Do you want to glow up on a budget, but all the tips out there include expensive products and lifestyles that you can’t afford? You came to the right place.
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The concept of glowing up has been talked about for years. I’m constantly coming across people documenting their glowing up journeys on social media platforms. While I personally love the topic of glowing up (hence the name of this blog) and I think it’s great to strive to be a better version of yourself, I feel like it sometimes spirals into buying the most high end beauty products, paying lots for expensive beauty procedures and over consumption in general.
Who says you need to spend a fortune to level up your looks and confidence? A true glow up on a budget journey is about more than just expensive beauty products and trendy clothes, it’s about feeling good inside and out. And guess what? You can do it all on a budget!
Here’s 6 easy and affordable steps to glow up on a budget without breaking the bank.
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1. Skincare that Won’t Drain your Wallet
The number one step that will give you the most noticeable change in your appearance is skin care. A healthy glow will enhance your complexion and radiate beauty from you. It starts with good skin care, but you don’t necessarily need $100 serum to get there.
Budget-Friendly Skin Care Tips:
- Invest in affordable drugstore products: Some of the best products out there are drug store products and are actually super well-priced. Figure out your skin type and get products that align with your skin care needs. Brands like CeraVe, The Ordinary and Simple offer great options at surprisingly low prices, given how popular and effective they are. Check out some tips on how to build a skin care routine here: 5 Steps to Building the Ultimate Skin Care Routine
- DIY Face Masks: Use natural ingredients from your kitchen! Honey, yogurt, turmeric, and aloe vera can work wonders. Not only is this good for the environment, the natural antioxidants in some of our everyday kitchen ingredients are amazing for our skin. Just do some research on what will work for your particular skin type, as you might be more sensitive to some things.
- Stay Hydrated: The cheapest skincare trick? Drink plenty of water and eat hydrating foods like cucumbers and watermelon. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your complexion changes from dry and dull to dewy and radiant.
Bonus Tip: Double cleansing with an affordable oil cleanser (like coconut oil) followed by a gentle face wash can help keep your skin clearer.
2. Hair Care Glow Up on a Budget
Healthy, shiny hair is a major glow up factor, and you don’t need luxury products to achieve it. Affordable hair care starts with understanding your hair type and using what you have at your disposal.
Budget-Friendly Hair Care Tips:
- DIY Hair Masks: Chances are, some of the best natural hair care ingredients are already in your cupboard. Try coconut oil, olive oil, or aloe vera for deep conditioning. Rice water can help hair growth, and diluting apple cider vinegar with some water can give a clarifying effect and help with scalp buildup.
- Trim at Home: Salon prices are sky high now a days, so in order to save some money while still getting that hair glow up on a budget, learn how to give yourself a light trim. As long as you don’t want a complete hair transformation, YouTube tutorials and a pair of scissors can do wonders instead of paying for frequent salon visits.
- Heatless Hairstyles: Again, salon prices are high and constantly putting heat on your hair will only damage it further and force you to pay for expensive visits to the hair dressers. At the same time, having styled hair makes you look put together and is key for a hair glow up. Avoid excessive heat styling and try out heatless curls for example. A tip is to invest in reusable products like a heatless curling rod, or try using things you have at home, like the band from your bathrobe.
Bonus Tip: Rinse your hair with cold water after conditioning to seal in moisture and add shine.
3. Fitness Without the Gym Membership
A glow-up is also about feeling strong and confident in your body. This can be such a daunting step when you feel like you don’t have the money for a gym or classes. But here’s the thing, you don’t need a fancy gym to get fit. There are so many ways to workout completely for free.
Budget-Friendly Fitness Tips:
- Home Workouts: Once you realise the amount of free resources are out there, the possibilities are endless. Use free YouTube workout videos for strength training, yoga, or cardio. All you need is an open space in your home. This is great, not just for your wallet, but for your time. It’s so easy to fit in a 20 minute workout, instead of having to go all the way to the gym and back.
- Walking & Running: Get outside. Take advantage of parks and sidewalks, or nearby trails and forests. It’s free and great for your body (and mind)!
Bonus Tip: Consistency is key. A 20-minute home workout a few times a week can make a huge difference over time.
4. Affordable Fashion Glow Up
This might be the one that seems the hardest when you’re tight on money. Especially when we constantly see influencers showing off their hauls and trends rapidly changing. But the thing is, you don’t need designer brands or the latest trends to look stylish. Confidence and the right styling can make any outfit look expensive.
Budget-Friendly Fashion Tips:
- Thrift Shopping: Check out thrift stores and online resale apps (like Poshmark or Depop) for trendy pieces at a fraction of the price. This way you help the environment, and you might stumble upon some gorgeous, unique statement pieces.
- Wardrobe Basics: Invest in classic, versatile pieces that you can mix and match. It’s normal to want to follow micro trends, but it’s not realistic when you’re on a budget. It’s better to focus on clothes that will look good for a long time.
- Accessorize Smartly: Jewelry does so much for an outfit. Based on what accessories you wear, the same outfit can look totally different. Focus on statement earrings, layered necklaces, belts or even an elegant thrifted watch. These things can instantly elevate your look.
Bonus Tip: Stick to neutral colors for a classy, put-together look that never goes out of style.
5. Affordable Makeup Hacks to Glow Up on a Budget
Makeup can be pricey, but you can still achieve a flawless look without splurging.
Budget-Friendly Makeup Tips:
- Drugstore Dupes: There are so many brands out there who have the same quality, if not better than the viral high end products. Brands like e.l.f. and Maybelline offer amazing quality at low prices, as well as some amazing dupes for viral products out there. Like the e.l.f. Halo Glow that became super popular for being a budget-friendly version of Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter.
- Multipurpose Products: A great way to not have to invest in so many products is to use the products you already have for different things. For example, you can use a lipstick as blush or an eyeshadow as a highlighter to save money.
- Less is More: A natural, glowy look often only requires a good concealer, mascara, and a lip tint/lip gloss.
Bonus Tip: Mixing a little highlighter with your moisturizer can give your skin a dewy, radiant look without expensive foundation.
6. Mental Glow Up on a Budget: The Most Important Part
It’s important to remember that a real glow up isn’t just about physical changes, it’s about self-confidence and inner peace.
Budget-Friendly Mindset Tips:
- Journaling: Writing down positive affirmations and goals can boost your confidence and change your perspective. Even just writing down what you did that day can be a release of tension and negative thoughts.
- Meditation & Gratitude: Spend a few minutes each day practicing mindfulness. It’s so important to make time to acknowledge the good things in your life.
- Unfollow Negativity: Social media can be draining. Curate your feed to inspire and uplift you. You’ll notice the difference in your stress levels.
Bonus Tip: Self-love is the ultimate glow-up. Walk with confidence, even if you have to fake it sometimes, and you’ll automatically shine to those around you.
Final Thoughts on How to Glow Up on a Budget: You Don’t Need Money to Look and Feel Good
A glow-up is about self-care, confidence, and small, consistent changes, not expensive products or branded clothes. By focusing on affordable beauty, fitness, fashion, and mindset habits, you’ll transform inside and out, without breaking the bank.
So start today, stay consistent, and watch yourself shine!
