Glow In The Dark: A Comprehensive Guide to Beauty and Self-Care Night Routine

I believe in beauty rituals and routines. Having a set space of time where you can focus on your temple and soul care needs, I believe, help to shift our minds and set us up for amazing mornings. And besides, it’s not life you’re going anywhere.  Since you’re in for the evening, why not pamper yourself.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect evening ritual that pampers your body and calms your mind.

SET THE MOOD

Creating a calming environment is the first step of care in your night routine. Dim the lights, light a few scented candles, and play some soothing music. Worship music, jazz music, rain sounds. Anything that helps signal to your brain that it’s time to unwind and relax.

Choose Your Routine

What do you like to do? your nighttime routine include journaling? How about sipping on something hot and sweet? You may run a bath some nights or chose to sit in quiet time and meditate on others. I love to give myself Your routine is personal and customized to fit whatever you need in the moment.

VELVETY SKIN

This is an opportunity to think wholistically about your skin and body care since you’ll be in for the night and have protection from the elements.

Here is a sample routine for caring for face and body:

Cleansing: Cleanse your face. Double cleanse especially if you wear makeup. The first and most crucial step in any night routine is cleansing. Throughout the day, your skin accumulates dirt, oil, and makeup, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Double cleansing takes care of this double time.

Steaming: Steaming the face helps to open pores, making it easier to remove impurities such as dirt, oil, and blackheads. The warm steam increases blood circulation, promoting a healthy glow and aiding in the absorption of skincare products.

Exfoliating: Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover and a brighter complexion. Choose a gentle exfoliant to avoid irritation and focus on areas prone to dryness or dullness.

Toning: A good toner helps restore your skin’s pH balance and prepares it to absorb any products used afterwards better. Choose a hydrating toner with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or rose water to add an extra layer of moisture.

Serums: Serums are concentrated with active ingredients designed to target specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, dark spots, or acne. Night is the perfect time to apply your retinols (which promote collagen production) and vitamin C’s (for skin brightening) as the sunlight won’t interfere with their ingredients.

Moisture: Lock in all the goodness with a nourishing night cream or moisturizer. This step ensures your skin remains hydrated throughout the night. If you have dry skin, consider using a facial oil for added hydration.

Eye Creams: Right before sleep is the peeerrrfect time to care for the delicate skin around your eyes. I happen to have the worst allergies and sinus reactions and its next to impossible for me to not rub my eyes throughout the day but when I’m proactive about my nighttime eye care routine, my eyes and face have a nicer glow.

Choose a cream that will fit your needs. Do you need moisture? Firming? Ask yourself that and start there. Make sure the ingredients in your product address your current needs.

Night Creams: I like to seal everything in with a hydrating sleeping mask.  Consider using a night cream that is richer in texture and formulated to support skin repair overnight.

Lip Treatments: Don’t forget your lips! Apply a nourishing lip balm (or good ole Vaseline) to keep them soft and hydrated.

BODY CARE

Washing, exfoliating and moisturizing your body is just as important as your face. I recommend using moisture rich products to keep your skin soft and smooth. Pay extra attention to areas that tend to be drier, like elbows and knees.

CARE FOR YOUR HAIR

Do you remember watching old movies where women would brush their hair 100 times before bed?! Or, in my African American culture, one of the worst things you can do is go to sleep without wrapping your hair and putting your scarf on

Hair care can feel cathartic and soothing. Make yours a priority in your nighttime care routine. Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to the ends of your hair to prevent dryness and split ends.

Toss Your Phone

I’m serious- let it go. You’ve probably had it in your hand or near you all day long anyways. It’s a good idea to cut off all electronics at least an hour before bed so that our eyes are not affected by the blue light on our phone screens. Also, our minds need to quiet down as we chill.

SLEEPY TIME

After all that beauty activity, by now you should be ready to hit the sack.

Sleep is crucial for every facet of life and especially for overall health. Establish a regular sleep schedule, keep your bedroom cool and dark, and choose high quality bedding that makes you feel like royalty. Aim for however many hours of sleep is best for your body to repair and rejuvenate. We are all unique.

Creating a night routine that combines beauty and self-care is more than just a series of steps; it’s a true practice of self-love. When we dedicate time to care for ourselves with clear focus, a beautiful ritual of overall wellbeing is established.

So have fun with it!

And sleep well!!

XO, Anja