Hello and welcome to our new editorial seriesBedtime Beauty Stories. It's a space for talented individuals to share how they get ready for slumber, including ways to wind down, nighttime beauty rituals andgo-to remedies for falling asleep. We begin with one ofAustralia's most in-demand skin experts,Jocelyn Petroni, natural beauty enthusiastBelinda Hughes,Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and acupuncturistElizabeth Cullen and organic skincare guruMukti.As one of Australia's (and the world's) most sought after facialists,Melanie Granthas skin studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles and Paris. She's responsible for the complexions of many Beauty Editor's, skinfluencers and celebrities includingVictoria Beckham, Rose Byrne andGeorgia Fowler, so when it comes to prepping your skin for beauty sleep, there's pretty much no one better to quiz.
Bathing for me is the ultimate luxury and one of my most favourite past times. I have a bath almost every night for at least 20 minutes with magnesium salts to relax tense muscles and rose essential oil. I also add a body oil,CHANEL Rose Body Oil ($128, at Myer)is one of my favourites, to nourish and hydrate my body and save on extra steps when I get out. This is where I’ll apply a face mask 2 or 3 times per week - I loveCHANEL Camellia Repair Mask ($112, at David Jones)orBiologique Recherche Masque VIP ($186, at Skincare Edit).
The last thing I do before sleeping is read a book. It's the best way to switch off, decompress and fall asleep.I'm a firm believer in a double cleanse in the evenings, first with a gentle oil or milk likeAugustinus Bader's Cream Cleansing Gel ($100, at Skincare Edit)to break down makeup, spf and pollution. Then I like to go in with something a little more active, likeBiologique Recherche Lait VIP ($39, at Skincare Edit)to really deep clean the pores. Next is an Exfoliating Lotion - I've been usingBiologique Recherche's Lotion P50 PIGM400 ($130, at Skincare Edit)for years and love its gentle brightening, refining, strengthening properties.Then, whatever corrective serum I'm focusing on - recently it's beenU Beauty Resurfacing Compound ($209.29, at Skin Care Edit)orAugustinus Bader's Face Oil ($120, at Skin Care Edit). For the eye area I'm alternating betweenMedik8 Retinoate Eye Serum ($198, at Skin Care EditandCHANEL Le Lift Eye Creme ($145, at Myer). Lastly, I finish withAugustinus Bader's The Rich Cream ($405, at Skin Care Edit), it's healing, restorative and seals in my actives overnight.Internally, I take a magnesium powder and liposomal vitamin B to soothe and calm my nervous system, liposomal vitamin C to boost immunity, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3 ($37.55, at iHerb)andVida Glow's Original Marine Collagen (from $59.95, at Skin Care Edit)to boost and protect my hair, skin and nails.For my hair I love Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner and Olaplex No7 Bonding Oil. I also loveWendy Isles Formula Haute Performance Shampoo ($57.50) and Conditioner.
I like to have a cup of lemon balm or passionflower tea before bed. Calming herbs work really well for me and these both send me off to sleep nicely after a busy day. Sometimes I take CBD too, though mostly when I'm travelling or during busier periods when my nervous system needs a bit of TLC. It's an oldie but a goodie, but a few drops of lavender essential oil on the pillow always works a treat, too.
I always, always sleep on a silk pillowslip.SLIP are the best. This prevents any pulling or tugging at the skin and prolongs the life of my blowdry for sure. When travelling I swap out the harsh, synthetic airline eyemask for a pure silk mask. It makes the world of difference!
I'm guilty of watching telly before bed occasionally, mostly Real Housewives! Though I do prefer to read a book on my kindle. I try not to look at my phone after dinner and stay off emails if I can - this is best to be saved for my morning coffee when I'm productive and alert.
If I'm still peckish after dinner I'll have some raw dark chocolate or a handful of nuts. I like to finish the day with a little something sweet.Read more...
