6-Step Glow Up Checklist: See Results in Just 21 Days

It’s hard to find a glow up checklist that really works… I get it! There are tons of ideas all over Pinterest and TikTok, but most of them are not ahem realistic.

That’s why in this article, I will share with you a six-step glow up checklist that works and brings results to real-life, busy, awesome multitasking people, like you and me. I will also share a little secret that completely changed my skin in less than a week!

This one is a biggie, so grab yourself a cup of tea and get cozy. If you need to pin this glow up checklist for later, I recommend doing that now!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase using a link we share. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps us to keep creating awesome content! So thank you! 💘✨

A Glow Up Checklist That Works in Real Life

Before we start, I want you to make a deal with yourself.

The deal is that you will implement those steps into your life and routine for the next 21 days.

If you’re feeling a little sassy, make it 30. But our goal here is to strive for 21, at least.

I’m asking this because you are not going to see the full results of this glow up checklist if you try for one week and then forget about it.

Only when we are consistent with a set of attitudes and behaviors can we see the lasting results shining through.

So, give yourself the challenge of implementing and staying consistent with the steps for the next 21 days.

I am doing it myself and will soon post a full article with before and after pictures and my own experiences during the journey. So, stay tuned!

Now… What about that 6-step glow up checklist I told you about?

Step One: Drink More Water for Your Glow Up

Ok, ok… this seems like the official staple of glow ups.

But hear me out: when you do it properly, it works. Like… It really works.

According to Harvard research, the four-to-six-cup-a-day rule works for most people. To find precisely the right amount, use this online water intake calculator.

The beautiful thing about drinking enough water is that you have holistic results for your health and tangible results you can see. I’m talking about leveling up your beauty game, mama!

Besides glowing healthy skin, drinking (enough) water also helps you fight many skin problems, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It does so by helping your system flush the toxins out of your body.

But it’s important to know that if you have any of those issues, the water must supplement a treatment plan prescribed by a professional, okay?

Getting your liquids in also undertakes dehydration. And although it seems obvious, the side effects of this are plenty!

Like reducing puffiness and smoothing your skin while slowing aging. Talk about a magic potion!

So, calculate the right amount of water for you and then add a little extra, just for the sake of this glow up the challenge.

One little fun trick that is helping me stay on top of that is this cute motivational water bottle. It’s almost like I’m competing with myself and the bottle throughout the day.

Step Two: Stay Consistent with Your Skincare + My Little Secret

Let me start by saying this: keep it simple.

I know that in a world with endless skincare routines flowing around TikTok, we can be tempted to try out a new product every week.

But remember that our goal here is to stay consistent for at least 21 days. Simplicity is best friends with steadiness!

Every skin is different, and the routines should reflect that. But, just for inspiration, let me share with you my minimalist skincare routine that has been working wonders for my prone acne oily skin:

Glow Up Morning Skincare Routine

Step one: Wash the face with my Curology cleanser

Step two: Apply my Curology moisturizer all over my face, neck, and chest.

Step three: Apply sunscreen (I love this one because it’s tinted and gives a light covering like a BBCream. Also, it has Zinc, which works wonders to fight acne!)

Step four: Go about life!

---

Glow Up Night Skincare Routine

Step one: Wash the face with my Curology cleanser

Step two: Apply custom Curology cream (you can get your customized Curology cream here)

Step three: Moisturizer (UPDATE: on my current routine, I am using this one. My skin never looked so healthy and glowy, AND the smell is fantastic. Oh, it’s also toxic and cruelty-free)!

It’s simple, isn’t it? But can you believe that for months, I was using those same products and not seeing any significant results? 

This was making me super frustrated. Looking for answers, I started binge-watching Hyram videos on YouTube (since I think he is one of the most precious people on the interwebs!). I came across this one. 

In the video, he explains that when he was a teenager and had awful acne, he was advised to change his pillowcase every night. Weird, right? 

The Little Secret That Changed My Skin

But actually, it makes a lot of sense. When we sleep, the pillowcase touches our skin and absorbs dirt and oil.

If we keep using the same pillowcase day after day, we are continually putting our face in contact with grease, oils, and dirt, which undoes all the work we put into our skincare and makes our skin produce more acne! 

I also read repeatedly in the comments session of that video, explaining how drying your face with the same towel cloth every day produces the same effect. 

So, I decided to start experimenting. From now on, I will change my pillowcase every night and my face towel every day. 

I bought this cheap pack of 6 pillowcases and a box of baby washcloths on Amazon, and I kid you not when I say… OH.MY.GOD. That completely changed my skin!

My persistent acne finally cleared up. I still have some way to go to reach my skin goals, but now I know that I’m on the right path!

I learned I had all the right products, but I was undoing their good work without knowing. 

With fresh face towels and pillowcases, you are helping the products to do their thing! 

Also, one last piece of advice that I learned with Hyram: wash your face for at least 45 seconds.

Don’t rush it. This will give the product time to work its magic, and you will be sure that all the dirt and oil are really gone. 

Those are my little secrets for mind-blowing glow up for your skin! Give it a try, at least during the challenge.

Step Three: Move Your Body for a Full Glow Up

I will shout the benefits of working out for the whole world to hear, and you can’t stop me!

Movement can dramatically change your life. It improves your mood, makes you feel happier, increases your energy levels, and even helps your skin health!

That’s why it’s an essential part of this glow up checklist.

But for our glow up challenge, all those benefits can be taken to another level.

Don’t worry, you won’t need to be stuck in a gym for three hours a day to reap the benefits of moving your body. Remember, simplicity is key to staying consistent.

Commit to moving your body for 20 minutes a day, every day.

You can go for a walk with your dog, enjoy a jog while listening to your favorite podcast, or even hit the gym. The key is to find a form of joyful movement you really enjoy.

For consistency and visible results, pick a workout program. Thanks to YouTube, you can be coached by professional trainers for free, from the comfort of your home.

Some of the most famous workout programs out there are by Chloe Ting, and many of them fit our 20-minute-a-day agreement. So come over here, pick your poison, and have fun as part of your glow up checklist!

Step Four: Meditate for Mental Clarity and a Skin Glow Up

Didn’t you think I would only focus on outside glow up around here, did ya?

Before you roll your eyes, thinking meditation is sitting under a tree for hours with your eyes closed, not thinking about anything (how is it even possible?!)… I want you to give meditation a chance.

I added meditation to this glow up checklist  because it’s one of the most underrated yet powerful tools for personal development and mental health.

Studies have repeatedly shown the fantastic benefits of daily meditation practice.

From reducing stress to controlling anxiety while promoting emotional health, it can also do wonders for your skin! Can you believe it?

According to recent studies, meditation can inhibit the response of inflammatory genes. This means that you will have less inflamed skin (bye-bye acne!) and fewer wrinkles as you age.

Isn’t that amazing?

To start feeling those incredible benefits, you can begin with as little as two minutes of meditation a day.

Again, the important thing is to stay consistent.

If you don’t know where to start, I encourage you to look for Headspace and Calm apps. They offer tons of guided meditation videos, and Calm even has a 31-day challenge to help you incorporate meditation into your glow up checklist.

Step Five:  Read, at Least 10 Minutes Every Day for Your Glow Up

There are so many wonders to reading, which is why I include it in our realistic glow up checklist.

Reading reduces stress, fights depression symptoms, and gives you tools to empathize more with other people. Plus, it helps you live longer. So, why not?

Start with at least ten minutes a day. A pro-tip for sticking with it is to associate reading with another habit that you already have.

For example, read while you sip your morning coffee or after your evening shower to wind down before bed.

For this glow up checklist to work, pick something you enjoy reading. It could be personal development, inspiring fiction, or whatever excites you!

Here are some ideas to get you inspired:

• The Most Inspiring Fiction Books For Self-Development
• The 10 Best Self-Help Books For Building Confidence
• Discover Your Best Self: 7 Self Development Books to Guide You
• Lost in Your 20s? These Books Can Help

Step Six: Journal Every Day to Track Your Glow Up Progress

Journaling used to feel like a big commitment to me. But slowly, it became one of the most effective practices in my personal development toolbox.

For this glow up checklist, I highly recommend journaling daily. Science backs it up! Researchers have found that journaling is one of the best ways to cope with overwhelming emotions and gain clarity.

It helps you manage anxiety and gain perspective on your daily life and challenges.

If you’re just starting out, try some journaling prompts like these:

• 17 Daily Self-Reflection Journal Prompts
• 23 Eye-Opening Finding Yourself Journal Prompts
• The Ultimate 21-Day Self-Discovery Challenge
• Get Started With Journaling: 400+ Prompts

Aim to answer at least one prompt a day, and write it down on paper, not on your phone!

For my daily journaling, I follow a practice called morning pages. It has had such a positive impact on my mental health that I’ll probably write a whole post about it!

My Alternative To Journal Prompts

What I have been doing for my daily journaling is called morning pages. I’m so impressed with the positive impact on my mental health that I will probably write a full post about it!

The premise is simple: as soon as you wake up, before going about your day, sit down and write three pages of longhand, a stream of consciousness writing for three whole pages.

Translation: note what is in your head. It can be about the dream you just had or something that you can’t stop thinking about. It doesn’t matter. Just write it down.

This will help your subconscious dump on paper anything that might have bothered you in the background and give yourself a fresh slate to start the day.

Sometimes I have major breakthroughs during my practice. Other times I write things as, “I just really want ice cream right now, maybe hazelnut. It sounds fancy”. True story. My brain apparently craves ice cream in secret. 

Conclusion: Elevate Your Life with This Glow Up Checklist

Glowing up goes beyond just becoming prettier.

This glow up checklist is about elevating yourself to a new level—mind, body, and soul. 

So, pay as much attention to the inside practices as you do the outside ones. When you change the inside, your whole attitude outside changes too. You’ll build more motivation, confidence, and a fresh perspective on yourself and the world.

Are you ready for this 21-day glow up checklist challenge? I know you can do it!

Now, I want to hear from you! What did you think of my 6-step realistic glow up checklist? Are you up for the challenge?

Leave a comment below and tell me all about it.

And if these ideas were helpful, be sure to pin this glow up checklist for later!

♡ Other Posts You Might Like

Start Your Wellness Girlie Era: A Realistic Healthy Lifestyle Guide

How To Find Your Self-Worth: The Ultimate Checklist

The (Realistic) 7-Day Confidence Boost Challenge

Life Reset Challenge: The Ultimate Checklist

5 Simple Personal Development Activities For A Life Reset