HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP
Picture this – you wake up to the piercing sound of your alarm. The sun is beaming through your window and after hitting snooze multiple times; you decide it’s time to get up. You roll yourself out of bed and with one eye open; you make your way into the bathroom. After reaching for your toothbrush, you glance in the mirror and are extremely startled by your own reflection. Your hair looks like it could nest a few bird eggs, your eyes are puffy and your skin is dry (how attractive). Sound familiar? Yep, we’ve all been there. And even though you’re probably wondering exactly why it’s called ‘beauty sleep’ when you wake up looking like you’ve just skydived out of a plane, there is, believe it or not, a valid reason for this commonly used expression. Now, as much as we’d like to think that we’re off the beauty-regime clock when we lie down for some shut eye, our slumber hours are oh-so-precious and have a major impact on our overall appearance. So, if you want better skin and healthier hair during the day, you’ve got to put in the hard yards at night. Hence why we’ve put together a list of steps to help you make the most of your beauty sleep. So follow these simple guidelines and you’ll be hash tagging #iwokeuplikethis in no time, people!
1. GO TO BED WITH A CLEAN FACE
Yes, at the end of the day, the last thing that any of us want to do is wash our face. But going to bed with a fresh, clean face is oh-so-important. If you sleep with your make-up on, you’ll clog your pores and this will lead to breakouts. Oh, and you’ll get wrinkles (seriously). So ladies, always cleanse your face before you hit the sheets and you’ll wake up with magnificently radiant skin.
2. WASH YOUR PILLOWCASE OFTEN
If you’re suffering from breakouts, especially on your cheeks, your pillowcase may be to blame. Make it a rule to wash and change your pillowcase on a regular basis. This will prevent bacteria from building up on your bedding and will allow your skin to rest in a clean environment. It’s also a good idea to flip your pillows over between washes.
3. SLEEP ON YOUR BACK
If you want wrinkle-free skin, say goodbye to spooning and hello to sleeping on your back! That’s right, sleeping on your side or with your face down on your pillow creases and puts pressure on the skin and can cause wrinkles to form. This is no beauty myth, ladies. So be sure to give this beauty trick a go before those crinkly lines set up camp for good! And if you find it hard to sleep on your back, try using an extra pillow to keep your head elevated throughout the night
4. MOISTURISE
If you suffer from dry, lifeless skin, invest in a good moisturiser and apply a decent amount to your face before you go to bed. It will help your skin stay hydrated throughout the night and you’ll wake up to a fresh, glowing complexion in the morning. There are plenty of anti-ageing night creams on offer, so pick one and stick with it!
5. WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
Keep those luscious locks of yours away from your face while you’re sleeping. Tie your hair back in a loose, low pony-tail (stay clear of a tight bun as this will cause the hair to break). Wearing your hair up will stop your hair’s natural oils from disrupting your complexion. Headscarves are a great way to tame your mane at night and keep those strands off your face.
6. INVEST IN A SATIN/SILK PILLOWCASE
We mentioned your hair resembling a bird’s nest earlier before…if this is something that you experience every morning then it’s time to swap your regular pillowcase for a silky new one. The textures of these particular cases are easier on the hair and help to avoid tangles and breakage. They are also much softer on the skin and don’t draw moisture from it like other pillowcases do. It’s a win/win situation!
7. TREAT YO’SELF
If you’re guilty of lathering, rinsing and rolling straight into bed, this is a habit that needs to be broken. Going to sleep with wet hair is a crime, ladies! Water swells the hair, which makes it more fragile and likely to split (and break) when you rub your head against your pillowcase. If you shower at night, spend the time to blow-dry your hair or wrap your hair up until morning (opt for a cotton t-shirt as this is better than using a towel). Bedtime is also a great opportunity to do overnight, leave-in hair treatments as the product will have the entire night to penetrate deeply!
So there you have it ladies, a few tips and tricks to help you sleep oh-so-beautifully. If you’re after healthier skin and hair, adopt these nighttime habits and you’ll never give yourself a fright in the mirror again!
WORDS BY NEISHA MULLHAM
