Summer is right around the corner and that means it’s prime time to perfect the art of the glow up. What’s a glow up, you ask? Urban Dictionary defines the term as “a mental, physical and emotional transformation” or, “when someone becomes really attractive after they hit puberty.” Basically, a glow up is a nourishing time filled with self-care and beauty routines. You’re not only improving your outer appearance, but also looking inwards and dedicating energy to your overall well being. And it can happen at any age, so there’s no need to fret if you’re way past puberty.
Between the warmer weather and coming out of quarantine, there’s never been a better time to reset and focus on your rejuvenation. From hair extensions to meditation, there are plenty of ways you can accomplish your summer glow up. We’ve put together the ultimate glow up checklist to help you shine from the inside out.
1. Eat healthier
Has your quarantine been feeling like an endless snack session filled with Bagel Bites and frozen pizza? Comfort food is definitely stress-relieving during this time, but fruits and veggies should also be part of the equation. If you want to lock down a healthier meal routine, try making some yummy salads and fruit smoothies. For a more satisfying smoothie, add a little healthy protein or fat such as nuts, peanut butter, or chia seeds. The best part about eating healthier is that it will make glow up from the inside out.
2. Show your skin some love
As one of your body’s largest organs, your skin deserves a little TLC. Apart from following a regular skincare routine, there are plenty of ways you can make your skin feel loved and cared for. First of all, regularly exfoliating with Glycolic Acid will help shed dead skin cells and reveal new, baby-like skin. Doing a face massage with olive or coconut oil once per week is also a great way to get smoother, healthier skin. And lastly, you can start using face masks every week. Concentrated with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, masks can help make your skin glowy and pretty.
3. Meditate
Meditation works wonders for your mind, body, and soul. This practice reduces pain, boosts the immune system, lowers feelings of depression, increases energy levels, helps control thoughts, and provides an overall sense of peace and wellbeing. Adding in a meditation practice to your routine can really help improve your mindset, destress, and center your focus—all things that will help you glow from the inside out.
4. Try out a new hairstyle
A new hairstyle has the power to completely change your appearance. If it’s been a long time since you’ve updated your look, now is the perfect time to start exploring hairstyle ideas. Try talking to a hair stylist so that you can get a professional’s opinion on what type of cut and color will work best for you. And if you aren’t ready to commit to a new style just yet, hair extensions are a perfect way to experiment with new styles. You can also add a pop of color with our new peekaboo hair extensions that comes in three fun shades!
5. Write in a journal
The process of glowing-up involves much more than changing the way you look. It is an emotional transformation that includes growing as an individual, both inside and out. From learning to accept ourselves, to setting goals and thinking about the future, it’s truly a journey. And putting down your thoughts to paper is a great way to reflect on how far you’ve come and where you still want to go. Even if it’s just your goals of the week, writing them in a journal will ensure that your ideas stay safe and sound.
6. Heal your hair
Between the summer sun, hair dye, and heat styling, your hair can often take a beating this time of year. Now is a great time to invest time and energy into healing your mane. Try adding in a few quality products to your hair care routine, such as a hair mask, scalp scrub, and natural remedies. If you have some spare time, you can also consider whipping up a natural hair mask from the comfort of your own home.
7. Schedule regular sweat sessions
While finding the time and motivation to work out isn’t always easy, regular exercise can make you feel amazing. If you’re super busy, try committing to a few short 10-15 minute sweat sessions that you can fit into your daily schedule. Doing one 15 minute workout in the morning and one in the evening is a great way to get your heart pumping and help your body grow gradually stronger.
8. Deep clean your space
There’s no denying that a cluttered space can be a stressful space. Living in a messy room or home can be a huge energy drain, and massive piles of clutter make us feel anxious and defeated. If you’ve been feeling stressed out about your mess, now is the time to deep clean and organize your space. Start by cleaning out shelves and drawers, donating or getting rid of items you don’t want. It’s a good idea to say goodbye to clothes that don’t fit anymore or junk that just takes up space. While it can be a hassle to clean up, few things are more satisfying than a freshly cleaned room.
9. Add some color to your nails
Whether you’re looking for a fresh new shade to paint your nails or want to try a design-oriented nail challenge, no summer glow up is complete without a polished set of nails. So go ahead, grab your polish and add some color to your fingers and toes. From bright blue ocean waves to yellow rays of sunshine, your home manicure can take inspiration from the colors that are all around us during summer months.
10. Drink more water
While we tend to take water for granted, it’s actually something of a miracle elixir. Not only does water make up 60% of the human body, it also offers so many amazing health benefits. H2O keeps you healthy and energized, and also helps your skin become clearer and flush out toxins. Staying hydrated keeps your muscles and joints working and can even help relieve headaches. Health experts generally recommend drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, which equals out to about half a gallon.
11. Get a healthy glow
For many people, tanned skin is one of the most essential parts of their glow up...literally! There’s just something about a bronzed glow that makes you look healthier. We recommend opting for self-tanner rather than roasting under the harsh rays of the sun. It’s typically easy to apply and can be used at home or on-the-go. While it does require some time to maintain a good routine and build up the tan, there are a bunch of good self-tanners out there that can help you get your glow on safely.
13. Enjoy the journey
While it’s true that glowing up involves a lot of goal setting and planning for future self-improvement, it’s also important to enjoy where you are right now in the present moment. Even if you want your glow to be a little bit brighter tomorrow, that doesn’t mean you aren’t already shining today. Enjoy every step of your glow up journey!
Written by: Mikayla Uber
