Ladies, it’s time. It’s time to try something new to keep your face looking – well… looking like your face. My mission began one year ago; I was determined to diminish horizontal sleep lines and prevent wrinkles naturally. My friends, mission = accomplished.
(Also, please note that at no expense to you, I may receive a small commission on the best wrinkle reducing product. {Listed at the end.} I appreciate your support!)
Wrinkle Remedies: Skin Health At Its Best
One year ago it started. I woke up, headed to the bathroom, peed, and then casually looked in the mirror. And then I moved in closer.
Who was this person looking back at me?
The reflection looked like me… only… a bit more rough: a pinch older with two added wrinkles. An identical pair of horizontal lines had formed under my eyes.
That was the beginning. It continued to happen every morning. Not only would I wake up dressed like a homeless person (wearing an old, oversized, ugly t-shirt and droopy sweatpants), my face was now beginning to look weathered. Strangely enough, as time went on throughout the day – it improved. The lines slowly lessened only to come back the next morning. It didn’t take long for me to realize the culprit: sleeping.
Yes my friends, “beauty sleep” is real. These wrinkles had begun forming because of my sleep position. I am an avid side sleeper. As hard as I try to change my sleeping position, I always come back to the side. In doing so, I am squishing the side of my face against the pillow – creating a line right under my eye. I needed to find a solution. At 31 years-old, I was not ready to accept these wrinkles – not yet anyway. This is how my mission began. My self-assigned undertaking was to find out how to treat these under eye lines AND how to prevent wrinkles naturally.
Sleeping and Aging: Partners in Crime
If sleeping is the culprit, aging is the boss. I have slept the same way for my entire life – so why didn’t I have lines prior?
You know why. I’m getting older.
Yep. It’s not only sleeping’s fault… aging is big time responsible. We all know that as we age, less collagen and elastin are produced…Perhaps another way to look at it – as we age, we cannot do the same habits expecting the same results. (I’ll get into this later).
The Good, The Bad, The Better
So there it was – the reason. Sleeping on my side paired with aging were causing me to wake up with wrinkles under my eyes. How could I fix this? Better yet…how could I help prevent more wrinkles from coming?
The good news: I figured out the solution. I spent time researching what I could do to: a.) remove and prevent lines under by eyes and b.) find real solutions that did not include botox, injectables or overpriced products.
The bad news: I spent more money than I had to.
The better news: You can use my experience to save money (and time) to minimize wrinkles caused from sleeping and aging. (Yay!)
(Side note: I’m definitely not against botox and injectables. When the time comes, I’ll be happy to give it a try. I am just not ready to consistently spend a whole lot of money every few months. Hence, the need to find out how to prevent wrinkles naturally. However, the suggestions listed can easy be paired with botox/injectables.)
How to Prevent & Diminish Wrinkles
Alright ladies… here are your answers. Perhaps a bit unconventional, yes…but hey, they’re working for me. Hopefully they’ll work for you too!
Free but Not Easy
I REALLY tried. Effort was definitely made. I just couldn’t do it. Sleeping on my back never worked for me. BUT – If you can sleep comfortably on your back – do it! By all means! This is the best possible solution to get rid of any wrinkles caused by sleep. (Best for your face and wallet!)
Pillows
I bought quite a few dud pillows. Those losers didn’t work and weren’t comfortable. However, I did find one semi-winner. I have been sleeping with the Envy Pillow for over a year now and love it. It is super comfortable and has also helped with sporadic back pain I tend to get. Nevertheless, when it comes to sleep wrinkles – this guy isn’t your main solution. It may help somewhat – but depending on where you put your face, any pillow can cause unwanted lines in my opinion.
Okay great…so now what?
Face Yoga – I’m Serious
I know, it sounds a bit weird. But hear me out.
Face yoga is a series of facial exercises to tone the muscles in your face. Just like your body, your face has muscles too that can be toned. Unfortunately, this practice has not received many studies on its effectiveness. However, take a look at some before and after photos – the efficacy can be clearly seen. There are countless facial yoga teachers on The Tube (YouTube) for free. Yet, although this practice won’t hurt your bank account, it will cost your time.
Are you thinking what I was thinking? Time? What time? I don’t have time to sit in-front of the mirror and do some crazy face yoga. Be real.
My solution? Find useful videos that don’t require your hands. This way, you can play videos and do your face yoga hands free – while you’re making dinner, doing the dishes/laundry and even while driving (take precautions here). Plus, after some time you’ll actually have some of the movements memorized. (Boom! – You can watch your show, fold laundry and do face yoga at the same time. Multitasking mom at her best).
Here are some videos I like to use. (Note: not all are hands free but modifications can be made.)
Be Aware of Your Facial Expressions
This one is easier than the prior as well as a bit enlightening. You have yet to realize how many lines you are making on your face through simple expressions. Start paying attention! (You can usually feel wrinkles with your hand – especially the ones made on the forehead).
What exactly am I talking about? And why should you change some small habits now? Because honey, we’re all aging. Changing small habits really can make a difference long term. Here are some examples…
Mascara
When you put on mascara, does your forehead wrinkle? Yes? Then adjust. I promise, you can still put on mascara just as well without making those dang forehead lines.
Sunlight
When sunglasses are forgotten and squinting seems inevitable – are those 11 lines right between your eyebrows appearing? Yes? Then adjust. I promise you can look into brightness without squinting. (Although it does take some practice.)
Expressive Eyes
When telling (or reacting) to a story, it is easy to express emotion through the eyes. Most of the time, your eyes widen and forehead creases when looking surprised. (I do this especially with kids). Try it out; look in the mirror while saying something that expresses a surprised or happy emotion. Do those annoying lines show up? Yes? Well…(you should know what’s coming), then adjust. Because guess what? Your forehead lines don’t have to be there. You can open your eyes just as wide without moving your forehead. It’s a different facial muscle being used so it may feel odd at first. With some practice, it will become second nature.
RBF
Resting bitch face anyone? You may not fall into this league – I don’t think I do either. But I have realized my face can be super tense at times when there’s no need to be… especially when I am alone thinking about something. Soften your face and relax your jaw.
The Sleep Solution
While those suggestions are great for aging wrinkles, they don’t really address the wrinkles caused by side sleeping. But you know what does?
Tape.
Yep.
Tape.
Good ol’ face tape is the answer to sleep wrinkles. If you’ve never heard of facial tape, it’s time to familiarize yourself.
Face taping is used to prevent and diminish sleep wrinkles. According to one expert (Google), face taping has been practiced for years and years. It especially gained popularity during Hollywood’s Golden age for scarlets. Today, there are multiple companies who make specialized face tape products including Frownies, Toute Nuit Wrinkle Patches, Facial Smoothies, Sio Beauty and Skyn Iceland. If you want a more complete list, check it out here.
Say Sayonara to Sleep Lines
I am hooked. Every single night – face tape. Now when I wake up, my face looks refreshed, hydrated and well-slept. Sure, if i look close enough, I can still see those tiny dang lines ever so faintly. But they are SO MUCH less noticeable than before. (Note: other people say that they don’t see them… but I can. You know we’re our own worst critic).
Don’t worry, you’ll be able to do your same nightly routine. The tape stays on all night for me although I do use multiple creams. I generally wash and put my face creams on 30 minutes to 1 hour before the tape goes on. (Generally I wash my face and get ready the same time as my kids are getting ready for bed).
Hold the Scotch…Tape That Is
You thought I was done, didn’t ya? Sorry, not just yet ladies. The saga continues.
After 4-6 months of loving my new, kind of weird, wrinkle hack, I realized it was becoming more pricey than I had thought. I was buying face tape every few weeks depending on the amount bought. $20 every few weeks adds up. What was so special about this face tape anyway?
What came next? Can you guess it?
No, I did not use scotch tape….sorry to disappoint. (And please don’t try it with scotch tape either!) What came next was an Amazon purchase. (Duh).
Say hello to the most affordable solution to sleep wrinkles: first aid tape. Specifically, this Nexcare Absolute Waterproof First Aid Tape. My mission was now complete. I had figured out how to severely reduce my under eye lines AND prevent wrinkles naturally. HOLLA.
You Can Call Me Sensai
I’m serious, ladies. This really does work for me. I get the same result as I did with the specialized, more costly facial tape. (I tried Frownies, Toute Nuit Wrinkle Patches, Facial Smoothies Triangular Anti-Wrinkle Patches and Sio patches).
In the beginning I was cutting the tape in half and putting it on accordingly. Of course it went under my eyes but also a few more places to help prevent wrinkles; smile lines, 11 lines and a little on the forehead.
As time went on, I became a face tape Sensai. I realized I could tear the tape with my hands. (Incredible, right?) In doing so however, the individual tape pieces are larger. (I don’t split them in half – but you could). They take up more room on my face – which I like. Yet, I do want to mention, you will go through the tape twice as quickly doing it this way.
No, I don’t feel them when I sleep. And no, they don’t hurt when I take them off. (But I do take them off slowly, especially on the sensitive under eye area). Every once in a while I may find a piece on my jammies or pillowcase. No biggie, they peel right off. Even my family has adjusted to my new nightly look. At three-years-old, Ellie has asked “mommy, where’s your tape?” as I climb into her bed to read a book.
Now It’s Your Turn
To be honest…. the vast majority of my friends didn’t even try it. (Side note: I don’t have too many friends). I couldn’t believe it. When your good friend recommends something that works…especially something that is not expensive and prevents wrinkles naturally…wouldn’t you try it? Well, apparently not my friends. They thought it was weird and would rather rely on botox. Hopefully, you are not like my friends. (In the not trying face tape respect).
So, what do you think? Will you give it a go? I am really hoping you’ll give it a try. I would love to hear some feedback! Please let me know in the comments…Please tell me I’m not crazy. 🙂
Alright milady’s, post numero quatro is complete. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe. This way, you won’t miss what’s to come! I truly appreciate it…and I appreciate you! Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Over and out.
Jessica says
Rbf! 🤣 I am so guilty of this. I seriously need to check into face yoga. I had no idea it was a thing.
Becky says
Right??? I had no idea about face yoga either!
Lily says
Love all these great tips.
Becky says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed the content! Thanks for commenting!
Becky says
I’m so glad to hear that, Lily! Thank you for taking the time to let me know! 🙂
Joannie Prive says
You made me laugh! I like your style. Great post thanks for sharing your tips
Becky says
Awe…I’m glad I could make ya laugh! Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
Jenae says
Thanks Becky! These are all great tips, I’m especially interested in the idea of face yoga! I will definitely be trying this soon.
Becky says
That’s awesome! Keep me posted… I want to know what you think of face yoga. 😊
Jenni @ I on Image says
Very helpful post! Thank you so much for posting this and sharing your tape tips and more.
Nicolle says
Thank you so much for sharing all these great tips! Will definitely try a few of them 😉
Becky says
Yay! Let me know how it goes! 🙂