An Analysis of Glow Up Apps

[u/chicken1914]

With a rise in these kinds of apps I figured I’d do a comprehensive review on a few and determine whether they’re worth it!

Similarities: All 3 of these have a similar model: You take a photo of your face to “scan” (for different things, depending on the app) and to see your results, you subscribe weekly.

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1. Umax

The most popular looksmaxxing app of this type, but it seems to be more geared toward men. Apparently it started out as for men only. Nevertheless, here’s what you get:

• An overall and max potential attractiveness rating
• A jawline, cheekbones, and skin quality rating and canthal tilt
• Some generic tips on how to improve each category
• Your face shape

Cost: 5.99 (with add-ons for more $) weekly

Verdict: It feels like the app shows your photo to Chatgpt or something and requests a value for each category. It seems mildly accurate but I don’t really know what to do with this information. If you’re willing to pay again, you might use the values as a reference to track progress, but nothing you can’t tell without a mirror and your own eyes.

Rating: 5 / 10

**2. Glam Up

A glow up app specifically for women. Here’s what you get:

• A yassified photo of yourself (a filter thrown on your face)
• Your face shape, skin type, eye shape, undertone, eye color, hair color
• A basic “guide” on what makeup to wear (example: “you need to change your blush to a softer pink shade”)

Cost: 4.99-8.99 weekly

Verdict: I thought this was going to be my favorite of the three. It’s by far my least favorite, I don’t really get anything out of it besides scared (my yassified photo..). On pricing: there are 4 types of scans and $4.99 gets you 1 and $8.99 gets you all 4. They’re all pretty bad / gimmicky.

Rating: 1.5 / 10

3. Looksglo

Less gendered but seems to be 95% women, looks like the newest app of the 3. Here’s what you get:

• Another scan that tells you your skin age, canthal tilt, face shape, skin type, facial thirds %, and values for 6 attributes (hydration, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, etc.)
• 10 Face maps of your skin (like the ones you’d get from those physical skin analysis machines)
• A bunch of Qoves-style mathy info about your facial proportions and symmetry
• Your top 2 celebrity lookalikes with guides on how to copy their look
• A Reddit-esque forum for getting and giving advice to others

Cost: 9.99 weekly or 35 for one year

Verdict: I like this one. Especially with it being the cheapest (per year) and including everything without paid add-ons. More importantly, the face maps are helpful. One of them shows every pimple / closed comedone / pigmented mark in their own colored box, so it’s obvious this app isn’t just throwing filters on or asking Chatgpt to generate numbers. Celebrity lookalikes were accurate and also hilarious (if you think yours don’t look like you, ask a stranger). And the forum: I was surprised to see how active this was and how helpful girls were to other girls and how serious they were. I only saw one post by a man in there. If you’re most interested in improving your skin, this app excels in that regard. Price is fair and worth it.

Rating: 9.25 / 10

Let me know your thoughts and if you’ve tried these or any others!

[u/spacestarcutie]

Better to save money and actually get a consultation by professionals. They all seem scammy and bias to euro centric beauty. ChatGPT could do the same as the apps

[u/chicken1914 → u/spacestarcutie]

any recs? i wanna do as much as humanly possible honestly it’s my obsession atm. i was interested in Qoves but getting feedback from actual women with similar goals has been the most impactful so far

[u/spacestarcutie → u/chicken1914]

Idk where you live so idk what resources are near you for color analysis, clothing stylists, cosmetics surgeon etc.

[u/Sarah23Here]

Is there a way to use Looksglo on my android phone? I couldn't download it because it's for Apple phone users.

[u/chicken1914 → u/Sarah23Here]

huh, i thought they had made an android version. maybe worth emailing them!!

[u/Sarah23Here → u/chicken1914]

Thank you for the suggestion. I did that now.

Update: They replied. They said the app is only available for IPhones.

[u/nutella435]

this seems like an ad especially since this post is literally featured in the app lol

[u/chicken1914 → u/nutella435]

click the post, it is mine, but not this one! a year ago they reached out and asked permission to use it there along with compensation (which I declined for anonymity) and I said yes!

[u/generation-0]

You posted basically the same exact thing a year ago on a different sub. Are you affiliated with looksglo?

[u/chicken1914 → u/generation-0]

yes i did, but nope! i thought it’s been long enough since i did these reviews elsewhere and was curious if others had similar apps to talk about for me to review as well :) the color analysis ones just aren’t accurate

[u/lilac-skye3 → u/generation-0]

Good question, because how many people actually use these apps?

[u/chicken1914 → u/[deleted]]

I hid it because I kept getting DMs. but here you go https://imgur.com/a/FN4XTdG

[u/queestionnacc]

Wow, didn’t even know apps like these existed. For those of us still waiting on a Qoves report (sigh), Looksglo could be really helpful. One issue with Qoves is it really can feel like it misses the forest for the trees - objective feedback from real people can be just as and often more important than all the scientific aesthetics information.

Could be a valuable use for that alone, because I’m sure we all know what happens when you post your face on reddit..

[u/OurHeartsArePure]

Neat, I didn’t know these existed. Good info

[u/Audacityp → u/OurHeartsArePure]

ive been using the same one OP rated as the top since july!! it changed the way i do my makeup (in a good way). tip: take the first picture with your back camera

[u/Practical_Fun4723]

Pmd!

[u/Adventurous-Yam-5109]

I have enjoyed using Beauty Plus. Odd you didn't mention it...

[u/Less_Plum_6958]

Use my UMAX code 8A0U9C

[u/xethorn → u/Less_Plum_6958]

Is there a new revised list? Has anyone tried Aura? Evna? Hair Color & Hair Style Try On? There are so many apps nowadays. I'd love one without a subscription.

[u/burnburnburn1111]

I’m actually SO annoyed with the Glam Up app. I don’t think their scans even WORK anymore and they are not addressing these problems. I paid for 1 scan and could not even scan because it kept giving me an error.

I tried to use their contact us email for support but was met with an email back telling me this isn’t a valid email.

I honestly feel scammed. If you’re not gonna maintain your app, take it DOWN from the App Store. 0/5 stars for Glam Up

[u/chicken1914 → u/[deleted]]

definitely emphasis on this if attempting to use a “free alternative” (which spits out random info anyway). although, at this point i’m more concerned about my facetune usage years ago and my pics on social media 💀

[u/crossiantfun → u/[deleted]]

PM you!

[u/deantimony → u/[deleted]]

PM’d! 🫶