We all know what a beauty boost a good night’s sleep can be.
While you rest your skin cells regenerate and facial muscles responsible for creating lines relax. Plus your body pumps out the human growth hormone: crucial for collagen production.
But while a good eight hours is a great beauty tool in itself, you can enhance sleep’s natural benefits by amping up your pre-bed beauty routine.
Many face, hair and body products penetrate better while you rest, making your sleeping hours the perfect time to carry out the beauty maintenance you can’t fit into your busy day.
On these pages we share beauty tips and products to help you make the most of the hours between the sheets.
You may not fit in all the steps, but introduce a couple each night and you’ll save yourself time in the long run.
Hair Oil
Many hair masks demand you leave them on in the shower for five minutes, but who has the time for that? That’s why we’re loving hair oils. Simply warm between your hands then run through the ends of your hair before bed. Far from being greasy, most hair oils these days will absorb into your hair, letting all the good stuff work throughout the night.
Our top five picks:
From left to right: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil, $35. MoroccanOil Treatment, $67, 100ml. Kevin Murphy Young Again Infused Oil Treatment, $70. Matrix Oil Wonders Indian Amla Strengthening Oil, $22. L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, $38.
The Crease Controller
Ever woken up with pillow crease marks? It really isn’t a good look, and as we age it gets harder for your skin to spring back into shape. That’s why you need something to smooth out those lines.
Our pick:
The Body Shop Drops of Youth Sleeping Bouncy Mask, $74. It’s said to have a ‘memory’ texture that works to mould the skin back into place with the help of stem cells. It could be just the thing you need and, just between us, you can also use it on those morning neck and cleavage creases too!
The Tanning Facial
Using fake tan at night might seem like you’re asking for trouble, but with the new generation of faux tans you can safely give it a go. For best results, choose a credible tanning cream that is colourless on application, and one that won’t rub off on your sheets. Some of the more recent varieties of fake tans even have anti-ageing properties built in, which means you can work to stop the ageing process while you also develop a bronzed glow!
Our pick:
St Tropez Gradual Tan PLUS Anti-Ageing for Face, $46. This is perfect to use at night as it’s colourless – but do remember to wash your hands after application as over time the colour will build. The formula also uses a mix of hyaluronic acid for hydration and omegas 3, 6, and 9 to help with skin firmness and elasticity. For best results, massage evenly into clean, dry skin. What more could you want from your tanning product?
The Hand Cream
Hand masks are having a bit of a moment right now, but they can be pricey. So why not slather on your favourite hand cream instead, before you go to bed? We think there’s nothing better.
Our top three picks:
From left to right: Anatomicals Be Good With Your Hands In Bed Night Time Hand Cream, $10. Ashley & Co Soothe Tube in Blossom and Gilt, $22. Avène Cold Cream, $25.
The Sleep Supporter
For all the benefits skincare can offer, it’s still important to get some quality shuteye. Magnesium works to ease stress and tension and relax muscles while tart cherry helps to get you to sleep – and stay asleep.
Our pick:
Go Healthy Go Magnesium Sleep, $33.
The Lip Balm
What better time than before you go to bed to give your lips a hit of hydration?
Top tip: Keep the balm on your bedside table so it can be your last step before you drift off.
Our top three picks:
From left to right: Mecca Cosmetica Lip de Luscious lip balm, $34. Trilogy Rosehip Oil Lip Balm, $20. Lucas’ Papaw Ointment, $9.
The Sleep Pack
Never heard of them? Well you won’t be alone. The trend comes from Asia and the thinking behind it is tired skin ages faster so it needs longer to recover overnight. In Asia it’s believed the first three hours of sleep (11pm-2am), known as the ‘golden hours’, are the most important for skin’s regeneration. So these ‘sleeping packs’ inject oils to calm skin during that time, helping it repair faster.
Our pick:
Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream. This cream, the first of its kind on the market here. Used every night, the formula helps reduce the signs of ageing and tiredness by improving tone and texture.
