The Glow Code

by Michelle McIvor

When I was 41, I learned how to wash my face. Turns out I’d been doing it wrong. (Hint: ditch cleansing wipes!) This made me wonder what else I didn’t know. Like: Cardio or weights? Why can’t I sleep? Is there a trick to ordering good wine? Or buying art? I figured if I still had questions about how to adult and age like a superwoman, maybe you did too.

The Glow Code provides all the answers you need to feel, look, and live better in midlife and beyond. Rich in advice from top scientists, psychologists, makeup artists, fitness and nutrition authorities, and others, this book offers strategies and tips for better fitness, friendships, sex, creative practices, and more. And to make sure it works, I’ve tested it all—with sometimes hilarious results.

Fun, practical, and inspiring, The Glow Code is the manifesto to aging joyfully. For all of you with minimum free time but maximum ambition to rock this next stage of life, welcome to your cheat sheet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

264 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Tlwinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much from this only because I never get much out of self-help books. I find that I am a pretty well-adjusted and healthy person, in both mind and body. But this was really fun. The author has a great sense of humor and the topics discussed in this book could actually be taken right out of conversations I have had with girlfriends- like with all the TikTok videos and Instagram reels (which are OVERWHELMING), how is one supposed to know what the best course of action is with your skin and/or what type of exercises a pre-menopausal woman should be doing?? This book touches on it and I got some useful information that I'll use. I hadn't even thought of the decline in my creative side, but after reading a chapter about it, I have realized that it IS something I've been missing and Michelle gives easy tips for bringing creativity back into one's life. Oh! I learned a new tip about ordering/buying wine, as well as how to connect more with my husband all through short, lively chapters that cut to the useful information quickly without dragging anything out in chapter after chapter of dry, scientific text- which is usually my downfall with nonfiction/self-help. I was glad I read this book for no other reason than it reinforced everything that I was already doing well! This is a super GIRL POWER, sisterhood-type book. I've already recommended it to my girlfriends.

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the end, I found myself skimming the chapters. I’m sure some of the advice is useful- but I remain unconvinced that I need an expensive vitamin C serum for my eyes. This felt like a read for women with time on their hands, and the money to indulge themselves. And although the title says “Look good at any age”, the advice is aimed for women in their forties. Not really worth the time or effort, in my opinion.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a miss for me. The author considers 35 to be older and is in her early forties. She interviewed a couple of self proclaimed experts for each section like skin care, heterosexual sex, etiquette, how to buy fine art, sleep, exercise, etc. Each chapter has a lot of rambling about her own experience, advice from the expert or two, and then takeaways that are summarized in a few sentences. None of it is groundbreaking and most of it involves spending a lot of money. It is very rudimentary in most cases, like the advice about money is to find a reputable financial planner and then if you think you can invest $500 a month then do $550 instead.

The author is wealthy, white, straight, married, thin, healthy and in her forties with two young children, a helpful husband and no apparent serious challenges in any way. The book is written only for her own demographic. There is no advice for women with health issues, disabilities, financial problems, relationship difficulties, aging parents, depression, neurodivergence, etc. There is no talk about menopause, even though that’s right around the corner for the author and her demographic and will lead to new issues in most of the topics this book covers.

The gist of the advice is accept your body, eat what you want, lift heavy weights, buy expensive face creams but don’t use a ton of products, stop drinking (but there’s a chapter on how to buy the best wine), get sleep, drink cow milk, eat more protein, make time for friends and creativity, use sex toys and lube, have maintenance sex, and buy fine art that you like and hang it at 53 inches.

I read the entire book but didn’t learn anything new. Those in the author’s demographic who do not research any of these issues already may enjoy it more. Sorry to be harsh, but I would have been very disappointed if I had spent money on this book and was anyone but a wealthy, healthy 40 year old straight white woman with a near perfect life already.

I read a digital review copy of this book via netgalley.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!

Michelle McIvor’s writing style is perfection. While the tone reads like you’re chatting with a good friend, the information is thoughtfully presented, nonjudgmental, witty, and filled with obvious love and care for women.

The layout of the book allows you to pick and choose which chapters you want to read based on your topics of interest. That being said, I loved the first chapter so much I just kept going and read it front to back! I’ve already gone back and revisited certain sections (I’ve got to get some sticky notes!!) and have started implementing advice from many of the chapters.

I love the fact that she uses multiple expert voices in each section, tests the advice herself (so funny at times), and then gives a little summary cheat sheet at the end of each chapter.

This book is a must have for any women looking to purposefully navigate their middle years and beyond in the best possible way for themselves.

[Anya Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This lifestyle and beauty guide is written in a fun and engaging way by the author who explores various methods of ‘feeling your best’, speaking to experts, and testing out the methods herself. Each chapter explores a new topic, from skincare to exercise, with diary sections when the author is incorporating the guidance into her daily routine. Unfortunately, I do not think I was the audience for this particular book, all of the guidance felt incredibly basic. I was hoping for something more mature and nuanced, but most of the suggestions were nuggets of information I saw spoken about years ago on TikTok. Certainly, a helpful guide for someone who maybe is starting from scratch, but not revelatory.

[Sarah Giani · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much stuff out there around aging and all the things you can do to run from it. This book is NOT one of them. This book embraces how to celebrate you at any age really and the cheat sheets are your little tickets to just feeling good! I loved the format, the tone- it made me laugh, it gave me a little cry and it taught me how to wash my face at 47! Michelle shares some great nuggets for the post 30s life tool belt. It is no nonsense, her tips do not break the bank and there are so many lightbulb moments that surfaced and landed. She partners with so many experts to really dive into the why and the how. This one is staying on the nightstand as it is a great book to go back to, I fricken loved it.

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely had some helpful tips and I enjoyed all the different interviews and snippets from various experts. There was a good dose of neuroscience sprinkled in, which is always appreciated. Some of it felt more upper crust—how to add to your art collection or manage your financial portfolio. Overall though a solid self help book.

[Tyler Chisholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book on many levels, from the honesty to the humour to the "expert" perspectives; this is a must-read for anyone looking to age into the best possible version of themselves.

[Pari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what we all needed.

The Glow Code was a helpful pep talk, an easy read, and wonderfully practical. One of those books I will keep handy and reference often.

[Cgbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining read! Author is an excellent writer and the book is light and reads easily; like your best friend giving advice. Does a great job providing lots of info without getting too bogged down in singular concepts like most non-fiction. Author covers a lot of topics in a clear, concise package. The book does well to weed out the bad advice on social media and provides good advice from actual, credible experts. Like most self-help books, there isn't a secret elixir you can take - but the author actually undertaking advice and providing her experience, makes it a more personal endeavor instead of just "do this and do that".

Almost a choose your own adventure where you can pick what section you want to read. Like a fun lifestyle magazine with much more information. Would highly recommend!

[Audra Osgood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need help with adulting like myself this book is a must! Simple, evidence based, and trialed tips to help manage daily life, aging, and everything in between. Michelle has done her research and gone through all the false information out there to provide us real advice! And not just any advice but from successful, confident women in the field. She also ties in her own life stories, talks to the experts and keeps it real :) I fully enjoyed this read!

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!
Full disclosure: Michelle is a friend. She's smart, funny, kind and strong. All of those qualities shine through in her book.