Glow up means to become noticeably better-looking, for example after a new hairstyle, a change of style or starting to take better care of yourself. The word is approving and a little playful; people write it in comments on social media and say it to friends. In a letter, an essay or IELTS Speaking, say it neutrally: She looks much better than she used to.
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glow up + over the summer / since + time; have a (real/total) glow-up; glowed up (past)
- Have you seen Anna lately? She's totally glowed up over the summer.
- New haircut and new glasses? Honestly, you've glowed up so much since uni.
- His glow-up after he started going to the gym is unreal.
What changed
First versionShe made a real glow-up after she changed her hairstyle.
RevisionShe had a real glow-up after she changed her hairstyle.
With the noun glow-up, English uses have, not make, just as in have a haircut: She had a real glow-up. Make can feel logical because someone is changing something about themselves, but it doesn't combine with glow-up. You can also skip the noun and use the verb: She really glowed up.
Glow up differs from grow up by just one letter, but the meanings are different: grow up means to become an adult, while glow up means to become better-looking. She grew up in a small town and glowed up after moving to London. There's also a small spelling detail: the verb is two words, glow up, and the noun has a hyphen, a glow-up.
Your turn
After a year of running and a new haircut, Maria ___ a total glow-up.
Show the answer
had — Glow-up is a noun here, and it needs the verb have: had a total glow-up. Made a glow-up may seem logical, but native speakers don't say it.
Write to a friend about someone you know who has become noticeably better-looking. Say what exactly changed in their appearance and over what period.
My cousin has really glowed up this year: she cut her hair short and started wearing brighter colours.
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