You’re glowing — but maybe it’s just boob sweat and bravado.

Let’s talk about that so-called “pregnancy glow,” shall we? You’re in your second trimester now — the phase where people say you’re radiant, luminous, goddess-like. And sure, your hair’s thicker, your skin’s doing something (weird but dewy), and your partner keeps saying you’re glowing. But here’s the truth, bestie: half the time, that glow is actually a carefully curated combo of sweat, hormonal chaos, and you fanning yourself with a cereal box at 3PM because your internal temperature is hotter than the sun.

This magical “glow” might feel less like a photoshoot and more like a sauna in your sports bra — and that’s okay. Because you’re working overtime, cooking up a whole human, and you deserve to look however the hell you want, glow or no glow. Let’s decode what’s really going on under that sweaty shimmer.

“Pregnancy glow: 10% hormones, 90% boob sweat.”

So what even is the glow?

Medically speaking (because science is hot), the pregnancy glow is real. Increased blood volume and those wild estrogen levels send more oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Your oil glands go into overdrive (hello, glisten), and all of a sudden you’ve got this radiant sheen that screams “fertile and fabulous.”

But — plot twist — that same hormonal soup can also bring acne, redness, and random dry patches that show up like uninvited party guests. So if you’re not feeling like the cover model of Glow Magazine, don’t worry. Most of us are somewhere between ethereal fairy and damp sponge.

The sweat is... relentless

Let’s normalize something right now: you’re going to be sweaty. Like, your-underboob-has-a-climate sweaty. That’s because your metabolism is up, your blood flow is turbocharged, and your body is working harder than a barista on Monday morning.

Second trimester heat waves are real. You may notice:

• Boob sweat (a.k.a. the OG pregnancy shimmer)
• Back-of-the-knee dampness (wtf?)
• Face shine, but not the TikTok-highlight kind
• Being “mildly” damp at all times

And don’t even get us started on nighttime. You go to bed looking cute and wake up like you’ve just completed a spin class in your sheets. Chic.

“Glow-up? More like sweat-down. Still fabulous though.”

The compliments are confusing AF

“You’re glowing!” is code for everything from “you look good” to “you look very pregnant but I’m scared to say that.” Sometimes it’s a genuine compliment, and sometimes it’s a friend’s polite way of saying, “You look… different.”

Here’s the thing: take the compliment. OWN IT. Whether it’s real radiance or just your latest layer of sheen, you are doing the most and deserve to be told you’re glowing, even if you feel more like a puff pastry left out in the sun.

Okay but what about the days I feel like a hot mess?

Oh girl. We all have those days — the ones where the mirror is like, “not today,” your ankles are plotting agains

t you, and your skin is more blotchy than blushy. Here’s what you do:

• Drink water like it’s your job
• Swipe on a bit of lip gloss (power move)
• Throw on your fave Emamaco maternity leggings and pretend you’re starring in a chic fitness influencer reel
• Stand in front of a fan and give yourself your own Beyoncé wind

Glow is a mindset, babe. You might feel puffy, flushed, or just “off” — but none of that erases the magic of what your body’s doing right now. You’re growing a literal person. You win.

Your new glam squad: hydration, humour, and Emamaco

Let’s be honest — glowing is easier when you feel comfy. That’s where Emamaco steps in. Their maternity leggings and shorts aren’t just soft, sculpting, and stretchy (although yes, yes, and YES) — they also breathe. So when you’re overheating just from standing in line at Coles, these babies have your back. And your bump. And your thighs.

Whether you’re embracing your inner glow goddess or surviving one hot flash at a time, Emamaco keeps you looking cool — even when your pits say otherwise.

e: 1.2em; padding: 10px 0;">Comfort + confidence = the glow-up formula they don’t teach you in prenatal class.

Not all glow is visible

Some days, your glow won’t show up in the mirror — it’ll be in your patience, your belly laugh, your growing belly, your unexpected moment of calm. It’s in the resilience. The quiet strength. The fact that you’re showing up, growing life, and still remembering to moisturise occasionally.

Whether you’re radiant and radiant or sweaty and swearing, your glow is yours. You don’t need permission. You don’t need a filter. And you certainly don’t need to compare yourself to some glowy Instagram mum who has clearly never known the shame of waddling into Woolies in mismatched sliders.

“Glowing isn’t about perfection — it’s about power. And maybe highlighter.”

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✨ Want to glow harder, sweat smarter, and feel supported through every shimmer? Slip into Emamaco’s maternity collection and let the glow-up begin — boob sweat and all.

Stay radiant, stay ridiculous, and remember: queens sweat too 💅
—The Emamaco Glow Team