So, you want to know how to have a glow up? Us too. ✨ Here, we’re sharing our best tips to streamline your beauty, health and fitness routine. We’re also sharing how to plan ahead so that you can create systems that support you, put your goals on autopilot, de-stress, and get your glow back.
Is it possible to have a glow up and completely transform for the better in six months? Maybe you’re not happy with your beauty routine, or constantly feel tired and lethargic, or are unhappy in your job.
We’re here to tell you that change is possible, and with the right foundation, looking and feeling your best is attainable.
In this post, we’re putting together all of our best tips that have made the biggest difference in our lives – from nutrition, to skincare, to haircare, career, finances, and relationships.
We’re sharing the things we wish we knew 10 years ago, so that when you apply them, you can get the results in months, not years.
Not only that, but we’re focusing on lasting change – on how to have a glow up from the inside out. After all, laminating your brows every month can make you feel put together, but a holistic wellness transformation that makes you look better, but more importantly, feel better?
That’s the kind of glow up we’re looking for. 💅
First things first: What is a glow up?
So, what exactly do we mean by a “glow up?” You’ve probably seen the term on social media, from TikTok posts about how to live your best life, and Instagram Reels showing perfectly curated morning routines.
While a lot of these tips are actually super helpful – and often start with “drink more water” (which is never a bad idea), they can also have you focusing on a never-ending checklist of surface-level to-do’s.
And frankly, that’s anxiety inducing. Not the feel-good glow up we’re looking for.
Instead, we’re sharing the best glow up tips that are sustainable. From our experience they can easily turn into habits, because they’ll make you feel that good. ✨
Remember, if you don’t do each of these tips every day, that’s okay – what matters is that you choose what works for you, your life, and your body – even small changes are good changes.
In essence, this guide focuses first on the inside out when it comes to glowing up – because if you feel good, you look good.
Now that we’ve covered what a glow up is, let’s get into how to implement it.
Click below to find what you need, but – tbh – we recommend reading the whole guide so that you can glow up from A-Z!
How to have a glow up: The complete guide
The Glow Up Guide: Table of Contents
- Prioritize your health & beauty routine:
- How to improve your energy: Quick wins
- How to have a hair glow up
- How to glow up your skin routine
- How to get a wardrobe you love
- How to improve your fitness routine
- Tips for a better sleep routine
2. Prioritize mental wellness:
- How to glow-up mentally
- How to improve your environment for success
- Must read books to have a 360 life glow up
3. Prioritize your goals & create a vision board:
- Glow up your career & finances
- Create a vision board for your goals
The glow up guide: Quick wins
Let’s start with the basics: health. Because health really is wealth.
Nevermind glowing skin; it’s pretty hard to accomplish anything if you don’t feel well on a daily basis.
If you want to glow up overnight, here are a few quick wins to get started.
You can incorporate these practices into your glow up routine to start feeling better by next week.
- Get enough sleep: This one’s obvious, but often gets ignored when we get busy. Make sleep something you look forward to by introducing an enjoyable routine. That way, you ensure you get your eight hours of shut-eye. More on our complete sleep routine below. 👇
- Eat enough fruit & vegetables: Getting enough foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber is essential for getting that healthy glow that we’re all after. Smoothies are an easy way to incorporate this into your daily meals.
- Drink enough water: According to Harvard Health, most people need 4-6 cups of water a day, which provides benefits like flushing bacteria, normalizing blood pressure, and carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells. Needless to say, staying hydrated is important if you want to feel your best.
- Take a multivitamin daily: Studies show that the North Americans diet is low in many essential nutrients. Taking a multivitamin is an easy way to ensure you’re getting everything you need. That said, check in with your doctor before incorporating anything new to ensure that it’s safe for you.
- Include movement as a daily practice: If exercise isn’t already a regular part of your routine, keep it simple. Going on a walk, stretching, or doing yoga is enough to get started.
- Follow a simple skincare routine: It’s not about having an expensive 10-step skincare routine, it’s about having a few consistent practices that work. We’ve shared our full simple skincare routine below 👇, but in the meantime here’s where you can start: Cleanser, and SPF moisturizer every day, a gentle exfoliator 2-3 times a week, and a non-irritating face mask once a week. We like these ones.
- Have a few go-to hairstyles: Nothing makes you feel more put together like a good hair day. If you have 2-3 hairstyles that are easy to do, it will make getting ready in the morning that much easier. If you want to incorporate something new, try doing an at-home blowout tutorial, just to switch things up. We’re sharing our full glow-up hair care routine below.
Shop the blog:
Now that we have the basics in place, let’s get into the fun part – the detailed guide on how to have a glow up over the next six months.
How to have a hair glow up
Let’s start from the top.
If luscious locks are your goal, you need to consider two things: how you’re treating your hair on the outside, and how you’re treating your hair (and body) from the inside.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Internal Hair Care:
If you want to see a big improvement in your hair, you need to consider your overall health.
Unfortunately there’s only so much that a good hair mask or shampoo can do cosmetically.
Genetics play a part in the thickness and quality of your locks, but if your hair is chronically falling out, or you’re seeing a lot of breakage, there might be something else going on.
If this is the case for you, it’s worth looking into how your health may be affecting your hair.
Visit your GP as it’s worth checking if things like poor gut health, or vitamin deficiencies could be affecting the quality of your hair and causing hair loss.
On top of this, conditions like celiac and gluten intolerance, or long-term use of medications have been shown to affect nutrient absorption, which in turn can cause hair loss and breakage. Hormonal issues like PCOS can cause hair loss in women, and is heavily affected by nutrition.
Put simply, your hair really is what you eat! So getting enough key nutrients like protein, vitamin E, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals key to hair health will help you get that full, shiny hair that everyone is looking for.
As always, consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
Check out Golab Beauty on TikTok for holistic hair growth tips that are easy to implement, including foods that support your hair.
Hair enhancing supplements we use and love:
*Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor before taking new supplements.
Step 2: External Hair Care:
Now that we’ve covered your internal health and how it can affect your hair, let’s talk about how to glow up your hair care routine.
If your hair is already in good condition, you can start here.
The tips below will help you to maintain the quality of your hair by nourishing your ends and avoiding damage.
- Use a satin pillowcase or a satin hair bonnet
If your goal is to grow long, strong hair, a satin pillowcase can reduce friction and protect your strands from breakage and tangles while sleeping.
2. Incorporate hair oiling & hair serums
Note from the Editor:
“In my experience, good quality hair serums really do work for regrowth! Personally, I’ve been using The Ordinary hair serum for several years, and everytime I reintroduce it into my routine, I see a ton of new baby hairs. I currently use this serum every day after blow drying my hair with a heat protectant.”
“More recently, I’ve also started hair oiling once a week. Vogue India has a great step-by-step guide on how to oil your hair correctly.”
- Scalp massage: Massaging your scalp is not only relaxing, but can increase blood flow in the scalp which stimulates hair growth, and helps to penetrate the oils into your scalp. It can also help to remove product build up too, which then helps your serums and oils to be more effective.
- Hair mask: Applying a hair mask once a week (especially if you live in a cold climate) can help to prevent dryness and frizziness, and to improve shine.
- Protective hairstyles: A simple loose braid keeps your hair neat while sleeping and protects from breakage. Protective hairstyles are also great for the winter months when your hair undergoes a lot of friction from wearing scarves, toques and beanies.
Track your hair’s progress. In six months time, if you follow great nutrition, and these haircare steps, you’re likely to see a difference.
How to have a skin glow up
Next, let’s talk about skin.
Just like your hair, you should take care of your skin inside and out.
That means eating well, sleeping well, drinking water, and using good topical products.
Additionally, if you struggle with recurring skin issues like acne or dermatitis, it should be treated as an internal health issue, and not just as a hygiene issue.
Like your hair, your skin can be affected by conditions like poor gut health, vitamin deficiencies, food intolerances, and infection.
If you struggle with ongoing skin issues, consult your GP, dermatologist, and dietitian to get to the root cause.
That covered, here are our top tips for glowing up your skin, from the inside out: ✨
- Nutrition: Make sure that you’re getting enough nutrients in your diet. This means having a balanced diet that gets your body what it needs to look and feel good. A healthy cookbook can be a good place to start.
- Vitamin Levels: Get regular checkups and bloodwork done to ensure that you’re in good health, and that you’re getting all of the nutrients you need. Deficiencies like iron are common for women and can affect your hair. Glowing up this year means prioritizing our health!
- Treat underlying conditions: If you’re doing everything right and still have acne or other skin concerns, consult your GP and dermatologist. Things like vitamin and mineral deficiencies, food allergies, hormonal imbalances, and infection can cause acne. For men and women, hormonal issues can wreak havoc on your skin. Mila Mend is a great resource for women who want to learn how to eat to support their hormones.
- Skin Care: Lastly, your products and routine should be personalized to your skin, depending on what stage of life you’re in, and what your problem areas may be. If you’re looking for an easy routine, keep it gentle and simple. Focus on gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from the sun with a good SPF.
This simple skin care line up is a great base to work from:
- Cerave Cleanser
- Cerave Moisturizer with SPF
- Nivea lip balm
- Rose quartz Gua Sha
- Garnier Micellar water for all skin types
- LAPCOS facemasks
Next, let’s talk about fashion.
Upgrade your personal style
Investing in your personal style isn’t just about putting on clothes; it’s about feeling good and comfortable, no matter where you are.
It’s all about embracing what makes you feel your best.
So, invest in yourself. Because when you look good and feel good, and vice versa.
If you’re not sure where to start in terms of style, or you just want a refresh, platforms like I Have This Friend can connect you with an affordable personal stylist that can help you curate your wardrobe, and find what looks good on you.
You can also start to build a capsule wardrobe, and start saving wardrobe inspiration on Pinterest.
Next we’ll chat fitness & exercise.
How to glow up your fitness routine
When it comes to fitness, it’s important to find a routine that works specifically for you and your body.
Incorporating a routine that easily fits into your life helps ease stress and can increase your energy levels.
If you don’t already have a regular exercise routine, don’t overdo it by trying to go from 0 to 100 immediately.
Remember, our goal for this glow up is for it to feel good, and to build sustainable habits that will carry into the years to come.
A good starting point is to incorporate activity at least 3 times a week; whether that’s by going on a walk, doing yoga, or going to the gym.
You can start simple and make it something you look forward to. For example, start going on a morning walk while having your coffee and listening to your favourite podcast.
Put it in your calendar to make sure that you stick to it.
If you’re not sure what kind of activity you want to do, apps like ClassPass make it affordable and easy to try out different types of classes from studios in your city. *Not an affiliate, we just love this platform!
How to glow up your sleep routine
Now, let’s chat about sleep.
Getting enough sleep affects your attention, cognition and mood. So, if you want to be the best version of yourself, sleep well. 😴
Make your sleep routine something that you look forward to, so that it’s easier to stick to.
Here are a few habits that will glow up your sleep routine, without making it overwhelming.
- Prioritize getting 8 hours of sleep: Sleep affects how you look and feel mentally, and as a result, how you’re able to show up at work and in your life. According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, the time you go to bed isn’t as important as being consistent.
- Take magnesium bisglycinate: Magnesium has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind. You can take it as a supplement, or in a nighttime cherry juice mocktail (of course, check with your doctor before adding anything new to your routine). Also, go with magnesium bisglycinate – not citrate, which has a laxative effect.
- Tea: Traditional Medicinal brand’s teas offer different benefits, from better sleep, to hormone balancing.
- Read instead of scroll: If there’s something you want to learn this year, this can be a good time to work it into your routine, and avoid scrolling on your phone before bed.
- Haircare & Skincare: Your hair can get damaged from tangles and rough textures while you’re sleeping. This is where you can integrate your new skin and hair care routine, including using satin pillowcases, protective hairstyles, and hair oils and serums.
- Set a “nice” alarm to wake up to: There’s nothing that will stress you like waking up to a blaring alarm. The fix? Set your alarm to music that puts you in a good mood so that you can start your day off on the right foot.
- Sleepwear & loungewear: Invest in a nice set of pyjamas or luxe loungewear that make you feel put together, even while lounging at home. Check out our post on luxury loungewear brands here for inspiration.
Sleep is such an important part of being able to be the best version of yourself, and is incredibly important for stress management.
So if you want to have a glow up, prioritize your sleep!
Next, we’ll talk about ways you can support your mental wellbeing.
Sleep products we use and love:
*Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor before taking new supplements.
How to “glow-up” your mindset:
Your physical and mental health are intrinsically connected, and you can’t optimize one without the other.
Like with your outer appearance, your mental health and cognition need the same support of essential vitamins and nutrients to ensure that you’re feeling your best.
Having said that, make sure you are hitting all of the bases, by getting the right nutrition, taking a regular supplement (if it’s right for you), getting enough sleep, sunshine, and exercise, and socializing.
Getting regular checkups with your GP also shouldn’t be overlooked.
Aside from your physical health, your social wellbeing plays a huge role in how good you feel everyday.
Make sure that you’re not pouring from an empty cup. ☕
Practice self care, and make sure that you feel well mentally, emotionally, and physically before going out of your way to do things for others.
Practices like meditation and journaling can help you to feel better on the daily.
How to glow up your environment
It’s no secret that having a space that makes you feel good is important.
That doesn’t mean that you have to move if you don’t like your living space (unless you want to, of course).
But living in a messy or chaotic environment can affect how you feel on a daily basis.
You would be surprised at how much keeping a neat and tidy space can free up your mental energy.
Here’s a few simple ways that you can improve your space:
- Make your bed every morning
- Have a weekly cleaning routine
- Regularly declutter & donate things that you don’t use
- Switch up your furniture layout
- Organize your cleaning supplies
Feel better? Us too.
Now, let’s talk career. 👇
How to glow up your career
Next up, let’s talk about how you can have a career “glow up”.
Your career is directly tied to your finances, which affects everything else in your life.
So, we want to make sure that this is an area that we have under control.
When it comes to your career, it’s important to set short and long-term goals.
You can set them in time blocks of six months in the short term, and three years for longer term goals.
This gives you enough time to implement big changes into your life, while also giving you enough time to adjust to a big learning curve.
For instance, if you currently work in a junior role, and want to move into a senior role by a certain time period, six months may not be enough time.
However, you can start to close the gap between where you are now, and where you’d like to be.
For example, for the next six months you could focus on getting additional training to acquire the skill set that you would need to hold that more senior role.
If you don’t have a direct mentor or senior manager at work, a good way to see the skills you may be lacking is to visit job postings.
Review the job descriptions of the senior positions that you’d like to work in one day, and make a list of the skills that you don’t yet have.
You can then sign up for in person or online training, and/or start to build your portfolio with personal projects to build those skills.
Udemy, LinkedIn learning, and YouTube are all great places to start enhancing your skill set.
You can take this same goal setting approach whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, or employee.
Choose your goal, set a date, and write down the steps you will need to get there.
Organizing your finances
As with your career, you should also set short and long-term finance goals.
Quantify your goals as much as possible to make sure that you’ll get a specific outcome.
What does that mean?
For example, instead of, “I want to save more money,” include specifics like, “I will have x amount saved six months from now, by doing xyz.”
This will allow you to see the steps that you need to take in order to actually achieve those goals.
Let’s recap.
Here’s how you’re going to glow up your career & finances in the next six months:
- Set short-term and long-term career & financial goals
- Break the steps down to achieving these goals month by month
- Set realistic quarterly and yearly learning goals and work towards them weekly
Editor’s Note: If you’d like to dive into this further, specifically when it comes to “project managing” long-term goals, here are the top career books that will help you. I wish I had read these books ten years ago, notably From Passive To Passionate. More on this below.
- From Passive To Passionate: If there is one book I wish I had when I was 18 years old, it would be From Passive To Passionate by Brian Luebben. I have never come across a resource that breaks down how to project manage the steps to achieving a big goal quite like this. The book focuses on the steps of getting into the real estate market for the average person quite like this. He also covers focusing on moving out of corporate life, as well as the psychology of making big changes in your life, and how to prime yourself to go after your biggest goals. Even if these aren’t your specific goals, it’s a great read to learn how to set a long term goal and work backwards. This book is the A-Z guide – 10/10 recommendation!
- How To Win Friends & Influence People: The psychology of being a people person; essential for success in all areas of life. A classic read for a reason!
- Atomic Habits: This book by author James Clear has been hugely popular in the last few years, and for good reason. It dives into how to create habits that support the life that you want.
- How To Build A Goddamn Empire: The trials and errors of a startup founder. This covers everything from startup funding, to marketing, to branding and the psychology of putting yourself out there. A great foundational book if you work in marketing, or are interested in starting your own business!
Next up, it’s time to wrap up everything we just learned into a plan and vision for the next six months to a year.
The power of vision boarding
Now that we’ve covered the steps to having a glow up, it’s time to package it all up into a clear plan.
That’s where the power of a “vision board” comes in.
A vision board is a visual representation of the goals that you would like to achieve each year (or for whichever time period you’d like to choose).
It’s a collage of images that you can put together digitally, or by cutting out photos from magazines as a daily reminder of where you’d like to be one year from now.
If you like crafting, you’re going to love this step. 😉
The steps to creating a vision board:
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- Define your goals: First, write down all of the goals that you’d like to achieve in the different areas of your life in the next year. From relationships and friendships, to fitness, finances and career.
- Get specific: Try to quantify your goals as much as possible. Don’t just write, “I want to save more money,” but “I will save x amount by this time, by doing xyz.” This will help you see the steps that you need to take in order to actually achieve those goals. If you are having a hard time figuring out how to quantify your goals, look for examples of people who already have what you are trying to achieve. Now, consider what they do to figure out the exact steps you need to take.
- Pick your images: Find images that align with the goals that you are aiming for, and the things that you’d like to have in a year’s time. Pinterest is great for this. If you’re more of a crafty type, you can cut out pictures from your favourite magazine to create your vision board collage.
- Use it as a daily reminder: Put your vision board somewhere that you’ll see it everyday. Save it on your phone screen, or frame it in your room, so that you see it every morning and night as a reminder to work towards your goals.
Check out this video by YouTuber Tam Kaur, for a great step-by-step guide on creating a vision board.
Conclusion
There you have it: How to have a glow up 101. ✨
Remember, your health and personal well being is the foundation to everything.
If you don’t feel well, you won’t be able to show up as the best version of yourself.
Once you have your health and wellness practices in place, you’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish in six months.
To recap, here are some of the best habits that will help you to completely glow up in the next six months:
- Take care of your nutrition & eat well
- Take your vitamins
- Drink enough water
- Exercise regularly
- Get regular check ups with your doctor
- Incorporate quality hair serums & oils into your routine
- Have a simple skincare routine that works for you (cleanse & SPF!)
- Surround yourself with people who motivate & inspire you
- Set quarterly and yearly learning goals
- Set tangible, quantifiable financial goals
Lastly, make sure that you track your progress! You’ll be surprised at how much of a glow up you’ll experience in six months after you implement all of these practices.
We hope you enjoyed this post on how to glow up physically and mentally, and that it helps you to achieve your goals.
Do you have any great glow up tips? Share your best tips with us here! 👇
