By Aygin Ghorbani

While we are sleeping, our body and its cells are busy making us more beautiful. Our cells are moving around, releasing things such as enzymes to our system to help repair our hair, skin and nails. Although our body does this naturally, here are some things to help your body reach its beauty goal.

Go ahead, try some of these overnight beauty tips and tricks and wake up noticing a wonderful difference:

Want softer skin?
While showering, be sure to exfoliate. My favorite trick is one that can be done simply at home, and is for all of the coffee lovers. Grab what coffee you have left over; mix a small portion with some olive oil and lather it all over. Once you’re done, remember to rinse. Grab your favorite lotion (mine happens to be Japanese Cherry Blossom by Bath and Body Works) and moisturize everywhere! Apply a light layer of lotion to any areas that are especially dry. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees and feet. Wear something loose and comfortable and let your skin take care of the rest. Since skin best absorbs best at night, you’ll walk up and notice the difference. Want a bonus? Try sleeping with a humidifier. It is great for drier climates and seasons, but there are benefits of year round use.

Say hello to those pearly whites!
Not everyone has amazing white teeth naturally and the food we eat can definitely be a factor. There are so many amazing products to use, and so many that can also be done at home.  This one was mentioned by Dr. Oz: Grab a small bowl, mix a little bit of baking soda with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. The mixture should bubble slightly. Mix the two together and dab it onto your toothbrush, and then use it to brush your teeth. Two other options are Crest Whitestrips and Plus White Bleach Whitening Gel, 5 Minute. I have only spotted these at Safeway, and they both work amazingly well! For best results, use at night after you’re done brushing your teeth and are not going to be eating anything else.

A tan while sleeping?
Ladies, and maybe some gentlemen, if you want to get your bronze on, now is the time. After showering, exfoliating, moisturizing and prepping– layer self-tanner on evenly all throughout your body. Start with your legs and work your way up top. You can wear a pair of disposable gloves to avoid staining your hands. Put it on an hour before you go to bed, that way you won’t leave streaks all over your sheets and will wake up with a streak-free sunless tan.

No more baggy eyes and puffiness
You can say goodbye to these guys, all with the help of your pillow. When you lie flat, fluid can gather around your eyes. So lie on your back and sleep on a stack of pillows to keep your head raised. This will allow fluid to drain, preventing puffiness.

Protect your hair while you sleep

Make the switch and sleep on silk. Silk pillowcases are much smoother than cotton pillowcases, which means less tugging and tangling, and therefore less breakage and damage. Sleeping on silk also reduces frizz.

Wake up smelling fresh
Because your skin is calm and dry at night, deodorant is able to penetrate deeply into sweat ducts. Apply at night and you’ll wake up feeling fresh! The deodorant will continue working the next day too. Also, it’s not just the deodorant that you use, but also the lotion, face cream and all else. You can use extra things such as a cuticle lotion or oil. Essie’s Apricot Cuticle Oil smells amazing! Believe it or not, so do foot creams! Lather those on and slip on your favorite pair of socks before you go to bed. You will wake up with baby soft feet!

Wake up to waves
Apply a bit of product. You can use a balm like Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry all over your hair or spray on some heat protectant like TRESemmé Thermal Creations Tamer Spray, or even the Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Spray, which is another great spray for frizzes, shine and smoothness just for the ends. I personally use all three of these. I say, if your hair can handle the product, it is OK. It’s honestly a preference, but make sure you’re using what’s best for your hair. Add your products to wet or damp hair, then braid away! A French braid, twists or even a bubble braid (see photo below) will work best. Always start from the roots and work your way on down. It will give you the best result. In the morning, let your hair down, comb through it with your fingers and your hair will be ready for the day! A bonus; I love adding a mask onto my hair when I am in the shower to make it extra shiny and straight. My personal favorite is the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque. You leave this on for 7-10 minutes after you have washed your hair. You will notice a big difference.

Make your products last longer
Store your moisturizers and creams in the refrigerator. It will extend the life of your favorite products so you won’t have to end up paying double.

Remember, while these are some “extras” that we can do, nothing beats taking care of yourself internally. Eat well, exercise and smile lots.  If you want to wake up looking and feeling great, you need to be sure you get those seven to nine hours of beauty sleep, which are essential! Being healthy is something that cannot be beat!

What nighttime beauty treatments do you love? Share your favorite tips in the comments section!

Aygin Ghorbani is a 2012 graduate of Meadowdale High School, where she wrote a beauty column for the high school newspaper. Aygin is attending Edmonds Community College and plans to transfer to the University of Washington.