30 “Ugly Ducklings” Share Their Awesome Glow-Ups

The only thing better than seeing someone else’s before and after picture is getting to see your own. Whether you gave yourself a major hair and makeup overhaul, lost a lot of weight, or just finally hit puberty, seeing how far you’ve come is a great feeling.

People on the subreddit Ugly Duckling share their before and after pictures and some of them are pretty shocking. These wholesome transformations are encouraged by members of the Ugly Duckling community and call themselves “Swans” after their transformation. It’s a good place for wholesome encouragement.

Now if only we could make a place to share before and afters for those of us who haven’t gotten a haircut or exercised for the last year.


1. “Today I Weighed Myself And I’ve Lost A Total Of 221 Pounds. Sitting At 179. I Don’t Have Any Friends So No One To Share It With So I’m Sharing It Here Lol. Have A Wonderful Night”

Via: Reddit

2. “17 To 27 – How Did I Do?”

Via: Reddit

3. “A Slightly Bigger Change Then Your Average Glow Up For Sure, But I’m Still Happy Where I Am Now”

Via: Reddit

4. “15>18 – I’d Like To Thank My Mother, My Father And Whoever My Mother Had An Affair With 19 Years Ago Cuz I Did Not Get That Jawline From My Dad”

Via: Reddit

5. “22 vs. 27 Appearance May Have Change But Personality Has Always Stayed The Same”

Via: Reddit

6. “13 To 26 I Still Do My Own Hair Cuts But I Think They’re A Little Better Now”

Via: Reddit

7. “10 To 20! My Nickname Used To Be Called ‘Uglie’”

Via: Reddit

8. “13-24. Did I Age Backwards?”

Via: Reddit

9. “14-24. When Puberty Hits You Like A Train”

Via: Reddit

10. “13 To 25 – Life Is Weird Man”

Via: Reddit

11. “12 vs. 24”

Via: Reddit

12. “I Struggled With Bipolar Disorder II For The Longest Time. The Meds Made Me Gain So Much Weight But As Of February Last Year, I’ve Been Medication-Free, With The Blessings Of My Doctor”

Via: Reddit

13. “Our Styles Changed A Little”

Via: Reddit

14. “16 To 22 – My Boyfriend Filled Out A Little”

Via: Reddit

15. “Hi!! Me, 14 -> 21”

Via: Reddit

16. “Age 15 vs. Age 22. Thank Goodness For Puberty”

Via: Reddit

17. “[19 vs. 25] 85kgs Difference In Weight Between The Two Pictures. Who Knew I Had Some Decent Facial Features Underneath The Fat I Used To Carry. I’m Glad I Worked On Myself And My Physical Appearance”

Via: Reddit

18. “15 (Lol) – 27”

Via: Reddit

19. “15 —> 30 Weight Loss, Better Eyebrows… Same Smirk Tho”

Via: Reddit

20. “12 To 19 – I Do Not Miss The Bowl Cut”

Via: Reddit

21. “Still Working On Myself, But Time And Hygiene Can Do Wonders! I Was Wearing Makeup In The First Pic, And Not The Second. [15/2012 – 24/2021]”

Via: Reddit

22. “19-22 Less Plates More Weights”

Via: Reddit

23. “15 vs. 30 – Cant Believe How High My Insecurities Were Back Then”

Via: Reddit

24. “Being The Youngest As A Teenager (17) I Always Felt Like I Lived In My Older Siblings Shadows, I’m Proud Of The Hard Working Man I’ve Grown To Become Today. (25)”

Via: Reddit

25. “19 vs. 30”

Via: Reddit

26. “12 > 18 I Was Bullied At School For My Looks, Cried Every Day And Begged World To Give Me Another Face. I Was Kinda Cute Tho”

Via: Reddit

27. “16 vs. 20 Is This A Glow Up?”

Via: Reddit

28. “19-22, People Really Underestimate How Much The Gym Can Do For Your Face”

Via: Reddit

29. “13 vs. 22”

Via: Reddit

30. “19 To 22, People Will Make You Feel Unworthy But You Have So Much Potential. I Promise”

Via: Reddit

Hannah Riley

Hannah Riley a comedy writer and content editor with ADHD living in Seattle, Washington.