7 game-changing tips for a 24-hour glow up

Want to know how you can look and feel your best? Easy. Follow these 7 steps to achieve a stunning glow up in just 24 hours. You are going to learn about the essentials that you can use to glow up overnight, from resetting your mindset to the physical necessities to transform yourself.

1. Journal

One of the essentials for a glow up is to journal, which I know

The first thing you want to start with is writing about what you’re currently grateful for. To get a little technical with you, gratitude is proven to boost the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin allows your brain to produce dopamine (the happy hormone!). If you practise this regularly, it’s guaranteed to increase your confidence and happiness.

Next, you want to visualise your highest self and write out exactly who you want that to be. You want to make sure you’re writing about this in the present tense. This way, you’re subtly tricking your brain to perceive this as your current reality, which will help you take actions that align with that reality.

Ask yourself these questions:

• How does my highest self physically look?
• Where do they hang out?
• How do they behave?
• What does their career look like?
• How do they look in 5 years?

If you start this process today and commit to it, I can guarantee that you will begin to glow from the transformation you’ve begun.

 

2. Spend quality time with your loved ones

This one is an underrated favourite. When you think of the term ‘glow up’ we almost always conjure up an image of a girl lathering herself in expensive products and spending all her time in the gym. However, glowing up goes beyond the surface level. We tend to get so wrapped up in ourselves that we can sometimes neglect the people who mean the most to us.

One step you can take is to take some time to turn off your phone, or anything that may distract you, and just sit down with your family or anyone that you feel close to. I found that when I went through my first breakup and was completely down about myself, the best medicine was to sit on the couch with the fam watching comedy specials.

Or simply have a conversation with them and ask them about how they are. When we take the time to listen to others – and I mean truly listen – we create a deeper ability to connect. That is what truly makes you glow.

Here are some conversation starters to form deeper connections:

• How are you feeling about your day-to-day? Are you enjoying it?
• Has anything been causing you stress lately?
• What’s the best part of your day?

3. Hydrate

We all know that water is good for us and that we should all be drinking more of it. While it can feel like a chore, the benefits seriously outweigh the minor inconvenience of filling up a glass or a bottle.

There are so many benefits that come with being a regular water drinker, but the reason you want to prioritise this for your glow up is that water helps to boost skin elasticity. Drinking the right amount of water for your body will reduce your likelihood of suffering from scars, wrinkles and soft lines.

I use this timed water bottle to keep me on track during the day for my water intake.

 

4. Get your body moving

If you’re committed to a glow up, not just over 24 hours, but consistently, then moving your body is a necessity. When you think of a glow up, the image that the mind conjures is a girl lathering on expensive skincare products. But I’d argue that exercise is far more important because not only is it good for getting you in shape. It also improves your skin’s texture and tone due to the increase in blood flow and circulation which brings oxygen and nutrients to your skin.

You don’t need to join the gym today or run 5 km to get moving, there are so many options out there for you to kick start your health journey which will reap you so many benefits later on.

I love going to the gym or a workout class, but if I feel that I don’t want to be around people, I’ll put on my runners and go for a long walk. The ‘hot girl walk’ can be so empowering and invigorating; playing some absolute bad b anthems while doing a fast-paced walk. One tip for the hot girl walk is to engage your core while you’re walking to help tone your abs.

 

5. The ‘everything shower’

This ritual has gained a lot of traction on TikTok and for good reason. This shower routine is an extended version of your daily showers, you’re just adding a few extra steps to really enhance your skin. The point is that having this ritual encourages good hygiene, and improving your wellbeing.

You don’t need to purchase high-end products to come out of the shower a glowing goddess, and you can make it as complicated as you like. But what it essentially involves is a deep cleaning of your body on top of your regular wash, and shampoo and conditioning.

A shower ritual to help you GLOW: 

1. Pre-shower: Use scalp oil rub it thoroughly into your scalp and let it sit for 1 hour 

2. Pre-shower: Apply your favourite hair mask and let that sit for an hour.

3. Pre-shower: Cleanse your face

4. Pre-shower: Apply a face mask 

5. Pre-shower: Apply a lip mask (you can use a sugar scrub)

 6. Pre-shower: Dry brush to exfoliate your skin

7. Mid-shower: wash out the hair oil and wash off the face mask

8. Mid-shower: Shampoo (twice) and condition (once)

9. Mid-shower: Use your favourite body wash

10. Mid-shower: Cleanse your face once more

11. Post-shower: Towel dry

12. Post-shower: Apply body lotion

13. Post-shower: Moisturise your face

14. Post-shower: Finish with your favourite face oil.

Click here for more hair care tips.

 

6. Makeup is a superpower

Don’t overlook the power of makeup when you’re looking at glowing up. Now it’s not to say you have to apply a full face of glam or anything at all if it’s not your thing. However, applying a bit of makeup most days of the week can transform how you show up for yourself and the world. Who doesn’t want an extra boost of confidence?

I know that whenever I’m feeling sluggish and unmotivated, it’s usually the days when my hair is dirty, I’m in sweats, I’ve been eating crap, and I’ve put no effort into my complexion. To turn that around, it can be as easy as applying a bit of concealer, blush and mascara, and sleeking my hair back into a bun to completely turn my mood around. Imagine if you could do that every day, how much more would you be able to accomplish when you feel like you’re looking damn good.

Top 3 makeup tips:

• Find your signature look: whether it’s Euphoria’s Maddy Perez’s bedazzled makeup paired with a sharp liner or Taylor Swift’s signature red lip, finding a look that’s unique to you is incredibly empowering. Maddy, for example, uses makeup like a shield of armour and applies it to give her the appearance of confidence which developed into unshakable confidence in herself. So experiment with looks that will enhance your favourite features and turn them into your own armour.
• Have a good base: Having a good base is key and the best way to achieve this is to prep your skin. Apply your skincare shortly before makeup application to achieve that glowy, flawless base. It also helps your makeup last longer if you don’t want to use a primer (which I don’t). Another good way to ensure your base sticks all day is to use a setting spray between the steps of applying your base makeup. E.g. foundation, spray, contour and concealer, spray, blush, spray. It’s also going to make your skin look super hydrated.
• Less is more: This phrase has been taught to us by our grandmothers and mothers, but they tell us this for a reason. Let me give you an example using foundation. If you apply foundation directly to your skin, you’re going to use more of it than if you put some on the back of your hand first and then apply it to your face. You can build it up rather than putting too much on at once and have your face looking cakey. The same thing goes for eyeshadow. It’s a lot easier to work with shadows if you start off with a little bit on the brush and build it up until you’re happy. It’s also going to blend much better than if you go straight in with a lot of product.

 

7. Fashion is your friend

Picture yourself having the most successful day ever; you’re looking good, feeling good, and what’s more, people tell you you’re on fire too. Tell me, what are you wearing? Is it an old hoodie and tracksuit pants? Probably not. I’m not saying you need to dress to the nines every day, but the clothes we put on every day have an incredible effect on how we perceive ourselves, how we’re perceived by others, and our confidence and self-esteem.

Fashion and style are incredibly subjective to an individual’s taste, so what works for some may not work for others. What you want is to find what works for you.

How upgrade your style with what’s already got in your wardrobe?

• Purge: You’re going to do a Marie Kondo and get rid of anything in your wardrobe of items that don’t serve you joy. I can’t tell you how many pieces I’ve purchased that I never ended up wearing because it wasn’t flattering for my body or I only wore once because it was on trend at the time. Stick to the evergreen pieces that won’t go out of style and that make you feel the most confident. You might end up with a half-empty closet, but that’s okay! You can build it up with timeless pieces.
• Layer: Layering is a great trick to upgrade your outfits. A good way to layer is to start by sticking to the three-colour rule, which is exactly how it sounds–stay away from combining more than three colours, aside from black and white which are tones, not colours. You can also experiment with different fabrics and textures to make your outfit more interesting. The third tip is to make sure you can see every layer for a more visually pleasing look.
• Accessorise: Adding a statement accessory can enhance your outfit. Remember Andy Anderson’s classic yellow gown in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? While that dress is stunning on its own, that canary diamond paired with the dress made that look iconic. Not saying that you need to wear a million dollars around your neck, but adding jewellery or a bag can make a big difference. It comes down to your taste, but I love simple gold rings, earrings, necklaces, and a coloured bag if my outfit is mostly neutral.