Chances are, if you have TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, you’ve heard of the “Glowing Up” trend. Glowing up is centered around making changes to your appearance and lifestyle in order to become an improved, more attractive version of yourself.
Oftentimes the process of glowing up, as portrayed on social media, results in a very short-lived boost of confidence.
As cliche as this may sound, a long-lasting “glow up” starts by establishing new habits, and staying consistent with them. It is important to realize that the sense of confidence you’re seeking won’t be completely fulfilled just by getting your hair, nails, or lashes done.
Which is why this guide on How to ACTUALLY Glow Up can help you break this process down, and explain the key aspects to glowing up.
1. Mental Health
Without a stable mental environment, it can be hard to improve other aspects of your life. Your mental state has a significant effect on the way you perceive yourself, so despite changing other aspects of your appearance, your glow up ultimately depends on your mental health.
Everyone is at a different place with their mental health, whether they’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other conditions.
Some ways to cope include sharing your thoughts with a therapist, a trusted family member, or a friend. If opening up to someone is difficult for you, there are other ways you can approach improving your mental health. Doing things that you genuinely enjoy such as working out, meditating, and getting enough sleep can all increase your dopamine levels naturally, which in turn contributes to an increase in happiness. This article by the National Institute of Mental Health provides a number of other ways you can care for your mental health, and has resources you can use to perform further research.
2. Fashion
Though internal components establish a base for your glow up, the way you present yourself matters as well. Your physical appearance has a huge influence on your confidence, which is why establishing a sense of fashion is the next step of glowing up.
Everyone has a different style, and different types of clothes they feel good in. The key is to find a style that helps you as an individual feel comfortable and content with your appearance. Though accumulating a number of trendy pieces may seem appealing at first, the truth is that not all trends work for everybody. On a larger scale, fast fashion is a large source of waste, and negatively impacts the planet.
It can be difficult to find a style that suits you, but a starting point is to curate a Pinterest board, or a collection of inspo, which summarize the look you’re trying to replicate. You can then identify common items or basics that can help you achieve this look. Chances are, you already have most of the clothing items needed. If not, you can always invest in some pieces by shopping, thrifting, sharing clothes with your friends, or keeping an eye out for sales.
3. Hygiene
Hygiene is an essential component in glowing up. Someone who cares for themselves will always appear more attractive, and more appealing to be around. Though self-hygiene is a pretty basic concept, these examples can serve as guidelines to becoming a more hygienic person.
Basic cleanliness consists of brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, showering at least once a day, washing your weekly/bi weekly, and applying deodorant frequently.
In addition to these things, investing in skincare and haircare can serve as a means of elevating your hygiene. Considering the fact that skincare and haircare are curated to fit everyone’s personal needs, you should perform research pertaining to the specific aspects of your skin and hair which you’re trying to improve, as opposed to using products that work for someone else.
4. Working out and physical activity
The final step in this glow-up process is working out. Engaging in physical activity has a number of benefits, both physical and mental. It improves your mood, helps maintain a strong and healthy body, and can boost self-confidence. Feeling happier, being healthy, and feeling proud of your body are all desired outcomes of a glow up, which is why working out is crucial to this process.
Naturally, going on 5-mile runs or weightlifting at the gym might not be enjoyable, or possible, for everyone. Fortunately, there are many other options for less taxing physical activity. Doing yoga, going on daily walks, jumping rope, riding a bike, and swimming are just a couple of examples of this. By implementing these activities into your life, you will experience all of the positive benefits that come with working out.
While these four main steps are meant to assist you during your “glow up journey,” it is important to note that following these steps won’t guarantee a perfect life. Our hope is that it gives you ideas you can build off of, and use to become a better and happier version of yourself.
