“High School Was Rough” — 40 People Whose Incredible Glow-Ups Make Them Almost Unrecognizable

High school might be the peak for some people—but for others, it’s just the prologue to an absolute glow-up.

These 30 post–high school transformations from r/uglyduckling are proof that the long game pays off. Braces came off, confidence kicked in, and suddenly that awkward teen phase is just a distant memory in the rearview mirror.

1. 15 —> 37

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2.

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3. 18 To 27, Can’t Believe This Is Only A 9 Year Difference! From Beginning Of College And Hating Myself To Nearly Done With Law School And Kinda Think I’m Pretty Damn Awesome 🙂

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4. 15 To 22! Still Working On Confidence

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5. Age 13 vs. 38

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6. 16-20. Does This Count?

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7. 16 To 24!! Feeling Amazing

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8.

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9. 12 – 24 Even My Family Doesn’t Recognize Me These Days, It’s Nice

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10.

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11. Me (16) -> Me (18) Current

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12. 16-21

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13. Me And My Little Brother, 13 & 18 / 23 & 28

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14. 18 – 32 Grew Up Weird And Nerdy. Started Working Out And It Changed My Life! 🙂

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15. 380lbs At 36, 167lbs At 38

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16. 17 To 23: How Far Some Self Care Can Take You 🙂

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17. 11->18->25. Gym & Therapy Works Y’all

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18. 13 To 27. Good Things Take Time

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19. 18 To 25

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20. 18-32. Went From Hating And Neglecting Myself To Loving And Nurturing Myself. Took A Long Time But I’m Glad To Be Here!

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21. 20-21. Got Sober And Lost Some Weight

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22. 9/10 — 22/23

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23. 15 vs. 18

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24. Middle School (Age 12) —> Senior Year Graduation Photo (Age 18) —> Now (Age 21)

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25. 16 – 23

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26. 27 To 34

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27. M 18-22

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28. 22-25

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29. 24 To 31. Forever Grateful To My Younger Self For Making The Decisions That Made Me What I Am Now

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30. 12 To 21, Didn’t Even Try To Change – It Just Happened 🙂

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31.

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32. 15→22!

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33. 19 To 30 (Homeless vs. Decent Life)

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34. 17-21

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35. 14 & 26. My Teeth Straightened Themselves! I Was Bullied A Lot.

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36. 24 – 27

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37. 22 To 32 – Late Bloomer To Say The Least, But I’m Finally Happy With My Looks

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38.

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39. 19-25! Got Treatment For My Autoimmune Issues And Developed Love For Cool Makeup!

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40.

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Jason Mustian

Jason Mustian

Jason is a Webby winning, Short-Award losing humor writer and businessman. He lives in Texas with his amazing wife and four sometimes amazing kids.