How to glow up (in the right order)

a glow up is a visible change for the better in how you look and how you carry yourself. it isn't a new face. it's YOUR face, maintained.

ok here's the secret nobody posts: most glow ups are kind of boring. like seven little habits, done every day, in the right order, until people start asking what you did. do these in order. don't skip to the fun ones.

and no, this guide won't tell you to lose weight. that's not a glow up, that's a whole other conversation, and we don't do it here 🎀

1. skin first, because everything sits on it

makeup on bad skin prep looks like makeup on bad skin prep. fix the base.

• morning: gentle cleanser (or just water if you're dry), moisturiser, then SPF 30 or higher. every day, even when it's raining. two finger lengths covers face and neck.
• night: cleanse properly. if you wore makeup or SPF, cleanse twice, or start with a cleansing balm or micellar water. then moisturiser.
• one active at a time. a retinoid at night for texture and fine lines, OR an exfoliating acid (AHA or BHA) a couple of nights a week, OR vitamin C in the morning. pick one. start slow, two or three nights a week. patch test on your jaw first.
• change your pillowcase every few days. cheap and it helps.

anything that burns, itches or spreads: stop, and see a dermatologist. no glow up is worth a chemical burn.

2. brows, because they frame everything

brows change your face more than any product. most people's are either overplucked or totally untouched.

get them shaped professionally once (wax or thread) with a photo of what you want. then just maintain at home with tweezers, only the strays below the shape. never above. NEVER.

day to day: brush them up with a spoolie and clear gel or brow soap. sparse? fill with little hair-like strokes using a pencil a shade lighter than your hair, not a block of powder. lamination and tinting last about six weeks if you want low effort.

3. hair, because it's half your silhouette

• trim every 8 to 12 weeks. split ends make long hair look stringy. a trim keeps the length looking healthy.
• heat protectant before every hot tool. every single time.
• turn the heat down. most hair doesn't need the flat iron on max.
• a silk or satin pillowcase or bonnet means less friction overnight, so less frizz and breakage.
• a gloss or toner at the salon makes colour look expensive again for a few weeks.

colouring at home and it's not working? go to a colourist. box bleach is how hair snaps.

4. teeth, because people look at your smile

whitening strips from the pharmacy work if your teeth are healthy. follow the box exactly and stop if they get sensitive. haven't been to the dentist in a while? go first. a cleaning alone makes teeth look brighter, and whitening on cavities hurts.

5. hands and nails, because they're in every photo

cuticle oil every night. ten seconds. it's the difference between "she gets her nails done" and "she has pretty hands".

pick a shape on purpose. short square or squoval looks clean and survives a keyboard. almond is for when you want people to stare. the full nail guide is here.

6. posture and the face you make

your resting face and the way you stand do more than contour.

shoulders back and down. chin level. unclench your jaw (you're clenching it right now, i can tell). when you're walking alone, think about something that makes you a little smug. it shows. that's the glow ✨

7. clothes that fit

clothes that fit beat clothes that cost more. take the jeans you live in to a tailor. steam what you wear. clean your shoes. one colour head to toe when in doubt. and throw out anything with a stain you've been pretending isn't there.

the full outfit formulas are here.

how long does a glow up take?

when	what you'll notice
week 1	brows shaped, nails done, clothes steamed. people say "you look nice today".
month 1	skin is calmer and more even. SPF is a habit. hair looks healthier after a trim.
month 3	retinoid or acid results show. the routine runs itself. people ask what you did and you can't name one thing. that's the point.

what not to waste money on

• ten-step routines with five actives. your skin will hate you.
• anything that promises results "in 7 days".
• a new wardrobe before you've tailored the one you have.
• teeth whitening before a dentist has looked at your teeth.

keep score

you'll do the first three things this week and forget the rest by friday. it's ok, everyone does. the Baddie Meter is a free score out of 100 that keeps track for you: pick the challenges you want, tap "Did it", watch the number go up.

FAQ

what does glow up mean?

a glow up is a noticeable change for the better in how someone looks and carries themselves, usually over a few months, from better skin, hair, grooming, style and confidence. it's not plastic surgery or a new face.

can you glow up in a week?

you can look noticeably better in a week: brows shaped, nails done, a haircut, clothes that fit and are steamed. skin and hair changes take a month or more to show.

do i need expensive products to glow up?

no. a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and an SPF from the drugstore do most of the work. spend on a good brow shape and a haircut, not a 12-step routine.

what is the best skincare routine for a glow up?

cleanse, moisturise and wear SPF every morning; cleanse properly and moisturise at night; add one active (a retinoid, an exfoliating acid or vitamin C) slowly, after a patch test. that's it. consistency beats products.