TL;DR

A real glow up for 2026 isn’t about filters, trends or becoming someone else. It’s about feeling safe in your body, confident in your mind, and supported as you grow.

This guide helps teens and tweens build a healthy glow up through:

• Mental wellbeing and self-talk
• Confidence-building habits
• Offline hobbies and creativity
• Healthier relationships with social media
• Empowering books, movies and shows
• Simple daily habits that actually make life feel better

Because glowing up can be a good way to strive to better oneself, not a promise to change who they are entirely. 

What Does a “Healthy Glow Up” Actually Mean?

You know that part in a movie, when the main character gets a determined look in their eye, music builds, and suddenly there’s a montage of trying, failing, and finally growth?

That’s a form of a healthy glow up. When it isn’t about clothes, or makeup, or weight. When a character - or person - finds true confidence, self-understanding, and comes to realise no matter how many challenges life may throw at them, they can come back stronger. 

For teens and tweens, at least up until the under-16 social media ban here in Australia, a glow up may be perceived as becoming clear-skinned, poreless, and thin (AKA, our society's unattainable standard of “perfection”). So, as the new year closes in and mindsets shift to resolutions and seizing 2026, it’s important to remind your younger loved ones that a glow up isn’t about perfection. It’s about:

• Feeling comfortable in your body
• Trusting yourself
• Learning how to care for your mental health
• Having tools to cope when things feel hard
• Growing confidence at your own pace
• Detoxing from social media

A healthy glow up supportswho you already are, after all, not who the internet tells you to be.

So here are some tips on how to cultivate a healthy and effective glow up in 2026!

Glow Up Foundations for 2026

1. Reset Your Space, Reset Your Mind

No one thrives in chaos, especially growing brains. That’s why keeping a clean, fresh space is crucial. 

In fact, clutter can increase stress, overwhelm and distraction. A calm space helps your mind rest and keep your focus from wavering.

Space-focused glow up ideas:

• Start by sorting through one drawer, not the whole room
• Donate (or sell) clothes that no longer feel like “you”
• Create a calm corner: books, a journal, soft lighting
• Keep period care essentials within easy reach (no stress, no scrambling)

2. Build a Healthy & Inclusive Mindset

Glowing up = being a kind person, especially to ourselves. And an easy way to hack your brain into loving yourself more is through self-talk.

Try this daily mirror check-in:

• “Today, I’m going to do my best.”
• “Today, I’ll be kind. Especially to myself.”
• “Today, rest is allowed.”

Another idea is to shift these check-ins into tangible, achievable actions. Try telling the mirror:

• “Today, I’m going to do my best at sport practise.”
• “Today, I’m going to do three small acts of kindness for others.”
• “Today, I’m going to give myself space and rest after school so I don’t burn out.”
  

Finally,end the day with gratitude. You may choose to: 

• Speak to yourself in the mirror again
• Share what you’re grateful for at the dinner table with your family
• Or have a journal to write in before you go to sleep

But no matter the form, finishing your day by intentionally voicing what you are grateful for helps wire your brain to notice things to be grateful for while they happen.

This isn’t about toxic positivity. It’s aboutself-respect, self-trust, and learning that worth (yours and others) isn’t tied to productivity or appearance.

3. Confidence Need Training

Confidence is like a muscle; it grows through action, not comparison. This means, as uncomfortable as it sounds, you have to keep practising and pushing yourself to keep it strong. Here are some ideas:

Weekly confidence challenges:

• Order food or ask a question to a server on your own
• Call and book an appointment 
• Volunteer to answer a question in class
• Wear something becauseyou like it
• Say no without explaining

Confidence doesn’t mean being fearless, it means doing thingseven when you feel nervous.

4. Find Hobbies That Aren’t About Screens

With Australia's under sixteen social media ban, offline joy matters more than ever. And hobbies build identity, reduce anxiety, and make alone time feel good, not lonely, so what’s not to love about them?

Glow-up hobby ideas:

• Team or solo sports
• Creative writing, drawing, music or sewing
• Cooking or baking
• Gardening
• Learning a skill that could turn into a side hustle
• Volunteering

The more a hobby gets someone outside, moving, or creatively engaged, the better. But remember, the goal isn’t talent. You won’t be perfect at the hobby straight away. And while starting something new and not doing well can be embarrassing or frustrating, it is so important to persevere. Because throughout the process, you getjoy. And that’s what hobbies should be about.

When it comes to volunteering, it's great for humans, at any age or stage, but one of my nieces volunteered at a local cat shelter all through high school (she's off at university now) and found it to be a rewarding and magical experience. In her words, "Volunteering at my local cat shelter was crucial in helping me overcome my social anxiety and develop the courage to try something new, connect with strangers, and realise how much of an impact I can have on my community - all of which I have also since continued to prioritise and find a true passion for!" Zia, 19 years. 

5. Care for Your Body Without Changing It

Your body isn’t a project that you can alter, it’s your home. But unfortunately, it can be the thing glow-ups target the most. So here’s some healthy ideas on how to incorporate your body into a glow up.

Healthy glow up habits:

• Wearing clothes and underwear that feel comfortable and supportive
• Learning about your cycle and what your body needs at different times
• Finding a form of gentle movement that you love instead of punishing workouts
• Resting without guilt
• Eating to fuel energy, not control weight

After all, feeling secure in your body builds confidence from the inside out.

The Power of Less Social Media

Research consistently shows that reduced screen time supports better mental health, focus and social skills in young people.

Even with age restrictions, young people have still encountered:

• Grooming
• Bullying
• Harmful beauty standards
• Self-harm content
• Distorted ideas of success and worth

This is why it’s important to be proactive even with the ban. We need our young loved ones to limit their time online because their real lives are more fulfilling, not because they are being forced to. 

This isn’t about control or punishment. It’s aboutprotecting developing brains.

A Glow Up Rule for 2026:

• Less scrolling
• More reading
• More real-world connections

Don't you think this would be good for all of us, not just our teens and tweens??!!

Real-life connections and books don’t compare you to strangers, after all. They don’t interrupt your thoughts. They help your brain focus longer than 30 seconds, and in today’s world, that’s a superpower.

Empowering Non-Social Media Content

Movies (Themes & Why They Matter)

• Barbie (2023)- Identity, self-worth, rejecting impossible standards
• Hidden Figures (2016) - Intelligence, resilience, breaking barriers
• Soul Surfer(2011)- Body confidence, perseverance, redefining strength
• The Bucket List(2007)- Gratitude, purpose, meaningful connection
• Legally Blonde (2001) - Confidence, self-belief, proving people wrong (if you need to see a glow up in action, check out the montage from this movie)
• Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.(2023)- Puberty, periods, and the pressures of growing up
• Champions(2023)- Inclusion, teamwork, redefining success
• Moxie!(2021) - Standing up, feminism, finding your voice
• Blackfish (2013) - Critical thinking, empathy, ethical awareness (to inspire future activism)

TV Shows (Themes & Why They Matter)

• Alexa & Katie(2018)- Friendship, illness, resilience
• Atypical(2017)- Neurodiversity, family, independence
• Sex Education(2019)(for older teens) - Consent, communication, sexual and gender diversity
• Weekend Family(2022)- Blended families and change
• Planet Earth (2006) - Perspective, awe, connection to nature
• Becoming You (2020) - Child development, self-awareness, intercultural connection
• Thanks a Million (2020) - Gratitude and kindness (for the young people who are still desperate for a celebrity fix)

Books That Build Confidence & Character

Non-Fiction / Personal Growth

• I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai - Courage, education, speaking up
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey - Responsibility, goals, values
• Gritby Angela Duckworth - Perseverance over perfection (you can also watch her TedTalk on the topic by clicking here)

Fiction & YA

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio - Kindness, empathy, inclusion
• The Alchemistby Paulo Coelho - Purpose, intuition, growth
• Brown Girl Dreamingby Jacqueline Woodson - Identity and self-expression

Classics & Resilience

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - Individuality, perseverance, and imagination
• The Giver by Lois Lowery - Critical thinking and moral courage
• The Diary of a Young Girlby Anne Frank - Hope, humanity, resilience

Extra Glow Up Ideas for 2026

• Learn basic life skills (laundry, budgeting, cooking)
• Practise emotional regulation (naming feelings helps manage them)
• Create a “bad day plan” for tough moments
• Build friendships that feel safe, not draining
• Ask for help; it’s a strength
• Normalise periods, body changes and boundaries

FAQs / Q&A

Is a glow-up about changing how you look?
No. It’s about feeling goodin your body, not fixing it.

How can parents support a healthy glow-up?
Model kindness, talk openly about bodies and mental health, limit screens collaboratively, and prioritise comfort and confidence over appearance.

What if my teen doesn’t want to talk?
Connection doesn’t always come through conversation. Shared activities, watching shows together, or reading the same book can open doors. I've always found, and friends have said they do this, too, that chatting to your teen while driving somewhere can be far more beneficial and reap greater conversation rewards than trying to have conversations when face-to-face. 

How does period care fit into confidence?
Feeling prepared and supported during your cycle reduces stress, embarrassment and anxiety, which directly impacts confidence.

A Final Message

A real glow up isn’t about becoming someone else, it’s about growing into yourself with confidence, comfort and care.

For teens and tweens, feeling supported during puberty and periods is a huge part of that journey. Choosing products that prioritise comfort, body respect and easecan make everyday life feel calmer and more confident. Just click here to view our range and see for yourself, and let 2026 be the year we raise teens who feel safe in their bodies, strong in their minds, and supported every step of the way.