Bedside Beauty: My Night Ritual Restores Me (And My Sanity)
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
By Carlie O'Loughlin
Founder of Lifestyle Brand Jade and May
Some people journal. Some people gua sha. I shuffle into bed, light a candle, pop on a linen eye pillow, and shut out the world for a bit.. Welcome to my night-time ritual – a calming mix of sensory moments and soft fabrics that help me press pause on the day and remember that I’m a person, not just a never-ending to-do list.
As the founder of Jade and May, a small but mighty sleep and lifestyle brand rooted in natural fibres and feel-good design, I’ve learned the power of the wind-down. The nights I don’t protect it? Let’s just say I wake up feeling like a crumpled napkin. The nights I do? I glow a little more – from the inside out.
Here’s what that looks like for me.
The Art of the Slow Down
Running a business (especially one that revolves around helping other women slow down and feel good) has taught me one thing: you can’t pour from an empty teacup. My night ritual is my not-so-secret way of topping myself back up.
I start by slipping into my favourite pair of Jade and May linen pyjamas – lightweight, breathable, and soft enough to make me audibly sigh. Wearing natural fibres helps regulate body temperature (which is crucial in Australia's not-always-cozy climate), but more than that, it’s a way of honouring my body with something gentle.
Then it’s candle time – an essential oil soy candle from our store. I rotate scents depending on the mood: lavender and vetiver when I need grounding, neroli and citrus when I need lifting. The flicker of a flame and a scent that says “it’s time to chill” is wildly underrated.
The Little Luxuries
Next comes the linen eye pillow – sometimes warmed up, sometimes kept cool in the fridge, always heaven. It's weighted with flaxseed and lavender, which sounds simple, but trust me, it’s the closest thing to an off-switch for your nervous system. If my mind’s still racing, I’ll do a few slow breaths with it on, letting it gently press away the chaos.
On tougher nights (hello, full moon or 47 tabs open in my brain), I reach for a sleep mist. Ours is a natural blend with chamomile and sandalwood, and I spray it across the room like I’m blessing the space. It’s a small thing, but it turns a regular bed into a sanctuary.
This ritual isn’t about skincare steps or ten thousand serums – it’s about texture, scent, and softness. It’s about saying, you did enough today and now you need to rest
A Glow That Starts From Within
In my 30s, I thought glow came from a highlighter stick. Now in my 40s, I know that true glow is the result of rest, boundaries, and a bit of quiet.
When I created Jade and May, I didn’t just want to sell beautiful pyjamas. I wanted to create a feeling – the kind you get when you put on something that fits your body, your values, and your life. Sleepwear to allow you to really switch off in your precious downtime
And this is what I think bedside beauty really is: treating the end of the day like a ritual, not a collapse. It’s about creating the tiniest window of calm where you reconnect with yourself before the world creeps back in.
To the Women Who Want to Radiate
If you’re reading this thinking, “Sounds lovely, but who has time?” – you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But these rituals? They’re not about perfection. They’re about intention.
One night, it might be the full glow-up: candle, mist, pyjamas, eye pillow, deep breath, journal. Another night, it might just be kicking off your bra, lighting a candle, and saying “that’s enough” to the rest of the day. Both are worthy.
To me, radiance isn’t flawless skin or styled hair (though bless both when they happen). It’s the quiet confidence that comes from choosing yourself – even for five minutes a night.
So here’s to linen-clad bedtimes. Here’s to rituals that restore us. And here’s to women who glow not because they’re on, but because they value themselves enough to allow rest to happen.
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