We beauty editors spend all day immersed in, well, beauty. We test products, write articles, meet with experts, and attend beauty-centric events once the work day is done. Our schedules are packed, and our minds are often engrossed in beauty-related affairs until we drift off to sleep at night.
In fact, right before we drift off to sleep, we indulge in our very own beauty routines. I’m not just talking about an “everything shower” and a subsequent skincare routine; I’m talking about bedside beauty rituals—the small, cozy, and soothing items we keep on our nightstands. They help us unwind and prepare for deep, restorative sleep. They benefit our skin and hair. And often, whether it’s purposeful or not, they serve as objets d’art. Ahead, we share an intimate look at current bedtime beauty fixations—right in time for the snug winter season.
(Image credit: Jamie Schneider)
Jamie Schneider, Senior Beauty Editor
“I usually have no less than six hand creams and/or balms crowded by my bedside, so the fact that I only have four moisturizers here is pretty impressive. (Clearly, I’m no minimalist.) This Sidia number is super lightweight and soaks in immediately, so I like to layer it on first before following up with a thicker cream. If you deal with painfully cracked hands like I do all winter, trust me, you’ll want to double up.” — Schneider
Dior
Le Baume Revitalizing Multi-Use Balm
“For the second cream, I alternate between Dior and Sisley Paris (below). They’re both gloriously creamy, but Dior’s is a bit more pillowy with a special slip that somehow never leans greasy. It’s definitely the chicest item on my nightstand.” — Schneider
Sisley-Paris
Restorative Hand Cream
“Onto hand cream number three! This whip-thick situation from Sisley is a tad oilier than Dior’s, so I use it on nights when my paws are absolutely screaming for moisture. It’s incredible for those itchy patches in between my knuckles.” — Schneider
Sephora
The Recovery Stone Soothing Muscle Balm & Massage Bar With Arnica, Ginger & Vanilla
“Aside from the fact that this lotion bar smells incredible (cozy and spicy, thanks to a blend of vanilla, cardamom, and ginger), it simultaneously hydrates my dry, flaky shins and soothes my tired muscles. I can literally feel the day’s stress melt away when I knead it into my skin.” — Schneider
Sisley Paris
Hair Rituel Le Parfum
“Sorry to be extra, but I think wearing perfume to bed screams elegance. I refuse to tuck in without a spritz, and this Sisley Paris hair fragrance makes me feel like I’m going to sleep with a fresh salon blowout.” — Schneider
“I hoard lip balms, so I’m shocked I only have one on my nightstand right now. Then again, this Sonsie balm delivers such long-lasting hydration that it’s really all I need for smooth, plump lips in the a.m.” — Schneider
“If you know me, then you know that my Lyma Laser Pro is my prized possession. I use it every single night (you have to if you actually want to see results), so keeping it by my bedside serves as a visual reminder to click it on.” — Schneider
Lemme
Lemme Sleep Gummies
“These knock me the eff out. I actually take half a dose (one gummy instead of two), and I’m conked for the night. Believe the hype!” — Schneider
Kaitlyn McLintock, Beauty Editor
(Image credit: Kaitlyn McLintock)
Diptyque
Sapin (Pine Tree) Candle
Lighting a candle is the first step in my nighttime routine. I’m convinced it signals my brain to slow down and enter relaxation mode. Plus, it creates a warm aura, especially in the midst of a cold, dark winter (I live in the Midwest, where it gets dark at 5 p.m., so I need all the cozy, warmth-giving light I can get). I love Diptyque candles. Not only are they eternally chic, but they burn evenly and smell heavenly. I had the brand’s limited-edition Citrouille Candle on my bedside table throughout the fall. Now, I’m switching it out with the Sapin (Pine Tree) one, which smells fresh like an evergreen forest. It provides the perfect scent and a cozy flicker to read next to.
I have TMJ, so my jaw muscles are almost always wound too tight. To keep jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches at bay, I use this handy little massage tool nearly every night before bed. It was developed with the help of a TMJ specialist to gently release tension in the lower face. It makes such a difference and helps prevent me from clenching my jaw in my sleep. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
Laneige
Lip Sleeping Mask – Vanilla
What can I say about Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask that hasn’t already been said? I use this every single night, without fail, to lock moisture in my lips. I literally have five in the drawer of my bedside table, but I use Vanilla the most.
Sulwhasoo
Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream
I’ve always had dark circles, but ever since I turned 30, I’ve noticed my under-eye area is even more fickle than usual. There are the dark circles, sure, but also puffiness, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. To combat all of the above, I use Sulwhasoo’s Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream. It’s rich, buttery, and full of ginseng-based actives that help treat and reverse signs of aging. It’s the only eye cream I’ve liked enough to use for months on end, and I can tell my under-eyes look brighter, smoother, and refreshed.
Talika
Lipocils Expert Eyelash Serum
Talika’s Lipocils Expert Eyelash Serum is another tried-and-true item that lives on my bedside table. It’s my all-time favorite eyelash serum (there, I said it!). It works so well, I stopped wearing mascara because of it. I apply it every night in a 28-day cycle. Then, I take a three-month break. That’s what the brand recommends doing for the best results.
Burt’s Bees
Almond & Milk Hand Cream
I’ve tried hundreds of hand creams, but in the winter, I keep coming back to this one. It’s thick, deeply moisturizing, and leaves my hands feeling incredibly soft and smooth. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, so it doesn’t pain me or my bank account to repurchase it.
Alyssa Brascia, Associate Beauty Editor
(Image credit: Alyssa Brascia)
SALT LAB
Magnesium Oil Spray
“I’ve tried magnesium in so many forms—drinkable powders, infused moisturizers, and now, a body spray. I’ll do pretty much anything in the name of better sleep (besides ditching my phone an hour before bed, I haven’t quite mastered that yet), and this magnesium oil spray is a newer addition to my routine. It’s recommended to start by applying a few sprays to the soles of your feet and rubbing the oils in before going to sleep, but you can also spray the oil anywhere else you need it. I’m often sore from strenuous workouts, so I’ll apply it to any aching spots. It could be a placebo effect (because, again, I’ll fall for anything that promises better sleep), but it, too, has earned a spot on my bedside table.” — Brascia
Birkenstock
Nourishing Foot Balm Multi
“This pick is quite unsexy, but I swear by it for cracking winter skin. I have always, and I mean always, had dry hands, elbows, and feet (gross, I know), but Birkenstock’s foot balm is an essential for dry and cracked heels. Its consistency is medium-thick but absorbs quickly, and it’s infused with murumuru butter, white willow bark extract, and pomegranate extract for extra hydration. Plus, it leaves a tingly feeling (feels like it’s actually doing something) and smells minty-fresh. Layer on comfy socks after applying for extra-soft skin.” — Brascia
THISWORKS
Sleep Plus Pillow Spray
“One thing you should know about me is that I’m a big linen-spray girl. I was addicted to the hair, body, and linen mist from Ashley Tisdale’s brand, Being Frenshe, this summer and fall—its calming palo santo scent instantly put me in wind-down mode. But while falling asleep isn’t a chore, I struggle to stay asleep (I don’t think I’ve truly ever hit REM), so I decided to switch to this pillow spray with essential oils that encourage deeper sleep for the long winter nights. While I still experience some restlessness, I do think that the calming blend of chamomile, lavender, and vetiver helps lessen feelings of anxiety or stress as I lie down (and it’s earned a permanent spot on my bedside table, which is saying a lot).” — Brascia
Maya Thomas, Associate Beauty Editor
Nécessaire
The Hand Cream
“Growing up, I remember noticing how many movies included at least one scene of a stylish twenty-something-year-old woman slathering on hand cream before slipping into bed in chic pajamas and thinking, ‘One day, I’ll do the same.’ Now that I’ve finally invested in a collection of satin nighties, I also make sure I have a hand cream on hand to make my nights feel elevated. This one by Nécessaire boasts a skin-revitalizing formula of ceramides, peptides, niacinamide, marula oil, and more to keep my skin supple. Plus, it’s fast-absorbing and nongreasy (which happens to be two of my biggest qualms with a number of hand creams I’ve tried in the past).” — Thomas
OSEA
Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist
“I discovered this pillow mist during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when I was having a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep, but this serene pillow mist helped me take back control of my sleep pattern. The Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist helps me create a calming atmosphere in my space before I hit the sheets with a mind and body balancing vagus nerve essential oil blend and botanical oil blend. I like to spray it generously on my linens, take a few deep breaths, and then settle in for a great night of sleep. Since it’s only 3.4 ounces, it’s also the perfect size to take on the go with me when I travel.” — Thomas
YSE Beauty
Like a Gloss Lip Treatment With Hyaluronic Acid
“Unfortunately, I tend to get really dry lips overnight if I don’t take a few extra steps in my night routine to treat them to some extra moisture. While living in NYC last year (and dealing with the effects of having a boiler on blast through the winter months), I was introduced to this lip treatment by YSE Beauty. Designed with a three-in-one formula that delivers shine like a gloss, deep hydration like a balm, and the restorative benefits of a mask, this treatment soothes and locks in all the moisture I need at night to set me up for success in the morning.” — Thomas