Sometimes, you just need a little extra—whether it’s for a big event, a vacation, or simply to boost your confidence. The good news? A glow-up doesn’t have to take weeks. With the right routine, you can wake up looking radiant, refreshed, and ready to take on the day—all while you sleep.
This overnight glow-up routine is designed for women who want to feel their absolute best without spending hours in front of the mirror. It’s easy, effective, and perfect for those nights when you want to treat yourself to some self-care. Let’s get glowing.
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Step 1 | Hydration & Nourishment: Glow From Within
Drink Up
Your skin and body thrive on hydration. Aim for three liters (or even a gallon) of water daily to flush out toxins, keep your skin plump, and prevent puffiness. For an added boost, electrolytes can help keep everything balanced.
Smart Snacking Before Bed
Choosing the right evening snacks can also make a difference in how you wake up looking and feeling. Avoid salty and carb-heavy foods that can cause bloating and water retention overnight. Instead, go for protein-rich or collagen-infused options like Greek yogurt, almonds, or a collagen drink. These support skin repair and renewal while you sleep.
Step 2 | Body: Smooth, Soft & Glowing Skin
Exfoliate for Silky Skin
Exfoliating before bed helps reveal smoother skin and improves circulation. Dry brushing before your shower removes dead skin cells and promotes lymphatic drainage. Take a natural bristle brush and gently massage in circular motions towards your lymph nodes for 5-10 minutes. In the shower, using a hydrating body scrub, such as a coconut or coffee-based exfoliator, will enhance your glow.
Moisturize Like a Goddess
After showering, lock in moisture with a rich body lotion or oil. If you plan to self-tan overnight, skip the lotion to ensure an even application.
Step 3 | Hair: Wake Up With Perfect Hair
Scalp Massage for Growth & Shine
A two-minute scalp massage before bed helps stimulate hair follicles and encourage growth while also relieving tension. For extra nourishment, consider using a lightweight scalp oil.
Deep Condition for Soft, Frizz-Free Hair
A good hair mask or deep conditioner also makes hair smooth and soft, reducing the look of any split ends. I have fine straight hair so I use Ouai’s deep conditioning mask but Briogeo is also great for hydrating dry, color treated hair.
Heatless Curls or a Blowout
If you want extra volume or waves in the morning, consider setting your hair in heatless curls or a loose braid before bed. If you are feeling up for it, you may even give yourself a gentle blow out with a hair dryer brush. The next day, you can wake up with effortlessly styled, soft, and healthy-looking hair.
Step 4 | Skin & Face: Overnight Glow-Up Essentials
Cleanse
Cleansing is the foundation of any great skincare routine. Start by double cleansing to remove makeup, SPF, and daily impurities, ensuring your skin is fresh and clean. For my glow up routine, I like to use my trusty Clarisonic– it is a relic, I know.
Exfoliate & Brighten
After cleansing, a gentle chemical exfoliant will brighten your complexion and smooth your skin overnight. However, if you plan to dermaplane, skip the exfoliant that night to prevent over-exfoliation and irritation. Dermaplaning will effectively remove peach fuzz, leaving you with a smooth, flawless base for makeup the next day.
Targeted Skin Care
If you’re using treatments like Tretinoin or other retinoids, apply them after your exfoliant and before any thicker moisturizers or masks. Remember to to start slow with these potent products to avoid irritation, and always follow up with a hydrating layer to keep your skin glowing and fresh in the morning.
De-Puff & Hydrate the Eyes
To reduce puffiness and smooth fine lines, apply a caffeine-infused eye cream. Storing your eye cream in the fridge will add an extra cooling effect.
Overnight Hydration Mask
Lock in moisture with an overnight hydrating mask or try slugging. A favorite? Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream—packed with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for that morning glow.
Lips Need Love, Too!
Gently exfoliate your lips with a sugar scrub or a soft washcloth. Apply a nourishing lip mask to wake up with soft, hydrated lips. The Laneige Lip Mask is a cult favorite for a reason.
Brow & Nose Grooming
My brows are waxed, but I will still clean up any stray brow hairs with a good pair of tweezers (Tweezerman are the best). Applying a nourishing oil or serum before bed can help encourage growth and keep them looking full.
Now, about those nose hairs—we all have them, and yes, they do seem to grow at lightning speed. A trimmer is the quickest and most painless way to tackle them without the risk of accidental nostril injury.
Step 5 | Hands & Feet: The Ultimate Softness Hack
Your hands and feet deserve just as much care as the rest of your body.
Cuticle & Nail Care
Start by gently pushing back your cuticles and massaging them with nourishing cuticle oil to hydrate and strengthen your nails. Apply a rich hand cream to prevent dryness, and if you want an extra boost, wear cotton gloves overnight to seal in moisture.
Soft, Pretty Feet Overnight
For soft feet, apply a thick foot cream or Aquaphor before bed and wear socks overnight. This helps deeply hydrate and repair dry or cracked skin.
Step 6 | Teeth: A Brighter Smile While You Sleep
At-Home Whitening
Whitening at home is an easy beauty boost. I picked these Opalesense whitening trays up at my dentist’s office for a yearly treatment, but these Crest White Strips also work really well. Making this a part of your glow-up routine ensures a radiant smile that adds to your overall polished look.
Step 7 | Beauty Sleep: The Secret Weapon
Quality sleep is one of the most important parts of looking and feeling refreshed.
Set the Scene for Restorative Sleep
Do everything you can to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to allow your body to restore. Keeping your bedroom cool and dark helps promote deeper, more restorative sleep. A lavender pillow spray can create a calming atmosphere and reduce stress for a better night’s rest.
Prioritizing good sleep hygiene ensures you wake up with a naturally refreshed, well-rested glow.
The Next Day: Wake Up Glowing!
Start Your Morning Feeling and Looking Refreshed
Begin your day with a glass of water to hydrate your body from the inside out. A protein-packed breakfast provides lasting energy and supports skin and hair health. Finally, don’t forget to apply SPF to protect your radiant skin from harmful UV rays.
Your Glow-Up Checklist
With this simple yet effective glow-up routine, you’ll wake up looking and feeling like your best self—because you deserve it! Here’s a glow-up checklist with everything you need.
Face
- gentle cleanser
- micellar water
- clarisonic or foreo 4
- dermaplane
- chemical exfoliant
- eye cream
- night mask or night cream
- lip mask
- tweezers
- nose trimmer
Body
Hair
Hands & Feet
Teeth
Which part of this glow-up routine are you most excited to try? Drop a comment below and let me know—I’d love to hear your favorite tips or any other beauty secrets you swear by!
