I've been fat. I've had acne. I've been dressing poorly. Then I've shaped up. I've taken care of acne. I've dressed well. During the journey I've been on every step of the ladder and this is the conclusion:

Looks are CRUCIAL. They matter A LOT. Personality is secondary in the big picture. If you're not sexually attracted to someone then that person may stay around... as a friend. On the other hand, if Brad Pitt had a personality of a rotten potato, he wouldn't get anybody as well. So the personality has to be there, but without looks it doesn't really matter (it's hard to get to know someone if you don't want to talk to them).