How to Glow Up in a Week: 17 Beauty Tips That Work

Want to learn how to glow up in a week? Here’s a 7-day glow-up (& maintenance) plan for you.

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If you have a stressful job, never have time for a proper meal, or can’t exactly say you have a self-care routine, your skin will tell.

Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Every choice you make, from what you eat to how much you sleep, shapes how you look and feel. 

Over the last few years, the glow-up challenge has become a thing, and more people are asking questions about a lifestyle they can cultivate to radiate from the inside out. 

And while the internet is flooded with glow up transformations, you don’t need expensive treatments or complicated routines to see real changes. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what glowing up means and practical tips you can implement to see improvements in as little as one week. 

What is a Glow-Up?

A glow-up is a positive transformation that shows a significant change in your appearance and lifestyle.

Forget everything you’ve seen on TikTok about dramatic glow-up makeovers and shopping hauls. 

A real glow-up is so much more than that. It’s about waking up feeling energized. It’s about catching your reflection and actually liking what you see because you’re genuinely taking care of yourself.

When you glow up, people notice. 

Not just in a “wow, you look amazing” way, but in how you carry yourself. Suddenly, you’re not just existing through your days—you’re showing up as your best self.

Your skin looks alive, your eyes are bright, and that constant tired feeling? Gone. 

The best part? This newfound confidence seeps into everything you do. You’ll find yourself striking up a conversation without second-guessing yourself.

How to Glow Up in a Week

Small changes can make a big difference, and if you maintain the good habits the following good habits consistently for a week, you’ll start noticing results.

Also, these steps are the same whether you want to glow up in a week or one month.

1. Drink a Lot of Water

When you consistently drink water throughout the day, your skin becomes more radiant. 

That’s because water does more than quench thirst. It plumps up your skin cells from the inside out. 

Start your morning with a large glass of water, and aim for 2-3 liters of water daily, spacing your intake throughout the day rather than consuming large amounts at once.

You can set reminders using an app or get a marked water bottle like mine to track your intake. 

And if you don’t like the taste of water, you can add fruit slices or electrolytes like Nuun hydration effervescent tablets (if you do daily activities that make you sweat) to sweeten it.

2. Cut Out Sodium

That morning puffiness and bloat? They’re often due to hidden sodium in your diet. 

When you cut back on salt this week, you’ll notice your face looking more sculpted, and your cheekbones more defined. 

Instead of reaching for packaged snacks or takeout, opt for home-cooked meals where you control the seasoning, and check labels for dietary information (if you decide it’s packaged snacks). 

Within just a few days, you’ll wake up to a noticeably less puffy face that looks refreshed even before your morning skincare routine.

3. Get Adequate Sleep 

During deep sleep, your body goes into repair mode, regenerating skin cells and producing collagen. 

Create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down properly—dim the lights, put away your phone, and maybe do some light stretching. To improve sleep, make sure your bedroom is conducive and relaxing.

When you prioritize 7-8 hours of quality sleep, you’ll notice your skin looks clearer, your eyes brighter, and those dark circles start to fade.

4. Start a Simple Exercise Routine

Exercise doesn’t have to mean intense gym sessions. 

As a part of my daily routine checklist, I jump rope, do some no/little weight at-home workouts, and go for evening walks.

Even 15 minutes of movement increases blood flow to your skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients that create a natural flush. Take a brisk walk during your lunch break, do some yoga stretches in the morning, or dance to an upbeat playlist. 

This increased circulation gives your skin a natural luminosity that no highlighter can replicate. Plus, the endorphins released during exercise contribute to that inner glow that makes you look naturally radiant.

5. Eat Clean

Your diet directly impacts your skin’s appearance. 

Focus on foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats. Think colorful vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and foods rich in omega-3s. 

When you feed your body nutrient-dense foods, it shows in your complexion. Your skin becomes clearer, and those random breakouts become less frequent.

6. Follow a Skincare Routine

You need a skincare routine, and this 5-step process will help you develop glowing skin even if you’re a busy bee with little time to spare.

Forget the expensive, time-consuming 20-step skincare routine the girls are flaunting on the gram. It can be simple, fun, and not too long. 

I DO believe in taking your time with self-care. It’s one of the ways to become more feminine, but consistency is important when it comes to skincare, and you can’t stay consistent if the process is rigorous.

7. Use Vitamin C

Whether you choose to use vitamin C oil, serum, or tablets, just make it a part of your routine. 

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to remove unwanted substances from your body, so you can glow up. It produces collagen, boosts your immune system, lowers blood pressure, and heals wounds.

For me, I take Vitamin C effervescent tablets, and they work wonders for my skin and taste buds.

9. Exfoliate

By gently removing dead skin cells, you reveal the fresh, glowing skin underneath. 

Use a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times this week, and do it in the evenings when your skin can repair overnight. You’ll wake up to noticeably smoother, more radiant skin. 

This step clears away dullness and allows your other skincare products to work more effectively.

8. Get a Professional Hairstyle 

Your hair frames your face, and a good hairstyle can completely transform your appearance. 

Schedule a professional trim or treatment this week. A skilled stylist can reshape your cut to highlight your best features and recommend treatments that restore shine and health to your hair. 

Whether it’s a trim or a complete style change, healthy, well-maintained hair elevates your entire look and boosts your confidence immediately.

13. Reduce Taking Caffeine

While your morning coffee might feel essential, excessive caffeine can dehydrate your skin and affect your sleep quality. 

Try switching to one cup of coffee in the morning and herbal teas throughout the day. You can even completely replace coffee with healthier alternatives like tea (matcha tea, green tea, or ginger tea) or fruit juice. 

This simple change helps maintain hydration levels and promotes better sleep, both of which contribute to that coveted glow. Many people notice clearer, more hydrated skin within days of reducing their caffeine intake.

11. Unwind after work 

Your mental state shows on your face more than you might realize. 

When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, which can lead to breakouts and dull skin. Take time each day to unwind after work—whether through meditation, deep breathing, painting in coloring books, or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself. 

As you reduce stress, you’ll notice your face looks more relaxed, your jaw less tense, and your overall appearance more serene.

10. Wear Face Masks 

Choose hydrating face masks with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides, or ceramides. They’ll plump up your skin and reduce fine lines within minutes. 

A good hydrating mask I love is the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. 

Apply your mask 2-3 times this week, and relax for 15-20 minutes while the mask works its magic. 

When your skin gets this concentrated nourishment while you take a mental break, the results show on your face.

12. Always Use Sunscreen

Here’s a not-so-secret beauty tip that you should take seriously:

Sunscreen is your best defense against premature aging. 

Even on cloudy days, even when you’re inside, UV rays still reach your skin and can cause damage you won’t see for years. So, get yourself a really good sunscreen like the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.

Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply it generously—two-finger lengths for your face and neck. The right sunscreen shouldn’t feel heavy or leave a white cast and should protect the glow you’re working so hard to achieve. 

Reapply every 2-3 hours if you’re outside. This single habit will transform your skin glow.

14. Steam Your Face

This age-old beauty secret does more than just feel luxurious—it softens your skin, opens your pores, and enhances the absorption of your skincare products. 

So, use a face steamer. Another traditional alternative is to fill a bowl with hot water, drape a towel over your head, and let the steam work for 5-10 minutes. 

The warmth also increases blood circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. You can follow up immediately with your serums and moisturizers. They’ll penetrate deeper into your warm, receptive skin.

15. Drink Natural Fruit Juice

Fresh juices flood your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

These substances help you synthesize collagen and have anti-inflammatory properties for firm and radiant skin. 

Make different fruit juice combos. For example, pineapple-ginger-cucumber juice, and carrot-watermelon-citrus blends.

Within days, you’ll notice your complexion becoming brighter and more vibrant.

16. Get Eyemasks

Using cooling eye masks or creams (like the Shiseido Smoothing Eye Cream) and specialized eye creams helps reduce puffiness and dark circles. 

Take extra care with this delicate area, and you’ll notice your entire face looks more awake and youthful.

Practice eye exercises, and if you are always looking at screens, wear anti-blue light glasses to reduce strain.

17. Stop Worrying About Things

Constant worry creates tension in your facial muscles, leading to frown lines and a perpetually tired appearance. 

Instead of carrying stress in your face, try these simple tips for being more chill. 

Take deep breaths when you feel tension building. Step away from situations that overwhelm you, even if just for a minute. Practice gentle facial exercises to release jaw tension. 

When you learn to manage stress effectively, it shows. Your features relax, your eyes look brighter, and that stressed, haggard look disappears. Peace of mind is, in my strongest opinion, an essential beauty/glow-up tip.

Shop the 7-Day Glow-Up Plan

In Summary: How to Glow Up in One Week

Transforming your appearance and well-being in just seven days might seem ambitious, but it’s entirely achievable when you approach it holistically. 

These glowing-up tips will produce noticeable improvements within seven days, and maintaining them will lead to even more significant long-term results.

So, focus on being consistent with these sustainable practices that enhance your natural beauty and overall well-being. You’re not just learning how to look better—you’re discovering how to feel better, live better, and show up as the best version of yourself. 

That’s the true essence of glowing up—and it only gets better from here.