Wake Up Looking Pretty: Your Ultimate Self Care Night Routine

This post is about how to wake up looking and feeling great by following a tried and true self care night routine.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through my link at no extra cost to you. All items are carefully curated by me and reflect my honest opinion.

Nothing’s worse than a bad night’s sleep – you feel like crap, you look like crap, and you know it’s just not going to be a productive day. Let’s prevent that.

When you sleep, your body repairs and regenerates, a must-have for healthy-looking skin.

Quality sleep boosts collagen production, repairs environmental damage, improves inflammation regulation, which gives us a youthful, bright complexion.

Lack of sleep disrupts this sleep-repair process, leading to dullness, dryness, and wrinkles. And, intesting: according to this study, there is a direct link between the quantity and quality of sleep and one’s physical appearance.

The researchers found that those who had a good night’s sleep were seen as significantly more attractive and healthier than when they were sleep-deprived.

Okay, let’s wake up pretty.

This self-care night routine is not just about meditating before bed, but there are scientifically proven ways to optimize your environment and routine for better sleep.

Self-Care Night Routine Step by Step:

Step 01: Clean Your Space

Do you ever feel stressed when your home is cluttered? I do! A cluttered space can impact your overall well-being, which can then impact your quality of sleep.

A clean and organized space can help you relax by reducing overstimulation and anxiety so you can fully relax.

Before you begin your wind-down routine, declutter and clean your surroundings.

The best part? This doesn’t have to take long. Even a ten-minute tidy can make you feel at ease. And, if you haven’t already, be sure you make your bed.

Step 02: Clear Your Mind

Take a few moments at the end of your day to brain-dump any lingering tasks or to-do’s onto paper. This will help alleviate any mental clutter and allow you to relax.

Also, try to avoid screens for at least an hour before bedtime.

According to this Harvard study, blue light emitted from electronic devices can disrupt your body’s natural production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.

I’ll admit this one is so hard for me. Sometimes, browsing Instagram on my phone is my way to decompress. So, do what relaxes YOU.

If you can’t avoid the screens (like me), invest in blue light-blocking glasses. I have this pair by Quay and wear them every evening when I’m winding down.

Step 03: Skip the Alcohol

Enjoy your dinner, but consider skipping alcohol, as it can negatively affect the quality of your sleep. Even one drink can decrease your sleep quality by almost 10%.

Instead, make yourself a fun, low-sugar mocktail or cup of bedtime tea. My favorite teas are the Yogi bedtime, and stress relief teas.

Step 04: Take a Warm Bath or Shower

Research shows that a warm bath or shower 1-2 hours before bedtime can improve sleep quality.

A warm bath or shower increases your body temperature, so when you get out, your body’s core temperature decreases, which is a circadian sleep signal.

Make it a special self-care night routine by adding Epsom sales, magnesium flakes, and a foaming bath wash (I adore anything by Neom). Once a week, I’ll add a face mask as well.

Step 05 : Implement an Evening Skincare Routine

A nighttime skincare routine that is simple and enjoyable will help you stay consistent each night. And when we build a consistent habit in the evening, our body starts to anticipate sleep.

I recommend a great gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and retinol. If you have extra time, now is a great time to pull out your LED red light mask or give yourself a nice facial massage.

When I want to ensure I look rested the next day, I’ll add some facial self-tanner for a nice glow the next morning.

Step 06 : Put on a Cozy Pajama Set

I don’t know why a matching set makes me feel great, but it does! Even if your day was chaotic, a nice pajama set will make it seem like you have everything in order.

Grab your coziest sweats or matching PJ set because sometimes, looking put together on the outside can bring a sense of calm to the chaos within. I love the set by Eberjay.

If you opt for cozy sweats, consider stripping down before falling asleep. Excess heat will disrupt your sleep.

Step 07: Turn Down the Thermostat and the Lighting

Did you know the ideal sleeping temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees? 

Anything warmer or colder will impact your core body temperature, decreasing the chances of that restorative, beauty sleep.

An hour or so before bed, I’ll take down the temperature to about 67 degrees and dim the lighting.

I swear by this Amber reading light. It gives the perfect, ambient glow that helps regulate melatonin production, the hormone that helps you fall asleep.

Step 08: Wind Down With a Good Book

Even if I’ve spent the evening browsing Instagram, I do find that I get a much better sleep when I take at least 20 minutes and switch to my Kindle to read a good book.

I still wear blue light glasses and use the amber light.

Step 09: Take Supplements to Help Sleep

Take supplements such as magnesium glycinate, and melatonin to support relaxation and promote a deeper sleep.

Magnesium glycinate: Magnesium is a vital mineral that helps relax the body and calm the mind, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.

Magnesium is linked to better sleep and it’s shown that when magnesium levels are higher, you can sleep longer and feel less tired during the day.

There are lots of magnesium types on the market. I prefer a good quality “glycinate” is a form of magnesium which has a better ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, which directly helps regulate the nervous system. That’s why it’s highly effective in promoting improved sleep!

Melatonin: Besides glycinate, consider taking 3-5 mg of melatonin about 30-minutes before bed if you have difficulty falling asleep.

Melatonin is an essential hormone that regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle. I take melatonin regularly, and it works well for me.

Magnesium and melatonin are my go-to supplements for better sleep, but as always, check with your doctor first.

Step 10: Lights out by 11 pm

Or, whatever time you need to ensure you get 7+ hours of sleep.

When we sleep, our body and mind recharge, boosting our brain power, mood, and overall performance throughout the day.

Getting at least 7 hours of sleep will ensure you feel refreshed (and look refreshed) throughout the day.

I used to take hours to fall asleep, and now I can fall asleep within 5-10 minutes with this self-care night routine. Good sleep is critical, and you get the foundation of looking great and feeling great.

And that’s it. Start implementing this self-care night routine consistently and begin to see how much better you look and feel.

My Favorite Sleep Essentials

Silk Sleep Mask | Blue Light Glasses | Luxury Pajamas | Amber Reading Light | Magnesium Glycinate | Luxury Body Wash | Magnesium Bath Soak