Ready for your 2025 summer glow up?

In this article, you will learn how to have a glow up this summer, level up your confidence and your looks so that you can be the girl of your dreams.

This summer glow up guide will give you the confidence that you need to come out of your shell this summer and stop being the homebody that you claim to be (but, really, it’s because of insecurities that are keeping you indoors).

Do not skim this article, you will find summer glow up ideas you never even considered listed in this, so I suggest reading this guide in your spare time or simply just listen to the podcast.

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What Is A Summer Glow Up?

A summer glow up refers to a process of self-improvement and transformation that people often undertake to feel and look their best during the summer months. Whether that be embarking on a new healthy diet, changing lifestyle and appearance or simply just focusing on your mental health.

How To Have A Summer Glow Up

1. Tackle Belly Fat Fast

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes the desire for a quick summer glow up. If you’re worried about belly fat and think it’s too late to hit the gym or do cardio, don’t stress.

While it’s challenging to see drastic results in a week, there are effective strategies you can start now to feel better and look great in time for those sunny days.

During the pandemic, I gained a lot of weight because I was stuck indoors with easy access to the fridge. However, I discovered a method that helped me shed belly fat and get back in shape: intermittent fasting.

Intermittent Fasting for a Summer Glow Up

Intermittent fasting is a diet plan where you eat within a specific 6 to 8-hour window each day. Here’s my routine for losing belly fat and reducing bloating:

1. Start Eating at Noon: I break my fast at 12 PM.
2. Stop Eating by 7 PM: I don’t consume anything past 7 PM, giving me a 7-hour eating window.

This approach works because it limits the time your body has to digest food, compared to eating from 7 AM to 9 PM, which extends your digestive period and can lead to weight gain.

Complement Fasting with Exercise

To enhance your summer glow up, pair intermittent fasting with regular exercise. Here are some options:

• Swimming
• Running or Jogging
• Light Walking
• Treadmill Workouts: Try a low-speed, 20-minute session as mentioned in one of my earlier podcasts.

The goal is to feel confident and comfortable in your skin. I want you to take pictures without worrying about hiding your belly or arms. Combining intermittent fasting with cardio can make a significant difference in your appearance.

Meal Strategy

When practicing intermittent fasting, I don’t squeeze in three large meals. Instead, I:

• Eat one meal at 12 PM
• Have another meal at 6 PM

If you’re not aiming to lose weight but want to maintain or improve your figure, you can add a light meal or a smoothie at 3 PM.

Feeling good about yourself is crucial. When you feel great, you’re more inclined to go out on dates, hang out with friends, and enjoy life.

2. Detox Your Gut To Combat Acne

Let’s talk about acne and its connection to bloating. Research suggests that gut health significantly impacts the acne that appears on your face. Once I started focusing on gut health, my acne began to clear up. Here are some steps to help detox your gut and improve your skin:

1. Improve Your Sleep: Ensure you get enough rest each night.
2. Increase Fiber Intake: Eat foods high in fiber to promote regular bowel movements.
3. Daily Bathroom Routine: Regularly clearing your bowels is crucial for gut health.

Quick Fixes for Clear Skin

Sometimes improvements can be seen in as little as two weeks, just in time for summer. If you suffer from acne, try these tips:

1. Start Juicing: Incorporate greens like celery, kale, cucumber, and pineapple into your juices. These ingredients support your digestive system and promote a happy gut, which leads to clearer skin.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: This can be a game-changer for both digestion and skin clarity. Mix apple cider vinegar with lemon and water, and drink it in the morning to cleanse your bowels and reduce bloating. Always use a straw to protect your teeth, and avoid using metal with apple cider vinegar.

Skin Care Routine

Incorporate BHAs and AHAs into your skincare routine for a significant impact on acne:

1. BHAs (Salicylic Acid): These act as liquid exfoliants that penetrate and clean out pores, making them ideal for oily skin.
2. AHAs (Glycolic Acid): These work on the surface of the skin to remove dead skin cells and improve texture.

Less is More in Summer

Using fewer skincare products can benefit your skin, especially in summer. While the Korean 10-step skincare routine might be popular, it’s often too much. Simplify your routine and your skin will thank you.

In winter, you add more layers to your skin and your wardrobe to protect against the cold. In summer, do the opposite: use

fewer products on your skin and wear lighter clothes to allow your skin to breathe and stay fresh. Here’s a streamlined approach for your summer glow up:

1. Simplify Your Skincare Routine: Use just a cleanser, a BHA or AHA exfoliant, and a lightweight moisturizer.
2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.
3. Sun Protection: Always apply sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.

3. Create A Summer Capsule Wardrobe

One of the key aspects of a summer glow up is upgrading your wardrobe to feel more confident and stylish. I recently wrote a blog post about how to dress more feminine and 10x better!

You don’t need to dress super girly to feel feminine; it’s all about finding what makes you feel confident. Check out the full post for detailed advice.

Use Pinterest for Fashion Inspiration

When you’re unsure about what to wear, Pinterest is a fantastic resource. Unlike Instagram, Pinterest offers a variety of aesthetics tailored to your personal style. Whether you’re into coquette, girly, classy, modest, or trendy summer outfits, Pinterest has it all. Explore different styles and create boards that resonate with you.

Related: 14 Soft Feminine Outfits To Enter Your Girly Era This Summer

Create a Capsule Wardrobe

A well-curated capsule wardrobe can be life-changing. It simplifies your daily outfit choices and ensures you’re always ready for any occasion. Start by selecting a few essential pieces: trousers, basic tops, dresses, and versatile shoes (heels and flats). Stick to neutral colours if you’re new to this concept, as they are easy to mix and match and always look chic.

Know Your Colours

Understanding what colours flatter you is crucial for a polished look. Here’s a quick tip: check the colour of your veins. If they appear green, you have warm undertones; if they look blue, you have cool undertones.

When shopping, hold fabric against your skin in natural light to see how it complements your complexion. The right colours will make your skin glow and avoid highlighting any shadows or imperfections.

Embrace Neutrals and Key Pieces

Neutrals are your best friend when building a stylish and timeless wardrobe. They make you look more put-together and can easily be dressed up or down. While it’s summer and you might want to embrace bright colours, sticking to neutral shades can make you look effortlessly classy and polished.

4. Put More Effort In Your Appearance

Feeling less than confident about your summer glow up? Don’t fret – you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: you’re far from ugly. It’s all about putting in some effort, just like those flawless celebrities you admire. From your hair to your makeup, a little effort goes a long way.

Natural glam makeup

Start with a natural glam makeup routine. Skip heavy foundation for a light BB cream or minimal foundation, followed by concealer to brighten up. Focus on enhancing your eyes with lash extensions and eyeliner. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Hair

Speaking of hair, it’s your crowning glory. Experiment with Pinterest-worthy hairstyles to elevate your vibe – I’m really all about goddess braids right now! Dare to switch up your hair colour or style – even subtle changes can make a big impact.

Consider your colour theory when choosing hair colour to avoid looking washed out.

Once your hair and makeup are on point, you’ll exude confidence like never before. Picture-perfect nails and toes are the cherry on top. You’ll radiate beauty and become the summer IT Girl everyone notices.

Related: Cute Summer Nails Designs That Are Hot Girl Approved

5. Understand That Beauty Is Internal

Feeling good on the inside is just as good because beauty is internal.

Beauty is internal, and it starts from how you feel inside. How you feel inside is often what is projected on the external.

If you listen to beauty subliminals, everyday every single day till summer, and you’ll see the drastic difference because sometimes you feel like you’re ugly, but it really is a mind thing.

The moment you start telling yourself that you’re pretty, you’re going to start doing the things that is required to feel pretty and to look pretty. And that’s exactly what I want for women. Doesn’t matter, what body size or body shape you are.

You deserve to be loved. You deserve to be admired. You deserve to feel beautiful. You deserve to feel pretty, and you deserve to invest in yourself.

Regardless of what society told you about your appearance, It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t put in the effort to look good and It doesn’t also mean that you’re not attractive.

And, of course, if you wanted to change how you look, you still can. It’s not written in the stars neither is it written in stone. You can always change things about yourself if you want to.

6. Work On Your Confidence

You want to know the secret to the summer glow up? Let me tell you, girl, it’s all about your confidence! This will do wonders for your confidence – Treat yourself to a makeover, even if it means splurging a bit and take pictures of yourself.

Here’s what to do:

1. Glam Up: Get your makeup done professionally, style your hair, and pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure. It might cost a little, but the boost in confidence is priceless.
2. Capture Your Glow Up: Invest in a professional photoshoot to capture your stunning transformation. Don’t leave it to chance with your friends who might not capture your best angles.

Why a professional photographer? Because sometimes, the reason you’re not shining as brightly as you should is the people around you. You deserve to be surrounded by positivity that uplifts you, not negativity that brings you down.

Your true friends will support and encourage you to look and feel your best. They won’t hesitate to give you honest feedback and help you improve. But if you find yourself surrounded by people who don’t contribute positively to your life, it’s time to make a change.

7. Actually Leave Your House

Are you ready to shake off the blues and step into a summer full of possibilities? It’s time to get back out there, even if it means flying solo. Here’s how:

Embrace Solo Outings

Don’t let the fear of being alone hold you back. Treat yourself to a solo date and experience the freedom of doing what you love. If you’re unsure where to start, think about activities you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the chance to.

Book tickets in advance to hold yourself accountable and ensure you follow through. Remember, sometimes you just need that extra push to get out of your comfort zone.

I once booked tickets to see Kevin Hart perform live, all by myself. Despite feeling hesitant on the day of the event, I pushed myself to go because I had already invested in the experience. And you know what? I ended up having an amazing time.

Getting dressed up and stepping out was exactly the motivation I needed to lift my spirits and rediscover my confidence.

Change Your Perspective

Shift your mindset and see yourself in a new light. Instead of assuming people are judging you negatively, consider the possibility that they’re admiring your confidence and style. You deserve to be seen and appreciated for who you are. So don’t hesitate to step out, have fun, and make connections.

Connect with Like-minded Individuals

Join local meetups or online communities like the “The London Lonely Girls Club” on Facebook to connect with others who are also seeking friendship and new experiences. Summer is the perfect time to create a bucket list of activities you’ve always wanted to try. Writing down your goals will inspire you to make the most of this season and embark on exciting adventures.

Don’t let depression or the fear of being alone hold you back this summer. Embrace solo outings, change your perspective, and connect with others who share your interests.

8. Curate A Summer Vision Board For Your Ideal Look

Ready to take your summer glow up to the next level? Let’s talk about the power of visualization and how creating a vision board can help you manifest the best version of yourself. Here’s how:

1. Define Your Ideal Look

Gather images or create visual representations of how you want to look this summer. Consider your hairstyle, outfits, and overall vibe. Visualize yourself radiating confidence and style in every aspect of your appearance.

2. Choose Your Summer Fragrance

Select a signature scent that embodies the essence of summer for you. Whether it’s a fresh floral fragrance or a tropical blend, your scent should evoke feelings of warmth and positivity.

3. Curate Your Playlist

Compile a playlist of songs that uplift and energize you. Choose tracks that make you feel empowered and ready to conquer the world. Let your playlist set the tone for your summer adventures and inspire you to step out of your comfort zone.

4. Map Out Your Dream Destinations

Include images or descriptions of the places you want to visit this summer. Whether it’s a beach getaway, a bustling city, or a serene mountain retreat, visualize yourself exploring new destinations and creating unforgettable memories.

5. Embrace Your Best Self

Let your vision board serve as a reminder of the confident, radiant woman you aspire to be. Use it as a source of motivation to push yourself out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences.

Related: The Best Vision Board Ideas For Manifestation In 2025

By creating a vision board that reflects your ideal summer glow up, you’re setting yourself up for success. Use it as a tool to stay focused on your goals and manifest the confident, stylish woman you want to be. With determination and a positive mindset, you’ll become the “it girl” you’ve always dreamed of being this summer.

Summer Glow Up Checklist & Makeover Challenge

Follow this summer glow up checklist, and you’ll be the best version of yourself this season.