My husband James remarked the other evening that I take AGES to get ready for bed. Like me, I expect many of you find the boy in your life spends a significantly shorter time than you on their own nightly routine. I am interested to find out just how long you lovely ladies spend in front of the mirror preparing for the trip to ‘Bedfordshire’.
As an early bird, I long for my bed after nine o’clock and just want to crawl under the covers at the end of the day rather than cleanse, tone and moisturise. However, I have come to realise that as much as I’d like to get under the duvet and scrub my face with a facial wipe it’s just not going to remove the daily grime. I have made a rough estimate as to how long my routine takes and it works out a little something like this….
Five minutes – Cleanse and Buff
I like a bit of Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and can see why this product is award winning. I flit between this and Lush’s Ultrabland, both of which seem to suit my combination skin.
I probably spend around five minutes on the cleansing element of my regime; two minutes delicately massaging the cream into my skin; one minute waiting for the water to heat up and another two minutes polishing, buffing and rinsing with a muslin cloth.
Three minutes – Tonics
Next I spend several minutes removing my eyeshadow and mascara. As recommended by many of you RMS readers, I am currently using Nivea Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-up Remover. I’m finding it has the desired effect; non-greasy, fairly kind to the skin and I wake in the morning without panda eyes.
On to the toner, I like to use Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic to refresh my skin and remove the last of the cleaner residue without any tightness. I sweep over with a cotton wool pad in a matter of seconds.
Three minutes – Anti-ageing
In my very early twenties I started working for a beauty company and on my first day was encouraged to start an anti-ageing regime. As prevention is better than a cure, I always took advantage of the vast range of skincare that was at my finger tips. Now I always plump for some form of anti-ageing night cream, warming it in my hands first before slathering on my cheeks and then over the rest of my face.
Next I dot Anew Clinical Eye Lift Pro on my lids and under eyes. All this takes around three minutes.
Five minutes – Body
Away from the face, I spend five minutes on the rest of my body; I slather on a dose of Soap and Glory Heel Rescue to my feet, apply a lavish application of Keihl’s Mango Lip Balm and finish with a nourishing hand cream. At the moment I am also liberally applying Arnica to a rather bruised shin from a gardening-related injury!
So there you have it, only 16 minutes of my day but I do feel like I spend longer taking my make-up off than putting it on. When you’re keen to get the zeds in, those 16 minutes can really drag. Not to mention the whole teeth brushing, mouth washing and flossing rigmarole! I have no idea whether my nightly skincare habits would be classed as a short routine or a long one.
Now it’s over to you. How many minutes do you think you spend wiping the day away? What products are you popping on your face and how many items are part of your bedtime ritual?
Wow! You must look amazing getting into bed! I spend about 4 minutes – so lazy! a quick Liz Earle cleanse and polish, a swift swipe of Lancome eye make up remover and a load of Lancome hydra-zen night cream then a dive into bed. Coming into summer though I do slather on some Dove body glow stuff so I am not too pale and a bit of heel cream.
I wish I could use that Dove Body Glow stuff but it brings me out in a rash. I would love a bit of a glow to my pasty skin!
I promise I don’t look amazing getting into bed. I just have problem skin and dread to think the breakouts I would have if I didn’t thoroughly remove everything!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I think it takes me longer to get ready to go to bed than it does to leave the house in the morning! It drives my Husband mad!!
My dream house would have Jack and Jill sinks. At least then we could get ready at the same time x
Soap and Glory Heel Genius is one of my favourites, nothing else leaves my feet as super soft! I love Neal’s Yard Rosehip Oil before I get into bed, it leaves the skin so nourished and plump and a whole bottle has so far lasted me a year. Great value! x
Hi Sian, do you use the Rosehip oil on your face? Love it when products last forever! x
Yep – I dab a small amount onto cheeks and forehead. Not only does it make my skin feel amazing (especially on holidays etc) but it also smells divine when I’m dozing off. Me too – I don’t mind forking out for something that will a) work and b) last! x
Um, now I feel bad! I use Neutrogena pink grapefruit face wash (smells nice) and Origins Night-a-mins. Approx time two minutes. But then I have dry feet – the thing is when you’re tall, your feet are so far away that you forget about them sometimes…
Ha ha ha Ann-Marie this comment made me laugh!!!!
Hello Ann-Marie,
I thought I was going to be flooded with comments from people saying they spent half an hour on their skincare and somehow I would need to find time to squeeze even more products in!
How do you find the night-a-mins? Just been reading the reviews and it looks like it might be good for my combination skin?
Oo with this many recommendations I’m going to have to get me some Heel Genius at lunchtime – mine are in such a state!
Ali, it’s such good stuff and smells gorgeous too! x
I am the laziest person when it comes to night time routine – I use a cleanser & a moisturiser…thats it!! So, I need some help since your comment about starting anti-ageing in early 20’s has brought me out in a cold sweat. I am 25 and have never touched an anti-ageing product in my life. Can you make any recommendations for my age? I have fairly dry, sensitive skin.
Thanks xx
P.S. I’m off to the shops to get heel cream, I also forgot about my poor feet!
Hi Cate, so sorry to bring you out in a cold sweat!
Quite frankly my skin is dreadful. I have scars from teenage acne and since I was about 11 I’ve spent most evenings trying to keep breakouts under control. When I joined Avon I changed my moisturiser to Anew Thermafirm from their anti-ageing range just to give it a whirl. My skin became firmer and as an extra benefit completely cleared up my acne! Avon products have always worked for me but in the interests of impartiality I would suggest nipping down to your local department store and getting a consultation with a few of the beauty counters. We will look to do a post on this in the future though x
Ok, I feel really bad as I use boots own brand of makeup wipes and water – no soap (I hate soap) on my face and that’s it. I do moisturise my arms and legs every day with shea butter as they tend to get quite dry no matter how much water I drink.
I do need some heel genius in my life and will be buying some asap. I’m 28 and have fairly normal skin that can be a bit sensitive so I may also get looking for an anti-aging cream now that you’ve mentioned it. Helen xx
Hi Helen,
Heel genius is in fact genius. That and my PedEgg save me from having the most hideous trotters! x
I have to admit at 30 – I am still trying to perfect my skincare routine! I know, I know!
Every time I think I have found something that works my skin decides to take a disliking to said product! The joys of ridiculously sensitive skin I guess!
So at the moment it is just water and a tonne of medicated moisturiser! (plus medicated ointments on bad days)
When I am being good though, I do use Body Shop’s cocoa butter on my elbows and heels – I have ridiculously dry elbows and this stuff works wonders and doesn’t appear to affect my eczema (fingers crossed)
As for anti-aging products, I feel pretty bad as I haven’t even considered trying any! I have enough trouble finding a moisturiser (apparently my skin has gone off Clinique!! Just after I buy a brand new pot, typical!) that I dread searching for anti-aging products! Silly really as I know that my eczema will age my skin pretty badly! Eeek!
Anyone know of any anti-aging formulas that don’t contain perfume or lanolin?!
Rebecca, I also have sensitive skin and eczema as well as slightly oily skin (how is this even possible??) and I LOVE the Dermalogica ultra calming range. Yes, its pricey, but since I’ve been using the facewash, serum and moisturiser, my skin has been lovely. They’ll try and sell you the toner, spritzy thing too but in my opinion, you don’t need it. I highly recommend going to a dermalogica place and having a consultation (on a day when you don’t have to go anywhere requiring make up afterwards as that way, they’ll test the products on your whole face instead of just your hand, much better)
Thanks Claire, sensitive, dry & oily skin – you poor thing!
Will definitely look into Dermalogica ta. But yes, definitely won’t let them send me the toner though – toner’s tend to drive my eczema up the wall!
On the recommendation of the lovely Charlotte, I have added the Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray to my morning routine & do LOVE the feel of the cold water against my skin. There is something so calming about a cold spray!
This post has set me off on another google search for suitable skincare products – La Roche Posay seems interesting, has anyone had any experience of their stuff?
I just wish I could find decent samples of all these products!
Me too Rebecca, it’s such an expensive (and visible) thing to get wrong and samples don’t last long enough!
I don’t have any experience of La Roche Posay I’m afraid so I’m off to Google too x
Oooo, just registered with Avene and they are sending me a sample cleanser & moisturiser! I take it back, they’re not all that bad!! haha x
Yey! Good news 🙂
Hi Rebecca, I too suffer from incredibly sensitive skin which seems to flair up at the slightest thing. I was recommended the Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser, but despite the name, didn’t get along with it at all and it stung my eyes so badly I had to stop using it. I find that problem with quite a few “sensitive” facial cleansers – weird. I then tried the La Roche Posay cleanser and I think it’s wonderful. Really gentle on my skin and worth the money. The Boots no7 sensitive cleanser (the pink one) is also really good too. It’s nice and creamy. In terms of other things from the La Roche Posay range the Cicaplast Baume B5 is great for eczema, extreme dry skin flair ups and when it’s feeling really irritated (the vitamin B5 is an anti-irritant). You can use it anywhere and kind of slap it on thickly if it’s really bad. Hope that helps!
Thanks Jess, great to hear you’ve tried & got on with La Roche Posay. One interesting thing from their website was that my skin actually came under ‘intolerant’ rather than ‘sensitive’. Which is probably a much more accurate description!
Think I may be popping into Boots this weekend 🙂 xx
La Roche posasy, avene and Vichy all do wonderful products for sensitive/intolerant skin as do clarins, my go tos when my face/son goes into meltdown.
I probablybspend 15mins upwards on my bedtime and morning skincare!! Plus ‘putting on my face’.
LRP Effaclarr AI is excellent as a topical treatment. I’ve found nothing better!
I’d be a bit cautious about their facial washes. I found their foaming gel incredibly drying and I have quite oily skin which isn’t sensitive… My skin didn’t like it at all and I had to bin it after a couple of weeks. No way I could have made it to the end of the bottle 🙁
I have heard good things about some of their other products though so it may be just the oil-targetted is just a bit harsh.
Have you tried Elemis? They are a little bit more than LRP but I’m loving the cleanser and toner I have bought from there recently and it lasts for ages.
Rebecca – try REN (http://www.renskincare.com, also sold is some M&Ss). I have sensitive skin which has decided on a bout of adult acne…totes amazeballs! Anyway, their Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream is particularly good, smells amazing! HOWEVER, they have replaced it with V-Cense™ Revitalising Night Cream…which as far as I can tell is exactly the same. Anti-aging and without parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, TEA, DEA, glycols, silicones, PEGS etc etc.
Hope that’s helpful 🙂
I was looking for a super skin care regime ahead of my wedding and got into Dermalogica (it didn’t go down well with the wedding budget…). It is amazing stuff and my skin has really cleared up. I had really spotty yet dry skin, but now it’s positively glowing. But it takes me at least 10 minutes to do all 5 steps, morning and night. Along with teeth brushing, feet and hand moisturising, not forgetting lip balm… I just want to go to bed! Nothing better than going to bed with ultra clean skin though.
It’s true Clare and so worth it in the end. If I ‘accidentally’ go to sleep with my make-up on my skin is really bad for the next week or so.
Ok, my night time skincare takes about 20 minutes, not including brushing teeth and whitener!! I first remove my eye make-up with Boots own cream eye make-up remover (the blue one) and then I use Liz Earle cleanse and polish – sometimes I double cleanse by using the Superfacialist Rose Miracle Oil and sometimes I use the Liz Earle exfoliator after too, probably every 2/3 nights and also every 3/4 night use the Liz Earle face mask which I leave on for 10 minutes. After all my cleansing/exfoliating etc I then use Liz Earle’s Skin Tonic to remove all the last traces of cleansing, I then use under eye cream, using a couple a the mo – Superdrug own or Garnier (red one) and Liz Earle in the day, and use the Witch stick on any blemishes, followed by Bobbi Brown serum and them the Boots night moisturiser for combination skin.
Phew!! Seems A LOT and VERY extravagant however I’m getting married at the start of July so wanted to get my combinations skin under control and in tip top condition, which i have to say Liz Earle has massively helped with! My acne scare are fading and I don’t seem to be having any break outs. I had a make up trial for the wedding 3/4 weeks ago which I had a reaction to with MASSIVE breakouts so Liz Earle was the only thing that soothed it 🙂 Lets just say I won’t be using that make up artist or brand…
Hooray! Someone who takes longer than me! It sounds as though we have similar skin and routines so I might have to try the Liz Earle exfoliator.
Boo to the breakouts after your trial 🙁 x
Ps. meant to say – read that book last summer! Was a fabulous read – although, probably not the best story to read when on your loved up honeymoon!! haha x
Mine is a good fifteen minutes as well…
I cleanse with a micellar water (currently Vichy) and then follow up using Elemis’ excellent Tri-Enzyme Facial Wash and remove it with a hot cloth. I got the double cleansing from Caroline Hirons (excellent skincare blogger and expert) and that with the Elemis has made a huge difference to my skin.
I then follow up with Elemis’ soothing toner (they come in a set which helps as they are a bit spendy!) and then Body Shop’s Vitamin E serum-in-oil followed by a moisturiser, along with a bit of eye cream if I remember. Last is a topical treatment for any spots and blemishes.
I sometimes finish with a bit of handcream and lipsalve if I remember, but I really need to get in to the habit of moisturising and doing something about my hooves/feet now that the weather is getting warmer! I just don’t like the sensation of going to bed all slippery (if that makes sense?!).
Kx
Hmmm, double cleansing you say? My routine has just increased by three minutes 🙂
By the time bed time comes around I can barely keep my eyes open (I am also an early riser – never lay in past 7 even at the weekends and up at 6 in the week). My regime is quick and easy, I use Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean face wash, slap on whatever moisturiser I am using, currently a Nivea night cream I picked up in boots for £2.99. Its Amazing. I do my body moisturising in the morning, and will apply heel genius maybe once a week before bed. Thats it! I have been thinking I should start up some sort of anti ageing prevention though – Im -29 – any recommedations for not too expensive cremes would be appreciated x
Hi Stacey, we will definitely look to do a post on the sole anti-ageing shizzle x
Oooh another tip about cleansers seeing as people seem to be loving a bit of hot cloth action…Superdrug do a really good hot cloth cleanser (Naturally radiant brightening hot cloth cleanser) which in some reviews is said to rival the Liz Earle one (I’ve never used the Liz Earle one myself so can’t compare). It’s nice and cheap and I’ve just this afternoon bought it for the grand total of…£2.98 – it has 50% off at the moment and in my experience, there’s always an offer on this range. I have sensitive and oily/combo skin and it works really well for me leaving my skin nice and clean, bright and lightly moisturised so I’d definitely give it a go if anyone is hoping to save a few pennies.
£2.98! That’s amazing Jess! Definitely worth a try.
The poor men in life – always waiting for us to get ready for something!
I’ve recently discovered Lush’s Ultrablend. Makes my skin so soft. I did use Olay anti aging face cream but no matter what I use I always take it off with a muslin cloth. Just takes so much more grime away! My recent discovery is Clarins blue orchid face treatment oil. It’s just amazing and makes my skin do soft. The Clarins counter at John Lewus gave mea couple of samples to try before I bought. I’m using No 7 youth eye serum. Once a week I use Body Shops vit c microdermabrasion scrub.
I have so many of those muslin cloths Lynn. My mum has a washable pad to take off her eye make-up that I’m keen to get hold of too. So much better than piles of cotton wool balls! x
Oh tell me more about the washable pad for eye make up please … I hate the touch of cotton wool. I just use tissues with my eye make up remover but it never gets it all.
Hi Lynn, apparently it’s a ‘Lash FX cleansing cloth.’ I think they’re recommended for people with lash inserts (my Mum is very glam!) but I can’t see a reason why those with normal lashes couldn’t use it.
I take ages at night too but it’s been worth it for me. Emma Hardie cleansing balm for taking it all off, exfoliating toner (Ren/Clarins/Pixi whichever feels best), Murad eye cream, Indeed Labs Hydraluron serum then Clarins lotus oil. Liquid Gold once a week too, more than that seems to cause a reaction for me. The morning routine is another long story!
Anyone following Caroline Hirons blog might recognise some of this. I was desperate to fix my oily/spotty skin before my wedding and found her blog – my skin has never been happier!!
I am now devouring the Caroline Hirons blog. Thanks for sharing Joy x
So glad I am not the only one who spends ages to get ready for bed. I am loving the Liz Earle polish cleanser – but will be trying the Superdrug one! I also double cleanse – I start with Eau Micellaire by REN. Currently using Lancome eye makeup remover and tone with Origins mega bright illuminating lotion. I use Decleor aroma night balm (their range is fantastic) before finishing with Origins anti ageing high-potency night-a-mins. Bobbi Brown eye cream is superb and lasts for ages!!!
I always forget my feet……
I shall not name the products involved and this is a little off topic- however I have recently seriously upgraded my skin care routine after the condition of my skin appeared to change drastically. However, when I told my hairdresser what I was using she proceeded to tell me that the staff on this particular counter clean their shelves with their own toner as it is so abrasive!!! I’m very miffed considering I forked out a hefty fee for five of their flaming products!!!!! X
Oh no! I think I know the brand…. x
I always used Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish until I tried Nars Purifying Foam Cleanser, you only need a tiny amount, it’s has very small beads (like pearls), feels absolutely wonderful on the skin, will never use anything else now.
I feel like my skincare regime is going to become very expensive Eileen! Just checking out the full NARS range now…
My evening routine during the week is:
Eye makeup off with Body shop chamomile eye make up remover
Pre cleanse with body shop chamomile cleansing oil
Then I use a balm or cream cleanser (clarins extra comfort or body shop vit e or body shop chamomile balm)
Then astalift orange jelly serum
Eye cream (currently boots botanics organic one)
Then if my skin feels dry or dehydrated I use either body shop vit e serum oil or clarins blue orchid
In the winter I put on night cream on top of the oil and if its warm just the cream or oil.
Then I go to bed!!
Morning is a quick cleanse with a creamy cleanser and flannel then serum, moisturiser eye cream.
How I get out of the house or into bed at a decent time is a miracle!!
Gosh, just sat down for a bit of evening blog perusing and am feeling a little bit bad about my severe lack of skin care regime! It has gone rapidly down hill since having kids and have to admit I just about manage to swipe on some night face cream and a slick of eight hour cream on my lips and that’s about it! Mind you I barely ever wear makeup but on the days I do it’s a quick cleanse and tone with my Clarins although need to get myself some of those cloths rather than cotton wool. I also need to get some of this heel cream I think. I feel an expensive trip to boots may be in order! X
Love the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish – but only ever use it for a couple of months after my birthday and Christmas as my mum always stocks me up with some for gifts! – otherwise I just use Clean and Clear! I don’t even use a separate eye make up remover – I always clean mine off with either of those and now I feel worried I’m missing something- although I love to drench my face in so much water and I’m sure it all comes off! I use Clinique Clarifying no 3 which is the only thing that seems to keep my oily skin controlled and then L’Occitainne Essence Sublime and Aromessence Iris night balm by Decleor (I started using anti aging creams at 17! Someone or some magazine must have scared me) I probably spend about 10 mins max. I sometimes use a body moisturiser but only when I make myself go to bed early enough but since having a newborn everything has to be at least double the speed and while making soothing ‘I am coming back and will be there in a minute’ noises – so body moisturiser is limited to mornings and mainly just quickly onto my post birth tummy! I do love a rare night to myself though when I have the time to read about what Victoria Beckham does and go to bed early in face masks, detox patches and moisturising mits while drinking kale juice!
I seem to take forever to get to bed, and I don’t think I do that much! Although I can get distracted by shiny things…like the mirror…or tweezers…I am the human magpie!
Firstly I use T-Zone Face Wipes (currently under £1 in Bodycare), then I follow with Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil-Free Facial Wash – super amazing at fighting any kind of spot (has salicylic acid) and keeping pores small! Currently I’m having to use a medicated solution to fight said spots, but after this I apply Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream, and Liz Earl Daily Eye Repair. Love a bit of either cherry or pomegranate Carmex for my lips.
I would say bedtime routine, including teeth brushing and the obligatory nip to the loo would take me around 20mins, sometimes longer if I’m plucking my eyebrows/inspecting my face for another break out etc etc. I have to stay away from bright lights/magnifying mirrors if I want to have a speedy bedtime, otherwise I’ll clock that stray eyebrow or that blackhead that should definitely not be squeezed…!
The things we do to look and feel good! Harumph! x
Well thanks guys… Im obviously a terrible human. I don’t do any of this. Until last year I didn’t even moisturise. I just clinque three step now. I have insanely sensitive skin that doesn’t like a long list of products – most of them designed for sensitive skin. Don’t get me started on the feet. They are such a long way a way with far too many things between them and my head that I already ignore.
If it makes you feel better Clare I don’t do most of this either. I clean my face with a cleansing wipe or Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish and moisturise and, erm, that’s it. Maybe some eye cream if I remember.
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