How to Have a Beauty Glow-Up in 2025, According to Experts
At the start of the new year, your iPhone notes app probably looked as cluttered as a web browser’s cache page. For many people—myself included—January follows a similar pattern. We motivate ourselves by bookmarking a variety of beginner workout tutorials and shopping for stylish fitness gear, or we jot down green juice recipes and research the best supplements for every health concern to kickstart our “glow-up” journey. After all, when you look good, you feel good—right?
We’ve all likely abandoned the goals we made in January. However, the best glow-up is the one most people can’t see. “A glow up is more than just a physical transformation—it’s about feeling confident, taking care of yourself, and evolving into the best version of you,” says celebrity makeup artist Ash K. Holm. Still, sometimes, all we crave is a little instant gratification, particularly when it comes to our beauty routines. In that case, investing in a few products and fine-tuning your glam approach is the fastest path to transformation. “It’s the perfect mix of beauty, self-care, and inner wellness, where you look radiant and feel energized and revitalized from the inside out,” she adds.
Scroll long enough on your social timelines and you’re bound to encounter a video imparting wisdom about the best glow-up practices and products to put your energy into. Well, here’s another guide to add to your collection, an extensive outline of ELLE- and expert-approved habits and top-rated products across skin care, makeup, and hair. Find all the recommendations from Holm, Christine Bellemare, co-founder, owner, and lead hairstylist at Maven A Collect, and Jan Marini, esthetician and founder of Jan Marini Skin Research, ahead.
Skin Care
“First, everyone should ask themselves: If there was something I could change or improve about my skin, what would it be? Generally, individuals have three or four concerns, including acne, discoloration, large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, or coarse texture,” says Marini.
Understanding your skin’s needs is the best thing you can do for it. Seeking professional care from a dermatologist or esthetician is especially important if your desired results are linked to something happening internally. Working with a skin care professional can help you better analyze your skin concerns and determine what products work for you.
“By using products specific to your concerns that are backed by real data and results, you can dramatically improve the appearance of your skin on every level,” she explains. Pro tip: Gradually incorporate a retinol in your routine, like Jan Marini Skin Research’s Age Intervention Duality serum, which features a “highly concentrated, non-hydroquinone solution with turmeric, peptides, licorice, arbutin, and retinol to reduce the appearance of discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles,” Marini adds. And, of course, sunscreen. “Rule number one is to ensure consistent use of sunscreen every day outdoors and indoors,” she says.
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
Jan Marini Skin Research Age Intervention Duality
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+
Makeup
Before makeup comes into the equation, diligent skin prep is paramount. If anyone knows the secret to supple, dewy, hydrated skin, it’s Ash K. Holm, who counts Khloé Kardashian, Hailee Steinfeld, and Alix Earle as her clients. “Drink water, use a hydrating face mask, and apply a luminous primer before makeup,” she advises. Additionally, Holm regularly gets visits from Dripology Med Spa in Santa Monica for vitamin drips and suggests investing in it to boost the benefits of your skin care. “I personally love NAD+ drips, which work on a much deeper level than just hydration. NAD+ is a coenzyme that supports cellular repair, energy production, and anti-aging, making it one of my biggest beauty and wellness secrets,” she explains.
As for the actual makeup routine, Holm says it’s all in the tiny details. “One simple but transformative technique to try is my lip flip trick, a slightly overlined lip with a soft gradient fade to create the illusion of fuller, lifted lips without filler. The trick is to only overdraw above the cupid’s bow and right underneath the lower lip,” she shares. To mimic the glowy beauty looks she’s known for giving for clients, Holm uses minimal makeup, but strategically. Opt for a foundation like the Nars Light Reflecting formula “for even skin without heaviness,” and the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush or Chanel Les Beiges as contour “to add dimension and warmth.” For her lip flip technique, she employs the Makeup by Mario Sculpting Lip Pencil.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
MAKEUP BY MARIO Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil
nars Light Reflecting Foundation
Hair Care
Whether you’re dealing with hair loss and shedding or simply want to revive your strands, healthy hair is attainable with the correct formulas. According to Bellemare, “the most immediate way to enhance your hair routine is by using the right products for your hair type. Professional-grade products deliver significantly better results than drugstore alternatives, as they’re formulated with higher-quality ingredients and advanced technology to improve hair health, longevity, and overall appearance. Investing in salon-quality care makes all the difference in achieving and maintaining beautiful, healthy hair,” she explains. “At the end of 2025, every hair care routine should have a custom collection of products tailored to your specific hair needs.”
For Bellemare, a hair glow-up begins at the root. “Invest in a scalp scrub to remove product build-up, as clogged pores from excess product buildup and excess oil can lead to dandruff, itchiness, and delayed hair growth. I recommend the Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub from Oribe. It’s great for deep cleaning the hair and is safe for all hair types. Focusing on your scalp health first will create the foundation for strong, healthy hair growth,” Bellemare adds. Here’s a cold, hard truth to consider for a hair glow up: The road to healthy hair might require less heat styling.
But if you must use hot tools, “always apply a heat protectant cream or spray to shield your strands from high temperatures in order to prevent dryness and breakage,” she warns. “To protect your hair against heat and environmental factors, I love the Melu Hair Shield by Davines. It can be applied on wet or dry hair, making it great for both heat protection and environmental defense. It’s like a two-for-one product, shielding your hair from styling damage while also guarding against pollution and other external stressors.”
With excessive heat styling, brushing, combing, and whatever else we put our hair through, a mask is essential to restoring balance. Bellemare suggests “incorporating a hydrating hair mask once a week to restore moisture and improve texture. Regular maintenance trims at least every quarter will also help prevent split ends and keep your hair looking fresh and healthy.”
Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty editor Nerisha Penrose polled beauty experts about the best tips for a glow-up in 2025 and the most essential products to help readers achieve their desired results.
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