Glow-up ingredients

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Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter with product recs from a shopping writer. I know what’s good, and I can tell you exactly why.

This week—while relishing the pure ecstasy of in-season tomatoes and thinking about how if my sons ever end up in a love triangle like the brothers on The Summer I Turned Pretty (excellent show; embarrassing title), I’ll kick their butts—I’m taking stock of what’s gone into my recent glow-up.

I’m done having kids, and while I’m comfortable looking like a mother of two—a grown woman💅🏻—I like feeling good. And clawing my way into my hot-mom era has been a delight.

To be sure, “hot” means many things. If you ask me, a hot human is a healthy human. Or maybe you’re just hot ‘cause it’s hot outside. In any case, a touch of vanity never hurt anyone. Do you. No rules.

These are actually good things I use regularly to look good and feel healthy.

Glow-up ingredients for hot humans

1. Fitbit Inspire 3

I have the Fitbit Luxe with the gold Gorjana band—the brand’s slimmest option, which is now discontinued (why??). The Inspire 3 appears to be the closest in size. I hate notifications, so my settings make it just a clock and pedometer. Walking works! It just does. I’ve averaged 10,386 steps a day in 2025.

Fitbit Inspire 3 $79.95

2. Rembrandt Deeply White Whitening Kit

Almost all teeth-whitening products use the same active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, because it’s effective. So, what makes the good ones stand out isn’t the formula—it’s the strip design. These ones from Rembrandt are it. The strips are large, they’re the same size for the top and bottom, and they cover the entire fronts and backs of your teeth. Why the backs? Natural teeth aren’t entirely opaque, so by erasing stains on both sides, your teeth get whiter quicker. Keep it simple. LED lights aren’t necessary here.

Rembrandt Whitening Strips $23.52

3. Vavily Minimalist Gold Chain

I tend to resist the impracticality of jewelry but can’t deny that the right pieces elevate an outfit. A teensy chain necklace flatters everyone and sidesteps trends.

Delicate Chain Necklace $13.95

4. Gorjana Lou Huggies

For low-key jewelry that goes with everything and doesn’t get in your way, pair the teensy chain necklace with simple gold huggies. I’m wearing this pair from Gorjana.

Gorjana Huggies $58

5. Herbivore Cloud Milk Firming Body Cream

Moisturized skin is healthy, and healthy skin looks hot. I don’t make the rules. But I do make this body moisturizer part of my nighttime routine because it makes my below-the-neck dermis look dewy and taut. It doesn’t hurt that the minimalist black-and-white container is aesthetic on my nightstand. Naturium The Glow Getter is good, too, and it’s half the price.

Herbivore Body Cream $34

6. Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel

This Japanese foot peel is the real deal. You put your puppies in the wraps for an hour, then wait a week until your feet shed their ecdysis like a mother-effing snake. As mentioned, I’m not rocking toenail polish this summer, and I walk like 35 miles a week, so monthly masks are how I keep my lowest extremities looking acceptable in sandals.

Baby Foot Exfoliation Peel $24.99

7. Fwee Glowy Jelly Pot

This sheer, buildable blush is dewy, dewy, dewy, chic, chic, chic. It’s just the thing for almost-no-makeup summer looks with jelly-donut cheeks and a wash of color on the lips.

Fwee Jelly Blush $18

8. SickScience PowerCycle Exosome Scalp Serum

I’m on a hair journey with this space-agey tincture by my side. It calls on exosomes to promote new growth. To my understanding, exosomes are bossy little sacs that tell cells how to act right. I also use the Hairmax red light and a microneedling stamp. It’s been over a year, and my efforts are working. Ask my hairstylist.

SickScience Hair Serum $58

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | Lululemon’s Glow Up Tight Is the Best Thing Since the Align Pant

• Byrdie | The Best Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin

What I’m reading lately:

• Let’s Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World by Danielle Friedman

• The New Yorker | Justin Bieber’s Messy, Improbable Masterpiece

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