The only problem with all those morning routine articles is that they’re generally written by morning people. But what about the AM routines of life’s serial snoozers, the ones who have to set three alarms to pry them out from under the duvet (no judgement)? What are the beauty essentials they swear by to help them feel human in the morning? We spoke to five self-confessed snoozers to find out how they wake up on the bright side.
Night-before beauty prep
“I’m a late-night shower person as I like to wash away the stress of the day before I go to bed,” explains Cosmo beauty writer Kate Pasola. “I also use a sleep mask to help restore my skin overnight. Then in the morning, it’s just a quick face wash. I’m a serial teeth-grinder when I sleep, so I’ll pick a cleanser with enough slip to incorporate a quick jaw massage. Then I’ll throw on some vitamin C, a moisturiser (including on my neck – for some reason it wakes me up!) and SPF. By then, my strong coffee is ready, so I’m ready to start the day.”
Uplifting shower scents
“The only thing that gets me up is the thought of a long, steamy shower,” says beauty blogger Em Sheldon. “I take my time, using an invigorating scrub and zesty scented shower gel that gets the blood pumping. Forget cold showers to wake you up; I want to feel like I’m in the Caribbean.
“After I force myself to get out, I’ll spend time massaging in some body moisturiser, like I’m at a spa.” To kick-start your day with an invigorating shower, we recommend Soap & Glory’s new Uplifting body care collection. Featuring the Best Washes Body Wash, Scrub For Joy Body Polish and All The Right Smoothes In-Shower Moisturiser (the ultimate morning multitasker), this mood-boosting range uses a blend of citrussy, fruity, floral scents and is jam-packed with vitamins B5, C and E to lift the spirits, cleanse the body and cheer the mind.
Serum while you scroll
“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a morning person,” admits social media manager Sophie Boyden. “I was always the person rushing out the door and trying to apply their mascara on the tube, coffee in hand, my makeup bag spilling out everywhere.
“While working from home, I’ve vowed to get up at the same time as when I used to commute, and finally have a relaxing morning routine. I’ll cleanse my face and then apply some serum and lip balm. Then I’ll sit in bed and catch up on the news while my serum soaks in. I’m keeping my beauty routine super-simple in lockdown so I can enjoy a few extra minutes in bed. Every second counts.”
Super-powered skincare
“It’s been tricky to feel awake when my morning commute is now less than three seconds, so I’ve used a few tricks to up my energy,” says content editor Isabella Silvers. “I need my beauty routine packed with skin-saving ingredients in order to feel ready for work. I cleanse, then layer my vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, eye cream and moisturiser with SPF. It might not be the winged eyeliner and lipstick look I used to rock for the office, but it makes a clear distinction in my brain between ‘just woken up’ and ‘ready for work’.
“I can’t wait to try Soap & Glory’s new Glow skincare collection, which is designed to give you glowy #NoFilter skin. The 100% vegan range is filled with skin-loving ingredients including vitamin C, shea butter and avocado oils. I’ll be treating myself to the lightweight Glow With It serum, which is developed with 10% vitamin C for that elusive natural radiance, and the Glow To Sleep mask, which is formulated with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to give your complexion some TLC.”
Coffee and mascara
“There are two things I need before logging on for the day,” explains beauty editor Cassie Powney. “The first is a strong coffee lined up for after my shower. The second is my mascara. I find the way I look on camera in Zoom meetings so unflattering, but it’s amazing how much more awake I look with some added eye definition.” Fake it ’til you make it, right?
Wake up on the bright side with Soap & Glory’s new Glow skincare and Uplifting body care ranges – discover more at boots.com
Alison is head of content for the Good Housekeeping Institute, responsible for product reviews across homes, beauty, wellness, family and food & drink. She lives by the William Morris quote that you should “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Alison has over 15 years' experience as a lifestyle editor and has written features on everything from misophonia to how to dress like Claudia on The Traitors. She has also interviewed everyone from Dame Joanna Lumley to the Kardashians.
In her spare time, you'll find her hanging out with Monty the cocker spaniel and refreshing the Sezane website every five seconds.
