Morning breath. Dark circles. Frizzy hair. Wrinkle lines. Dull skin.
Ugh.
Is there anyone that feels good about how they look first thing in the morning?
Most of us, if in the vicinity of other people, rush to the bathroom to fix it before (hopefully) anyone sees us.
Is there any way to stop the embarrassment?
Good-for-You Ways to Wake Up Gorgeous
We all know that it’s best to wash off all that makeup before we go to bed. Otherwise it seeps into the pores where it can increase risk of blackheads and pimples, say nothing of robbing our skin of the nutrients it needs to repair itself overnight.
But oh the temptation just to leave on “some,” hoping for a better morning appearance!
Fortunately, there are better ways to do it that won’t cause breakouts or age your skin. Try these seven tips before bed to wake up looking refreshed.
1. Apply a good moisturizer.
Cleanse thoroughly with a quality, creamy cleanser (don’t dry out your skin with harsh sulfates), apply your anti-aging serum, and then use a moisturizer that will not only hydrate overnight, but sink deep into your skin to help it appear more plump and youthful the next morning.
We recommend our Calming Moisture for this purpose, because it’s got aloe vera, oat extract, and beta glucan to promote collagen production, soothe inflammation, and diminish the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. But whatever you use, check the ingredient list to be sure you’re getting a good nutrient punch.
2. Pamper your lips.
Waking up with those chapped, dry, old looking lips is so not attractive. Try using a gentle scrub at night after you brush your teeth. You can rub your toothbrush over your lips to loosen up dead, flaky skin, or use a sugar and oil scrub that carefully exfoliates. Then apply a nice, thick salve that will stay on through the night.
Regular old chapstick won’t do the trick. Many are make of petrolatum ingredients that just lead to dryer skin down the road. You need real butters and oils that penetrate and soothe. We recommend our Restorative Skin Balm for lips and cuticles to help you wake up with soft skin.
3. Drink water.
Hydration starts from the inside, and while you’re sleeping, your skin can get dehydrated going all those hours without moisture. Try drinking at least one glass of water before bed to help skin appear more hydrated and plump in the morning.
4. Sleep well.
This may seem to be a no-brainer, but how well you sleep can have a huge impact on how you look the next morning. Try to set a regular before-bed ritual that includes at least an hour with all technological gadgets off, the lights low, and your bedroom dark and quiet. A warm bath or some yoga before bed also helps to relax stiff muscles and dissolve stress.
Going to bed and getting up at the same time will also help set your body’s rhythms to sleeping when it’s time. Make sure your mattress is supportive and comfortable, and shoot for 7-8 hours a night.
5. Prep your hair.
Believe it or not, there are some things you can do to help improve the appearance of morning hair. If you tend to have fine, greasy strands, apply a little dry shampoo the night before and tousle through. It should help absorb the oil overnight, shortening your “get ready” time in the morning. (Don’t do this all the time, though-give yourself a couple nights a week where you allow the oils to moisturize the strands.)
If you have dry, frizzy hair, do the opposite-try a little leave-in conditioner or shine spray before bed and comb through to wake up with more manageable locks.
No matter your hair type, sleeping on a silk pillowcase (or wrapping a silk scarf around your hair) will help prevent friction and reduce your risk of morning bedhead and frizz.
6. Watch the before-bed snacks.
It’s best to close the kitchen at least two hours before bed. If your cravings won’t leave you alone, try a cup of hot tea (ginger, fennel, and chamomile are all good options), or a high-water fruit like watermelon, cantaloupe, or grapefruit, which will fill your tummy without adding too many calories while also hydrating at the same time. These types of foods will also reduce your risk of bloating so you wake up with a flat tummy.
Whatever you do, avoid carbs before bed. They’ll likely bloat you up and add to your morning weight.
7. Stop puffy eyes before they start.
If you’re someone who hates her morning puffy eyes, try some of the following options before bed:
- A moisturizing cream that contains caffeine
- Hemorrhoid cream
- Cooled, caffeinated tea bags on the eyes for about 10 minutes
- As long as it doesn’t disrupt your sleep, try elevating your head a bit above your feet, to help prevent fluid from collecting in your face and under your eyes
- Avoid drinking wine at night-it’s dehydrating and can cause flushing and puffiness
- Avoid salty foods late at night-they also contribute to water retention
- Check for allergens-pet dander, dust, and detergents can all trigger allergies, which could be the source of your puffiness
8. Use a humidifier in the bedroom.
If you live in a dry climate, this is a must to chase away dry, dull morning skin. Dry air pulls moisture from you while you sleep, giving you that gaunt, aged look in the morning. Just don’t forget to regularly clean your humidifier (once a week) so it’s not spreading germs through the night.
9. Get your glow on.
If you want a little more color on your skin, mix in a little self-tanner with your moisturizing cream and apply about an hour before bed. Go easy on it so you don’t have streaks or lines, but if you apply lightly and carefully, you’ll enjoy the healthy glow it gives you the next morning.
10. Crack the window open.
Fresh air overnight can help you wake looking refreshed. Indoor pollution is worse than outdoor, according to the EPA, and overnight-especially in a closed-off bedroom-we can breathe in more toxins than we might think.
Let the bad stuff out and the fresh air in to oxygenate your body-unless it’s noisy. Then, it may still be a good idea, but noise can stress you out while you’re sleeping, so try wearing earplugs or playing some white noise to cancel out any stressful sounds.
Do you have tips for waking up looking your best? Please share them with our readers.
