How NOT to Look Like Sh*t in the Morning

One of my girlfriends and I were lamenting on how mornings are way hard lately, and she laughingly said “I wish I could just wake up prettier.” As we delved into the possibility of such sorcery, I learned a few things about her bedtime routine that probably weren’t helping - like that she often forgets to wash her face or that she regularly wears her wet hair in a tight bun before she hits the sheets.

With a few simple tweaks to your pre-bed prep, you can wake up looking better – and maybe with fewer things to tackle.

With a few simple tweaks to your pre-bed prep, you can wakeup looking better – and maybe with fewer things to tackle. | Beauty | Health | YummyMummyClub.ca

Remove the day

Avoid the racoon-rings and red-eyes from sleeping in your mascara. Before you climb into bed, take that makeup off and let your skin breathe. Not only are you more prone to breakouts when you sleep with your makeup on, you can actually damage your skin and cause premature lines and wrinkles. No thanks. Lazy? Make up removing wipes by your bed will help. Bonus: you won’t ruin your sheets with smeared mascara and eyeliner!

MOISTURIZE

Before bed, cover your face and neck (and hands, and your whole body if you wish!) in a moisturizer that works for your skin. Not sure what kind of moisturizer to use on your skin type? Ask Dan – he makes it!

I actually really like to use plain old coconut oil on my hands, feet and lips at bedtime. (I also work some into my hair once every two weeks before bed as a hair mask!)

Set a mandate to hydrate

Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to keep your skin (and the rest of you) hydrated and happy. If you have really dry skin, a humidifier may help keep your skin moisturized. Just make sure you cut yourself off about an hour before bed so you’re not making trips to tinkle when you should be in la-la land.

Use dry shampoo at night

Spritz or sprinkle dry shampoo into tangle-free hair and twist into a loose top-knot, securing with bobby pins, before bed and let it absorb oil all night. Wake up and shake out your hair for oil-free, voluminous hair with minimal effort. I love Pantene’s new dry shampoo, which boasts tapioca on the ingredient list to keep you from having unsightly white residue on your hairline. Don’t love dry shampoo? Braid or twist damp hair before you hit the hay and wake up to waves.

Slip into silky sheets

Or at least pillow cases. Silky or satin-y pillow cases can help reduce hair breakage AND they keep you from getting creases on your face. Not ready to swap your sheets? Make sure you avoid tight pony tails or buns at bedtime - you could break your hair in your sleep from the friction of moving your head on your pillow. Oh, and change your pillow cases regularly. Drool, dirt and bacteria = breakouts.

Prop yourself up

Speaking of pillows… sleeping on your back, slightly propped up, is the best way to avoid puffy eyes and sheet-creases on your face. It might take some getting used to (says the belly sleeper), but it’s really not so bad. For Mother’s Day, my son gave me one of these pillows and I’ve been using it religiously – plus it’s great for reading in bed!

Get thee to bed

The single best way to wake up looking better and well-rested? Get the rest you need! Turn off electronics and establish a bedtime routine that includes washing your face and moisturizing to help yourself relax. Having trouble sleeping? Alanna can help.