How to Wake up Beautiful

Co-authored by Amber Rose and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: January 30, 2023 References Approved

If you don't feel picture-perfect when you first wake up in the morning, you’re not alone. Most people don’t wake up with glowing skin and perfect hair, at least not without some effort the night before! With a few skincare tips and plenty of sleep, you’ll be showing off your natural beauty before you know it!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Caring for Your Skin

1
Clean your face before bed every night. If you wear makeup, you should already know you need to wash your face with a gentle cleanser every night. But even if you don’t, oils and impurities from the air can end up on your face throughout the day. These can block your pores, which leads to breakouts and premature aging. Wet your face, then apply your cleanser and rinse thoroughly with clean water.^{[1]
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- If you are too tired to wash your face, you can use a face wipe to cleanse your skin.
2
Apply a thick layer of moisturizer to your skin. Nighttime is the perfect time to rehydrate your skin with a moisturizing cream. Smooth on a thick layer, but don’t rub it in all the way. Instead, let it soak in naturally to get the most benefits.^{[2]
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3
Apply an undereye cream after moisturizing. If you put on an undereye cream and then apply moisturizer, you’ll likely transfer the eye cream to other parts of your face where the cream will be less effective. Applying it after your moisturizer will help ensures it stays where you need it most, hydrating the delicate skin around your eyes.^{[3]
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4
Apply a moisturizing lip balm before you go to sleep. Your lips need to be moisturized just like the rest of your face. Nighttime is the best time to wear lip balm because you won’t be talking, eating, or smooching your crush for a few hours, so slather on your favorite lip moisturizer and wake up with a perfect pout!^{[4]
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5
Moisturize your feet every night and put on socks. You’ll wake up with head-to-toe beauty if you take the time to moisturize your feet at night. Cover your feet in thick lotion, avoiding in between your toes. Then, slip on a pair of thick fluffy socks to keep the lotion from getting onto your bed sheets.^{[5]
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6
Sleep on your back to prevent wrinkles. If you sleep on your stomach or your side, your pillow will create friction against your face, and gravity pulls your skin downwards. Over time, this can lead to wrinkles on your face. In addition to the benefits for your face, sleeping on your back holds your neck and spine in a more natural alignment.^{[6]
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- Fluid can pool under your eyes, creating dark circles. Use an extra pillow when you sleep to help prevent these bags from forming.^{[7]
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7
Use a humidifier when you sleep. Hydration is important to the health of your skin, even when you're sleeping. Place a humidifier in your room and turn it on when you go to bed, especially in the winter when the air tends to be dry.^{[8]
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8
Drink about 100 fluid ounces (3.0 L) of water a day. Drinking water helps remove impurities from your body and it’s essential to having healthy-looking skin. If you need help drinking more water, carry a large water bottle around with you to remind you to drink up.^{[9]
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Mayo Clinic
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Protecting Your Hair at Night

1
Apply a moisturizer to your hair before bed for extra conditioning. If your hair is very dry, apply a thick conditioning mask to your hair, then wrap your head in a scarf while you sleep. Rinse out the mask in the morning. If your hair tends to be oily, apply a light oil, like argan or coconut oil, to the very ends of your hair to help prevent split ends.^{[10]
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2
Wear your hair up in a loose style if it’s long. Protect your hair from friction by wearing it in a loose braid, bun, or ponytail while you’re sleeping. Don’t pull your hair too tight, though, or it may break.^{[11]
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3
Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to protect your hair while you sleep. Regular cotton pillowcases can grip the fibers of your hair. Over time, this can cause your hair strands to weaken and even break. Opt for a smooth material like silk or satin instead, so your hair will slip smoothly across the surface of your pillow as you sleep.^{[12]
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4
Wrap your hair in a scarf if you don’t have a satin pillowcase. Wrapping up your hair in a scarf or other head wrap is a great way to protect fragile locks. This can also help you preserve a hairstyle for the next day.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sleeping Comfortably

1
Create a peaceful environment in your bedroom. Your bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet to help you get the best sleep possible. Adjust the temperature to one that’s comfortable for you, and consider using a fan or other white noise to help block out sounds from the outside world.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
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- If you can, invest in a nice set of sheets so you feel comfortable when you get into the bed. The most luxurious sheets have a thread count of 300-400, but you'll still get a silky feel as long as your sheets are in the 250-300 thread count range.^{[15]
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- Keep your bedroom tidy so you feel relaxed when you go in there. Pick up any laundry and straighten your nightstand or the top of your dresser before you go to bed.
2
Wash your sheets once a week. Sweat, dead skin cells, and other impurities can build up in your bedding, leading to sheets that don't give you that crisp cool feeling when you lay down. Keep your bed cozy and clean by washing your sheets once a week if you can, or every other week at the very least.^{[16]
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3
Stick to a sleep schedule if you can. Whenever possible, try to wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day. This will help your body know when it’s time to wind down for the night, and you’ll wake up feeling more rested — which is sure to show on your face!^{[17]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep a night.
4
Avoid alcohol and caffeine for 3-4 hours before bed. Although alcohol is a depressant and caffeine is a stimulant, both can disrupt your sleep cycles. Switch to water a few hours before you know you’ll be laying down so you can get a good night’s sleep and wake up looking refreshed.^{[18]
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5
Turn off your phone and other electronics before you go to sleep. Phones, TVs, and computers emit a blue light that is similar to sunlight. This light can trick the brain into thinking it’s daytime, keeping you from falling asleep.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can you wrap your head in a scarf to protect a hairstyle overnight?

Amber Rose
Licensed Cosmetologist
Amber Rose is a Licensed Cosmetologist and the Founder and Owner of Quality Style Weaves and Braids Salon in Orlando, Florida. With over ten years of experience, Amber is experienced in twists, braids, weaves, cutting, styling, and conditioning treatments. She specializes in hair growth for all hair types.

Amber Rose

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

First, get a proper size scarf for the style. Before you put the scarf on, pin your hair up. Then take the scarf and stretch it out. Bring it under your hair at the back of your head and hold the two ends up in the air. Then cross the ends. Bring the ends back under the hair, cross them, then bring them up and tie them in a bow. If you take the two bows and tuck them under your scarf, that will lock your scarf in.
Question

What should I do if I have freckles and pimples that won't go away?

Community Answer

Embrace your freckles! It is important that you learn to love them. To avoid getting more freckles, use a moisturizer with SPF and avoid laying out in the sun as much as possible. For the pimples, make sure all of your makeup is completely off. Try to keep excess oil out of problem areas but make sure not to over cleanse. Sometimes a little salicylic acid will do wonders for shrinking zits, but it's also easy to overuse and dry out the skin. Be sure to follow any pimple treatment with a good moisturizer.
Question

How do I wake up beautiful if I like to sleep on my stomach?

Community Answer

Remove all makeup before bed so it doesn't smudge all over your face - this allows your pillowcase to stay clean, too. Make sure you don't have thick moisturizers, lotions or masks on your face when you sleep on you stomach; make sure you let it absorb or apply a thin layer.