle of the jaw where it turns from vertical to horizontal. A sharper angle is generally preferred.
Zygos / Zygomatic Bones Cheekbones. High, prominent cheekbones are considered attractive.
Midface The area between eyes and mouth. A shorter midface ratio is often considered more attractive.
Philtrum The area between nose and upper lip. A shorter philtrum is generally preferred.
Norwood Scale Classification system for male pattern baldness, from NW1 (full head of hair) to NW7 (extensive hair loss).
Body and Fitness Terms
Leanmaxxing Achieving low body fat percentage to maximize facial definition and physique aesthetics.
Frame Bone structure, particularly shoulder width and overall skeletal size.
Framemaxxing Building muscle to maximize apparent frame size.
FFMI Fat-Free Mass Index. Measure of muscularity adjusted for height.
Gyno Gynecomastia. Breast tissue development in males. Common looksmaxxing concern.
Skincare Terms
Skinmaxxing Optimizing skin health and appearance through products and treatments.
Tretinoin / Tret Prescription retinoid considered the gold standard for anti-aging and skin texture. "Getting on tret" is common advice.
Retinization The adaptation period when starting retinoids, involving peeling, redness, and purging.
The Purge Period when starting tretinoin where skin temporarily gets worse before improving. Usually weeks 2-4.
Status and Rating Terms
SMV Sexual Market Value. Perceived attractiveness and desirability.
Halo Effect When one positive trait (like facial attractiveness) causes people to assume other positive traits.
Failo Effect Opposite of halo. When negative appearance causes people to assume other negative traits.
Bluepilled Unaware of or in denial about the importance of looks in social/dating dynamics.
Blackpilled Believing looks are everything and largely unchangeable. Often associated with defeatism.
Redpilled Aware of the importance of looks but believing in ability to improve.
Whitepilled Balanced view acknowledging looks matter but maintaining optimism about improvement and other factors.
Community Slang
Normie Average person unaware of looksmaxxing concepts.
Cope / Coping Rationalizing or making excuses instead of addressing issues.
Rope Giving up. (Note: Some communities have moved away from this term due to dark connotations.)
It's Over / It's Ogre Defeatist statement that improvement is impossible. Usually said sarcastically or to troll.
LDAR "Lay Down And Rot." Giving up on self-improvement. Considered unhealthy mindset.
Geomaxxing Relocating to areas where your appearance might be perceived more favorably.
Statusmaxxing Improving perceived status through career, wealth, or social proof.
NTmaxxing "Neurotypical maxxing." Improving social skills and charisma.
Is Looksmaxxing Healthy?
Like most things, it depends on the approach.
Healthy Looksmaxxing:
- Treating appearance as one component of overall self-improvement
- Focusing on changes within your control
- Maintaining realistic expectations
- Celebrating progress without obsessing over perfection
- Building sustainable habits (skincare, fitness, grooming)
Unhealthy Looksmaxxing:
- Obsessing over minor flaws nobody notices
- Constantly comparing yourself to others
- Basing self-worth entirely on appearance
- Pursuing risky procedures for marginal gains
- Falling into defeatist "blackpill" thinking
The best communities encourage progress-focused, practical self-improvement. The worst become echo chambers of negativity.
If you find yourself feeling worse about yourself the more you engage with looksmaxxing content, step back. No amount of appearance optimization is worth your mental health.
How to Actually Get Started
If you're interested in looksmaxxing, here's the practical path:
Step 1: Foundations First
Start with softmaxxing basics:
- Establish a skincare routine: At minimum, you need a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. This is non-negotiable. Most guys are washing their face with bar soap and wondering why their skin looks like trash.
- Get a haircut that suits your face shape: Find a good barber, not Supercuts.
- Start exercising if you aren't already: Lifting weights and getting lean will do more for your appearance than almost anything else.
- Fix obvious grooming issues: Eyebrows, nose hair, facial hair, nails. The basics.
Step 2: Optimize
Once the basics are handled:
- Add tretinoin for skin: The gold standard. See a dermatologist or use telehealth services like Apostrophe, Curology, or Nurx.
- Add an eye cream: The skin around your eyes ages differently. Most guys ignore this completely. Look for one with actual peptides, not just caffeine.
- Dial in nutrition and training: Get your body fat low enough to reveal facial definition. This is leanmaxxing.
- Work on posture: Forward head posture makes everyone look worse. Fix it.
- Upgrade your style: Clothes that fit properly make a massive difference.
Step 3: Evaluate
After 6-12 months of consistent effort:
- Assess your progress honestly
- Decide if advanced protocols (peptides, treatments) are worth pursuing
- Only then consider any surgical options if relevant
Resources
- Best Skincare Products for Looksmaxxing - Complete product guide with specific recommendations
- Complete Looksmaxxing Guide - Deep dive on all methods from softmaxxing to advanced protocols
- Looksmax.org - Primary forum community
The Bottom Line
Looksmaxxing is really just systematic self-improvement focused on appearance. Strip away the jargon and you have: skincare, fitness, grooming, and style, things people have been working on forever.
What the looksmaxxing community adds is a framework, a vocabulary for discussing these improvements, and a community of people pursuing similar goals.
The terminology can seem weird or intense at first. "Ascending," "mogging," "PSL scores." But underneath it's mostly guys trying to look and feel better about themselves.
Whether you dive deep into the community or just pick up a few useful tips, the core message is solid: don't neglect your appearance, approach it systematically, and consistent effort produces results.
Just remember to keep perspective. Looks matter, but they're not everything. The most successful "ascensions" combine appearance improvements with genuine personal development, social skills, career growth, and mental health.
Now go touch grass. Then come back and work on your skincare routine.
Ready to start your ascension? Check out our Complete Looksmaxxing Guide for the full breakdown of methods, or jump straight to Best Skincare Products for Looksmaxxing for specific product recommendations.
