Anyone interested in a glow-up support thread for tips and accountability?

[MrsWhites]

Is anyone interested in a glow up support thread? I thought it might be nice to have somewhere to keep me accountable, share tips and things to avoid etc.

Glow up can be for any reason, summer, anti-aging, wedding etc?

I’m just about to turn 42, always looked young but in the past few years I have noticed age creeping up on me. I need to lose a bit of weight, need to improve tone and texture of my arms and legs. My face is dull and suffers with open pores so lots to work on for me 😂

Would love to hear from anyone else looking to work on their appearance too 👋

@thenewaveragebear1983 That sounds really frustrating. I'm not expert but I think doing the same things and expecting different results can be counterproductive. Then again you could be on your way to a whoosh! (IYKYK)

@Neuronimo It's easy to say but comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on you. I'm sure there are strengths you take that your siblings don't.

@Chocolatecoffeecupoh I hope so 💦

I think the thing with social media now is it’s not just about airbrushed images (which we grew up with in the 90’s didn’t we) but now it’s the constant barrage of advice. I was laughing with people at work today saying how now no matter what you do, it’s not enough; healthy diet isn’t enough you need macros and protein goals, going running isn’t enough, you need to do x,y,z, you’re training wrong, you’re “spiking your cortisol” so it’s giving you a bloated belly, you need to “lift” 🙄, every single video from skincare to diet to hormones to dog training is just telling you all the things you’ve been doing wrong all these years 🤷‍♀️ I hate it! I’m not even on instagram or tick-tock I can’t imagine how bad that would make me feel! We are just so oversaturated with advice and information and “hacks”, it’s completely overwhelming.

anyway- diet went well today, should come in under calories, my salon grade hair dye has arrived to hopefully give me a better tasting coverage on my greys, and I’m going to go to bed early tonight because dh is watching the football

I agree there are so many mixed messages on everything from diet to hormones, that it becomes impossible to navigate. I am going to attempt to shut out the noise.

I finally succeeded in understanding my style - or rather why the majority of styles and garments look wrong on me - using the 3 word method, lots of resources on it on the internet. This been a breakthrough that is going to help me dress better with more intention and authenticity. It is fun too!

Hi glow uppers. How is everyone’s weekend looking?

I have a hygienist appointment this morning which I always strangely enjoy, it’s brutal but you come out feeling very clean, and it always motivates me to take better care of my teeth. I have gleam strips ready, I stopped using them but I am going to restart after today once I’ve been thoroughly cleaned.

I have also bought salon grade hair dye and developer, I’m a bit nervous about it, I can’t find clear instructions really (it’s a bit like a secret code I am not 100% sure about) and I even posted in s&B and got very few answers about how exactly to mix it, but I feel like I need stronger coverage now on my very stubborn white roots. Dying my hair is a pain in the ass, I have to wash, straighten with no products, then dye, rinse, dry, straighten again…. Oh it’s such a chore.

I am looking very golden brown and tanned and despite having maintained my weight because I never lose anything notable, I am looking quite lean and my legs look toned. I am wearing shorts every day.

I made over £100 on vinted since my declutter and I have at least another 20-30 items to list so I will keep chipping away at those. Instead of recycling the funds I am withdrawing them as well to stop anymore unnecessary purchases.

my glow up goals this week: roots, teeth as above.
feet- I need to start exfoliating and moisturising now ready for holiday.

I got crest from US Amazon. Cost about £30

Great news about the Vinted declutter thenewaveragebear1983.
Your week sounds very positive. Hope the hair dying session goes well.

The three word style method sounds interesting FoofooBear, what did you come up with?

I am two pounds away from my first target weight which is 10% of my over all weight (which was way too high). Exercise has gone well and am sticking religiously to my diet. I couldn't work out why I hadn't dropped a dress size, but had a try on this morning and things are very roomy. I shan't get rid of them this time but aim to put a big case in the loft at the end of summer.

Hands and feet are looking better and I've been putting Kerastase elixir ultime on my hair the night before a wash and it's looking far less dry. I have tried cheaper products but always seem to go back to it.

Next week is catch up on tanning and declutter for me. I have a total ban on buying anything new, as I can't see the wood for the trees.

Hi, hope you are all having a good weekend. I had my hair coloured in the week and my legs waxed. I’ve roughly stuck to my calories, hit my steps daily and went to an exercise class. I’ve lost 7lbs now which I’m really happy with.
This week I’m planning to add in a strength/weights workout and really try to drink more water especially as the weather looks to be getting hot again!
I'd like to book a hygienist appointment before the children break up from school for the summer too.

Sounds like everyone is doing well. I feel like I have the outside pretty well sorted. I got some golden highlights and moneypiece this week for a nice summery vibe. I'm growing my hair from a bob and needs styling properly at every wash to stop it looking mental. Smashing the gym recently but I'll need to have a 2 week break as I have another minor surgery next week.

this is really interesting, I think I'm going to try this as my wardrobe is such a mix match of grungy stuff, corporate stuff and really basic stuff.

@thenewaveragebear1983 Yes you're right. There's so much. Like when I started on Huel, which was because I thought it would be better than buying a croissant and coffee every day, then that was UPF, which I'm sure it is, but there's so much to think about. If you're calorie counting you're having too many processed foods or not enough protein, at our age you're supposed to do more lifting and less cardio apparently, but that's new too. I think I've said before you just be the same age as me (going by your username!)

I think for me I'm just trying to be healthier overall, more veg and salad, less processed foods and sugary foods, exercising consistently. I am trying to eat more protein as well...

Looking more toned is great.

You are reminding me I need to get on Vinted to sell some stuff especially as I spent £200 on Charlotte Tilbury make up at the weekend!

@Neuronimo Sounds like you're doing well too! I've lost about 6lb since start of April which I'm happy about as I'm only 2lb off my goal and I'm happy with how I'm looking which is nice.

Need to dye my hair in the next couple of weeks and will be getting hair done and braces off for the wedding which is nice!

I wondered if any of you have used the only curls system? They had a special offer on the starter pack, so I have ordered it to give my hair a bit of a rest in August. I am a bit sceptical as whether it is actually any better than the cheaper low sulphate shampoos etc.

It is nice stuff, but I do think it’s pricey for what it is. Do you have TK Maxx where you are? If so, they often have in a brand called curlsmith. It’s expensive online, but much cheaper there, and I’ve found it really great

Thanks so much justfindingmyway,

It does seem expensive. We do have a TK Max, I shall have a look.

I saw the hygienist yesterday so my glow up goal this week is to use my gleam strips every day (I have 5 left so I need to reorder)

to Update- I bought salon grade wella dye and developer for my colour and it is so much better than box dye, I have washed my hair 4 times since colouring and no fade or loss of colour on the greys.

I’m still dithering over my greys, but considering a completely new hair arrangement. Not sure what, but I have been cutting it myself and tying it up. Not sure what to have and also whether to wait for more weight loss as on a bit of a mission right now. Maybe better to delay until my face stops changing?

in other glow up news, not noticed any benefit from the castor oil on brows. Might try just using it on one brow to better see any effect. But medicube pore pads have been a super recommendation so thanks to whoever mentioned those upthread. Hygienist next week (and I would honestly prefer fillings to hygienist) and then thinking about gleam strips.

I bought some skincare resurfacing pads to try out (not used them yet as I've been in the garden, with my SPF.

Bought a couple of Tshirts to replace some ropey ones .

Waiting for some body scrub pads to arrive then I can get on with buffing the skin smooth .when I do An Everything Shower .

I had a t shirt and vest top edit, loads just didn't fit and I can now open and close the drawer.

Diet and exercise is still consistent, though I think I reached a plateau this week and didn't lose any weight. I had some lovely dawn, brisk walks instead of working out in the dark and heat. Much nicer to watch fish leaping out in the water and dragon flies, rather than tv.

I tried two new products which were lovely this week. The Gatineau gradual tan and No 7 beautiful skin BB cream. I usually use erborian BB cream, but wanted something just a bit lighter and cheaper for the heat. By the end of the summer I want to use up everything I have and have a more streamlined list of products I love.

I’ve stayed consistent with diet and exercise too and last week lost 2lbs (I am eating less due to the heat!).
I have bought myself a few new items of clothing over the past weeks so am planning to go through and organise my wardrobe this week. I’m so fed up of feeling like I have nothing to wear and wearing the same clothes on repeat!
I did a body scrub and painted my toe nails yesterday. It’s been so hot I have been avoiding using body lotion as I can stand the sticky feeling!

Late to the party as ever, but I would live to join you!

I have been feeling so bleurgh it’s unreal. I’ve put on significant weight over the past few years and just have felt like a can’t be arsed.

Finally got some new clothes that fit in classic colours, got a decent haircut and actually have something resembling a skincare routine for the first time in my entire life! Now just to work on the weight and being consistent with it all….

Hi, can I ask which Wella product you bought? There are so many ranges, I’m having a hard time figuring out which ones might stay put on grey. I have some 10% Wella developer already. (Used to colour my hair but got disheartened when everything slid off my greys within days! )