This post is all about how to glow up in a week
Tired of feeling like you’re not at 100%? Whether it’s for a date or just to feel confident again, sometimes you just want to know how to glow up in a week. Now, I’m not going to sit here and lie and say you’ll lose 20 pounds or look like a completely new person in seven days. But I do know some proven hacks that can help you look and feel 10x better in just one week.
A lot of people think glowing up takes months, expensive products, and hours of research… and then they end up overwhelmed, burned out, and giving up. But honestly, most of that happens because they don’t have a simple, solid plan.
I know planning a glow up sounds like a lot of work, and most of us definitely don’t have time for that. That’s why in this article I did the time-consuming part for you and put together 13 glow up hacks that will seriously change the way you look and feel.
Table of Contents
How to Glow up in a Week
1. Do a 7-day salt + sugar detox
Cut out added sugar, processed junk, and super salty foods (chips, fast food, soda, all that). This alone can make a crazy difference in just a few days. Your body stops holding onto so much water, which means less bloating in your face and body. A lot of girls notice their jawline looks sharper, their face looks less puffy, and they just feel way more snatched almost immediately.
2. Drink 3+ liters of water daily + add de-bloating teas
Drink way more water than you think you need (I aim for at least 3 liters a day). It sounds basic, but this is one of the fastest ways to look better. Add in green tea, peppermint, or ginger tea 2–3 times a day too. This helps reduce puffiness, supports your metabolism a bit, balances oil, and makes your skin look way more clear, hydrated, and glowy.
If you want to know how I make sure I hit my daily goal Click Here!
3. Ice your face every morning
Use an ice roller, a cold spoon, or even just ice cubes wrapped in a cloth for like 3–5 minutes in the morning. It’s such a quick fix. It helps reduce puffiness, tightens everything up, makes pores look smaller, softens dark circles, and gives you that instant awake, snatched look without doing anything crazy.
I've tried a lot of products and these were my favorites!
4. Lymphatic drainage facial massage daily
Spend 5–10 minutes doing gua sha or just gently massaging your face and neck (always upward and outward). This helps drain extra fluid, which means less puffiness and way more definition in your cheekbones and jaw. It also boosts circulation, so your skin looks brighter and more alive. Do it in the morning and at night for the fastest results.
5. Everything shower + exfoliate 2–3 times
Take a good, thorough shower and really focus on exfoliating your whole body (a sugar or oil scrub, or even a gentle body brush works). This gets rid of dull, dry skin and makes everything look smoother right away. Shave or wax if you want, then moisturize like crazy and finish with a body oil. It gives that soft, glowy, “put together” look instantly.
FYI this is the body scrub I LOVE: Click Here
6. Upgrade sleep setup for beauty rest
Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase (or at least use a clean cotton one and change it often). Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep and try sleeping with your head slightly elevated. This helps prevent face puffiness, keeps your skin clearer, reduces under-eye bags, and honestly just gives you that well-rested, natural glow.
7. Whiten teeth naturally
Brush with a mix of baking soda and diluted hydrogen peroxide a few times this week, or just use whitening strips if you have them (Here is a trick on how to get 2x the strips for the price of one box!). Whiter teeth make a huge difference. Your smile looks brighter, your face looks fresher, and you just come across way more put together almost instantly.
(Just don’t overdo it, because it can be a little harsh on your enamel.)
Here are the only ones I personally use! Click Here
8. Oil your hair + scalp massage
Use coconut, olive, or argan oil (whatever you have) on your hair ends and lightly on your scalp. Massage it in for about 5 minutes every day, then shampoo it out. This adds crazy shine, helps control frizz, and makes your hair look way healthier and thicker almost overnight.
9. Fix posture and walk with confidence
Start paying attention to your posture. Stand tall, shoulders back, chin up, and walk like you actually belong in the room. It sounds small, but it changes your whole vibe. Do 10–15 minutes of posture work every day (wall angels, shoulder rolls, that kind of thing). The difference is instant. People will notice something feels different about you even if they can’t explain why.
10. Groom eyebrows, lashes, and nails
Pluck or tweeze any stray brow hairs, brush them into shape, and condition your lashes with a little oil at night. Then file and clean up your nails, and add polish if you want (even clear or a soft neutral looks super put together). Clean, shaped brows frame your face way better, and neat nails make your hands look polished without much effort.
I actually prefer using grooming kits made for women because they’re gentler and easier to use. This is the one I picked up and it’s been amazing.
11. Double-cleanse and mask your face nightly
Double cleanse your skin with an oil or balm first, then a gentle face wash. After that, use a simple DIY mask like honey + yogurt or oatmeal for hydration and brightening. Doing this consistently all week helps remove buildup, clears your skin, and gives you that healthy, glowy look by the end of the week.
I actually have a KILLER skincare routine I use every single night, It took hours of research and tons of trial and error (too many errors) but I found a skincare routine that WORKS. Click here if you are interested in my skincare routine
12. Cut alcohol and inflammatory drinks
Try cutting back on alcohol, too much coffee, and sugary drinks for the week. They can dehydrate you, cause inflammation, and make your skin look more dull. When you skip them, most people notice brighter eyes, less redness, and just an overall healthier vibe pretty fast.
13. Mindset + main character energy daily
Spend a few minutes every day journaling, saying affirmations, or just hyping yourself up in the mirror. It sounds simple, but your mindset shows on your face. When you feel more confident, your posture, smile, and energy all change, and that’s what really makes the glow up noticeable. People pick up on that vibe way faster than any physical change.
The Products I Actually Use Every Week (My Recommendations!)
1. My Stanleyy!
One habit that completely changed my energy and skin was drinking more water. I used to struggle with this so much, but this is the Stanley cup I use every day to help me stay consistent. Having a big, cute bottle that I actually want to carry around makes it so much easier for me to reach my 3 liters a day.
2. Gua Sha + Ice Roller Combo!
This simple gua sha and ice roller combo will depuff your face, sculpt your features, and boost your glow. You don’t need expensive tools—sometimes your hands work just as well.
3. Bath And Bodyworks Body Scrub
My favorite affordable body scrub for soft, glowing skin. The Champagne Toast scrub from Bath & Body Works smells amazing and makes your routine feel instantly more luxurious.
4. Teeth Whiteners
My favorite teeth whitening kit for a brighter smile. I also share a simple trick to get twice as many uses from one box—click to learn how.
5. Manicure Set
I used to just use random things I already had at home, but I noticed it was inconsistent and sometimes irritated my skin. Switching to a proper grooming kit made everything easier, faster, and way more comfortable. 100% optional this is just the set I bought 🙂
How to Stay Consistent With Your Glow Up
Consistency is truly what makes the biggest difference. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up every day and sticking to the habits that help you grow. Here are some consistency hacks I have used throughout my life that work:
- Start small and build up — Don’t try to change everything at once. Pick just 1–3 quick steps, like washing your face, moisturizing, and brushing your hair. Once those feel automatic after a week or two, slowly add more. This keeps you from burning out and makes consistency feel realistic instead of overwhelming.
- Tie it to habits you already have — This is one of my favorite tricks. Link your routine to something you already do daily. For example, after brushing your teeth at night, do your skincare. Or while you’re waiting for the shower water to warm up, take care of small things like filing your nails. It makes everything feel effortless.
- Use a simple checklist or tracker — Having something visual helps more than you’d think. You can use your phone notes, a sticky note on your mirror, or even a cute printable. Apps like Habitica or Streaks make it feel like a game, and once you build a streak, you won’t want to break it.
- Keep everything in one place — Store your tools in one cute basket or caddy so you don’t have to search for anything. When everything is organized and easy to reach, you’re way more likely to stay consistent. Plus, it just makes your space feel more put together.
- Make it your “me time” — Set a positive reminder on your phone or play your favorite playlist, podcast, or YouTube video while you get ready. It turns your routine into something relaxing and fun instead of another chore.
- Reward yourself and track progress — After a week of staying consistent, treat yourself to something small. It could be a new nail polish, a coffee, or a cozy self-care night. Take quick progress photos or notes too. Seeing real changes like smoother skin or healthier hair is one of the biggest motivators.