I work at the intersection of beauty and health and talk to women regularly, I start seeing some patterns that could improve appearances.
Based on those patterns, I put together a list of things that help improve physical, and hopefully mental, health too.
I also must admit that title is a bit range-bait and not all of bullet point are affordable, but I put it anyway. I do hope it helps.
These are boring steps. They won’t change you tomorrow. But in six months? They will.
1. Eat healthier. Start tracking what you eat. Lean toward protein (meat, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, tofu) and fiber (vegetables, beans, berries, whole grains). Most people aren’t even close to recommended intake.
Protein target: ~1.6g per kg of body weight. Include protein and veggies at every meal and your habits will change naturally.
Drink water. Sometimes you think you’re hungry but you’re actually thirsty.
2. Exercise. It’s not optional, this is for your health. Your goal is ~4 times a week. Include heavy lifting or bodyweight training. You won’t accidentally look like a bodybuilder, that takes extreme training and diet. After ~30–35, we naturally lose muscle mass, and weightlifting prevents that.
If your goal is fat loss, pilates or yoga alone usually isn’t enough. They’re great supplements, but beginners should prioritize cardio (walking, running, cycling, intervals) and strength training.
Build your routine around it and make it a priority, not an “if I have time” thing because you won’t.
3. Sleep. At least 7 hours. Avoid news and ideally your phone 1.5 hours before bed. Sleep in a dark room, under a heavier blanket.
4. Therapy. Go to therapy. This has the biggest long-term payoff for life improvement. Consider group therapy, sometimes it’s even more powerful than individual.
5. People. If someone drains your energy after you see them, distance yourself. If they don’t, listen more than you talk, ask questions, and follow up later.
If you forget birthdays or important dates, put them in your calendar. This shifts how people’s perception of you, in a positive way.
6. Hobby. Find something you enjoy just for fun, singing, dancing, coloring, sewing, journaling.
7. Health. Get annual bloodwork: micronutrients, iron/ferritin, hormones, etc. After you get results, go back to your doctor, don’t rely on ChatGPT or influencers. Some values look “normal” but aren’t optimal for you.
Speaking as someone who lived with ferritin at 6 (normal usually starts around 30–40), the difference is life-changing. Low ferritin symptoms can look exactly like depression.
See your gynecologist, breast specialist, dermatologist, and primary care doctor annually.
8. Teeth. Go to the dentist for check-ups yearly. Unfortunately, it shows when you haven’t, learnt that the hard way.
9. Skincare. You don’t need the most expensive products, but good ones matter. Basic routine: Morning: Cleanser → Toner (optional) → Active serum → Moisturizer → SPF. Night: Cleanser → Toner (optional) → Active serum → Moisturizer → Eye cream.
If you can only invest in one thing: active serum, then moisturizer. SPF is non-negotiable. Sun damage is the #1 cause of premature aging. You won’t get enough vitamin D from sun exposure to justify skin damage, supplements exist (but consult your doctor).
Japanese and Korean sunscreens are great for price/quality. Reapply every 2 hours outdoors. Even in winter, SPF helps protect from environmental damage. Send me a DM, I can help with that.
10. Cosmetology. If you’re considering procedures, find a specialist who won’t oversell and who you trust. When I found mine, I realized I didn’t need half the things others pushed that I did.
Cosmetology works best when your skincare routine is already solid, it helps preserve results.
11. Makeup. As someone who was obsessed with makeup, now table turns and I can say that less is more. When your health and skincare are good, you can get away with mascara, eyeliner, BB cream, or blush. Mass-market mascara and eyeliner are great.
12. Travel more. Even if it’s a neighboring city, state, or country. If you can’t travel, go to museums, read books, watch YouTube about other cultures or indigenous people. It broadens your worldview, and it shows in the best way.
13. Freeze your eggs. If you’re not in a relationship or unsure about kids, freezing your eggs buys you time and takes weight off your shoulders. Unfortunately, again speaking from my own experience when it became almost too late.
14. Clothes. When your body is stronger, your health is stable, your nutrition is good, and you’re hydrated, mass-market clothes fit you. If you can afford luxury, great. But don’t go into debt for a Gucci bag, it won’t change your life. Otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this post.
**15. Consume content wisely .**Instead of doomscrolling, read books, watch educational YouTube, learn something new. Your brain eats what you feed it.
I don’t check all these boxes myself. I didn't frozen my eggs on time. I sleep with my phone. I doomscroll sometimes. But I'm trying my best.
Hugs to everyone ✨
my hands are a way lighter shade than my face, my face is tanned and doesn’t match the rest of my body’s skin color, are there any tips or products recommended?
I dont have an active close girl-gang to express these feelings to and hence sharing them here. i hope it benefits anyone who needs it
I am a 36-yo millennial woman who thought that losing fat and getting ripped would be enough for a glow up. When I was overweight, I always thought that I will fit right in between the "hot girls" once I get leaner and more toned.. It's incredible how wrong I was
For the last 4 years, I have kept the weight off and now I'm a size 2 but I only wear black, basic jeans and top. I have zero sense of style /makeup/ "things" hot girls do.. until recently i've decided to lock in the way i locked in when i was size 14 and in my early twenties.
This pivot of locking-in for my glow up happened one day when my devoted husband told me - "why does this tshirt make you look flat.. when actually you are curvy in other clothes" .. We had just come back from an outing and I wore a nike sports bra (that obv flattened everything out) and an older tshirt which i just put on...
My cheeks stayed flushed for the whole evening. I obv shrugged his observation off and changed the topic but I was left feeling - lost. It's like the realization just hit me that everytime I see a hot girl in aritzia or my new pilates class, I look away and feel some shame inside. Actually it stings coz i know I should work on my beauty and appearance but i dont care much.
So now that you have context, i wanna share what i've done for the past month to lock in & beauty-maxx.
I got a 3rd piercing in my ear, right next to my main earring spot - the moment I got it and looked at myself in the mirror, I felt 10% more hotter. then i bought a bunch of jewerly from Claire's and have been wearing it everyday and also playing around with the options.
I spend 30 min in the AM on my morning face/body care. I wake up and first wash my face in cold water for 2-3 min. Next I use the brightening toner pads from some korean brand - under my eyes and on my forehead. Then i floss/brush/mouthwash. By then the pads are dried up so i remove them, wash my face with a facewash, apply serum, do gua-sha, apply moisturizer, use a spooly for straighening my eyebrows and eyelashes. Then I apply suncreen. Then I use a moisturizer and apply it to my arms, legs, shoudlers, glutes and core -while doing a simple massage. Then i immediately get dressed for gym/pilates in activewear. This routine centers me. I think only about myself when im doing this routine. Kinda like a workout. I have a similar night routine too with night eye cream, retinol.
I get my nails done every month - no excuses. Yes initally i felt it was expensive, but i managed it by cutting out a few meals outside. This makes me feel put-together and pretty.
Getting ready everyday as though I am going out. I WFH so I could lay around in pajamas all day but that really lowers my vibe. I feel fat, ugly and irrelevant. I also dont leave the house at all on those days...So it's been a week since I have been getting ready daily and i am feeling more productive and relevant. I plan to do this forever.
I made a to-do list of things I wanna do next. I need to research and book appointments and get them done. Here it is
I know this feels like a lot of effort for a casual comment - but that statement woke up a sleeping dragon inside me. I always felt "not enough" around hot girls, as though they were better than me. Kinda like a "beauty complex" (like inferiority complex). I wanna improve how I look coz I dont wanna get that sting when a really pretty girl passes by. Of course I am not challenging natural beauty, I am referring to the feeling when you know you could have done your hair a bit better, but you chose to be lazy and not do it ...
I guess this post became more of a mix. I hope this helps anyone who is feeling stuck
So all of my friends are genuinely gorgeous and everytime we go out and take pictures I feel insecure because they are obviously prettier than me and it makes me really depressed. The only thing people seem to say thats “good” about me is my body because I am skinny, but even some people make fun of me for that because they say I look better when I have a bit more weight on me. They say I look sick or malnourished. However, with the job I have I havent been able to keep working out and eating as I used to so I keep getting skinnier. Now I am extremely self conscious. I know we should love ourselves for who we are, but eveytime I see a candid picture of me now I cant help but notice how ugly I look. I don’t know if I should save up for plastic surgery because my jaw is also very manly and I want to shave it down. Like honestly how do I glow up? I need all the advice I can get. Like I need real advice because I can’t keep feeling ugly.
I really need help with a glow-up — looking for realistic, affordable advice
I’m 5'6" (168 cm) and around 54 kg, and I really want to look and feel like the best version of myself over the next 1–2 months. I’ve been bullied for a long time, especially about my appearance, and it has seriously affected my confidence.
I used to post normal photos of myself, but after getting so bad about my face, I started using filters on my photos. my classmate called mw catfish, which made me feel even worse. At this point, I’m extremely uncomfortable posting photos of myself, so I probably won’t be able to include a picture.
I’m looking for safe, non-surgical, affordable ways to improve my appearance and confidence. I’m not looking for anything extreme or dangerous, and I don’t have a big budget.
Here are the things I’d like advice on:
- Skin/tan: I have a lot of tanning and uneven pigmentation, including on my face and body. I’d like to get my natural skin tone back and make my skin more even.
- Scars/marks: I have various scars and dark marks on my hands/body that I’d like to fade.
- Hair: I have naturally curly hair, but I used to straighten it frequently and it’s now very damaged, especially the ends. My hair is already quite short, so I really don’t want to cut it. I also have a receding hairline that I’d like to improve and grow back if possible. Is there any realistic way to make damaged curly hair look and feel healthier without cutting it, and are there ways to encourage my hairline to grow back?
- Eyebrows: My eyebrows are quite thin and I have a sparse/bald-looking area. I’d like to encourage them to grow back.
- Jawline/face: I used to have more definition around my jaw, but I feel like I’ve lost it recently. Are there safe ways to improve facial definition?
- Nose: I’d like my nose to look a little slimmer, if there are any non-surgical options (even makeup/hairstyle/glasses tricks would be helpful).
- Overall glow-up: I want to improve my skin, hair, eyebrows, styling, fitness, etc. and generally look much more put-together.
I also wear glasses, so I’d love advice on frames, hairstyles, makeup, or anything else that could complement them.
I know an “unrecognizable glow-up” in 1–2 months probably isn’t realistic, but I’m willing to put in consistent effort and I’d love to make as much improvement as I safely can.
Please keep recommendations affordable. I’m not looking for expensive treatments or surgery. I’m open to skincare, haircare, exercise, makeup, styling, grooming, or lifestyle changes as long as they’re safe.
I’ve been feeling really bad about myself because of all the bullying, and I genuinely want to work on myself and feel confident again. Any practical advice, routines, product recommendations, or things I should avoid would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much.
My skin is very oily, dull and it also has a lot of pimples and also very shit facial asymmetry. Can someone help me to clear this out.
Looking for affordable self-care, grooming, and hair/skin advice
I’m 5'6" (168 cm) and around 54 kg, and I’d like to improve my overall appearance and grooming over the next 1–2 months. I’ve been dealing with some comments about my appearance for a long time, which has affected my confidence, so I’d really appreciate some practical advice.
I’m looking for safe, non-surgical, affordable ways to take better care of myself. I don’t have a big budget, so inexpensive products and simple routines would be ideal.
Here are the areas I’d like advice on:
Skin/tan: I have quite a bit of tanning and uneven pigmentation on my face and body. I’d like to gradually even out my skin tone and improve my overall skin health.
Scars/marks: I have some scars and dark marks on my hands/body that I’d like to reduce over time.
Hair: I have naturally curly hair, but I used to straighten it frequently, so it’s now quite damaged, especially at the ends. My hair is already short, so I’d prefer not to cut much off. I also have a receding hairline and would like advice on how to maintain it and encourage healthier growth if possible.
Eyebrows: My eyebrows are quite thin in some areas, including one sparse spot. I’d like to encourage healthier eyebrow growth.
Face/jawline: I’d like to improve my overall facial definition and learn about safe ways to do that.
Nose: I’d like my nose to appear slightly slimmer. I’m completely open to non-permanent options such as makeup, hairstyles, or glasses that could create that effect.
Overall grooming: I’d like to improve my skincare, haircare, eyebrows, fitness, clothing, and general presentation.
I also wear glasses, so advice about frames, hairstyles, or other styling choices that work well with glasses would be really helpful.
I understand that major changes aren’t realistic in just 1–2 months, but I’d like to use that time to establish better habits and make noticeable improvements where possible.
Please keep recommendations affordable and safe. I’m not interested in surgery or anything extreme. Skincare, haircare, exercise, makeup, styling, grooming, and lifestyle advice are all welcome.
I’d really appreciate any practical routines, beginner-friendly products, or tips that have worked for you.
Thank you!
I’m moving to a new state in 3weeks to start a new education program and I want to glow up as much as possible before then. I know i shouldve been doing this earlier but i just finally decided a week ago that i was going.
Areas I want to target the most:
- debloating as much as possible
- target my fine lines under my eyes caused by my chronic insomnia
- lighten my hyper pigmentation + acne scars
-make my skin texture more smooth
- make my skin as shiny as possible (on my body and yes i like the wet look)
Welcoming all the advice i can get nothings too extreme.
I’ve realised something recently and honestly… I feel like I’ve been living in a little bubble for years. 😭 I’m 25 now btw…
My motto was always: “I’m ugly, so why bother?”
Why learn makeup? Why learn how to dress? Why bother doing my hair? Why take care of my body?
I basically convinced myself that I should just be “naturally beautiful” and that I shouldn’t need makeup, styling or anything else to look good. “Just be natural. If you’re genuinely pretty, you shouldn’t need all that stuff anyway.”
And because I have very thin, low-density hair, that mindset honestly made me feel even worse. I’ve always been insecure about my hair, so I’d see women with gorgeous, full hair, beautiful skin, perfect features etc. and spend HOURS comparing myself.
“Look at her, she has such gorgeous hair.”
“Her face is perfect.”
“Look at her body.”
“You’re ugly.”
And there was never a point where the comparison ended. Instead of thinking, “Okay, what can I do to enhance what I already have?” I’d think, “Well, I don’t naturally look like that, so what’s the point?”
So I just stopped trying before I even started.
I didn’t learn makeup. I didn’t learn how to dress myself properly. I neglected my hair. I wasn’t active. I emotionally ate. I became comfortable being invisible because if nobody could really see me, nobody could really judge me either.
I also genuinely believed all the “looks don’t matter, it’s about what’s inside” stuff.
And yes, obviously your character matters. I’m funny, quirky, kind, loving, interesting, thoughtful and I can crack a joke 😂 I actually really like who I am on the inside.
But I’ve had to accept that the world IS superficial. People are visual. First impressions exist. Appearance affects how people perceive you. Pretending otherwise doesn’t magically make it untrue. And PLEASE don’t get me started on “men will cheat anyway, so why bother?” 😭
I still remember these two absolutely gorgeous girls telling me, “You don’t need makeup, you have such great skin!” Meanwhile they both had beautiful skin, were gorgeous AND wore lovely makeup.
The irony honestly 💀💀
I think sometimes people mean well, but those kinds of comments can make you more comfortable staying exactly where you are instead of encouraging you to explore what you could look like with a little effort.
And I’m finally done with that.
My hair is currently tangled, neglected and fighting for its life. 😭 But I’m picking up the pieces now.
I’m NOT doing all of this yet, but I’m finally ready to start.
I’m planning to learn makeup, learn how to dress myself, take my hair seriously, take better care of my body, eat better and basically learn how to be a woman who actually knows how to look after herself. 😭
I’m starting from ZERO, so if you have any advice,
**PLEASE** give it to me.
Especially when it comes to makeup, clothes, hair, skincare, fitness, eating better… literally anything. 😂
I have genuinely never been a gym girl and have basically never exercised in my life, so if you’re someone who started from that exact position, what would you recommend? Should I join a gym? What do I even do when I get there without looking like I’ve accidentally walked into the wrong building? 😭
I’m trying to approach this as learning how to take care of myself rather than trying to become someone else.
So girls, hold my hand through this transition because I clearly need the guidance. 😂💗❤️😭
Wish me luck. The rebrand is officially beginning.
Am 35 years old and getting married in a year.
Want to look my best on the day but don’t know where to start.
Wash my face, moisturise every day. I use retinol but not routinely so never noticed any change with. Only used the ordinary and L’Oréal products as well.
Maybe it’s best to invest in better products there.
Open to trying to laser, facials, botox. Anything to make me look fresher. Have a little baby so full nights sleep are a distant memory right now 🙂
I have two body moles that I want to remove. I’ve had them since I was born and they haven’t grown at all so I know they aren’t cancerous. I’d like to get them removed. They are both on my torso, one in my back one on my front.
Have you guys had any experience with this and what recovery was like, what your wound looks like now?
I have been reading a ton lots of things on reddit but it's not working out. Instead I want to start from the foundation as in my diet so Can anyone recommend me something which actually works ?
I really enjoy doing things like hair/skincare and so on. I have a routine to look put together and I was wondering if anyone has any tips they do to enhance their natural beauty (or even makeup tips that have levelled up the game for them). I have a skincare/haircare routine that works for me and a style that I like. Same with makeup. But I feel like small things can make such a difference. I’ve always been scared of tweezing my eyebrows in case I mess them up. But i recently tweezed them to clean them up and it automatically made me look more put together. It would be awesome if we could all share some tips or something like that!
One thing that really helped me was figuring out my undertone (cool) as a lot of makeup never really worked for me. Now I wear cool toned makeup and it enhances my face rather than looking off:)
Heyy school starts in 12 days and I was wondering if you guys have any glowup tips that make a brutal diffrence like specific workouts that makes you snatched/ lose weight, skincare tips, hair care products, stuff that makes you prettier, style tips, de bloating/ lymphatic draining, just overall tips , even the brutal/ weird ones