What Looksmaxxing Actually Means (And What It Shouldn't)

At its core, looksmaxxing is purely about looks. The shape of your jawline. The position of your eyes. The smoothness and even color of your skin. At its most basic, it’s about making the most of your physical features. Not becoming someone else. Looksmaxxing for Filipino men is “what can I do to make the best Filipino version of myself?” The young men watching short-form content surrounding looksmaxxing know about the bone-smashing hammering your face, mewing your jaw, or even the leg lengthening surgery.

The end result? Lovely skin, good posture, ripped and chiseled physique, and well-defined muscles. Objectively speaking, looksmaxxing is not wrong in wanting to maximize your looks. Where it may go wrong is practicing certain tactics that may actually harm your body and facial features. In truth, the Filipino men that are attractive are those consistent with the basics of looksmaxxing.

Here’s what that may be.

Skincare - High Return on Investment

Bodymaxxing - Fit and Healthy, Not Aesthetic

Clean, healthy skin is the most important to achieve. It transforms your appearance more than anything else - and Filipino men should not ignore this entirely. In fact, the perception of skincare in the men’s grooming market has evolved. We have written an article about this in relation to its impact on changing masculinity.

The basic routines can work as part of looksmaxxing your physical appearance:

• Cleanser: Wash your face twice a day, specifically in the morning and at night. Gentle, non-stripping cleansers can work. Cetaphil, Zenith, Nivea Men, and Camou are some examples for Filipino men to have in their facial skincare kit.

• Moisturizer with SPF: A moisturizer with at least an SPF of 30 is recommended to protect our skin from the UV rays of the sun. Apply every morning for general protection.

• Tretinoin: If you have acne or uneven skin tone, applying Tretinoin will help resolve visible acne, dark spots, and skin texture.

These are simple, but effective routines that will take care of your skin. Have these products with you. You’re good to go.

Go to the gym and build your muscles, tone your core, and do not skip leg days. If not, feel free to jog to get your heart rate up and burn some calories. Building your body regularly, not chasing aesthetics, will gradually improve your fitness level.

For looksmaxxing for Filipino men, the most impactful areas to work out can be:

• Shoulders and back: building a V-taper can improve your waistline and overall, your silhouette. Suggested exercises are lat pulldowns and lateral raises.

• Neck: an undervalued area of your body that doesn’t get much attention. Doing neck curls and shoulder shrugs can affect your face shape from the front and side. Exercise the neck area regularly and you will produce wonderful results.

• Overall body fat reduction: your body along with your facial features will become more defined as you go on. Dropping that body fat along with a consistent calorie deficit is the most effective way to tone and improve your body - not supplements and not fat burners.

Ideally, three sessions a week is good. Rest in between. When you do exercise, implement a 30-90 second rest window in between exercises. Maintain consistency and you will feel like a fit man.

Grooming: Low Maintenance and Clean Look

Get a haircut that suits your face shape. Trim or cut your facial hair, for as long as it’s clean and neat. Trim those nails and bathe regularly. Lastly, apply some lip balm. Dry, cracked lips do not look good on you and you may need to drink more water.

These tips may sound easy, but the objective is to build consistency. They won’t take long.

Posture - Stand Up Straight

A good posture is something most Filipino men do not look into much. By standing tall, having your chest out, and keeping your chin parallel to the floor, this projects confidence. A slumped posture like rolled shoulders or slumped spine makes you look less confident and disinterested.

Be confident, but relaxed. You want people to notice your presence just through your posture.

Style - Fit Over Brand

Having a wardrobe that fits you right is the most important thing. Plus, it doesn’t have to be expensive.

It is ideal to wear clothes that adapt to the Philippine climate. In addition, keep the fits simple, but also practical. A ₱200 ordinary shirt that fits your measurements is better than a ₱3000 shirt that doesn’t fit you well. Our recommendations are casual short sleeve shirts, tapered pants, clean shoes, and minimal accessories (e.g. a watch and a bracelet).

To determine your style when dressing for work, feel free to check out our article on dressing for business in the heat.

What to Skip

Mewing: pressing your tongue over the roof of your mouth may not change your face structure. Additionally, there is little to no scientific evidence that mewing will give you a defined jawline. At best, it can improve your posture.

Bone Smashing and thumb pulling: bone smashing is using a hammer to “bone smash” or apply pressure to the side of your face to enhance jawline. Thumb pulling is stretching your face through your thumbs to improve your facial structure.

Don’t do these. Stick with fitness, not self-harmed tactics.

Limb Lengthening: limb lengthening surgery is a procedure to become taller. For Filipino men conscious about their heights, it is better to just embrace your stature. There are potential complications associated with this limb lengthening. What if the bones don’t heal properly? What if the chronic pain doesn't subside?

What Looksmaxxing Should be About

Looksmaxxing for Filipino men means to look good and keep building. Yes, there are men who will go to extremes to achieve that perfect look and fit. Oftentimes, they invest in certain tactics that have no scientific basis and may serve more harm than good.

The best advice is to stick with the basics and be consistent. Washing your face. Getting a nice haircut. Wearing clothes that fit. Working out regularly. Standing tall and straight.

The Filipino man should not be convinced that his natural features are a liability. Instead, embrace it and treat it as a starting point to improve them further. No surgeries or pointless other procedures that may harm you.

This is the whole guide. Now, start looksmaxxing.