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Summer glow-ups hit different. The sun comes out, the clothes get lighter, and suddenly, you want to feel like the best version of yourself.
Not in an overwhelming, change-your-whole-life way, but in that fresh, confident, effortlessly put-together way.
And trust me, this is not about doing the most. This is about tiny switches that stack and suddenly you look… expensive. Fresh. Well-rested. Like summer is working for you.
Save this. Screenshot it. Come back to it.
But here are my favorite ways to glow up for summer!
1. Start Tanning (Yes, It’s Time — Safely)
A little warmth on your skin instantly upgrades everything.
But bestie, we are not frying ourselves.
The pro move:
- Use gradual self-tanner or bronzing drops mixed into lotion
- Apply after exfoliating for zero streaks
- Always wear SPF when you’re actually in the sun (non-negotiable)
Glow ≠ damage.
2. Drink 6–8 Glasses of Water (But Make It Cute)
If you’re drinking only when you’re thirsty, you’re already too late. Aim for 6 glasses minimum. And honestly, plain water is just fine… but you can always upgrade it for you.
Try this:
- Add a pinch of sea salt + lemon
- Rotate in coconut water
- Sip instead of chugging (your body absorbs it better)
- Add electrolytes to it
This’ll help you with much clearer skin, less bloating, brighter complexion and softer lips.
3. Chemical Exfoliation (1–2x Weekly)
If your skin looks dull no matter how much you moisturize, this is why.
Start using glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acid peels once a week, minimum. It’ll get rid of any kind of acne, texture, clogged pores, skin congestion, and actually make it glow.
Also, prefer chemical/enzyme exfoliation over harsh scrubs on the face.
4. Exfoliate Your Body for Bumps & Ingrowns
Girl, get your legs ready for shorts, dresses, and bikinis. And we don’t like bumpy skin, KP or ingrowns. So exfoliation is key, especially before shaving.
My best tips:
- ALWAYS exfoliate before shaving. Physical scrubs, pumice stone, and dry brushing will be your best bets.
- Focus more on inner thighs, arms, butt, and underarms
- Follow immediately with lotion or body oil or both
5. Ice Your Face in the Morning
Five minutes. That’s it.
Use ice rollers or dunk your face in cold water. Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, it works.
Why it works:
- Reduces puffiness
- Tightens pores temporarily
- Gives that “I slept 8 hours” look
- Makes makeup sit effortlessly
- Adds extra glow to the skin (from all the blood circulation)
6. Learn Summer Makeup That Actually Lasts
Summer makeup should look like your skin but better, not like it’s fighting for its life.
Now i’m gonna share my best tips to make it sweat and water proof.
- Lightweight skin tint or concealer only where needed
- Set ONLY oily areas
- Cream blush, bronzer, highlight over matte. You can set it all with a lil bit of powder.
- Waterproof mascara and brow gel
- Setting spray between layers, not just at the end
- Choose lip stains and gloss instead of matte lipsticks
7. Moisturize While Your Skin Is Still Damp
This is an elite habit.
Applying lotion on damp skin locks in moisture instead of just sitting on top.
Think glossy, bouncy, touchable skin. If you want to smell great all day long, add a body mist or perfume right over the moisturizer.
8. Make Dry Brushing a Gentle Ritual
Not aggressive. Not daily.
2–3x a week:
- Improves circulation
- Helps with ingrowns
- Makes skin look smoother over time
Start 3–5 minutes before shower and brush toward the heart from the feet towards the chest.
9. Drink Hibiscus & Moringa Tea
Nobody talks about this enough. But these two ingredients will be your skin’s cheat code this season.
Hibiscus: helps with bloating + skin clarity and glow
Moringa: mineral-rich, supports hair & nails
1 cup per day is enough.
10. Switch to a Body Wash That Zaps Body Acne
Regular soap just won’t cut it this summer.
Use body washes with:
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide (short contact, then rinse)
- Tea tree extract
- Or anti-bacterial ingredients
Summer means a lot of sweat and a breeding ground for body odor and acne. And these body washes will help aid that.
11. Use Glycolic or Lactic Acid on Underarms (2–3x/week)
This is a chef’s kiss tip.
- Helps with body odor
- Smooths the texture or bumps of any kind
- Can treat dark underarms over time. In my case, it took 2 weeks of consistent use.
Apply at night, moisturize after 5 minutes. It’ll work 100x better than any roll-on or treatment you’ll ever use.
12. Choose ONE Summer Scent
Having one signature scent makes you unforgettable in any room you walk into. Plus, you can change it every year.
It could be clean, warm, fresh, fruity, or slightly sweet. Mine last year was Sol De Janerio’s cheriosa 68.
If you wanna learn how to smell incredibly great all day, this is your guide!
13. Eat Protein at Every Meal
The quality of your skin, hair, nails, gut health, energy levels, and almost your entire body functioning depends on it. Also, if you’re working out without protein, you’ll never retain your muscles.
And no, it doesn’t always have to be meat; it can be Greek yogurt, eggs, tofu, anything. Even adding a little helps.
14. Work Out for a Flatter Stomach
This isn’t about abs—it’s about core strength and digestion. And also about a few abs, lol.
A realistic flat stomach routine will look like:
- Core workouts 3–4x/week
- Walking daily (seriously underrated)
- Avoid extreme ab workouts every day — that causes bloating
Pro tip: Stretching before bed helps reduce puffiness + water retention
15. Train Your Posture (Instant Visual Glow-Up)
This one costs $0 and works immediately.
Check yourself:
- Shoulders down and back
- Chin slightly tucked
- Core gently engaged
You’ll look taller, leaner, and more confident—no effort.
In fact, just doing an upper back + core workout will make your stomach look much flatter without fat loss.
16. Treat Your Lips Weekly
Who doesn’t love soft, kissable lips (even when you are the only one kissing them)?
Try brushing over your lips every other day after teeth. Also, never forget applying lip mask before sleeping.
If you don’t have a mask, try putting on some face moisturizer and sealing it with an occlusive like vaseline.
17. Fix Dark Circles Strategically
With dark circles, the only few things that will work are proper sleep, caffeine & peptide eye cream, lots and lots of water intake, and a peach-toned corrector before concealer, lol.
Once you’ve got dark circles, it’s really hard to go back. It’s gonna take months if not years of consistent eye cream applications, day and night.
So it’s better that you stop fighting them. Instead, find ways to neutralize them.
18. Keep Hair Glossy, Not Greasy
Greasy hair is the true blue symbol of summer and beach days. But if you truly want to glow up for summer, you’ve got to do better.
Glow tip:
- Use lightweight serums on ends only
- Clarify scalp every few weeks
- Apply leave-in conditioner on ends only
- Apply a little oil only after the hair is fully dry
- Clean scalp = shiny hair
- Avoid heavy oils near roots
19. Switch to Lip Stains for Summer
They survive heat, drinks, and life.
Apply, blot, gloss if you want—done.
20. Sleep to Reduce Puffiness
I know. Annoying advice. Still true.
- Same bedtime most nights
- Cool, dark room
- Cold pillowcase helps morning swelling
- Change pillowcases 2x/week
- No phone doom-scrolling right before bed
Your face shows your sleep habits first.
Here’s how to get the best sleep of your life, EVERYDAY.
21. Keep Your Nails Short & Chic
Short nails look clean, intentional, and summer-ready, especially when you’re at the beach all day.
And even though you can have n number of designs for short nails, I’d suggest going for sheer pink, milky white, light peach shades for a quite luxurious manicure. And don’t forget your feet!
Related articles to how to look pretty
- 33 Easy Hacks on How to Look Pretty Effortlessly Everyday and Feel Fabulous!
- 18 Surprisingly Easy Ways to Look Instantly Put Together
- 15 Perfume Hacks That Make You Smell Like Old Money (Even If You’re on a Zara Budget)
- 22 Elite Body Hygiene Tips That Keep Hot Girls Smelling Expensive
- 14 Overnight Hacks to Smell Fresher in the Morning (Tried & Tested)
