So what is a glow up? A glow up is when you decide to improve, transform, or revamp such things as your appearance, your mental & spiritual state, and even your social status.
Why would you get a glow up? Well, you’re perfectly fine the way you are, but there are some days when you don’t feel this way and you need a bit of a boost.
This is where a glow up can come in handy. It may not solve all of your problems in life, but it could be the boost you need to increase your confidence, get out of your comfort zone, and become the best version of yourself.
There are so many ways to glow up that you’re probably left wondering “How do I even start?”
It’s as simple as thinking of something right now that will make you feel joy and happiness, like a cup of your favorite latte, a new haircut, or a walk in the park.
The small burst of positive emotions can lift you higher and improve the way you look, feel, and function, even if it’s small.
In this blog post, I will go over how to glow up in ways that will boost you mentally, physically, and spiritually to help you thrive in all areas of your life.
1. Take care of your skin.
I think the best place to start a glow up is to start with your skin. This is usually the first thing that people see, and if you want to make an impression, you want your skin to glow.
The best way to glow up your skin is from the inside first and then the outside. This is true no matter what age you are.
When you’re young, you don’t really have to worry about your aging skin. You may still have acne, but the concept of aging feels light years away. You can get away with not using sunscreen or drinking water when you’re young, but not when you reach a certain age.
As we age, our bodies start to slow down and we become more susceptible to damage from the sun and the environment. Here are a few tips to help keep your skin healthy so you can maintain your glow as you age.
Establish a routine.
Create a good, solid skin care routine. You want to have a morning and evening skin care routine if you want to maintain clear, firm skin. Experiment with different types of skin care products until you are satisfied with the results, i.e. clear, smooth, healthy skin.
If you’re like me, you have very little time to spend on yourself, so you need a routine that is simple, quick and easy to follow. It might take a while before you establish your skin care routine because you have to figure out if you need to do it twice a day, once a day, in the morning, in the evening, or both.
If you’re curious, here’s my personal nighttime skin care routine:
- Wash the skin with a natural gentle cleanser.
- Rinse off with warm water.
- Gently dry the body and pat the face with a clean towel.
- Apply salicylic acid to acne prone areas, follow this with heavier products.
- Apply body moisturizer such as lotion or oil.
- Apply facial products in this order: benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid + moisturizer + jojoba oil.
Use sunscreen.
Your skin is your largest organ and it acts as a protective barrier against the elements. But your skin also needs protecting, so it is important to wear sunscreen if you’re planning on spending more than 20 minutes outdoors, even on cloudy days because UV rays can still penetrate clouds and cause damage to your skin.
Sunscreen can help prevent premature aging of the skin. However, not all sunscreens are created equal. There are different strengths and types, so if you’re going to be under the sun for a long time, choose an SPF that is waterproof and high enough to protect your skin.
Conversely, if you’re not going to be outdoors for too long, then a lower SPF sunscreen should be adequate.
Drink water.
Hydrate from the inside out by drinking or consuming enough water. We are made up of about 75% water. Therefore, it’s crucial that you take in an adequate amount so your cells can function normally and your skin can glow.
The CDC recommends about 3.7 Liters for adult males and 2.7 Liters for adult females.
You can increase your water intake if you are more physically active.
Quit smoking.
Smoking tobacco constricts your blood vessels and slow down the healing process of your skin. Smoking causes premature skin aging, wrinkles, dull skin and poor circulation that can lead to dark under eye circles.
If you smoke, try cutting back gradually until you stop altogether. You’ll feel better physically — and look better too!
Reduce alcohol consumption.
Alcohol dehydrates your body, which can leave your skin looking tired and older than it is. Studies reveal that alcohol can can impair your skin’s antioxidant defense system.
In addition, drinking too much alcohol can cause vasodilation, which can lead to dilated facial capillaries & blotchy patches that are difficult to cover up with makeup.
2. Practice power posing.
Power posing can be a great way to glow up by improving your confidence and performance, especially when preparing for something that might be challenging.
What is power posing? Power posing is a technique that consists of standing in a pose to help you prepare for something difficult, such as an interview, speech, or a presentation.
The idea behind this technique is that by holding this pose for 2 minutes, you can achieve better performance in the areas where you may be lacking. Author and researcher Amy Cuddy has a TED talk on the idea of building confidence and improving performance through power posing.
There’s some science behind this idea: Research has found that when people high or expansive poses (standing up straight with arms open), they report feeling more powerful than those who adopt lower or closed power poses (slouching, taking up less space).
High power posers are perceived as more competent & confident and were more likely to be chosen for hire.
People who feel more powerful are more likely to feel in control, are more optimistic, and are more likely to take action on their goals than those who don’t.
To get started with power posing:
Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. The idea is that you can use your body to trick yourself into feeling more powerful, even if you don’t feel confident or capable of taking on something new.
The pose can also help you feel more powerful after the challenge is over, so that you can build and enhance experiences. Look straight ahead and think about what makes you feel powerful or confident.
Remember it isn’t about getting the pose perfect, but about how you feel that will help you glow up!
3. Boost your confidence.
Boosting your confidence is a great way to glow up from within because when you feel confident from the inside, it shows in positive ways on the outside.
Confidence is something that can make you feel good about yourself. Studies show that people perceive those with more self-confidence in a more positive light.
If you’re confident, then you’re likely to have a better attitude and outlook on life because if you believe that you’re better than you perceive, this enhanced self-image is more likely to manifest.
It’s also important to note that confidence is also contagious. If someone is confident and outgoing, then they will draw others in with their energy and enthusiasm for life. They will have an impact on those around them by simply being their confident selves. This can help others feel better about themselves too!
So how do we get more confidence? There are many ways of doing this, but one method that I’ve found to be very effective is through self-affirmations. Self-affirmations are acts that improve your beliefs about yourself.
This can be done through positive thinking and meditation exercises such as visualizing or imagining yourself as more confident and powerful.
Here are other ways to gain more confidence in yourself:
- Be kind to yourself.
- Give yourself time off from the mirror so you’re less likely to self-criticize.
- Give yourself a break from social media because we often compare our lives to others, making us less confident in ourselves.
- Practice self-compassion.
- Don’t try so hard to impress others.
- Accept your shortcomings and faults.
- Admit when you’re wrong.
4. Exercise.
Exercise is an excellent way to use your body to glow up! Exercise is important to maintain a healthy glow because it helps boost circulation, which allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach your cells, which makes them less prone to damage from free radicals that cause damage in the body.
Exercise also increases blood flow which can help flush out toxins from your body, thus improving overall health and appearance of your skin, as well as other organs such as your heart, liver, and kidneys which are vital organs needed for proper functioning of the human body.
Regular exercise may help lift your mood because it helps release endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which are associated with enhanced mood and well-being.
Studies also show that exercise also helps people become more resilient to stress by maintaining a positive mood and mitigating stress even through repeated exposure.
There are so many exercises you can try, like walking, running, swimming, dancing, martial arts, sports, and yoga. No matter what you choose, exercising regularly helps to improve you from the inside out.
5. Choose the right clothing.
Choosing the right type of clothing is a simple way to help you glow up. You want to make sure you choose the right type of clothes that will compliment you.
Proper fitting clothing can help you glow up by accentuating your best assets and flattering your body, no matter what type it is.
Also, choosing the right colors that compliment your skin tone can highlight your skin instead of masking it.
How to choose the right fit:
Choose clothes that fit properly so they accentuate your best features without being baggy or too tight.
For example, if you are voluptuous around the hips and thighs with a small waist and you want something that will look flattering, consider wearing pants that are fitted around the waist but flared out at the bottom to create balance between top and bottom halves of your body.
If your body is smaller or less curvy and you want a more shapely look, choose clothing with fitted waists that flare outward to give the illusion of a fuller figure.
The right colors for you.
Choose colors that enhance your skin tone. For example, if you a yellowish skin, warm colors would be the most flattering for you such as pinks, reds, and browns, and yellows.
If you have rosy looking skin, opt for “cool” colors like blues, greens, and purples to compliment your skin tone.
If you have a grayish complexion, consider yourself lucky because you can safely choose most colors of the spectrum to compliment your skin tone.
To find out what skin tone you are, stand with a mirror near natural light and hold up a white piece of paper. If your skin appears rosy, you have a cooler skin tone. If it’s yellowish, you have a warmer skin tone. If your skin appears grayish, you have an olive or neutral skin tone.
For more tips on figuring out your skin tone, check out this wikiHow tutorial or style guru Liana Chaouli’s blog.
The right clothing for you.
First and foremost, choose clothing that fits your body. Oftentimes we choose the wrong clothing for our body because we see something on social media, magazines, or tv that looks great on models or influencers but is not the right fit; so please choose the right size for you.
If you find something you love that fits but the hemline is too long or the arms need adjusting, take it to a tailor if you can afford it so it fits your body to a tee. Not only will you look better, you’ll feel more confident wearing clothing that actually fits you well.
Remember to have balance when choosing your clothing. If you have a pear shaped body, you can balance this by wearing clothes that elongate your body like pencil skirts or long tops paired with shorts or pants.
If you have an athletic body shape, then you want to wear clothing that will make you appear curvier, like a fit and flare dress, a scoop neck top, or a skinny jean.
6. Get a makeup makeover.
With the right makeup techniques and colors, you can help your facial features glow up. But don’t be afraid to experiment and try the latest makeup trends, too.
One way to get a makeover is to schedule an appointment with a makeup artist or go to a makeup or department store and book a session or request a free makeup session in store if you’re not sure where to start.
If you have never had a professional makeup application done before, then this can be an excellent way to learn what works best for you and how to apply it correctly. Most stores will offer this service for free or at a minimal charge.
These professionals are trained to help you with your makeup application, as well as show you how to apply it properly to accentuate your best features.
If you don’t have access to a department store or mall near you, then there are plenty of online resources that offer this service as well. Look up videos on YouTube or other websites that offer step-by-step instructions on how to apply various types of makeup products correctly and effectively.
If you already know how to apply makeup or you just want to learn how to yourself, here are some tips to remember so your face can achieve a beautiful glow.
- Apply concealer under your eyes to hide dark circles. Use concealer that matches your skin tone so it blends in seamlessly with your natural color. Then use a small brush or sponge to apply the concealer under each eye.
- Choose a foundation that matches both your skin tone and the season of the year. If you have dry skin, choose a moisturizing foundation; if you have oily skin, choose one that has good oil control properties; if you have combination skin, select one that has both oil control and moisturizing properties; if you have sensitive skin, pick one that’s hypoallergenic or noncomedogenic (meaning it doesn’t clog pores).
- Use powder over foundation to set it so it lasts longer and stays looking smooth throughout the day without becoming shiny or oily looking after several hours of wear time.
- Choose colors that will compliment your skin tone because you will be using makeup that will ideally flatter your skin, eyelids, cheeks, lips, and bone structure.
- Remember not to apply too much makeup because you don’t want the makeup to stand out, you want your face to do that.
- If you can afford it, get the highest quality products because the higher end makeup tends to last longer and are easier to apply.
- Experiment with new looks and styles. There’s nothing wrong with trying something new once in awhile!
7. Take care of your hair.
They say your hair is your crowning glory, which is so true! Hair not just a tool to help you glow up, it warms your head and neck and can even boost your self-confidence if you style is just right.
When it comes to hair care, the most important thing to remember is to avoid heat as much as you can. Heat can damage your hair, be it from water, styling tools, the hair dryer, or even the sun.
There are other ways to keep your hair looking its best and healthiest. Here are some of my tips for caring for your hair:
- Wash your hair only when it needs it, such as over exposure to dirt or pollutants or when it gets too oily.
- Use a conditioner after each shampoo to keep your hair soft, healthy, and shiny.
- Get a trim occasionally, such as every few months if you are able to.
- Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet; use a wide-toothed comb instead so you don’t break any strands off at the roots or on the hair shaft.
- Always wear protective hairstyles like braids and buns when you’re going swimming or doing sports so that your hair doesn’t get damaged by chlorine, salt water, or sweat.
- Don’t pull the roots too hard by parting it in one place, putting it in a tight bun or ponytail, or combing too hard.
- Try not to cut or color it too often because it can affect the growth of your hair and can even thin it out.
- Use natural shampoos and conditioners if you can swing it.
- Avoid wearing anything tight on it for too long such as hats or hoodies.
- Try to sleep on a soft and silky pillowcase so the threads don’t pull at your hair.
8. Get a mani-pedi.
There’s nothing like a good mani pedi to help you glow up. It’s not only a great way to pamper yourself, but it can also be very relaxing.
A mani pedi is an abbreviation for manicure and pedicure. It is a treatment where your nails are cleaned, trimmed, buffed, and polished.
If you can afford one, get a mani-pedi from a professional such as a nail salon to help yourself glow up. If you can’t, you can always do them yourself and home through how-to articles and YouTube videos.
If the thought of giving yourself a mani-pedi seems intimidating, you can practice with nail polish until you are ready to level up to a DIY manicure and pedicure.
9. Eat Well.
Give yourself a glow up by eating well and adopting healthy eating habits. Eating well is part of a holistic approach to your health and wellness. When you eat well, you fuel your body with nutrients that can help you glow up from the inside out.
Make sure you’re getting plenty of fresh foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eat lean meats, eggs, nuts, and seeds for high-quality fats and proteins. Avoid too much refined sugar, sodium, processed foods, and alcohol.
A diet that is based on mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and meats high in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown time and again to nourish the body and keep it functioning optimally.
It can also help prevent heart disease, diabetes and even cancer — all conditions that are associated with poor diet. Plus, there’s a study that reveals the food we eat may be associated with a reduced risk of depression. Eating healthier may help improve your mood and help you glow up.
10. Hydrate.
Drink enough water to help yourself glow up.
Getting enough fluids and water into your body can help give it a nice glow.
Hydration is important especially when it comes to skin care. If your skin is dehydrated, then it can look visibly dry and depleted.
Although there are no strict guidelines because optimal water intake depends on many factors such as age, gender, systemic condition, level of physical activity, and how you get your water.
The National Academy of Medicine recommends 13 cups a day of fluid intake for healthy men and 9 cups of daily fluids for healthy women.
You might need more than the recommended amount if you have a very active lifestyle or if you have just started an exercise routine.
If you aren’t sure how much water you should be drinking each day, talk with your doctor or dietitian who can help determine how much fluid your body needs based on factors like age, gender and activity level.
11. Meditate.
Meditation is one of the best ways to help yourself glow up. It can help you glow up by increasing your ability to focus and stay in the present moment. Studies have shown the meditating, even for just a few minutes a day, can be good for your health.
Meditation helps us to slow down our thoughts and feelings so we can see things clearly, without getting caught up in them. It helps us recognize negative thoughts and feelings that might be holding us back from our goals.
When we learn how to manage these negative thoughts and feelings, we’re able to make better decisions about what we want from life and how we’ll get there. The more you practice meditation, the more control you’ll gain over these emotions so they no longer hold you back from achieving what it is you want out of life.
12. Take care of your smile.
Your smile is the first thing people see when they meet you, so it’s important to take care of it if you want to glow up.
When it comes to your oral hygiene, you want to keep it as simple as possible because it’s usually the last thing on the priority list.
Not only will this keep your smile looking pretty, it will keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Be sure to brush twice a day for 2 minutes and floss once a day. Ideally, you want to do this after you eat your meals. You can choose fluoridated toothpaste or opt for one without such as xylitol to help prevent cavities.
You want to get a professional dental cleaning and visit the dentist about once or twice a year.
13. Sleep.
Get enough sleep each night to help yourself glow up. There’s nothing more rejuvenating than a good night’s rest. It not only reenergizes you but helps your brain function properly and helps your body heal.
Getting enough sleep is important for your health, but it can also help you glow up. Here’s how:
It helps you look younger. Sleep deprivation can cause premature aging. Studies show that when we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which breaks down collagen and leads to wrinkles and other signs of aging.
It’s good for your skin. Getting enough sleep helps you fight against acne, psoriasis and eczema because it regulates your hormone levels and boosts your immune system.
It makes you healthier overall. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to indulge in unhealthy foods and skip workouts — both of which can lead to weight gain and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
You have more energy throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue and irritability, which means less time enjoying life than being miserable through it!
14. Create a self-care routine.
I believe that self-care is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. Self-care is not selfish, it’s essential for everyone, even for busy people. You also need one if you want to be there for those who depend on you and to be your best and happiest self.
A great way to start incorporating self-care into your routine is by learning how to say no. Saying no is creating boundaries and limits for yourself in order to prevent burnout and preserve your energy. It’s not easy but it will save you time, effort, and emotional currency in the long run.
Once you are able to set limits and boundaries for yourself, you can start adding things to your self-care routine to help you achieve your glow. Be sure to start slowly and work your way up. You can start with a basic self-care routine that meets your core needs or pick a special day of the week, like on a Sunday, to do your self-care routine.
15. Create good habits.
Habits are essential to maintain your glow up. Good habits help you look, think, act, and feel your best because they’re done regularly to help you sustain good health.
When you create good habits, I recommend dropping bad habits too, or doing them in moderation. You don’t want to start a good habit while still indulging in a bad habit at the same time.
The first step toward creating any habit is understanding how it affects you now, so it’s important to take stock of what’s going on in your life right now before making any changes.
Make a list of all the different things that affect your daily routine, including work hours and commute time, sleep schedule, diet and exercise habits, stress levels and more.
Then pick a goal to work on until it becomes a habit and then continue to build the momentum until you are satisfied.
16. Create goals and plans.
Goals and plans are another great way to maintain your glow up. A goal is something that you work towards until you achieve it. A plan is a tool to help you organize your goals.
They both can help you measure your progress and periodically evaluate your daily glow up routine to see if it’s working for you or not.
It’s important for every goal to have a specific target date so that you can measure whether or not it’s been achieved by its deadline. Equally important is to make your goal realistic, even if it’s a small one, like deciding what day of the week is best for your manicure.
17. Practice self-affirmations.
Self-affirmations are positive statements that you tell yourself in order to help you feel better about yourself. They can help you feel more confident and calm, which will help you glow up.
Practicing self-affirmations are one of the most powerful ways to change your life for the better. It’s a great way to transform and change your life from within and gets better with practice.
Here are some examples:
“I am beautiful.”
“I am kind.”
“I am strong.”
“I am loved.”
18. Find good support.
One of the most important things to do as you try to glow up is to create a support system. You need people around you who will help you stay motivated, and who will also encourage you when they see you making progress.
You can start with family members or even friends who are willing to listen and help. If they’re not interested in being involved with your glow-up process, that’s okay! There are tons of resources out there for anyone looking to join a community of like-minded individuals.
Here are some things to keep in mind when building your support system:
Be open and honest with friends and family about your goals. Most people want to see you succeed, so they’ll be happy to help you out along the way. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing with certain people, that’s okay – just focus on building a strong circle of supporters who will be there for you no matter what happens.
Look for someone who’s been there before (and succeeded!). You don’t necessarily need someone who has already gone through a similar experience as yourself, but someone who has gone through something similar might be able to offer useful advice and insight into how they overcame obstacles or stayed motivated during their transformation process.
Choose people who won’t put down your goals or make fun of them (and if they do, kick ’em out). Having someone close to you constantly making jokes about your progress will only serve as a distraction from getting things done – and it’ll probably make you feel bad about yourself too! Instead, surround yourself with positive people who want to see you thrive and succeed.
19. Do a digital detox.
A digital detox can help you glow up by recharging and re-energizing your mind, body, and spirit. It allows you to unplug and unwind by eliminating the things in your life that are distracting, not adding to your life, or weighing you down.
When you take yourself away from these things, you’re better able to see the things that matter most in your life. The trick is having the willpower to stay away from the things you know are not serving you well when your detox is through.
Pick a day of the week or a period of time to stay away from your digital devices so you can unplug, unwind, and enjoy missing out on the latest happenings, gossip, and events.
When you are finished and when you are tempted to go back to your old ways, remember JOMO, or the joy of missing out. JOMO allows you to break away from the busyness so you can enjoy and be present with yourself and your loved ones.
20. Stimulate your brain and mind.
Intellectual stimulation can help you glow up both mentally and physically. Every time you learn something new, your mind levels up and your brain creates new cells.
There are many ways to engage with your brain and stimulate your mind.
Here are some ideas:
Read.
Reading is one of the best forms of mental stimulation. It’s easy to find a book you’ll enjoy — even if it’s just for five minutes at a time. There are also lots of great websites and apps that provide free book summaries and other resources related to reading.
Journal.
You don’t have to be an expert writer or poet to keep a journal; just write down whatever comes to mind. You can even write for just a few minutes each morning, if that’s all you have, to keep your mind and brain stimulated.
Learn.
Learn something new to help keep your brain and mind sharp. It doesn’t have to involve reading. It can be a hobby like collecting beautiful leaves or an activity like learning to dance or solving a crossword puzzle.
21. Practice gratitude.
One of the most important things you can do for your glow up is to practice gratitude. One way to practice gratitude is to write in a gratitude journal.
Another way to practice is to count your blessings or give thanks for what you have in your life. Gratitude helps you see the things that matter most to you in life and appreciate even the smallest things that are in your life and give you great joy and pleasure.
You don’t have to make a long list of the things you’re grateful for. Even if you’re grateful for one thing each day, the impact is powerful and life changing.
22. Increase your joy.
When you’re experiencing joy in your life, your face reflects it. You smile more, laugh more, and have more energy. You feel happier.
You’re more likely to be optimistic about the future and less likely to worry about past regrets or mistakes. Your thoughts are clear and focused on the present moment rather than being caught up in the past or future.
And all these things add up to an overall sense of well-being that we call “glow.”
But how do you get there? How do you increase your joyful moments? Here are just a few tips to add more joy into your life:
- Make a list of joyful things.
- Give yourself me time.
- Find out what you love.
- Celebrate your wins.
- Help others.
23. Get in touch with your spiritual side.
If you’re not sure what spirituality is, it’s basically the belief in something greater than yourself. It could be God or a higher power, or simply nature and the universe itself.
The word spirituality can be defined as the search for knowledge and understanding of the sacred or transcendent. It is a personal and often private search for meaning, a search that may include religious and spiritual beliefs.
Spirituality has been a part of human history since the beginning of time. The earliest documented religions were based on spiritual traditions. The religions of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Judea, and Greece were all founded on spiritual beliefs. Many of these ancient civilizations had religious texts that were considered holy by their followers. Some people still follow these same religious traditions today.
Spirituality is about more than just religion; it is about finding your own path to happiness and fulfillment in life through whatever means works best for you as an individual. You do not have to be part of a religious group or practice a certain religion in order to be spiritual or have spiritual beliefs or practices. You can find your own way by reading books on spirituality, talking with friends who share similar interests, or researching online resources like this one!
Being spiritually connected can help us feel like we belong somewhere in this world even when times are tough or we are having trouble finding our place in it all! This is why it’s a great way to glow up in a way that is transcendent and expansive.
24. Practice self love.
Self love is one of the most powerful tools we have to change our lives, to change our perspective, to heal our hearts and minds, and to grow into the best version of ourselves. It is what makes us feel whole, happy and connected to ourselves and others.
Self love is also the most difficult thing we can do in this world because it asks us to be vulnerable and open when we’ve been taught our whole lives that being vulnerable or open will hurt us.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. When you learn how to love yourself and practice it daily, it can help you glow up in amazing ways!
25. Practice acts of kindness.
We all know how good it feels to do something kind for someone else. An act of kindness is an important part of our spiritual and personal growth, whether it’s a small gesture or a grand gesture.
There are countless opportunities to practice acts of kindness throughout your day to help you glow up. They can be as simple as saying hello to a stranger, complimenting a friend, or asking the grocery cashier how her day went.
If you want to glow up in a way that is transcendant, it is also important to practice acts of kindness towards yourself, such as indulging in your favorite dessert, telling yourself how fabulous you are, or giving yourself a hug.
The Takeaway.
A glow up is a great way to improve your life, no matter what age you are. There are almost no rules when it comes to your glow up, as long as it makes you feel good.
It can be as small or as big as you want, like meditating for 5 minutes, reading a good novel for an hour, or shopping for a brand new outfit. You can even give yourself a 7-day glow up challenge where you do one good thing every day for yourself for 7 days.
You can start and stop your glow up any time you want and expect to see good results each time, even if it’s minimal. I hope you found these glow up tips helpful. Please let me know what you think in the comments!
