Vanessa's Digital Dialogue

We all desire an annual September glow up before heading back to school or university. Whether it’s about making a great first impression or enhancing an already existing one, this new academic year presents an opportunity for a fresh start. In this post, I will provide a range of tips on hygiene, skincare, haircare, makeup, and fitness to help you achieve the glow up you desire. Embracing the concept of being high maintenance to become low maintenance, these recommendations will help you shine both physically and academically. If this idea appeals to you, continue reading for ways to glow up before returning to school or uni.

Hygiene:

I am beginning this blog post with arguably the most important level of self-care. Although many of these steps may seem self-explanatory, I think it is definitely still worth mentioning for those who are not already implementing them. You should be showering every day, which includes washing your body, exfoliating (especially before shaving with a fresh razor), moisturizing after showering, and applying deodorant every day. Another non-negotiable step is brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly, and brushing your tongue daily. These hygienic processes not only allow you to be clean but also prevent bad odor and bad breath (use mouthwash, mints/gum for this as well). Some additional hygienic steps you could take, which are not prioritized as highly, include wearing perfume, making sure you have well-groomed nails and toenails, oil pulling, and using teeth whitening strips.

Skin care:

Having a good skincare routine is also an important part of glowing up as it allows you to look and feel fresh all the time. You should wash your face every day and night and moisturise. I would also recommend curating a personalised skincare routine that is specific to your skin needs. This could include exfoliators, cleansers, toners, facial serums, eye creams, etc. You could also incorporate some more fun steps into your skincare routine to elevate it further, such as using a gua sha, facial/ice roller, eye mask, face masks, sheet masks, and pimple patches. It is also imperative that you apply sunscreen every day to prevent skin conditions, wrinkles, and discoloration. Implementing all of these steps will help prevent breakouts, allowing you to wear lighter makeup and glow up.

Hair care:

Your hair is a very important factor of one’s identity and is an element of your physical appearance that catches people’s attention almost immediately. Therefore, it is crucial to take measures to care for it properly. This begins with washing it using a good shampoo and conditioner that work for your hair type. There is no specific time span for how often you should wash your hair, as everyone’s hair is different. However, I wouldn’t recommend waiting too long due to the risk of it becoming greasy and resulting in product build-up. To elevate your haircare routine, you should invest in leave-in conditioners, hair oils, dry shampoo, and scalp-stimulating brushes. Furthermore, to maintain or restore your hair to its maximum health, you should regularly trim dead ends, use less heat and heat protectant, apply hair masks, use heatless styling methods, and sleep on a silk pillowcase.

Makeup:

Now that we have discussed the steps you can take in your hygiene, skincare, and haircare routines to increase your cleanliness, it is time to cover ways to elevate your existing beauty. Therefore, the makeup tips I have included in this section embody the statement I made in my blog introduction: “being high maintenance to become low maintenance.” This begins with plucking/threading your eyebrows, tinting eyebrows, lash lifts, lash tints, and shaving your face. When applying makeup, you should always begin with a freshly washed and moisturized face, and, of course, sunscreen. Some important steps to take in your makeup routine for school and university include investing in a good primer, powder, and setting spray. These three elements allow your makeup to last throughout the day and prevent it from separating. You should also always wear something on your lips as it pulls the whole look together, even if it’s just some Vaseline, to avoid having dry lips. When it comes to makeup, I always believe that less is more. You want to enhance your features, and by using minimal and natural makeup brands such as Glossier, you can achieve this. You should also consider removing your makeup with a cleansing balm, as it is gentler on the skin and very effective. An additional item to invest in is some staple jewellery. Simple jewellery that works for everyday wear can make a significant difference in your appearance and allow you to glow up.

Fitness:

The final step in this five-part guide to glow up in preparation for your return to school or university is improving your fitness. You should aim to engage in some form of exercise every day, whether it be walking, running, playing a sport, practicing yoga, or going to the gym. Exercise increases the release of endorphins in your body, making you feel happier. Additionally, you shouldn’t underestimate the benefits of simply getting fresh air every day, as it can also improve your mental wellbeing. After exercising, remember to take a shower and complete the hygienic steps that I outlined above. For some extra fitness tips, you could try drinking lemon or cucumber water (as well as plenty of water in general), which has health benefits, and perhaps experiment with some wellness shots.

By following these steps, you can elevate your physical appearance and boost your confidence before returning to school or university. Embrace the opportunity to glow up and make the most of the new academic year!

Remember, true beauty comes from within, so nurture your mind and soul alongside your physical transformation. Enjoy!