The best bedtime body products & lotions

 Aka the best dupes for Lush Sleepy! Some of you from twitter might know I recently spent a week in hospital for glandular fever. For many days I couldn't bear to look at my phone, which is why things got a bit quiet around here. I really loved working on my dream girly bedtime routine and I thought I would hone in on the best lotions and body products to use before bed and work in to your evening or night routine. I decided to make a list of dupes and my best/favourite products that help you to relax, unwind and come down from the day, soothing lotions to help you fall asleep or to help you sleep better. Cosy up and prepare to snooze away! *moon and star emojis*

1. First I have to start with Lush's Sleepy body lotion - a lovely intensive lotion that comes in a little black pot, it smells like summer lavender, the same scent as their milky lavender scented pink Twilight bath bomb. It smells incredibly relaxing and you almost want to eat it haha, but it can be pretty pricey, especially for the larger size pots and with online shipping costs too.  

The trial size skincare you need to try

Recently I noticed they had some new mini skincare sets on ASOS. A little while ago I ordered this very pretty and pink Origins kit as a bit of a treat to myself for £20 and I'm so, so glad I did. I love having tons of products to play with, they have been amazing for crafting a little skincare routine and getting to know all of the different products without forking out for the full price items. I would never have been able to try them otherwise. It's fun being totally kitted out for a night in or pamper evening... complete with rose clay face mask, renewal serum and matte moisturiser!

I decided to try one of the new Clinique skincare kits. Not long ago I sampled a bit of my sister's 'Take the day off' balm and it was really gentle and soothing, it didn't hurt my sensitive skin and it made my face look nice and glowy. It is as good as they say it is! The Clinique moisture surge is

My dream girly bedtime routine

I decided to make a little 'midsummer night's routine' post haha, my ultimate night routine. I somehow managed to time this well with it being the summer solstice (and with midsummer's night itself coming up, traditionally held around 23rd/24th June. In countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland it was believed that if a girl picked seven different flowers on midsummer night and placed them under her pillow, she would dream of her future husband). While it is still light outside it can be hard to settle in to slumber so here is a lavender scented bedtime routine (thanks to Lush's Sleepy lotion), a really sumptuous mini spa evening, the perfect OTT home spa night to relax and unwind. I had a lot of fun taking these photos and envisaging my dream night routine, I hope you enjoy! ♡♡

1. Dress bed with clean, fresh sheets - and open the window on summer nights, to let the sweet night smells and cool air in. I might make a little soothing playlist in advance. This is when I would do all my little duties for the night, brush up any excess bedding my gerbies have kicked on the floor and fill up their food and water bottles. I might also give them any veggie leftovers from tea.

I also tidy and arrange my things all nice, my goal recently is to live more minimally, have less belongings and invest in pieces that are special and spark joy within me. Rather than cluttering my wardrobe with all bits and pieces, I believe in saving my pennies to invest in only a select few pieces.

2. Make any cute snacks in advance - and hot drinks, for this will allow them time to cool, whether you want to drink green tea after the shower or have your chamomile tea in the bath. I have some free sachets and tea flavours I scored to try out thanks to my recent endeavours on WOW Freebies and I can't wait to try them. Rose and peppermint are also lovely and soothing to try. Now is the time to bring out edible glitter and marshmallows to put in your hot chocolate. You could make a little healthy feast too, bowls of banana, strawberry and peaches. Make your dessert a fruit salad with ice cream or chocolate mug cake with lots of fresh fruit to nourish your body on the inside.