Beauty Sleep: 5 Rules For Waking Up Prettier

Like most of the working population, I’m sleep deprived most of the time (these days, a weekend sleep-in is my ultimate luxury). Although I wage a daily battle with my snooze button each morning, most nights I’m working through my to-do list into the small hours vs getting an early night. But while I’m guilty of sacrificing a little sleep in favour of productivity, I’d rather not have my tiredness written all over my face each day and so ensure I put my skincare routine to work to minimise the signs of my sleep deprivation. Read on for my bedtime beauty rules and favourite products…

1// Cleanse properly. The first step to ensure you wake up looking less haggard is to remove every last trace of makeup. I’m a tiny bit OCD and cleanse three times; first I remove my eye makeup with Bioderma micellar water on a cotton pad, then an oil cleanser to melt away makeup and sunscreen, followed by a gentle gel cleanser.

2 // Treat repair. Because cell turnover is at its highest when asleep, bedtime if your skin’s cue to repair and recover. Give it a boost and add a treatment serum before your face cream. I alternate between an exfoliating serum (to combat dullness), a multi-vitamin treatment (when skin is unbalanced or playing-up), and an anti-oxidant serum (to compensate for bad habits and city-dwelling). Put a stop to any blemishes with a spot treatment (this Kiehl’s version is ultra-effective).

3 // Moisturise. Hydration = happy skin. No matter what skin-type you have, a double dose of moisture is key to waking up pretty. I alternate between a good face cream and a hydrating face oil (or both if things are serious). Drinking a big glass of water before bed and another as soon as you wake up will help too, and don’t forget to slather on a rich lip balm and hand cream.

4 // Glow. My skin is naturally the colour of snow (so very un-Australian of me), but a lack of sleep seems to leave me with even less colour. If winter or tiredness have left you equally pale, a little tan will do wonders and make you look more well-rested than you really are. I alternate between Palmer’s gradual tanning moisturiser and James Read’s overnight tan; both are un-tinted so while you’ll wake up with a sun-kissed glow, your white sheets will not.

5 // Calm. It doesn’t do anything for my skin, but This Works ‘Deep Sleep’ range is like a beauty chill-pill at bedtime. I spray the lavender mist on my pillows each night (and use the the bath soak if there’s time for that) and, perhaps by association, fall asleep almost the moment I smell it.

Pictured: Olivia von Halle pyjamas (also available in cotton a less-expensive style here) // Kate Spade sleep mask (sold out, but similar style here) // The White Company bedding // mirrored bedside table // table lamp // Diptyque candle // Jonathan Adler jewellery dish // Lulu Frost earrings // crystal earrings (vintage, but very similar style here) // books: ‘How to Have a Good Day‘ and ‘Talk Like TED‘ // Chanel ‘Beige Rose’ nail polish.
Beauty: Aerin Rose Oil c/- // Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair // Clarins Multi-Active night moisturiser c/- // This Works pillow mist // Aerin rose lip balm // Aesop hand cream // James Read Overnight Tan c/- // Aerin Ikat Jasmine perfume.

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I’d love to know your favourite night-time products and tips for the best beauty sleep (please do share in the comments below).

Love, Miss B xx