From wrinkle busting pillows to overnight cellulite cures...How to wake up more beautiful than when you went to bed

By Bethgibbons

PUBLISHED: 16:53 EST, 1 January 2014 | UPDATED: 21:00 EST, 1 January 2014

We all know the benefits of a strict beauty regime, and that a good night’s slumber does wonders for our skin. Now new concoctions claim you can combine the two and get true beauty sleep. Here, BETH GIBBONS puts them to the test.

Now you can combine slumber with innovative products to really get that much needed beauty sleep. Here's how...

Now you can combine slumber with innovative products to really get that much needed beauty sleep. Here's how...

BEDTIME BODY FACIAL
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Body Treatment, £45, QVC
London facialist Sarah Chapman’s overnight facial treatment is fast becoming a cult classic, so I thought I’d go one better and try the all-over body version.

It contains argan oil, key vitamins, sophisticated peptides and guarana to improve skin’s elasticity and tone and encourage drainage. The oil quickly sinks into my skin, leaving no trace. The scent of camelia is gorgeous. 

 

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The morning after: My skin feels smooth and dewy without being greasy and I can still feel the moisturising benefits when I shower. If it weren’t for the hefty price tag, I’d be slathering it on every morning, too.

MIDNIGHT MANICURE
Mavala Repairing Night Cream,  £31.50, Feel Unique
No amount of cream seems to make any difference to my winter-weary hands, which definitely look older than the rest of me. So, a product that’ll bring them back to life while I’m dead to the world? Yes, please! 

The cream — containing hyaluronic acid (a natural substance that helps bind water), shea butter and silk amino acids — sinks straight in before I’ve even slipped on the accompanying cotton gloves.

The morning after: My hands look smoother and feel so soft it’s like they belong to someone else. I’ll definitely be making this part of my beauty regime.

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Body Treatment, £45, QVC
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Body Treatment, £45, QVC (L) Pearl Drops Beauty Sleep, £3.49, Boots

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Body Treatment, £45, QVC  (L) Pearl Drops Beauty Sleep, £3.49, Boots

GOLDEN GLOW
Proskins Gold Anti-Ageing Eye Mask & Gloves set, £75, proskins.co.uk
The eye mask and gloves are made from a yarn containing nanoparticles of  24-carat gold.

The brand claims that these are absorbed by the skin, boosting the production of collagen and increasing hyaluronic acid levels by 135 per cent for up to 48 hours. Hmm. The gloves feel nylony and the mask looks far from bling.

The morning after: My hands really do feel like I’ve bathed in moisturiser. The skin around my eyes is definitely less crinkly, too — although that may be because I slept better thanks to the mask blocking out light.

The mask and gloves are guaranteed to last for 100 washes, so work out cheaper than most face and hand creams. Sold!

SPOT SOS
Sampar Nocturnal Rescue Mask, £26, marksandspencer.com
I’m prone to breakouts, so anything that promises to erase blemishes sounds like a winner.

This soothing mask, containing lentil extract, fatty acids, horse chestnut and soy protein, is said to produce a healing film on the skin to reduce redness, tighten pores and mattify the complexion. I cleanse as usual and apply the rose-scented cream as I would moisturiser.

The Morning after: I like this a lot. It smells divine, doesn’t make your skin feel greasy or block pores, and it really did seem to soothe my central-heating-chapped skin.

My pores are visibly smaller and my face feels so velvety I can’t stop touching it. Perfect for party prep.

Sampar Nocturnal Rescue Mask, £26, marksandspencer.com
Secret de Nuit Hydrating Regenerating Night Treatment, £27.50, Selfridges

Sampar Nocturnal Rescue Mask, £26, marksandspencer.com (L) Secret de Nuit Hydrating Regenerating Night Treatment, £27.50, Selfridges

DREAMY LOCKS
Secret de Nuit Hydrating Regenerating Night Treatment, £27.50, Selfridges
I often leave coconut oil in my hair overnight, but it’s messy and my locks always need a thorough wash the next day.

Amazingly, this anti-ageing hair cream claims you would have no need to rinse in the morning.
I’m sceptical, but the promise of long-lasting hydration and nourishment thanks to macadamia oil, ceramides, milk thistle and essential fatty acids is enough to sway me. Four big dollops sink into my dry hair without a trace.

The Morning after: Not only is my hair not greasy, it isn’t flat like it usually is. In fact it has what I can only describe as a bounce that it didn’t have before. Anti-ageing cream for your hair. Who knew?

BOTTOM BLITZER

Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner £19.99, skinnytan.co.uk
I’ve never been a huge fan of fake tan, but if this really ‘reduces the appearance of cellulite’ then I’m in.

The product was a big hit on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, thanks to the tanning and firming claims, but a scan of the packet doesn’t reveal any major cellulite busters other than guarana (which contains caffeine), and almond and sunflower seed oil.

That said, the coconut scent is surprisingly pleasant and it sinks in quickly so I don’t have to dance around in my knickers for too long.

The morning after: There’s no trace of fake tan on my sheets, but there is a faint smell of Rich Tea biscuits. My skin has a natural streak-free glow and feels soft. If the dimples on my backside are a little less visible, it’s more down to the tan’s masking effect than anything else. Don’t expect miracles.

SLEEP SLIMMER

We all know the benefits of a strict beauty regime, and that a good night's slumber does wonders for our skin...so combine the two!

We all know the benefits of a strict beauty regime, and that a good night's slumber does wonders for our skin...so combine the two!

Phytomer Glycolight Night Contouring Bi-Gel, £47.50, salonskincare.co.uk
Night is a key time for unused sugars to be deposited in the fatty tissues around the waist, thighs and buttocks, where they’re converted to fat. The key ingredient in this gel, sea absinthium, is said to form a barrier to this process, limiting fat storage and encouraging the body to excrete sugar instead.

The packaging claims the result will be a visible reduction in cellulite, and impressive inch-loss in just two weeks. I rub the silky lotion into my bottom and thighs, which instantly feel cold and tingly, and hop into bed.

The morning after: My skin feels more moisturised and toned than with the Skinny Tan, but there are definitely still dimples. Sigh.

SKIN SMOOTHER

Silk Pillow Case, £25, thetreatmentrooms.co.uk
Every skin expert I’ve spoken to lately has extolled the virtues of silk bedding, with one leading cosmetic surgeon describing it as more effective than any anti-ageing cream could ever be.

Why? Because unlike cotton, silk has a very low absorption rate so it doesn’t draw moisture from the skin as you sleep.

The smooth, shiny finish means fewer creases, and also less hair breakage.
The morning after: The pillow felt luxuriously soft against my skin and I woke with markedly fewer facial creases and my hair felt much less dry than usual. I’ve already ordered a spare set. Hurrah!

SMILE SERUM

Pearl Drops Beauty Sleep, £3.49, Boots
Just as I’ve got to grips with skin serum — you apply it pre-moisturiser for a concentrated shot of skin-nourishing nutrients, right? — comes this one for teeth and gums.

The blurb claims the Liquid Calcium technology helps replenish and strengthen enamel, while active oxygen (from peroxide) lifts away stains, and contains  vitamin E to nourish the gums.

I rub a small amount of the minty gel into my teeth and can feel the fizz of oxygen going to work straight away. There may be some involuntary drooling tonight.

The morning after: My breath is definitely fresher and my teeth are brighter, although don’t look any whiter. Three nights later, I’m starting to see benefits. Useful for when you’ve overdone the Americanos.

RISE-AND-SHINE HAIR
Sleep-In Rollers, £17.99, Argos
These soft foam rollers are designed to save valuable tonging time. Take sections of hair, roll them up or down (depending on whether you want flicky-up curls or more body), secure with a kirby grip, and hit the sack.

The morning after: I toss and turn until I end up taking half the rollers out so I can at least sleep on that side. Which I seriously regret the next day, because the rollers side looks incredible. Smooth and bouncy and full of body. If you’re a deep sleeper these are worth a try.

Comments (5)

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To wake up ' more beautiful ' one would have to be beautiful to start with.

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A good doddie-style cuddle is the best circulation remedy there is. She will wake-up with a smile and good skin color.

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That is an unfortunate shade of lipstick on the otherwise pretty redhead. I wonder if we can get those tooth drops here in the States? I'm curious!

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Redhead with yellow teeth and awful lipstick plus blue nails? Yuck.

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First pic lady needs some serious white strips for her yellow teeth

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