Looksmaxxing, a completely superficial self-improvement practice nestled in the world of the internet manosphere, has taken social media by storm.
The subculture, mostly inhabited by young men, is focused on obsessing over facial structure, height, body fat, and trying to “optimize” all of it.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to date someone who participates in the subculture?
TikTok creator @choppedanduncbutfree shared exactly that experience in a video that has garnered over 2.8 million views.
What Is It Like Dating A ‘Looksmaxxer?’
According to the creator, the two initially connected through Tinder’s double date feature but ended up talking one-on-one for months before finally meeting.
She says the man is a TikToker. “I wouldn’t say he’s known on TikTok, but he has a pretty large following where he posts his looks maxx stuff.”
When they finally met, she says she was immediately disappointed. “He looks nothing like his TikToks,” she says, calling the situation “catfishing maxxing.”
She says the entire car ride was silent and awkward, with him blasting music and barely engaging.
Once they got to the restaurant, she says things got stranger, with him constantly using “maxxing” language for everything.
“He’s like, ‘I’m order maxing right now,’” she recalls.
As they waited for food, she says he began analyzing her appearance.
“He starts overanalyzing me on my looks and what I need to change,” she says, adding that he even commented on her “maxilla,” a term she didn’t recognize.
For context, a maxilla is the upper jawbone that holds your upper teeth and helps shape the middle of your face.
Eventually, she says the man started filming himself during the date. He also reportedly did so at angles she claims didn’t reflect how he actually looked in person.
“He’s thirst trapping… while I’m sitting right next to him,” she says.
The food arrived, which he also had to comment on. “I start eating my ramen and he goes, ‘Wait, you’re big maxxing right now?’” she recalls.
At one point, he even asked her how it felt “to go on a date with a TikToker.”
“You’re not a celebrity,” she says.
Things Don’t End Well, Either
After the meal, she says the situation was tense when she made a joke about his height; she says he didn’t take it well.
“I’m like, ‘Yo, why am I heightmogging you right now?” she recalls joking.
“Mogging” in the looksmaxxing community means outshining someone. In this case, she essentially said she’s taller than he is.
The ride back was just as silent as the one there.
Still, it didn’t stop him from asking to stay. “He’s like, ‘Can I come upstairs?’” she says. “Absolutely not.”
After she left, she says he sent her a long message breaking down everything he thought she should “fix” about her appearance.
“Nonetheless, that was weird,” she concludes.
Commenters Try To Make Sense Of It
In the comments, viewers were just as confused.
“Hi, I’m in my 30s can someone explain what’s maxing,” one person wrote.
“I’m sorry this can’t be real,” another added. “Like actually this seems so fake.”
“Can we please stop calling them ‘looks maxers’… they’re male beauty influencers,” a third said.
“They are not, they are advocating psychosis,” someone responded.
Is Looksmaxxing Harmful?
According to experts, it can be.
Some researchers say the practice can lead to obsessive behavior around appearance, social isolation, and declining mental health.
A 2025 study from Dalhousie University found that these communities can be harmful to young men. Speaking to CBC, lead author Michael Halpin said, “It is really caustic to the self-esteem of men and boys… They’re saying terrible things.”
In many of these spaces, users share photos of themselves and receive harsh criticism about their height, weight, skin, and overall appearance.
That mindset can also carry over into dating and create a strong sense of misogyny. Some participants develop rigid beliefs about attraction, assuming relationships are based entirely on looks or status.
@choppedanduncbutfree i actually have many more date horror stories #storytime #fyp #datestorytime #tinder
BroBible has reached out to the TikTok creator via direct messages for comment.