10 Overnight Beauty Tricks to Save Time & Treat Yourself

One of my ultimate wishes is for more hours in the day. I constantly find myself stretched thin, with more on my to-do list than I can realistically finish during waking hours. This leaves me even more pressed for time devoted to pampering. Treating yourself to something that makes you feel good, but I’m struggling to fit it into my daily routine these days.

That’s when I realized there are a whole eight hours I can maximize while I’m sleeping! While my body is restoring, there are several treatments that work overnight to show results by morning. Overnight treatments tend to be more effective, since you’re not rinsing or rushing through them in 15-20 minutes. Ingredients are able to sink in and work continuously to deliver desired effects.

Read on to discover 10 overnight beauty tricks that put the “beauty” in beauty sleep.

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1. For Healthy Hair: Hair Mask
If your hair is constantly dry and brittle, using a hair mask overnight can do wonders. Apply your favorite hair mask as normal, avoiding the roots. One of my favorites is the OGX Hydrate + Repair Argan Oil of Morocco Creamy Hair Butter. Wrap your hair in a tight topknot or a braid to keep the mask locked in. You can wrap your hair in a scarf if you don’t want to get residue on your pillow case, as well. Your hair will have plenty of time to soak up the mask and let it repair overnight. In the morning, rinse out and you’ll be left with the silky and healthy looking hair.

2. For Soft Feet: Softening Socks
Our feet tend to get neglected between pedicures. One of my biggest pet peeves is the feeling of dry feet catching on the fabrics of my socks or bedsheets. Treating your feet overnight is extremely easy, and keeps them sandal ready year round! Pick up some softening socks, which slowly release oils, botanicals and vitamins to nourish the soles of your feet, cuticles and toes. Add in a bit of foot cream to the socks for intense hydration that will have you waking up feeling like you just had a pedicure!

3. For Hydrated Skin: Hydrating Face Mask
Face masks are one of my favorite overnight treatments, especially since I’ve moved to a dry climate and struggle with eczema. Leaving them on while you sleep gives them a chance to sink in deep into the layers of your skin, doing some serious work. This particularly works well with hydrating gel or cream masks… stray away from those that tighten or dry the skin. My drugstore go-to is the Olay Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask, which helps hydrate, brighten and even skin tone over time. Come morning, I don’t feel like I have a film or residue… just soft and radiant skin.

4. For Styled Hair: Cloth Headband
If your hair is medium to long, styling it in the morning can be a drag… especially when you’re in a rush! Luckily, there are a few ways you can wake up with hair that looks done enough to dash out the door. One of my favorites includes french braiding flat to the back of my head, which delivers beachy waves in the morning! For more defined curls, roll you hair into a sock bun or around a cloth headband. The pressure and body heat will lock in the curls and you’ll wake up with a bouncy hairdo!

5. For a Perfect Pout: Lip Mask
For a pout that’s lipstick-ready by morning, a lip mask is what you need! I’ve been trying out several lately after realizing a regular lip balm at night wasn’t cutting it. I’m currently on the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask. It’s thicker than a typical lip balm, infused with antioxidants to nourish your lips continuously. The hyaluronic acid and minerals in the formula lock the moisture in so the effect lasts. The morning after using this, my lips can take on any matte lipstick with ease.

6. For Continuous Hydration: Humidifier
Using a humidifier at the night is the best thing I started doing for my skin and hair. I started using the Dyson AM10 Hygienic Mist Humidifier a couple years ago and never looked back. Keeping moisture in the air creates the perfect environment for healthy skin and hair. Whether it’s during a windy winter, or a hot summer with the A/C blasting, a humidifier combats the environment’s power to dry you out. When I run a humidifier, I can stop wasting time doing damage control and just hone in on what I really need.

7. For Brighter Eyes: Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is the most thin and sensitive on your entire face. Once the makeup is off at the end of the day, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re not giving them a little TLC. Applying eye cream will help reduce puffiness and dark circles, so you don’t have to mess with concealing to the heavens the next morning. You can also delay the signs of aging when you start wearing eye cream early. I usually go for high-end eye creams, since I’m incredibly sensitive in that area. One of my faves that’s still relatively budget-friendly is the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream, which locks in the skin’s own natural moisture and never feels greasy.

8. For Clearer Skin: Acne Spot Treatments
Nighttime is the best time to treat problem areas. Even if you’re using an acne face wash in the morning, the environment and makeup can dull its effectiveness. Using a spot treatment at night gives the product time to sink in and work without disruption. For problem zits, I’m still using ZAPZYT Acne Treatment Gel, which is a maximum strength formula that reduces the size and redness of pimples dramatically by morning.

9. For Fresher Hair: Dry Shampoo
If you know your hair is going to need some dry shampoo in the morning to look presentable, consider applying it the night before instead! This gives the product time to work into your roots, absorbing all the oil. This means you can use less, and you won’t be left with a white cast or chalky look that dry shampoo is infamous for. I use the Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo which also adds shine with fatty acids in the formula.

10. For Thicker Eyelashes & Eyebrows: Castor Oil
If you’ve always wanted thicker eyelashes or eyebrows, castor oil may be the answer. Many people swear by it to grow luscious lashes and to get naturally full brows. Since makeup won’t work well over it, using castor oil overnight is the best solution. Massage the oil onto your brows with your fingers, or use a disposable mascara wand to apply close to the root of your lashes. Many people in the reviews see dramatic results within a month of nightly use.

What beauty tricks do you save for sleeping?