'Glow Up'/ "Princessing" 2024 Thread 1

[Chaiselongueallday]

I've had some success with these in the past. Have realised that over the years I've picked little habits from these that I've been able to sustain so I thought ahead of the new year I would start a thread for 2024...anyone else want to join me?
I'm 46 this year and want to focus on being healthy, happy with my style and attuned to my body and skin. I don't want to waste time worrying about not being good enough. I am including a bit of health and fitness on my list as I feel better in my clothes when I'm toned and generally healthy in body and mind. I'll be doing yoga, walking and mad living room dancing. I'll not be bothering with foundation (unless a very special occasion) this year fed up of wearing a mask..so looking after my skin will be important. I won't be spending on fast fashion ...I've done quite well on this in the past, inspired by this board and capsule wardrobe threads.

I'll think about a more detailed list and post it later.

I've copied some useful info from a previous 'Princessing thread' below for anyone that fancies it and needs inspiration.

*The term "Princessing" was invented back in 2011 by a poster called Blackswan. It was the year of the royal wedding and she proposed that every year you should get ready for a wedding you were attending as if it were your own.

I took that idea and ran with it!

The general idea behind that original thread and all the "Princessing" "Grooming" "Operation Revnovation" threads since has been to make small sustainable changes that help make you feel better. To make this measurable, most people finds it helps to make a list - not too long, no more than 20 items really of the changes you want to make. The original thread had one general list but as no two people have the same priorities I think it's better for everyone to have their own individual list. To anyone in need of inspiration the original list was:

1. 8 glasses of water a day

1. Exfoliating
2. Using some kind of teeth whitener
3. Using some kind of regenerative face cream
4. Intensive nail care (feet and hands)
5. Some kind of eyelash growth serum
6. The Shred / other intensive exercise
7. At least 2 extra fruit & veg
8. Healthy breakfast daily.

10. Hair oil (moroccan hair oil for eg, or kerastase etc) 11. No alcohol during the week 12. Daily vitamins 13. Body brushing 14. At least 2 servings of salmon or other fatty fish per week. 15. One early night once a week. Suggest 9PM. 16. Regular hair removal 17. Give up one naughty favourite item e.g. chocolate/crisps 18. No more fizzy drinks 19. DAILY body moisturising. 20. Warm water with lemon first thing in the a.m.

You don't have to post your list but I would recommend you write it down somewhere for yourself.

Original Princessing thread*

I love a lash lift, normally go every 7 weeks. I'm overdue at the moment and back to using my heated eyelash curlers instead.

I had my eyebrows threaded. I've eaten loads of fruit and veg, done loads of yoga, and started wearing hand cream and lipbalm. My weight remains stable.
My lash lift kit was due to be delivered today. I filled in the safe space info as we were both at work but they rescheduled delivery for later in the week.

I’ve used my Salux scrub cloth in the shower every day since I got them (I bought three so should last me a good while). Easier than the Korean Italy cloths to use and much better than exfoliating gloves which always left my skin itchy.

Body moisturiser spray one from Superdrug Vit E. not a smell I like but if I use it at night I can persevere till I find a nicer one

Overnight serum on face

Less coffee (not by choice just less available 🤨) that’s not something I’m keeping up

I’ve not done much princessing so far this week. I do have an appointment to get my eyebrows tinted and waxed later in the week and I’ve also kept up with my exercise routine. Really need to start using a body lotion every day, my skin is so dry in this cold weather and with the heating on!

Kept up with the water (2L per day), skincare is good, have been running three times a week, although currently waiting in for a washing machine repair and praying my motivation won't be gone once it's dealt with! Still not great on 5:2, am averaging about 1000 calories on a fast day instead of c.500, and my fingernails and toenails remain unpainted. Five a day of fruit and veg is also slipping a bit.

Got my brows waxed and lashes tinted before Christmas (oh, also have been keeping up with the eyelash serum every day), so I need to book another appointment soonish, and a haircut. I also went for a sight test and contact lens check for the first time in AGES and ordered a new pair of glasses.

I’ve decided to do this thing that I completed last year. I did 100 workouts in 100 days. Each workout is 45 mins, so one day I can do double. If I miss out, I have to catch up the next week.

I’ve expanded it to 100 S&B things in 100 days too. It can be something small, just to help me along.

I started yesterday and did 1 run, and used up a packet of coffee body scrub in the shower (1 S&B). Today I’ve done a double workout, and will do something in the shower later. Again, if I miss out, I’ll have to catch up.

For the 100 S&B it can be something small like a body scrub, applying body lotion, to a hair mask all the way up to a facial, cut and colour. I’ve even put on my list decluttering clothes, and going shopping for myself.

It doesn’t matter so long as it’s S&B related, and it’s directly for me.

@2024IWillBeNurturingMe I love that idea!

I've been influenced by this thread and have booked a lash lift and tint for next week hoping the roads are clear enough tomorrow to get back to the gym after all this snow and ice.

I bought some of the GlazePlex -I tried the Glaze gloss a while back , it was ;ok; nothing spectacular . I have Olaplex , it takes 20+ minutes to apply and wait for the spray then the bonding agent to work before shampoo . Usually do this on a Saturday morning every couple of weeks .

GlazePlex goes on after shampoo about 4 minutes to work . My hair does feel softer , not shinier but less frizz .

Weird smell but it's not in for long .

Next on my list is booking a hairdresser appointment and dentist appointment .

I'm not doing well with princessing during the week but I did get my eyebrows tinted and waxed yesterday which makes such a difference and I re-booked for 5 weeks time. I did a body scrub and foot file this morning, followed by body lotion.
Have done 3 exercise sessions this week but diet could do with some improvement!
Need to try to do a face mask this evening and cut/file my nails

Princessing on the back burner these last few days as I had some digestive upsets and a cold and felt quite grotty over the weekend. Kept up with the water drinking, but fruit and veg has lagged behind and I only ran once last week.

However, today I have been for a (gentle!) run, and used some body scrub in the shower when I got back. It's not especially scrubby, but it does have a nice scent. Also did a quick leg shave. If I remember I will try and do my nails tonight

Thanks to this thread I’ve fished out my unused IPL device - just an Amazon cheapie but reviews are good. Would love to not have to shave my legs/bikini line (much) by the summer.

Also trying to look after my hands and feet more - have bought an electric foot shaver and pedi kit.

I’d like to add one of my own - more fermented food and drink for gut health and immunity. I’ve tried to have a good dollop of kimchi with all my lunches since the new year - bit smelly to take to work though! Also kefir yoghurt and stevia sweetened kombucha.

Trying to think of this princessing journey as a marathon rather than a sprint as it’s been a slow start this January, I won’t lie! I have been better with skin and body moisturising this year especially with it being so hideously cold but absolutely hopeless at my nails and pedicure type things. My MIL gave me some molton brown had cream which soaks into my hands nicely without leaving them feeling greasy so I feel like that might have to be a repeat purchase. She gave me three tubes so I’ve stuck one in each of my bags so no excuse. It IS working and my hands look better for it already. Now I just need to get my life together enough to paint my nails.

I also started gradually on the exercise over the last weekend and I have done two swims. Feel like the chlorine is destroying my hair already which isn’t helping me feel motivated to go again! I am aiming to drag myself to a spin class after work tomorrow but typically I’ve got a cold and feel run down and shit. Marathon, not a sprint!

I've had my hair cut over the weekend which wasn't on my original list but snuck in there somehow). I've been struggling a little with outfits. Swimming's been up and down but I have started a morning body strength workout with Withu app.

Update on the DIY lash lift. I am a contact lense wearer, and without the lenses have significant short sight (double figures prescription) and really should have thought this through better. I need one eye to watch the instructional video but need to take the lense out of the eye I'm doing. But the writing on the video is hard to see and there is no voice over. I tried with glasses but couldn't get to my eye to do the lift.
REMEMBER to take out second lense to do the second eye. Else it hurts and you cry.
The process took ages and was quite faffy but actually I can tell that I did it. Not sure the slight impact was worth the money and hassle tbh!

After painting my toes for the first time in years, I realised that I felt nicer with them painted. I’ve just done a foot peel to start getting ready for warmer weather (if you saw my feet you’d understand why I’ve started in January).

I always prefer my toe nails painted and especially in Winter it feels like a true treat just for me as really only I (and my partner I guess) see them. Proper ‘self care’ rather than just making myself presentable.

I have some of those foot peeling socks - I am scared to use them! What should I expect?

Update on princessing - awful day at work so had a long soak in the bath and then forced
myself to use my body balm which is the thickest moisturiser known to man. A real effort to rub it in, but definitely needed in the cold. Retinol and moisturiser applied to my face, some hand cream slapped on, now I will read my book and hope tomorrow is a better day (because I am DONE with today).

@Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

I did a foot peel years ago and it was pretty effective. Nothing happens at first, then the hard skin gradually shed. I should have kept it up with decent creams, but didn’t! I’m using a cheap brand this time so hopefully it’ll work ok. I’ve got some foot cream socks and decent creams/foot file to maintain it.

@PrincessPotato could you link the Amazon IPL please? Keen to get one but they are very pricey

I still haven’t cut my nails or done the face mask I said I would do on Sunday!
I really need to start getting to bed earlier, I’m not going up until almost midnight every night. I have two young kids too so sleep isn’t always the best anyway!
On the plus side I’ve been drinking lots more water and did a spin class at the gym yesterday.
Planning to go through my wardrobe at the weekend and think about planning my outfits for the week as I always end up in the same scruffy clothes when I actually have some nice clothes

Just a general musing… does anyone else struggle to look nice when they have nowhere to go that day? It always feels a waste to wear nice clothes if I’m not doing anything nice. I tend to spend my time cleaning or on the school run and I work from home, so I end up not wearing the nice new clothes and just wear the old stuff that has seen better days.

ETA: I hope it’s ok to post this here. I don’t intend to derail, just thought it was relevant as a barrier to princessing.

Has anyone tried HD brows and was it worth it? I dye mine at home but wonder if I could do better if a professional did HD brows.

@hobbledyhoy it’s this one Deal: Glattol IPL Laser Hair Removal - Faster & Painless & Smooth, 3-in-1 Hair Removal Device with 9 Levels, Max 17.6J, 999,900 Flashes for Whole Body Treatment at Home https://amzn.eu/d/dmkv3ki

I can’t recommend yet as I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks. The reviews are dodgy - half are for a skincare product 🤣 but I’ll update after the 8 weeks!

@Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot the foot peeling socks are disgusting and fantastic, my husband has banned me from doing them anymore 😂 sort of like having terrible but not painful sunburn all over your feet.

I have been managing well with some things and not others. I did 10 days in a row of daily yoga and then fell off the wagon- the problem is the best time to fit it in is if I get up early before the baby, but it’s so cold and miserable at the minute that when my alarm goes off I just hit snooze and snuggle in for a bit longer.

I’ve been doing my skincare routine quite regularly though and DH complimented me on my outfits so progress!

Me! I have a toddler and a dog so generally end up covered in food/dribble/dog hair. I wear mostly leggings and sweatshirts at home for that reason but always feel like a scruff.

I've not had HD brows but I do find the salon dye from a brow tint lasts much longer than when I do it myself at home.

@PrincessPotato thank you, seems to be fine to £4 after vouchers etc which seems very cheap indeed. I'll come back here in a few weeks to see what your review is! Hope it works 😊

Bloody hell, I meant down to £40