'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’ve been struck down with a sickness bug so there hasn’t been much princessing going on here! Just been out for a walk which is the first time I’ve left the house since Wednesday.
Can anyone link the Salux cloth? They sound great

Finally got my lumea out today and started on it again. Must remember it doesn't actually take long.
Have done weights every day since 2nd which I'm pleased about.
Had a lovely walk this afternoon as well, although I did go and get a coffee and a cookie afterwards but that was also lovely so I don't care.
Hung up all my clothes rather than let them languish in the wash pile. Realise if I was a princess I'd have someone do it for me but I'm more channelling Snow White over here.
Had a look through all my beauty stash and started using all the lotions and potions that I haven't liked for my face on my body instead.

@LBB2020 that was me last week - so glad to be feeling well again now!
I ordered this one but I haven't used it yet - others may have different recommendations

Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth/Towel,Blue,35 inches (90cm) (Pack of 1) amzn.eu/d/aEi15m2

Thank you @oliveroses and glad you are feeling better! It’s really wiped me out which with two young kids is not ideal!

@LBB2020 yes, snap! My DH and I took shifts with the two kids as we both had it on the same day - it was absolute hell and something I hope we never have to repeat. Hope you don't either!x

I’m now on week 2 couch to 5k. Booked Pilates classes for the rest of the month. Going to do nails tomorrow and book hair appointment for end of Jan instead of leaving it last minute and having to wait another month. Eating though, it’s kids birthday month and constantly grazing on rubbish so that has to stop!

Oh gosh that must have been rough @oliveroses! Touch wood DH and the kids seem to be ok so far!
Well done @viewsoftheshard

All of these ticked off.

Have also started working out this week's office outfits (and what needs ironing). Back to work on Monday after a fortnight off.

How abrasive is the Japanese washcloth? I have quite sensitive and eczema prone skin so am slightly nervous of anything too harsh.

I;ve just had a look at the Salux washcloth - I have the Korean Italy clothes but they need to be used after a hot , non soapy bath 30+ minutes soak and I really CBA with that ! I don't like a bath at the best of times and I have to get DH to scrub my back .

Ordered the cloths as it looks more for the shower so I;ll give them a whirl .

Might do an Olaplex treatment tomorrow

Oh and I made some vegan soup today ( leek, carrot, tomato) so three of my 5-a-Day

First time I've had my nails done in 20 years (that's made me feel old 😀)

I love this! I decided to start small and perhaps add things after (say) a month once the initial changes had become habits. Most are simple things a 47 year old should be doing anyway, but I easily let them slip when life is busy and I am tired/stressed. Having focus and tracking each habit is what I need.

1. Proper evening skin routine (daily)
2. Body moisturise after every shower (daily)
3. Hand cream and cuticle oil (daily)
4. Pelvic floor exercises (3 x a day)
5. Flossing teeth (daily)
6. Take vitamins (daily)
7. File nails (weekly)
8. Mini foot pamper (weekly)
9. Exercise (daily)

10. 30 plant foods per week 11. Continue to not drink alcohol (after quitting in the summer) 12. Cut down on sugary snacks

After (nearly) one week, I've kept up with the daily goals, done three runs ('10 weeks to 10k' plan), 4 days of strength exercises, managed to eat more than 30 fruit/veg and avoided chocolate.

I've also purchased a salux washcloth, which I love, and will be incorporating into my routine 2 or 3 times a week.

The hardest thing for me has been cutting down on sweet snacks. Day time is fine but the evenings seem to be the hardest. I've avoided chocolate but found myself making jam on toast to satisfy the craving. Any tips on how to beat this would be welcome.

Final point, to those who are including a hot water and lemon drink to their daily routine, please be careful. I did this throughout my 30s and have absolutely ruined the enamel on my teeth as a result. I had no idea at the time and my then dentist never mentioned a thing. It was only when I went to a new dentist and she thought I has previously suffered from bulimia that I found out. The damage is irreversible and I now have to wear a mouth guard at night.

I love your nails @HiddenBeauty

I think the salux and the Korean wash cloth are basically the same thing, with the salux being bigger. The difference is the way they use them. @70isaLimitNotaTarget I've been using my Korean ones in the shower this week with no issue as I didn't want to buy another beauty thing to add to the pile and my skin is so soft. Might want to try it?

Thanks to this thread I've just booked a lash and brow tint. Not had it done since pre COVID and I feel so much better tinted as I've got such fair lashes and brows.

I'm doing ok so far this year - much more water, no alcohol and more consistent skincare. Back to the gym on Tuesday for a gentle session now this chest infection is shifting. Despite not being 100% health wise I'm feeling quite good!

I would like some eye lash advice please princesses! I ordered the lvl kit @Jollyoldholiday linked to upthread, and it will come in a week. It seems to basically be a way to give them a perm. I also want to dye them. Should I dye first or perm first? I also feel like I don't want to do it all on the same day but I have no logic for that. Thank you wise princesses!

I’ve started off the day well!
Morning yoga class, shower, body scrub, foot file and moisturising foot socks. Now blitzing the house then will try to get out for a walk with the family before coming home for a roast dinner!
Aiming to be in bed by 11pm tonight as I’ve been staying up far too late.
Happy Sunday all!

Next week I'm busy but the week after I;m away for a few days .
I like to take any small or nearly empty beauty items and a face mask to use up . I have a small tube of Elasticiser
Good opportunity to use my Salux cloth

So evenings with rubbish TV can be my intestive improvement time .

Today's list:

• Swim
• Sunday skincare (face mask etc)
• Filed and polished fingernails
• Chose and ironed outfits for the week
• Polished shoes
• Made healthy packed lunch for office tomorrow with calories logged on MFP
• Early night

I had some good habits in place but they've disappeared since being ill with one thing or another since Christmas.

I've made appointments for weekly therapy and 10-weekly haircuts, applied cuticle oil and taken my vitamins. Will book in regular brow waxing too.

Exercise is on hold due to injury but looking forward to getting back to it.

Today is my 1st Jan.

Went for a 20 minute walk at 6am and then did 15 minute yoga.
Shaved in shower and put gradual tan on.
Morning skincare

Aiming to get back on my regular eating habits - have basically eaten anything I wanted for the last 3 weeks - it has got to stop!!!
So from now on going to do intermittent fasting with low carbs - it works really well for me and I know I’m going to feel better for it.
I’m also going to get back on my collagen in coffee and increase my water intake - feel like all I’ve drank the last month has been tea/coffee/Diet Coke or wine!!!
Also going to re-start my supplements - magnesium, vit D3, DIM and dietary fibre capsules.

Plan to have a pamper bath later and do nails as my polish is peeling.
Nignt time skincare and 5 minute LED mask.
Early night hopefully.

Successes from last week:

Drank 2L of water a day
Remembered to floss and use interdental brushes
Ran three times
Skincare & eyelash serum every day
Vitamins and supplements - multivits, vit D and magnesium

Needs some more work:

5 a day - I think I managed this once or twice, but could do better. It is prompting me to have a banana or apple at breakfast instead of just toast, which is better than nothing.
5:2 - I did one fast day last week and ended up around 1200 cals rather than 500, so need to aim a bit lower this week!

Didn't get round to doing a manicure or pedicure so that's a target for this week, but have been slapping on handcream as much as I can

I've loved reading this thread! Feeling very inspired

I am trying to:

• Get back into calorie counting & going to the gym, aiming to lose a stone.
• Drink more water, at least 2l a day (I am terrible for this if I don't make a conscious effort).
• Stick with a proper skin care routine including eye cream now that I'm in my 30s 😂 I've just started Skin & Me tonight so will see how that goes.
• Use decent products on my hair, I neglect it and use dry shampoo far too often!

Today is my 1st jan
vitamins,
booked a pilates class and a manicure
and will start low carb
13 stone 5 on the scales this am which is my heaviest I've ever been 😦

Checking in. Not bad so far. Definitely upped water intake and on track for body brushing. Daily vitamins too. Weekends away got in the way a little of pilates and yoga (I prefer a class) so only managed once a week.

Definitely feeling better about myself (though I have a lot of good habits anyway, these were the major gaps I needed to fill) even if changes aren't visible (yet).

Also checking in. The Salux washcloth is amazing. Just don't catch your nips with it in the shower  @Poblano it is quite abrasive but I think you could control how abrasive by how you use it. The tips of my arms have eczema like bobbling and hard skin and it has really smoothed them away. Wish I'd known about this before my wedding years ago!

I have upped water but I'm not making 2 litres a day - it's hard to drink that much! For some reason I'm struggling with eating as much fruit as I'd like. Moisturising going well though as is reading. Yoga is harder with a two month old especially if I miss the first nap window. Still persevering.