Honestly, looking at Alix Earle today—the red carpets, the Sports Illustrated shoots, the high-glam TikToks—it’s easy to think she just woke up like that. But if you’ve been following her since the "Casa Amore" college days, you know the truth is way more relatable. Before she was the "internet’s best friend," Alix Earle was a girl from New Jersey dealing with the same stuff we all do. I'm talking cystic acne, awkward high school phases, and a lot of trial and error with her look.
The internet is obsessed with "Alix Earle before plastic surgery," but it’s rarely just about the procedures. People are actually looking for permission to change. They want to see that even the girl who seems "perfect" had to build that version of herself from scratch.
The Reality of Alix Earle’s High School Years
Before the "Get Ready With Me" videos went nuclear, Alix was a student at Red Bank Catholic High School. If you dig through her old Instagram posts from 2017 or 2018, the vibe is totally different. It’s very Jersey Shore—think heavy self-tanner, neon bikinis, and that classic 2010s "Pinterest girl" aesthetic.
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She wasn't some "ugly duckling," though. That’s a common misconception. She was always naturally pretty, but she looked like a normal teenager. Her face had more "baby fat" (which, let’s be real, is just youth), and her style hadn't quite hit that quiet luxury/Miami chic note yet.
But beneath the surface, things weren't as breezy as those bikini photos made them look. Alix has been incredibly candid about struggling with an eating disorder during this time. She’s mentioned on her Hot Mess podcast that she would look in the mirror and see someone completely different from reality. This "before" phase wasn't just about a physical look; it was about a mental battle with body dysmorphia that she still talks about today.
The Acne Journey That Changed Everything
If there is one thing that truly defines the "before" era, it’s the skin. This is actually what made her famous. Most influencers hide behind filters, but Alix did the opposite. She posted her raw, textured, cystic acne for millions to see.
- The Accutane Rounds: She didn't just take a pill and get clear skin. She went through three separate rounds of Accutane.
- The Emotional Toll: She’s talked about how she used to cry before school because she didn't want people to see her face.
- The Transparency: By showing her skin "before" it was perfect, she built a level of trust that most celebs can't touch.
Breaking Down the Actual Procedures
Okay, let’s talk about the stuff everyone whispers about. Alix is one of the few creators who doesn't gaslight her audience. She doesn't say "I just drink a lot of water" when people ask about her changes.
The Breast Augmentation (The "Boob-aversary")
In early 2023, she basically threw a party for her breast implants. She was 22 when she got them done by Dr. David Hidalgo in New York.
She's been super specific about the details: 275cc, moderate profile, saline implants, placed under the muscle. Why saline? She said she felt more comfortable with it at her age. The "before" here was a naturally smaller frame that she says she spent years trying to "grow" with vitamins and gummy bears in high school before finally deciding on surgery.
The Face: Fillers vs. Weight Loss
People love to claim she had a full facial reconstruction, but it’s mostly "tweakments."
- Lip Filler: She’s been open about getting her lips done. In some of her older 2020 videos, her lips are thinner and the "cupid's bow" is less defined.
- Masseter Botox: She has mentioned getting Botox in her jaw to help with grinding, which has the side effect of slimming the face.
- The "Nose Job" Rumors: This is a big one. Honestly? She’s denied having a rhinoplasty. If you look at her "before" photos, her nose looks almost identical. The difference is usually professional contouring and the fact that losing "baby fat" in your 20s makes your features pop more.
The Veneers Regret
This is the most recent "after" to her "before." In mid-2025, Alix actually broke down in tears on TikTok about her veneers. She got them right after college and almost immediately regretted it. She felt they looked too "perfect" and took away her natural character. It’s a rare moment where a celeb admits that the "upgrade" wasn't actually an improvement.
Why the "Before" Version Still Matters
The reason Alix Earle’s before-and-after is so fascinating isn't because she looks like a different person. It’s because she admits she worked for it.
She’s basically the patron saint of "Ugly Duckling Syndrome," even though she was never actually an ugly duckling. She just represents the idea that you can take control of your appearance. Whether it's clearing your skin with harsh meds, getting surgery, or just learning how to do your makeup better, she’s made it okay to be a "work in progress."
Insights for your own journey:
- Transparency is currency. If you're going to change something, own it. People hate being lied to more than they hate plastic surgery.
- Wait until you're ready. Alix waited until she was an adult and had the money to go to top-tier surgeons.
- The "Before" wasn't bad. Most of the time, we look back at our old selves and cringe, but Alix shows that the "before" version is just the foundation for who you become.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into how she maintains her look post-procedures, you should check out her "All Things Acne" series on TikTok. It’s probably the most honest look at skincare you’ll find from someone with five million followers. Don't just look at the surgery; look at the skin health, because that's where the real "glow up" happened.