'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*

am I too late to join?

• I’ve had a good year so far- lost 10lbs with slimming world since September, I have another 10 or so to go.
• exercising loads, increasing my mileage and been doing a 2x a week online pt
• I’ve been taking iron tablets and honestly feel a million times better generally
• had a haircut on Friday for the first time in a year, but need to go today to get some styling products as it’s a bit mushroomy - recommendations for a sleek chin length bob please!
• Had some Liz skincare for Christmas which I’m using a few times a week but should use more.
• bought a sonic flosser which is excellent, intend to use 2-3 times a week in my stubborn plaque
• not drunk alcohol this year yet and no plans to start again yet either

but- I feel a bit flat. I’ve cleared out loads of clothes but don’t have anything to replace them with. I’ve quit Amazon and vinted for lent so no browsing! I have a mum-tum and my jeans are quite saggy there so I feel quite heavy in my muddle- I need a tighter fitting high waist.
I always desperately need tops as I never seem to find anything nice or flattering

my ongoing goals are to :

• shop my wardrobe and bin/keep (I have a whole loft full of summer stuff ranging 3 dress sizes that will need a lot of work and that will prompt a whole new project of selling in vinted)
• up my skincare regime to daily
• continue my weight loss and exercise
• take better care of my teeth
• spf
• get some decent styling products for my new hair.

Princessing has been a bit up and down but start of a new month so time to boost the efforts. I'm struggling with my capsule wardrobe. My current job is work from home and I'm not getting dressed up (even though I enjoy it for myself). I have been to a couple of networking events recently and have been inspired by the way that people outside of my organistion but within my profession are dressing.

Hoping to get on top of the Stylebook app so I can build the wardrobe easily.

Completely fallen off the princessing wagon in February, had such a poorly household and started a new job (wfh) so just didn’t click. Back on it this week though, I bought some olaplex hair bond oil which is basically a miracle in a bottle for my bleach damaged hair. Back to the gym this morning (starting with a gentle swim today just to ease myself back in). Making sure I drink enough water, and trying to clear some of the annoying acne that’s appeared on my cheeks! Sorted all my vitamins into a pill box too so I remember to take them every day.

I did a bit of unscheduled princessing this week. I’d been having this pain in the sole of my foot under my little toes on both sides, it felt like the bone was sore and as a runner I just assumed it was another running injury. However I bought some really cheap cracked heel lotion from Superdrug and it seems that this pain was coming from actually my foot being so dry that the skin had cracked. I’ve used it every night since Monday and my feet are so much softer and all the scaly and dry bits have gone! Not bad for a £4 lotion!

Morning all. I’m putting this on here so I’m accountable as I have to go out tonight and need a glow up.
This morning I will have a bath to soak off dead skin on feet - I used one of those footner type thing 2 weeks ago and oh my goodness, I still look like a lizard. Need a good soak and scrub to get it all off!
My Perfect Facial mask on whilst in the bath - not the most comfortable of masks but it does definitely lift my jawline.
Revolution dupe for Olaplex on my hair whilst in bath.
Microneedle face - just 0.25 and let copper peptide serum soak in then do 10 min Red LED mask.
That will be good prep for getting ready later tonight.

I’be been off alcohol for three weeks and the difference to my face and energy levels is incredible. I’m going to drive tonight as I don’t want to drink - usually tapas would have to include a big glass or two of red wine but I’m not going to ruin how I’ve been feeling.

Getting back on the princessing this weekend. I do so well, then life gets busy or my mental health goes wobbly and I fall off completely! It’s not ideal but I guess the most important thing is getting back on the horse!

Today: long bath and face mask - plus skin care after. Been seriously stressed and drinking a bit too much recently so my rosacea is back with a bang. Need to get that under control. Going to avoid alcohol for the next few weeks. Moisturised and hair oil when blow drying my hair. Lots of salad with lunch. Going to drink a lot of water over this afternoon/evening.

Really want to get to the gym tomorrow for a spin class and then maybe a swim. Going to force myself to get up early enough to put a small amount of make up on for work on Monday (as that always makes me feel better, i am worth the effort!).

I’ve also been reading a lot over the last few days, and trying to be very tidy. Baby steps but I am hoping this all makes life feel more manageable and joyous!

I had coved again a few weeks ago and it came with a rash and now my skin is the worst its been in years :(

Have been keeping on top of my nails and I had a nice hair cut before a work do last week.

Been on the 'shop your wardrobe' thread and I've been doing really well at putting an intentional outfit out the day before.

I'm doing really well with the glow up so far.

I have a spa night on a Friday after the gym. Face mask, face scrub, full body scrub in the shower using my nice shower oil, shampoo and intensive conditioner. Then microneedling my face, some serum, night cream, under eye patches whilst I'm putting on body lotion. Feels amazing and doesn't take too long. Drying my hair takes the longest.

I'm 2st down since October and love the gym, need to up my water intake though as I'm getting more headaches than normal.

I'm still going to the hairdressers every 3 weeks for my roots, nails done every 3 weeks, Hollywood wax every 6 weeks, luxury pedicure with chiropodist every 8 weeks. They are now fixed and feel like normal treatments. Hand cream and lip balm in lots of places around the house/ car/ handbag for reapplying regularly. Foot cream on at bed time.

I've just booked in for a massage 💆‍♀️ tomorrow, I can't wait. 1.5hrs of head and body and a facial. Whilst she's doing amazing offers, I might try to do this every 8 weeks.

Clothing is where I'm finding it strange, I've cleared out the bigger clothes that don't fit me anymore and have bought some cheap bits, asda/ matalan/ primark to tide me over but the way I'm going I may not fit into these much longer. I needed new bras as I've dropped from GG to DD. I'd eventually like a long term capsule wardrobe of good quality clothes but doesn't seem worthwhile at the moment.

@Ambi this is inspirational! I was feeling lazy but now I’ve read your post i am going to push myself to do ‘princessing’ stuff today.

My goal for this week is to use body lotion top to toe at least every other day.

I have tons of old body lotion (good old gift sets) to use up when I have time to do it properly but if I'm in a rush I use either Sanctuary wet skin jelly or their oil spray which takes seconds to throw on.

I've also bought some smaller empty cream tubes that I fill up with body lotion to use as hand cream.

@Ambi what an inspiring post! Well done 👏

I have so many body lotions but it’s hand cream that’s the thing for me. I have so many!! I chucked a load out before Christmas but I still have a couple. This week I put a tube on my desk and have used it a couple of times while working each day. Body lotion is a different story though, and I don’t like the feel of cold lotion on my skin which is probably why I don’t use it.

Is that the one you put on your wet skin after you shower? I think I got a mini of that in an advent once and it was lovely.

I've been big on the glow up this week.
I has a chiropody appointment followed by pedicure and gel nails. Later on I had eyebrows waxes and threaded as well as lip and chin thread.On Saturday I had lip blush which looks amazing and didnt hurt (much)and my eyeliner refreshed.
Hair appointment on Tuesday for highlights, Botox on Wednesday for my 11's as I look like I'm about to fight someone with my resting bitch face!!
Eyelashes are also getting done on Wednesday.

Checking in to remind myself to do this.

I thought it would be easy to build good habits in but I do it once then forget for a couple of weeks, anyone else?

For the rest of the week I'll be happy if I can manage

Cleanse tone moisturise
Use tinted body moisturiser
Floss teeth
Home manicure / pedicure

Oh my goodness. Now that is a glow up!!

Do you mind posting before and after for the lip blush? I am so tempted as my lips are practically blue without lipstick.

And just as an aside, how much did all of these treatments cost? I would love to do all of these treatments but fear the cost may be prohibitive - it’s a big outlay in one week? Very jealous 😂

Checking in here to force myself to do a glow up night tonight. I have good intentions and then the lure of the sofa is often too tempting!!
Tonignt I will
Use my new radio frequency/EMS device on my jowls and under eye bags - I haven’t used it yet and am a little nervous about fat loss but I’ve got to do something for my jawline.
Microneedling followed by copper peptide serum.
Fake tan - I’ve been using Gatineau Gradual tan but going to switch over to full on tan given that spring has almost sprung - going to use Coco and Eve Ultra Dark for the first time - gulp. I find a fake tan motivates me to look properly in a full length mirror and makes me do my Pilates when the full horror of winter eating is on display! Got out my summer clothes yesterday to go through (to stop me buying more!!) for a holiday end of May - very motivating as there are denim cut offs and slinky satin bias cut dresses that show every lump and bump.
10 minute yoga flow. - want to try and do this every evening and 15 min pilates in the mornings.

Oh my goodness. Now that is a glow up!!
Do you mind posting before and after for the lip blush? I am so tempted as my lips are practically blue without lipstick
The treatment isn't finished in one sitting. I loved it next morning and it looks great but was warned it will fade and settle down. I then go back for the finishing treatment. Today it looks like lipstick wearing off but I was told that this would happen and not to feel disheartened. I did feel disheartened but then I remembered the same thing happened with my Lash liner and I think that's fabulous, so I'll keep the faith!!!
If you've any more questions about it, feel free to ask.

And just as an aside, how much did all of these treatments cost? I would love to do all of these treatments but fear the cost may be prohibitive - it’s a big outlay in one week? Very jealous
Lip blush £295.( part of my Christmas present from Dh.

Refresh eyeliner FOC. I had it done last summer and wanted it a bit bolder so I had it done same time as blush and I wasn't charged. I absolutely love it.

Pedicure and gel nails, full chiropody treatment £47. Normally get them once every two months.

Botox, done this morning £175.00.

Hair appointment will be £85 later today. Dh pays ( I'm honestly not a kept woman, it's just how our finances work)

Eye brow, chin and lip thread with brow tint £18.00.

Eyelash extension. Ive never had them before. That's later today as well. £40.00

@notacooldad thanks for your breakdown. Not as expensive as I was fearing - £85 for highlights seems very reasonable as does the gel toes and pedicure. I pay £32 just for gel toes - it would be £65 with a pedicure so £47 is good.

notacooldadthanks for your breakdown. Not as expensive as I was fearing - £85 for highlights seems very reasonable as does the gel toes and pedicure. I pay £32 just for gel toes - it would be £65 with a pedicure so £47 is good

I'm based in the North West and not in one of the affluent towns were the WAGs live! More like one of the deprived areas you see on News at 10 when they are talking about poverty towns!

I’m NW too but unfortunately Cheshire so I get hammered for prices. Maybe I need to venture further afield to find some bargains 😂

@JMAngel1
I ask for the more expensive treatments to be paid for my Christmas, birthday and Mother's day presents.

Ds1 paid for my permanent eyeliner last year for my birthday. DS2 paid for my spa day with massage and treatments so it helps spread the cost!!

Things aren’t going so well for me. My diet is a mess, I’m very stressed, hair looks horrendous and my acne is back. Yay.

Starting a glow up myself.
I have lost a stone since September. 4 to go 😫.
I had a lash lift which sadly didn't work. Getting nanobrows tattooed and got a brace put on my teeth ( 6 month smiles £650 groupon deal!).

My plan is:
Lose weight
Grooming and skincare
Learn to curl hair
Sort eyebrows
Stop biting nails and take care of them

Once I've lost weight:
Botox
Teeth whitening

All this princessing stuff is expensive 😬

Oh it is definitely expensive. Had a wonderful massage today 1.5hrs of bliss and love my nails, this is the design I went for (not my hands). I wanted colour / springtime vibe.