7 Ways To Glow Up

It’s impossible to go on social media these days without hearing the phrase ‘glow up.’ You look up the hashtag, and you’ll be flooded with different tips and hacks to ‘glow.’ While the term might mean different things to different people, at its core, a glow-up (in my opinion) is about deciding to invest in yourself in a way that makes you feel and look your best. It's about embracing habits and routines that support your physical, emotional, and overall wellness. In this blog, I want to share the 7 specific ways I personally incorporate glow-up habits into my life (that have made a massive difference)! 

1. Sleep in Silk

If you took part in my Free Haircare Series, you would know that on the final day I give my suggestions to the “extras” you can commit to for your hair health. Sleeping on silk, whether that’s a silk pillowcase or wrapping your hair in a silk turban, is at the top of this list! Silk helps reduce friction, which means less hair breakage (bonus points, because it also leads to fewer sleep lines on your skin). It’s such a simple switch, but it makes a noticeable difference over time. Whenever I speak with someone who starts incorporating silk in their sleep routine, they notice such a shift in how their hair feels and looks. Also, for my girlies who style their hair, I find that it holds the style way better!

2. Focus on Scalp Care

Let’s say it together, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. If you want your fullest and shiniest hair yet, make scalp care a priority. I have a whole blog on this topic, but to summarize, start by incorporating scalp massages, detox shampoos, and gentle exfoliants into your routine. This not only promotes hair growth but also ensures my scalp stays free of buildup. I truly believe that as soon as I shifted my focus to my scalp, my hair started looking its absolute best! 

Pro Tip: This is completely separate from the scalp, but since we are on the topic of hair care, I also apply oil to the ends of my hair to keep them hydrated and prevent split ends. This mixed with the scalp care will be the perfect combo!

3. Walk After Every Meal

If you have listened to my episode with Lily Nichols, RDN or Dr. Anthony Youn, you would know how much your diet/blood sugar levels impact your skin health and appearance. I talk about this more in my  episode on my CGM , but I try to take a 10-minute walk after every meal to minimize blood sugar spikes. I started doing this when I had something a little extra “carby,” that I knew would spike me, and even just those 10 minutes made the spikes far less excessive. After seeing the impact, I incorporated the walk into my routine after any type of meal (if I can) and my spikes have been fewer and farther in between. I should also emphasize that this doesn’t have to be you going on a rigorous walk with hills outside, I literally pull out my walking pad while catching up on a show for 10 minutes. By making this a habit, I can confidently say that I look better and feel better!

4. Tinted Sunscreen Everyday

You already know that daily sunscreen is non-negotiable (I hope), but for a little extra “glow”
and protection, consider making the swap to tinted sunscreens. They contain iron oxides which help protect our skin from visible light which can worsen hyperpigmentation such as melasma and even redness. I also think it’s worth mentioning that there are so many incredible tinted spfs out there now, I often just use the coverage from it as my layer of foundation. To no exaggeration, I often get the most compliments on my skin when I am just using a good tinted sunscreen. Need suggestions on a tinted spf for your skin type? I give all my holy grails in a recent blog post, but here are a few of my favorites:

TINTED SPF SMS

5. Microcurrent 

You already knew I had to incorporate a skin device somewhere in this blog! Most (good) devices are at a higher price point, so I am pretty picky with which ones I use and suggest! I don’t want my clients and followers spending their money on anything that doesn’t show real results! While I considered putting my LED device in this number 5 place on my glow-up tips, I personally use the LED device for long-term results. This is not to say, I don’t also get immediate benefits, but the long game is where it really shines!

Due to this, I am choosing to highlight my microcurrent device. I typically switch off between NuFace and my Ziip Halo (I actually compare both of them in a blog) in the morning as a part of my AM routine 4-5 days a week. If you are not familiar, microcurrent technology helps stimulate facial muscles, promoting firmness and reducing puffiness. I talk about this more in my step-by-step routine, but the added 10 minutes to my routine, legitimately gives me an immediate life and tone to my face! I should preface that Tara Peterson, co founder of NuFace, states that to notice those long term benefits, try to commit to a regular cadence of a few times a week! If you can commit to it though, you’re going to be obsessed with the benefits.

6. Ice Rolling

Since we are on the topic of skin tools and de-puffing, let’s discuss ice rolling next! This is one of those tips that I think is so simple, how can you not hop on the trend (fortunately an ice roller is far cheaper than most tools too)! It’s one of my favorite ways to reduce puffiness and wake up my skin. Simple, but effective (aka my two favorite things)! Also, while I love my TSC ice roller, I also love to throw on this chill mask from Skin Gym when I meditate in the morning. Also, if you are like me and struggle with hyperpigmentation and/or rosacea, use it right after a workout! It immediately calms my skin and often prevents a flare up.

PRO TIP: Your skin reacts better to the ice roller in the fridge vs the freezer

7. Gratitude Journaling

I wanted to take this final tip in a bit of a different direction! While I love my skin devices and hair hacks, I believe so deeply that a “glow up”is also about feeling your best internally (arguably, more important than the external factors). While I could talk about meditation and affirmations forever, I specifically want to highlight gratitude journaling. I try to practice gratitude journaling daily (especially first thing in the morning). I find that when I can focus on the blessings in my life and what I already “have,” I open myself up to all the possibilities of what can come. I know this is going to be the cheesiest and most cliche thing you see today, but I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true: focus on glowing from within first. It’s going to make you feel better, look better, and live better.

I hope you enjoyed the 7 steps I really love to give me a “glow up!” As always, let me know what steps you incorporate in your routine. I also feel like I will need to do an episode on my podcast in the future going into this a little more! Let me know if that’s something you want to see!

Hungry for more? Check out my Comprehensive Skincare Guide in the Skinthusiast Shop!

xx Amy

**Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical advice. Please speak to your Dermatology provider before adding any at home procedures or products into your routine!

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