Beauty Hacks that are Science-Backed

By Rachel Grunwell – writing geek to wellness geek (coach, yoga teacher, author + writer)

Introducing the Phuel Well series – empowering women to elevate their wellbeing, create more energy and live with more purpose, confidence and vitality. Held at the Red Room in Auckland.

Phuel Well’s purpose: To connect monthly with a community of women for movement, learning and connection – talking about ways to have more energy and on how to fuel a more vibrant life. Different speakers each time. Same energy!

A – Avocado:

Good fat, great skin. Eat it, wear it, love it. (Yes, the flesh or oil makes an excellent face mask. And yes, it’s selfie-approved.)

B – Biological vs Chronological Age:

You can’t stop the birthdays, but you can trick your cells into thinking you’re 10 years younger. 

B – Blue Zones:

Where people live long, stress less, and still look fabulous at 90. Think: plants, purpose, and good friends — not protein shakes and panic.

C – Collagen:

Think hair, skin, nails, joints… basically, your body’s building glue.

C – Calm:

It’s contagious. The best beauty filter is inner peace (and maybe eight hours’ sleep).

C – Confidence:

The glow you can’t buy in a bottle.

D – Drinking (as in alcohol):

Rethink it. Alcohol’s a beauty burglar — steals your glow and your energy.

E – Exercise:

Because nothing looks as good as feeling strong feels.

F – Food:

If it grows in the ground, on trees, or moves — it’s probably good for you. Real food = real glow.

F – Fasting:

Autophagy: the fancy science word for your cells taking out their own trash. 

F – Friends:

Your real anti-aging secret. Connection beats collagen. Harvard Uni says so.

G – Gratitude:

Science says it rewires your brain for happiness. Brene Brown says it reconnects us. We say — it’s gorgeous energy.

G – Gut:

Healthy gut, happy skin. Think miso, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha — not crash diets and chaos.

H – Heal Thy Self:

Therapy is self-care, not shame. Healing is hot.

I – Intelligence (Emotional, that is):

Kindness + self-awareness = the most magnetic combo on earth.

J – Joy:

Turns out joy makes you more you. And nothing’s more beautiful than that.

K – Kindness:

Still the prettiest trait. Full stop.

L – Love:

Give it out freely — it’s the best anti-aging serum going.

M – Manuka Honey:

Nature’s sweet little overachiever — antibacterial, antioxidant, and glowy AF.

M – Mindfulness:

Stay present, stay peaceful, stay pretty (in the soulful kind of way).

M – Mirror Magic:

Admire beauty in others and notice what draws you in — that’s your roadmap to your own glow.

N – No:

The word that protects your peace, your skin, and your sanity. Say it with love.

O – Oxytocin:

The love hormone. Hugs, pets, and belly laughs boost it.

P – Protein:

For muscles, hair, nails, and energy. It’s not just a gym thing.

Q – Quit Toxic Relationships:

They age you faster than sugar.

R – Rest:

Recharge, reset, repeat. It’s not lazy — it’s luminous.

S – Sugar:

Sweet… but sneaky. Sugar ruins your looks.

S – Sleep:

The original beauty treatment. Dark room, cool temp, no screens. Magic.

S – Stress:

Manage it or it manages your glow. Yoga, nature, laughter, and friendship all help.

S – Smile:

Instant facelift. 100% contagious.

T – Telomeres:

Tiny protective caps on your DNA that shorten with stress. Treat them kindly — they’re your cellular youth serum.

U – Understanding:

Judgment is ugly. Compassion never goes out of style.

V – Vitamins A & C:

Science-backed beauty heroes — your skin’s best friends.

W – Whole Fats:

Coconut oil, olive oil, oily fish — feed your glow from the inside.

X – X-Factor:

You’ve got it. Yes, you. Own it.

Y – Yes:

To people who lift you higher, not drain your sparkle.

Z – Zinc. Found in seeds, nuts, and shellfish — or in your SPF, which you should be wearing daily anyway

Beauty is biology + behaviour + belief.

The science says you can glow younger — but the secret sauce? A happy gut, a calm mind, and a kind heart. 💛