Creating Your Perfect Beauty Sleep Routine, According to Your Self-Love Style

We can all agree on the importance of beauty sleep - but given that there are so many ways to settle down in the evening, it can be tough to decide on the perfect routine for you.

You may have heard of the popular “love languages", which hold the perspective that in our relationships with others, we all talk in a unique dialogue; our own love language. And the same holds true with the relationship with ourselves. So, in the spirit of Valentine's day, we’ve created five self-love styles to consider when designing a beauty sleep routine that will best sustain your mind, body, and soul: Vitalize, Serene, Connect, Give and Nourish.

When considering which self-love style best speaks to you, consider what truly brings you joy. Do you feel your greatest when you’re in a high-intensity gym or boxing class? Then your style is most definitely “Vitalize.”

Perhaps you feel a greater sense of self when you’re bonding with a close friend, in which case your self-love style is “Connect.” Once you discover yours, read on to find our recommendation for which beauty sleep routine will best support your lifestyle and wellbeing.

SELF-LOVE STYLE: VITALIZE

As a “vitalize” self-love style, you crave high-energy movement: a vinyasa yoga session, going for a jog, or even taking a quick power nap to reset and refuel.

To best prepare for some restorative Zzzz’s, we suggest taking a stroll after your final meal to aid digestion while releasing any excess steam from the day. As a go-getter, be sure to pay extra care of your feet – something often negated by many and in ancient medicine, foot care is vital to the entire nervous system and body. A soothing foot massage in a rich scent you love should do the trick.

Finally, before lights out, try some yin yoga or light stretching to relieve any tension in your muscles so you wake up feeling refreshed and invigorated. Yin yoga will help you unplug, and reinvigorate your body and mind – perfect if you spend a lot of your day behind a computer or sitting. By lowering stress hormones known as cortisol - it aids your sleep, digestion, energy levels and mood.

BeautySleep Routine Suggestions:

Take a brisk stroll around your neighbourhood
Give yourself a foot massage using a richly scented cream
Try some yin yoga before bed, or some light stretching

SELF-LOVE STYLE: SERENE

If you fall under a serene self-love style, your ultimate beauty sleep routine likely revolves around serious R&R - which is why should turn off all pop-ups, pings and notifications (starting ideally 2 hours before lights out).

To make the most of your precious me-time, ditch your screen and set your phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Flight’ mode. Then, satisfy your sweet tooth with a calming treat, like a cup of warm milk and honey, or a small fruit and yoghurt bowel—something that’ll curb any night-time cravings (without the guilt!).

Finally, prepare your locks for a night of nourishment with a silky hair turban, tune into one of Spotify’s relax i ng playlists, and light a scented candle (we love rose or jasmine) to really slow yourself down before hitting the hay.

BeautySleep Routine Suggestions:

Go device-free starting a few hours before bed
Treat yourself to a (naughty-free) indulgent dessert
Get yourself in the sleeping-mood with your favorite candle while listening to calming music

SELF-LOVE STYLE: CONNECT

For those who find comfort through daily interaction and compassion, a “connect” self-love style might be best suited to you. These people should use their beauty sleep hours to better bond with others, but (most importantly) with themselves.

Consider starting with a phone call with a loved one you don’t speak with often, or cuddle with someone special at home - then take note of how you feel by jotting down how you’re feeling in a gratitude journal. Finally, decompress from the day with meditation - if you prefer to be guided, try an app like Calm or Headspace. This practice will help you better tap into your own thoughts and nurture the connection between your mind and body.

BeautySleep Routine Suggestions:

Phone a long-distance loved one, or spend some quality time with someone at home
Reflect on what matters most to you with a gratitude journal
Meditate to nourish the most important relationship of all: the one with you!

SELF-LOVE STYLE: GIVE

As a “giver,” your way of expressing love is through helping others. So, one way to start off your evening is to make a tasty dinner or meal-prep lunch for the following day with your partner, a family member, or housemate. You might find that doing something meaningful and productive for yourself and others is an effective way to relax after a long day. Here are some romantic recipes to get you thinking (too woo special someone, or just yourself!).

Next, try a breathing technique like "box breathing" in order to give yourself space and time to fully decompress from the day. Then, consider giving your mind and body a break with essential oils, either in a diffuser or applied topically (just it’s mixed in well with a quality carrier oil). Might we suggest a Ylang Ylang or Lavender scent to get you in the sleepy mood. After all, you have to look after yourself so that you can continue to do so for those you love. Finally, slip on a silky sleep mask to protect your skin overnight and block out any unwanted light.

Evening Routine Suggestions:

Meal prep with someone you love
Calm your system with box breathing
Set the atmosphere with essential oils
Slip on a silky eye mask

SELF-LOVE STYLE: NOURISH

“Nourish” self-love styles feel at the most comfortable and at in the familiar and indulgent. Start with tying back your locks with a protective silk scrunchie, and running a peaceful candlelit bath or a calming face mask, making sure to find time to nourish your skin from head to toe.

To indulge your taste receptors, pour yourself a cup of chamomile tea with honey or lemon. The tea contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia. Finally, feed your mind by cozying up to a romantic novel or good book to help you drift off into a blissful state.

Evening Routine Suggestions: