If you’ve been lurking in looksmaxxing circles, you’ve probably seen @Clavicular’s transformation thread. The guy went from average to legitimately aesthetic in about a year, and he documented everything. Unlike most glow up content that’s either cope or steroid-fueled delusion, Clavicular’s approach combines the fundamentals that actually move the needle with realistic expectations.
Table of Contents
The best part? His strategy isn’t about hitting some genetic jackpot. It’s about optimizing what you’ve got through consistent action on multiple fronts. Here’s what actually matters from his playbook, stripped of the forum autism and distilled into actionable advice.
The Foundation: Body Composition First
Clavicular hammered this point repeatedly, and it’s non-negotiable. Your body fat percentage is the single biggest lever you can pull for facial aesthetics. Everything else is secondary.
Getting lean reveals bone structure. Your jawline becomes more defined, your cheekbones emerge, and your face gains angularity. The transformation from 20% body fat to 12% is more dramatic than most softmaxxing interventions combined.
Target range: 10-12% body fat for optimal facial aesthetics. Lower than 10% and you risk looking gaunt unless you have significant muscle mass. Higher than 12% and you’re leaving major gains on the table.
The strategy isn’t complicated. Create a caloric deficit of 300-500 calories daily. Track your protein at 1g per pound of bodyweight minimum. Resistance training 4-5 times per week prevents muscle loss. That’s it.
Studies from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirm what the mirror shows: facial attractiveness ratings increase as body fat decreases, particularly in men. The effect plateaus around 12%, which is why chasing sub-10% outside of competition prep is usually counterproductive.
How to lose facial fat correctly covers the technical details, but Clavicular’s approach was refreshingly simple. Eat less, lift heavy, walk more. No metabolic damage cope, no refeeds every three days, just consistent execution.
Skin Quality as a Multiplier
Clavicular emphasized that clear, healthy skin amplifies every other improvement. Acne, hyperpigmentation, or rough texture tanks your appearance regardless of bone structure.
His skincare protocol wasn’t complex:
Morning routine: Gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, moisturizer with SPF 50+
Evening routine: Cleanser, tretinoin (0.025% initially, later 0.05%), moisturizer
Tretinoin is the only topical with overwhelming evidence for skin remodeling. A 2015 meta-analysis in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment showed significant improvements in photodamage, fine lines, and overall skin texture. It increases collagen production and accelerates cell turnover.
Start conservative. Apply tretinoin twice weekly for the first month, then increase frequency as your skin adapts. Expect purging and dryness. This is normal. Most guys quit during week three when their skin temporarily looks worse. Push through.
The SPF is non-negotiable. UV damage is cumulative and irreversible. Every day without sun protection is working against every other optimization you’re doing. Best tinted sunscreens for men covers specific products, but any mineral formula with zinc oxide works.
For active acne, Clavicular added azelaic acid in the morning. It’s anti-inflammatory, reduces hyperpigmentation, and doesn’t cause the irritation that benzoyl peroxide does. Research in the International Journal of Dermatology shows comparable efficacy to prescription options for mild to moderate acne.
Strategic Muscle Development
Building muscle matters, but not how most gym rats think. Clavicular focused on specific areas that enhance facial aesthetics and overall presence: neck, shoulders, and upper chest.
Neck training is criminally underrated. A thick neck creates the illusion of a stronger jawline through contrast and frames your face better. The protocol is simple:
Neck curls (forward and lateral): 3 sets of 15-20 reps, three times weekly. Start bodyweight, add resistance gradually. Your neck adapts quickly, so consistent progressive overload matters.
Weighted shrugs target the upper traps, which tie into neck development. Heavy shrugs (4 sets of 8-12 reps) twice weekly build that imposing upper body silhouette.
Shoulder width creates the V-taper that makes your waist look smaller and your frame more masculine. Overhead press and lateral raises are your priority movements.
The research backs this up. A 2017 study in Evolution and Human Behavior found that shoulder-to-waist ratio was a primary driver of male attractiveness ratings, independent of face ratings. Wide shoulders signal genetic quality and physical capability.
Clavicular’s split emphasized these areas without turning into a full bodybuilding protocol:
- Push day with emphasis on overhead press and incline bench
- Pull day for back width
- Leg day (yes, actually train legs)
- Shoulder and arm isolation day
Nothing revolutionary, but the focus on aesthetic proportions over pure strength made the difference. Beginner aesthetic workout routine breaks down a similar approach if you need a structured program.
Fixing Your Hair Situation
Hair quality and styling had an outsized impact on Clavicular’s transformation. Most guys are leaving easy wins on the table here.
For hair health, the basics matter most:
Minoxidil 5% if you’re experiencing any thinning. The evidence is overwhelming, and starting early prevents loss rather than trying to reverse it later. Hair loss prevention in your 20s covers the full protocol.
Ketoconazole shampoo (2%) twice weekly reduces scalp inflammation and has mild anti-androgenic effects that support retention.
For styling, Clavicular emphasized finding a cut that works with your face shape rather than copying whatever’s trending. Long face? Add width on the sides. Round face? Add height on top. This isn’t complicated, but it requires honesty about your starting point.
Product choice matters. Most guys use way too much or pick products with the wrong hold for their hair type. Fine hair needs light-hold cream or sea salt spray. Thick hair can handle paste or clay. The goal is textured and natural, not helmet-head from 2007.
Sleep and Hormonal Optimization
This is where Clavicular separated himself from the “just be confident bro” crowd. He treated sleep as a performance variable, not an afterthought.
Seven to nine hours minimum. Sleep deprivation tanks testosterone, increases cortisol, and makes you look like shit. Your face literally swells and loses definition with poor sleep.
Research from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that men sleeping less than five hours per night had 10-15% lower testosterone than those sleeping eight hours. That’s not a minor effect. That’s the difference between optimized and suboptimal.
His protocol:
- Same sleep and wake time daily, even weekends
- Room completely dark (blackout curtains, tape over LEDs)
- Temperature between 65-68°F
- No screens two hours before bed (blue light blockers if necessary)
- Magnesium glycinate 300-400mg before bed
The magnesium piece is backed by solid research. A 2012 study in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed improved sleep quality markers in elderly subjects, and anecdotal reports from younger populations are consistently positive.
Clavicular also emphasized vitamin D optimization, targeting 50-70 ng/mL on blood tests. Most guys are deficient, and correcting this affects everything from mood to immune function to testosterone levels. Get bloodwork, supplement 4000-5000 IU daily if you’re low, retest in three months.
Posture and Forward Growth
Forward head posture and mouth breathing kill facial development. Clavicular fixed both through deliberate practice.
Mewing (proper tongue posture) isn’t magic, but maintaining correct oral posture prevents downward growth patterns and supports the midface. Tongue against the roof of your mouth, teeth lightly touching, lips closed, breathing through your nose.
The evidence for dramatic adult bone remodeling is weak. Don’t expect miracles. But maintaining proper posture prevents further negative adaptation and optimizes the structure you have. Dr. Mike Mew’s research at the Orthotropics Foundation, while controversial in orthodontic circles, has compelling before-and-after documentation of posture effects on facial development.
Fixing forward head posture required daily work:
Chin tucks: 3 sets of 10 holds (10 seconds each), multiple times daily. This strengthens deep neck flexors and retrains your default head position.
Face pulls: 3 sets of 15-20 reps, pulling towards your face and externally rotating. This strengthens rear delts and upper back, counteracting the anterior dominance that creates forward head posture.
Wall angels: 2 sets of 10 reps daily. Stand against a wall, maintain contact with head, upper back, and tailbone while moving arms up and down. This reinforces proper thoracic positioning.
The visual impact of fixing your posture is immediate. You look taller, more confident, and your facial features sit in better alignment.
Strategic Supplementation
Clavicular wasn’t pushing snake oil, but he did use targeted supplements for specific purposes.
Creatine monohydrate (5g daily) is the most researched supplement in existence. Beyond muscle performance, it has neuroprotective effects and may improve facial fullness through water retention in muscle tissue. The bloat concerns are overblown if you’re lean.
Vitamin K2 MK-7 (200mcg daily) works synergistically with vitamin D for calcium metabolism. Some evidence suggests it supports facial bone density, though research is limited. At minimum, it’s essential for cardiovascular health.
Collagen peptides (10-15g daily) have mixed evidence for skin benefits, but the studies that exist show improvements in skin elasticity and hydration. A 2019 review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found consistent positive effects across multiple trials.
Top glow up supplements covers the full stack with dosing protocols, but Clavicular’s approach was conservative. No peptides, no SARMs, nothing that requires PCT or carries significant health risks.
Grooming Details That Matter
The difference between average and aesthetic often comes down to details most guys ignore.
Eyebrow maintenance shouldn’t be optional. Clean up the unibrow area and stray hairs below your natural brow line. Don’t over-pluck. The goal is neat, not feminine. How to get straight eyebrows for men has the technical breakdown.
Teeth whitening creates immediate impact. Crest 3D Whitestrips (or generic equivalent) for two weeks, then maintain monthly. Professional whitening is faster but more expensive. Either works.
Facial hair optimization means either commit to a full beard or stay clean-shaven. Patchy stubble looks sloppy. If you can’t grow dense facial hair, don’t cope with what you have. Embrace clean-shaven or use minoxidil on your face to fill gaps over 6-12 months.
Skin coloration affects perceived health dramatically. Pale, washed-out skin tanks your attractiveness. Get sun exposure (with SPF to prevent damage), or consider carotenoid supplementation for a subtle glow. How to get tan without the sun covers the science on lycopene and astaxanthin for skin tone enhancement.
Style as Signal
Clavicular’s clothing strategy was minimalist but intentional. The goal isn’t fashion-forward experimentation. It’s wearing clothes that fit well and signal you have your shit together.
Fit is everything. Baggy clothes hide your physique and make you look smaller. Tight clothes look try-hard. Aim for slim fit that follows your body’s lines without clinging.
Color palette: Stick to neutrals as your foundation (black, white, gray, navy, olive). Add accent colors sparingly. This prevents looking like you’re trying too hard while ensuring everything in your wardrobe works together.
Essential pieces:
Well-fitting jeans (dark wash, minimal distressing), chinos in neutral colors, plain t-shirts that actually fit in the shoulders and sleeves, button-ups that don’t billow, versatile sneakers and dress shoes.
Softmaxxing tips covers additional style elements, but the principle is simple. Dress like an adult who respects himself without peacocking for attention.
The Mental Game
Clavicular was transparent about this: the first two months sucked. He was hungry, his skin purged from tretinoin, and progress felt invisible.
Consistency beats intensity. Showing up at 70% effort every day demolishes sporadic 100% effort. Build systems, not motivation. Motivation fades. Systems persist.
Track your progress objectively. Weekly photos in consistent lighting. Bodyweight and body fat measurements. Strength progression in the gym. When motivation tanks, data reminds you that progress is happening even when you can’t see it day-to-day.
The looksmaxxing community can be useful for information, but it’s also filled with dysmorphia and cope. Use it as a resource, not a source of identity. Real life feedback matters infinitely more than rating threads on obscure forums.
Realistic Timeline and Expectations
Clavicular’s transformation took about twelve months of consistent effort. That’s realistic for significant change without drugs.
Months 1-3: Mostly invisible progress. Fat loss beginning, skin adjusting to tretinoin, building habits. This is where most guys quit.
Months 4-6: Noticeable changes emerge. Face leans out, skin texture improves, muscle starts showing. Other people begin commenting.
Months 7-12: Compound effects become obvious. The guy in the mirror looks different. Attraction and social treatment shifts noticeably.
Beyond twelve months, you’re maintaining and fine-tuning rather than making dramatic changes. Diminishing returns kick in hard after the first year of optimization.
Pulling It All Together
Clavicular’s glow up tips work because they address the major levers of male aesthetics without requiring perfect genetics or pharmaceutical enhancement. Get lean, build muscle strategically, fix your skin, optimize your health markers, and present yourself well.
The beauty of this approach is that each element reinforces the others. Better sleep improves training and skin quality. Lower body fat makes your face and physique more aesthetic. Proper grooming multiplies the impact of good bone structure.
Start with body composition. That’s the foundation everything else builds on. Add tretinoin and SPF immediately. Fix your sleep and posture. The rest fills in naturally once those fundamentals are solid.
How to become a more attractive man provides the broader framework, but Clavicular’s value was in the execution details. He proved that consistent application of known principles beats searching for secret tricks.
Your glow up won’t look identical to his. Different starting points, different genetics, different response to interventions. But the principles remain universal. Focus on what you control, execute consistently, and give it time. The results compound faster than you expect once momentum builds.