A woman in Japan who had been mocked for her appearance since childhood drew attention after her story became known of transforming her life not through plastic surgery but through makeup and 30,000 selfies taken over 13 years.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 15th (local time) introduced the story of Sakurada Kozue, 50, who lives in Japan. Sakurada had long viewed herself negatively because of an appearance complex, but said she reset her own "beauty standards" through steady self-observation.
Sakurada had been teased about her looks since her school days. One male student repeatedly told Sakurada she was "ugly," and another changed the lyrics of a children's song to mock Sakurada's big nose. These experiences left deep scars into adulthood. Sakurada recalled that in her early 20s, even if someone laughed on a train, she felt they were laughing at her and got off at the next stop.
The turning point came at 37 with a breakup. Her then boyfriend left the comment, "It would have been nice if you were just a little prettier." Sakurada tried to change her appearance to fit his preferences, but the relationship ended after six months. The breakup made her realize, "What I need is change not to satisfy someone else but for myself."
Afterward, Sakurada began taking selfies instead of getting plastic surgery. She has taken more than 30,000 photos over 13 years. She analyzed trends through fashion magazines and social media (SNS) and tried subtle changes, such as adjusting skirt length by 1 centimeter. She described the process as "like a scientific experiment on appearance."
For a systematic analysis, she also underwent a skeletal assessment. She learned that a casual look centered on shirts and pants suited her vibe better than a cute, feminine style. Still, Sakurada confided, "My outward appearance was changing, but in my mind I still defined myself as ugly."
The catalyst for change came at a psychology workshop. After trying on a skirt she had made herself and feeling it suited her, she realized that positive self-perception matters more than others' evaluations. "In the end, the most important thing is how I see myself," she said.
Sakurada is now an influencer with more than 70,000 followers and runs an online shop. "I made myself beautiful with 30,000 selfies over 13 years," she said, emphasizing that "selfies are effective at changing negative self-perceptions." She added, "Under the same conditions, take front-facing and full-body photos, place them side by side, observe them, and plan your next change."