Most guys want to look better, feel better, and move through life with more confidence. But they either overcomplicate it or don’t know where to start.
Let’s fix that.
Watch the video version of this article here:
1. Think of It as an Investment
Glowing up isn’t some social media trend. It’s one of the highest return investments you can make in yourself.
Looking better improves your dating life, social life, job prospects, and daily confidence. Attractive people get treated better. That’s reality.
Women figured this out early. Men are finally catching up.
[Related: Male vs Female Gaze]
2. The Golden Formula
After years of creating content and consulting guys one-on-one, here are the three areas that give the biggest payoff:
Body Fat
You don’t know what you really look like until you get lean. Dropping body fat reveals your actual bone structure and makes your features pop.
Do it right. Lift weights, do cardio, eat enough protein, and track your calories. No shortcuts. Skinny with no muscle is not the goal.
[Related: How to Lose Fat Without Losing Muscle]
Complexion
Healthy skin comes from circulation, movement, and nutrition. Get outside, break a sweat, eat vegetables high in beta-carotene like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Use tan drops or tinted lotions while you improve naturally. A healthy glow makes your face look alive.
[Related: How to get a tan without the sun]
Contrast
Some faces are high contrast (light skin, dark hair, light eyes), others are low contrast (similar skin, hair, and eye tones).
Knowing where you fall helps you pick the best haircut, beard style, clothing colors, and jewelry tone. It’s the cheat code to looking sharp without doing much.
3. Effort Beats Money
Yes, rich people can hire chefs, trainers, and dermatologists. But 90 percent of this can be done for free or cheap if you’re willing to learn and put in effort.
- Learn proper form and create a training plan
- Build a skincare routine using proven ingredients
- Cook clean meals using fresh food
You don’t need a big budget. You need commitment.
[Related: Affordable Grooming Upgrades That Actually Work]
4. Don’t Tunnel Vision
Most guys put all their focus into lifting. But glowing up is about synergy.
A guy with a decent body and great grooming will look better than a jacked guy with bad skin and zero body care.
Cardio helps you get leaner, but it also improves circulation, which improves skin and hair. Body care makes muscle definition pop more. Everything stacks.
[Related: The Skincare Routine Every Guy Needs]
5. Get Specific
Glowing up can feel overwhelming because it touches everything—your skin, your hair, your grooming, your body, your style.
Start with three goals:
- Lose weight
- Start a skincare routine
- Get a haircut that suits you
Each of those leads to more: calorie tracking, meal prep, gym routine, skincare research. Most guys give up here, but if you stick with it, you’ll already be ahead of 90 percent of men.
[Related: Best Haircuts for Your Face Shape]
6. Glow-Up Essentials (2025)
These are the real tools I use and recommend:
- Philips OneBlade – close shave without ingrowns
- Slick Gorilla Sea Salt Spray + Light Work Clay – volume and texture with no residue
- Molton Brown Body Wash – top-tier scent
- Redken Shampoo and Conditioner – works for any hair type
- Waterpik Water Flosser – daily dentist-level clean
- TheraBreath Mouthwash – fresh breath, no harsh burn
- Metal Tongue Scraper – removes buildup
- Bioré Nose Strips – clears blackheads weekly
- The Ordinary AHA/BHA – exfoliates body and face
- Vaseline Cocoa Glow + Palmer’s Body Oil – smooth skin and subtle shine
- Manscaped Silicone Scrubber – actually cleans your body
- Aquaphor – overnight fix for dry lips
FAQ: How to Glow Up as a Guy
Q: What is the first step in a male glow up?
A: Start by cleaning up your diet and getting consistent with sleep. Your skin, energy, and overall vibe will improve in days. Add a basic skincare routine and you’re already ahead of most guys.
Q: How can a guy look more attractive naturally?
A: Lower your body fat, improve posture, stay well-groomed, and get more sun and steps in daily. These are low-effort but high-impact ways to boost your appearance without doing anything drastic.
Q: What skincare routine should men follow to glow up?
A: Keep it simple. Cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning. Cleanser, treatment (like a retinoid or AHA), and moisturizer at night.
Q: How do I glow up fast as a guy?
A: Focus on what gives you the biggest return: improve your haircut, start lifting, fix your skin, and clean up your wardrobe. These 4 moves alone will change your whole presence in a few weeks.
Q: What’s the best grooming routine for a glow up?
A: Trim body hair, exfoliate weekly, moisturize your skin, keep nails clean, and use a clean, subtle fragrance.