Most “glow up” advice is useless. Drink water. Get sleep. Be confident. Thanks, very helpful.
Table of Contents
This is different. These are 100 specific, actionable tips that actually move the needle. No fluff, no generic advice you’ve heard a thousand times. Just the protocols that work, organized by category so you can tackle what matters most to you.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or optimizing an already solid foundation, bookmark this page. Come back to it. Check off what you’ve implemented. In 6-12 months, you won’t recognize yourself.
For a more structured approach, check out our complete looksmaxxing guide or our glow up checklist for 2026.
Skincare (Tips 1-15)
Your skin is the first thing people see. Fix this first.
1. Use a gentle cleanser morning and night. CeraVe or Cetaphil work for most skin types. Harsh cleansers strip your skin and cause more oil production.
2. Moisturize even if you have oily skin. Skipping moisturizer makes oily skin worse. Your skin overproduces oil when it’s dehydrated.
3. Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen daily. UV damage is the #1 cause of premature aging. Non-negotiable. Find a tinted sunscreen if you hate the white cast.
4. Start using a retinoid. Tretinoin or OTC retinol is the gold standard for skin texture, acne prevention, and anti-aging. Start low (0.025%) and build up. Use at night only.
5. Add vitamin C serum to your morning routine. Antioxidant protection plus brightening. Apply before sunscreen.
6. Exfoliate 2-3x per week max. Chemical exfoliants (BHA/AHA) work better than physical scrubs. Don’t overdo it or you’ll damage your skin barrier.
7. Treat acne with benzoyl peroxide. 2.5% is as effective as higher concentrations with less irritation. Apply to active breakouts.
8. Layer products thin to thick. Serum, then moisturizer, then sunscreen. Give each layer 30-60 seconds to absorb.
9. Stop touching your face. Your hands carry bacteria and oil. Every time you touch your face, you’re transferring that to your skin.
10. Use eye cream if you have dark circles. Caffeine-based formulas reduce puffiness. Vitamin K helps with discoloration.
11. Wash your face after working out. Sweat mixed with bacteria causes breakouts. Cleanse within 30 minutes of finishing.
12. Change your pillowcase weekly. You’re pressing your face into it for 8 hours. Dead skin, oil, and bacteria accumulate fast.
13. Don’t skip skincare when tired. Consistency beats intensity. A basic routine done daily beats an elaborate routine done occasionally.
14. Consider professional facials quarterly. Deep extractions and professional-grade treatments accelerate results.
15. Get a full skincare routine that fits your budget. Check our guide to the best looksmaxxing skincare products for specific recommendations.
Hair & Grooming (Tips 16-30)
Your hair frames your face. A bad haircut can sabotage everything else.
16. Find a barber who specializes in men’s cuts. Pay $30-50 per cut. Bring reference photos. A good barber is worth the investment.
17. Get haircuts every 3-4 weeks. Maintaining the shape matters more than the initial cut. Overgrown hair looks sloppy.
18. Work with your natural texture. Fighting your hair type is a losing battle. Find styles that enhance what you have. Browse our guide to the best men’s hairstyles.
19. Invest in quality hair products. Drugstore products are fine for basics, but styling products should be salon-quality. The hold and finish are noticeably better.
20. Groom your eyebrows. Remove the unibrow and stray hairs. Don’t over-shape, just clean up. Read our guide on how to get better eyebrows.
21. Commit to facial hair or go clean-shaven. Patchy stubble looks lazy. Either grow it out properly or shave it off.
22. Use beard-specific products if you have facial hair. Beard wash, beard oil, and a boar bristle brush keep facial hair healthy and styled.
23. Trim nose and ear hair. Check weekly. Nothing ruins a groomed appearance faster than visible nose hair.
24. Keep your neckline clean. Shave or trim below your Adam’s apple. This alone makes you look 10x more put-together.
25. Master proper shaving technique. Shave with the grain first, then across. Use a sharp blade and quality shaving cream. Rinse with cold water after.
26. Consider a safety razor. Better shave, less irritation, cheaper long-term. Small learning curve but worth it.
27. Manscape strategically. Trim body hair if it’s excessive. You don’t need to be hairless, just groomed.
28. Address hair loss early. If you’re noticing thinning or recession, act now. Hair loss prevention works. Regrowth is much harder.
29. Find your signature scent. Cologne is the finishing touch. Apply to pulse points (wrists, neck) after moisturizing. Less is more.
30. Master your complete hygiene routine. Check our men’s hygiene essentials guide for the full breakdown.
Facial Aesthetics (Tips 31-42)
Optimizing facial structure goes beyond skincare.
31. Practice proper tongue posture. Your entire tongue should rest against the roof of your mouth. This is “mewing” and it actually matters for facial posture.
32. Breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing causes facial changes over time. Tape your mouth at night if needed.
33. Reduce body fat for facial definition. Your face leans out as you lose fat. Hollow cheeks and a defined jawline emerge at lower body fat percentages.
34. Chew hard gum for jaw development. Mastic gum or falim gum. 20-30 minutes daily. Builds masseter muscles over time.
35. Fix your posture. Forward head posture makes your jaw look weaker and face look rounder. Ears should align with shoulders.
36. Train your neck. A thicker neck improves your side profile and makes you look more masculine. Neck curls, extensions, and side raises.
37. Address under-eye issues. Dark circles can be genetic, but sleep, hydration, and caffeine eye creams help. Severe cases might benefit from tear trough filler.
38. Try facial massage and gua sha. Reduces puffiness and improves circulation. Not transformative but noticeable for lymphatic drainage.
39. Eat foods that reduce facial bloat. Foods that debloat can make a visible difference in facial definition. Cut sodium and alcohol.
40. Consider orthodontics if needed. Straight teeth and proper jaw alignment affect your entire facial structure. Invisalign is an option for adults.
41. Know what you can and can’t change. Bone structure is genetic. Focus on optimizing what’s controllable: body fat, skin quality, grooming, style.
42. Use AI to assess your current look objectively. RateByFresh gives you an honest AI analysis of your appearance and tracks your progress over time. Knowing where you stand is the first step to improving.
Teeth & Oral Hygiene (Tips 43-52)
Your smile matters more than you think.
43. Brush for two full minutes, twice daily. Most people brush for 30 seconds. Set a timer. Use an electric toothbrush.
44. Floss every single day. Not optional. Flossing prevents gum disease and bad breath that brushing alone can’t address.
45. Use a tongue scraper. Most bad breath comes from bacteria on your tongue. Scrape before brushing.
46. Get professional cleanings twice yearly. Even with perfect home care, you need professional cleaning to remove tartar buildup.
47. Whiten your teeth strategically. Whitening strips work for mild staining. Professional whitening for significant results. Don’t overdo it or you’ll damage enamel.
48. Avoid stain-causing habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking all stain teeth. Use a straw for dark beverages or rinse with water after.
49. Fix crooked teeth. Invisalign works for adults and is nearly invisible. Straight teeth change how your entire face looks when you smile.
50. Address bad breath at the source. If it persists despite brushing and flossing, see a dentist. Could be gum disease, cavities, or digestive issues.
51. Chew sugar-free gum. Stimulates saliva production which naturally cleans teeth. Xylitol gum actively fights bacteria.
52. Protect your teeth. Wear a mouthguard for sports. Consider a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Fitness & Physique (Tips 53-68)
Your body composition affects your face and how clothes fit.
53. Lift weights consistently. Resistance training 3-4x per week minimum. This is non-negotiable for building an aesthetic physique.
54. Master the fundamentals first. Squat, deadlift, bench press, rows, overhead press. These compound movements build the foundation.
55. Train in the hypertrophy rep range. 8-15 reps per set for muscle growth. Lower reps build strength, higher reps build endurance. Middle ground builds size.
56. Progressive overload is everything. Add weight, reps, or sets over time. If you’re not progressing, you’re not growing.
57. Eat enough protein. 0.8-1g per pound of bodyweight daily. This is the most important nutrition variable for building muscle.
58. Prioritize shoulders and back. Wide shoulders and a V-taper are the most aesthetically impactful. Lateral raises, overhead press, rows, pull-ups.
59. Don’t skip legs. Leg training boosts testosterone and growth hormone. Plus, chicken legs look ridiculous with a developed upper body.
60. Train rear delts specifically. Rear delts are the difference between rounded shoulders and 3D shoulders. Face pulls, reverse flyes, rear delt rows.
61. Direct arm work matters. Compound movements aren’t enough for impressive arms. Curl and tricep variations 2-3x per week.
62. Get to 12-15% body fat. This is where facial definition emerges and abs start showing. Below 12% is harder to maintain but more impressive.
63. Sleep 7-9 hours for recovery. Muscle grows during rest, not in the gym. Poor sleep tanks testosterone and growth hormone.
64. Supplement with creatine. 5g daily. Most researched, most effective supplement for strength and muscle. Cheap and safe.
65. Moderate alcohol consumption. Alcohol tanks testosterone, disrupts sleep, adds empty calories, and causes facial bloating. Limit to weekends or cut it entirely.
66. Be patient with results. Real physique transformation takes 2-5 years of consistent training. Not 12 weeks. Manage your expectations.
67. Include cardio for health. 150 minutes of moderate cardio weekly minimum. Doesn’t have to be boring, play sports, hike, or do active hobbies.
68. Follow a proven program. If you’re a beginner, try our beginner aesthetic workout routine. Don’t make up your own program until you know what you’re doing.
Posture (Tips 69-75)
Posture affects how tall, confident, and attractive you appear.
69. Align ears over shoulders over hips. This is proper standing posture. Most people have forward head posture from phone and computer use.
70. Strengthen your upper back. Rows, face pulls, rear delt work. Weak upper back muscles can’t hold proper posture.
71. Stretch your chest and hip flexors. Tight chest pulls shoulders forward. Tight hip flexors cause anterior pelvic tilt. Stretch daily.
72. Practice chin tucks. Pull your chin back like you’re making a double chin. This trains proper neck alignment. Do 10 reps several times daily.
73. Take movement breaks. Every 30-60 minutes, stand up and move if you work at a desk. Set a timer.
74. Train your core properly. Strong core supports good posture. Planks, dead bugs, pallof presses. Not just crunches.
75. Set up your workspace ergonomically. Monitor at eye level, keyboard at elbow height. Poor desk setup guarantees poor posture.
Style & Fashion (Tips 76-88)
Clothing is the easiest way to instantly improve your appearance.
76. Fit is everything. A $30 shirt that fits perfectly beats a $300 shirt that doesn’t. Clothes should skim your body, not hang off it or squeeze.
77. Build a capsule wardrobe. Start with versatile basics in neutral colors that work together. Check our capsule wardrobe guide.
78. Invest in quality over quantity. Better to own 20 quality pieces than 50 cheap ones. Quality fabric looks and lasts better.
79. Know your measurements. Neck, chest, waist, inseam, sleeve length. Essential for buying clothes that fit, especially online.
80. Get key pieces tailored. $10-20 alterations transform off-the-rack clothes. Tailor your jackets, dress pants, and dress shirts minimum.
81. Upgrade your shoes. Shoes make or break an outfit. Clean, quality footwear in versatile styles. White sneakers, leather boots, dress shoes.
82. Match belt and shoe leather. Brown belt with brown shoes, black belt with black shoes. Basic rule that many guys ignore.
83. Dress for your body type. Slim fit for thin guys, regular fit for athletic builds, structured shoulders for narrow frames. Learn what flatters you. See our guide on clothes for every body type.
84. Layer intentionally. T-shirt, button-down, jacket. Each layer should be visible and add something. Layering adds visual interest and depth.
85. Own at least one good suit. Navy or charcoal, well-fitted. You’ll need it for weddings, interviews, and formal events.
86. Keep accessories minimal. A quality watch, simple bracelet, maybe a ring. Don’t over-accessorize. Subtlety wins.
87. Take care of your clothes. Follow washing instructions, hang shirts, use shoe trees. Clothes last longer and look better with proper care.
88. Find your aesthetic. Men’s fashion aesthetics range from minimalist to streetwear to dark academia. Find what resonates with your personality.
Body Language & Confidence (Tips 89-96)
How you carry yourself matters as much as how you look.
89. Take up space. Don’t shrink. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, shoulders back. You have a right to the space you occupy.
90. Maintain eye contact. Look people in the eyes when speaking and listening. Breaking eye contact first signals submission.
91. Walk with purpose. Head up, shoulders back, moderate pace. Like you’re going somewhere important. Because you are.
92. Move deliberately. Slow down. Rushed, jerky movements signal nervousness. Smooth, purposeful movement signals confidence.
93. Eliminate fidgeting. Stop touching your face, playing with your hair, bouncing your leg. Stillness projects confidence.
94. Be present in conversations. Put your phone away. Face the person. Listen actively. Being fully present is rare and magnetic.
95. Develop a firm handshake. Web to web, firm grip, two shakes max. Practice until it’s automatic.
96. Smile genuinely. A real smile reaches your eyes. Practice in the mirror. People who smile are perceived as more attractive and approachable.
Lifestyle & Mindset (Tips 97-100)
The foundation everything else builds on.
97. Optimize your sleep. 7-9 hours, consistent schedule, dark cold room. Sleep affects everything: skin, muscle recovery, mental clarity, energy.
98. Manage stress actively. Chronic stress ages you, causes breakouts, promotes fat storage, and kills testosterone. Exercise, meditation, time in nature.
99. Eat whole foods 80% of the time. Protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains. The remaining 20% can be whatever. Don’t overcomplicate nutrition.
100. Commit to the long game. Real transformation takes 6-24 months, not 30 days. Show up consistently even when motivation fades. Results compound over time.
What’s Next?
You now have 100 specific, actionable tips. But information without action is worthless.
Pick 3-5 tips from this list that address your biggest weaknesses. Implement them this week. Once they’re habits, add more.
For a structured approach to your glow up, check out:
- The Complete Looksmaxxing Guide – our comprehensive cornerstone guide
- Glow Up Checklist 2026 – actionable checklist format
- How to Look Better as a Guy – practical quick wins
- Softmaxxing Tips – non-surgical optimization strategies
Track your progress with RateByFresh to get objective AI feedback on your transformation.
Your move.