Beauty

nighttime routine

FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL MORNING

Written by Jennifer Miller

It’s summer. We’re barbequing, drinking spicy margaritas on the patio, and swimming in the lake. By the time bedtime rolls around, the last thing we want to do is our night time routine. And we wake up with yesterday’s activities written all over our faces. This is why it’s important to carve out a few minutes for yourself before bed time so you wake up fresh as a daisy ready for another fun summer day! The routine doesn’t have to be in depth, and doesn’t have to take up too much of precious time you could be sleeping. A few easy changes will have you waking up to a more beautiful morning in no time!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------If you don’t have an already established nighttime skincare routine and you remember being told to be home before the streetlights came on, it’s time to get one. If you see an esthetician or dermatologist on a regular basis, they are your best resource for establishing a nighttime skin routine that is best suited to your skin type, needs and goals. If nothing else, here’s a quick 4 step routine that’s easy to incorporate.

Double cleanse! Grab your favorite oil based cleanser and massage into your face. This helps remove all sunscreen (if you’re not wearing it, you should be.) makeup and dirt from your face. Oil and cream based cleansers can be rinsed or wiped off. Next, grab your gentle cleanser and wash your face again. This gets anything that may still be left after the first cleanse and helps get deep down into your skin and pores. Tone & Exfoliate. Toning can be done daily and exfoliating should be done at least twice a week to help remove dead skin. Serums & Retinols. Retinols should be used only at night, as they can cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. Moisturize! Heavier moisturizer is best at night as it gives it more time to absorb. Overnight masking also helps the skin hold in moisture from those dry, hot summer days.

skin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------hair Your hair needs as much attention as your skin. Especially in the summer, when we expose it to sun, heat, and chlorine. Try not to go to bed with excessively wet hair and ditch the elastic hair bands for a silk scrunchie. The scrunchie will help reduce overnight breakage. Invest in a silk or satin pillowcase. These won’t absorb your skincare like other fabrics and also help reduce facial lines and tames frizzy hair when you wake up! --------------------------------------------------------------------------nails Often the most forgotten body part to care for. Your nails and cuticles need love too. I find it easiest to keep a thick hand cream and cuticle oil on my bedside table so it’s in easy reach. OPt for a heavier lotion and cuticle treatment at night as, just like your skincare products, it has ample time to absorb. --------------------------------------------------------------------------body If you don’t like showering at night, consider a quick rinse to get rid of the sunscreen layers, sand, and sweat. And then moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Especially places like your lower legs and feet, which have the least amount of oil glands and are generally the first place on your body to get ashy and dry. For those of you who love a spray tan, nightly moisturizer is an important part of keeping it lasting a little longer. --------------------------------------------------------------------------mind All above can help you wake up looking refreshed but you need to feel refreshed too! Set yourself up for sleep success by trying for a consistent bedtime during the week. Swap your social media scrolling for a book which reduces blue light exposure and helps you sleep deeper. Trouble falling asleep? Spend 10 minutes doing a night time meditation, or journal all the things rolling around in your head so you’re not going to bed with so much on your mind. Lastly, fill up a diffuser with your favorite calming essential oils and drift off to your favorite scents.