Your Go-To Glow-Up Guide for Summer
While there's no bad time for a glow-up, there's just something a little extra satisfying about focusing on yourself over the summer.
It's also the perfect time to do so—after all, there's a reason there's an entire series titled The Summer I Turned Pretty. While glow-ups are so much more than just physical, we must admit that summer really is the best time to put in the work it takes to achieve your goals. You'll be away from school and your usual routine for a couple of months, giving you the time to dedicate to becoming your best self. And while it may not be the main motivation, there sure is something to be said about showing up on the first day of school feeling as good as possible (especially since you won't have seen most of your peers for multiple months).
Now that we've covered why the summer glow-up is so great, how are you supposed to actually make it happen? Worry not, as we're here to help. The only summer reading required is our go-to glow-up guide for summer below.
Don't Let Yourself Be Lazy All the Time
We get it, summer is one of the only times when you can actually sleep in consistently. But trust us when we say that—while it might not be pleasant at first—you won't regret getting yourself out of bed at a decently early hour daily. Rest is still important, so you should definitely listen to your body if it's crying out for sleep (especially if you spent the night before binge-watching all the episodes of The Bachelor in preparation for the new season), but getting up earlier gives you more time in the day to do things that actually make you better overall, whether it's journaling, exercising, reading a chapter from your favorite book or even just grabbing coffee with your best friend. The key to a good glow-up lies in routine, and staying in one throughout the summer will help a ton.
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Learn to Love Being Single (Unless You're Already Seeing Someone, of Course)
Pump your playlist up with plenty of Lizzo, Miley, Dua and Doja: Single girl summer is here (unless you're in a relationship, of course—if that's the case, feel free to skip to the next tip). If your coupled-up friends are inadvertently making you feel bad about your single status every time they talk about the fun summer date plans they have with their partner, it's time to tune that out and enjoy the most out of your singledom this season. There are so many things to love about being single, especially during the summer. Not least, you can actually focus on doing all the things that make you happy and fulfilled. While dating someone can be great, not doing so is nothing to be sad or ashamed about.
Also read about: How to Get Really Good at Being Single
Step Up Your Skincare Game
A glow-up just wouldn't be a glow-up without glowing skin, now would it? Whether you're the type of person who's lucky to remember to wash their face every day or the type who already has a full 12-step routine, skincare is the base to looking and feeling your best. Don't just grab anything off the shelf and think that you'll be left with the skin of your dreams—proper skincare lies in ingredients and application. If you don't know where to start, take a look at some of our favorite skincare brands for every level of expertise (or lack thereof):
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Find Some New Fashion Inspiration
Summer gives you a chance to reinvent yourself, and that often starts with your style. Whether you want to try something a little edgier or give that "old money" look a go, all it takes to get inspired is a simple scroll through TikTok. Figure out what catches your eye, then pick up a few base pieces to construct a capsule wardrobe that you can continue building out well past the summer.
Also read about: How to Become Your Best Self Over Summer Vacation
Work on Your Confidence
Of course, anything you wear looks good so long as you wear it with confidence. That's where our fifth and final item on this guide comes in, as a glow-up just wouldn't be such if you didn't properly own the fact that you had one. It doesn't matter if you intend to upgrade your life physically, mentally, emotionally or even all of the above—confidence really is key to transforming your life and how others perceive you.
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Need some help getting better with that confidence? We can help you with that, too. Just click HERE for some easy tips and tricks for becoming more confident (you can thank us later).