5 Easy Ways to Have a Mini Glow-Up Before Winter

Lately, I’ve fallen into a bit of a rut. Between the change in weather, shorter days, and the nonstop routine of work and family, I’ve been feeling a little blah. Not bad, just flat, blah.

Whenever I get like this, I know it’s time for a small reset. Nothing major or time-consuming, just a few little things that make me feel more like myself again.

Think of this as your mini glow-up before winter, a quick refresh to help you feel put together, more like yourself, and ready for the season ahead. It’s really about getting back to the things we know make us feel good but always seem to be the first to fall off the list when life gets busy. And honestly, I just want to go into winter feeling good before the seasonal slump hits, because the East Coast can turn into a vortex of cold, dark misery.

1. Refresh Your Skin

Lately my skin is looking dull, and it makes me feel even more tired than I really am, which lately is saying something. When the seasons change, my skin is the first to notice. It always feels a little drier, a little tighter, and like it needs extra attention.

I keep it simple: a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week (this one from Paula’s Choice is simple and effective) and a moisturizer that actually makes my skin feel soft again. I’ve been using The Quench Barrier Repair Cream from BeautyBio, and it’s rich and hydrating without feeling heavy.

I’m also bringing back face masks, which always make a difference this time of year. You can see some of my favorites here.

The point isn’t to build a ten-step routine. It’s about clearing away what’s built up and giving your skin some breathing room again. Once my face looks awake, I usually start to feel that way too.

2. Give Your Hair Some Attention

There’s something about fall hair that just looks tired. The shift from humidity to indoor heat is brutal, and by October mine starts to feel like straw.

I try to slow down once a week and actually wash it right. I start with the goop Scalp Scrub to help remove any buildup or residue, then use a mask instead of conditioner. The LolaVie Intensive Repair Treatment is fabulous and has been helping with my very dry, breaking hair. I’ve also added the Nutrafol Hair Serum, which helps strengthen and hydrate my scalp and roots.

If it’s been a while, a trim or color touch-up can be the reset you didn’t know you needed. But even small habits help. I keep a silk pillowcase on my bed, run oil through the ends every few days, and try to use dry shampoo a little less so my scalp can breathe.

3. Take Care of the Rest of You

Everything below the neck becomes an afterthought once school starts and life speeds up. But there’s something about taking care of your body that brings you back to yourself.

Lately, I’ve been treating my body the same way I treat my face, and my skin is looking and feeling so much better. I started double cleansing in the shower, using the Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar as my first cleanse, followed by the Naturium Glycolic Acid Body Wash. The combination leaves my skin feeling incredibly clean and fresh without stripping it.

This is also the time of year I start exfoliating again and then follow with a thick body cream while my skin is still damp. I have a lot of body moisturizers I really like, but the Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA from Paula’s Choice is at the top of my list. It smooths everything out and makes my skin feel soft and healthy.

4. Revisit the Little Details

You know the small things that make you feel instantly better but somehow always end up last on the list? This is that category. Brows, nails, lips, teeth.

I always forget how good it feels to have a fresh pedicure, even if no one sees it. The same goes for using cuticle oil, a hand cream that actually smells nice, or a body lotion that feels like a treat instead of a chore. They seem insignificant, but they completely change how you feel getting dressed in the morning.

Every time I finally take a few minutes to shape my brows, whiten my teeth, or replace the old lip balm rolling around in my bag, I wonder why I put it off. These tiny details don’t make me feel perfect, but they do make me feel more like myself again.

It’s that quiet, subtle shift that reminds you you’re not falling apart, you’re just paying attention again.

5. Reset Your Routine

None of this matters if I’m running on fumes. A glow-up isn’t really about what’s on the outside. It’s about having the energy and clarity to care again.

This time of year, I try to get back to basics. I drink water like it’s my job. I make an effort to move every day, even if it’s just a quick walk while listening to a podcast. I try to go to bed earlier and focus on getting restful sleep, even if it’s not as much as I’d like.

It’s not exciting, but it works. When I do those small things, everything else starts to fall into place. I feel more grounded, and that’s when I start to notice myself again. Not the version that’s juggling everything, but the one who’s actually living it.

None of this is new or particularly exciting, but that’s kind of the point. These are the things we already know make a difference, yet they’re always the first to go when life gets busy.

Doing them again is less about looking better and more about feeling like you’re showing up for yourself, even in small ways. And that little bit of effort can change everything about how you move through the season.