The thought of it is enough to make your nose crinkle. Of all the beauty dos and don’ts out there - and lord knows the internet is swimming with them - this one goes against every rule in the book. Sleeping in makeup.
Was that a gasp? Not surprised. It’s the ultimate cardinal sin when it comes to skincare, at least.
Because it is lazy, isn’t it? Washing my face is such a basic component of my nightly routine - along with brushing my teeth and peeling off contact lenses - that I do it on autopilot. If I’ve skipped it, 3am tequila shots were likely involved.
For thirty-odd years - bar a few slips, no one’s perfect - I have religiously cleansed my face before lights out. And now Lady Gaga tells me I shouldn’t bother.
In a makeup tutorial promoting her beauty brand Haus Labs, the singer-actress-beauty mogul says "What's really special about our foundation is that it's 70 per cent skincare. The fermented arnica is super special; it was inspired by my own issues with redness, and I have worn so much make-up for so many years, and make-up really wrecked my skin."
She then reveals: "Another fun fact about our foundation and concealer is that you absolutely can sleep in it - I know that sounds outrageous, but I do it all the time.”
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The foundation in question is Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation. It’s billed as a weightless, buildable base packed with more than 20 skin nourishing and enhancing ingredients including the fermented arnica that Gaga is… well, gaga for.
Obviously, I had to try it.
Of the pleasingly inclusive 51 shades, 370 Medium Neutral fit my Indian complexion nicely and two pumps were more than enough for full face coverage. It didn’t pile or cake and, even after a long day, looked almost freshly applied. In all, very well-behaved.
Then came the sleep test. Wearing a full face of makeup to bed when sober may be de rigeur for the likes of Dolly Parton, Charlotte Tilbury and Kim K (all fans of bedtime slap, and all with the means to summon expert help at the first sign of epidermis havoc), but I wobbled pulling back the covers with my warpaint still fixed on. I couldn’t fall asleep in my usual half hour or less - my mind switched between visions of the angry spots I was surely inviting by keeping my pores blocked, and fretting over the state of my bed linen come the morning. Not exactly the stuff of sweet dreams.
Morning came and my skin looked fine. A little dehydrated maybe, but the serum-like foundation held up well, making it appear as though I’d had a solid nine hours when the reality was more like a restless six.
But the fear of going against a lifetime of pre-bed hygiene means I won't be making a habit of wearing makeup to bed. It just feels wrong. Parton says she does it in case of emergencies like being papped in the early hours, but the only unexpected awakenings I get are drunken revellers or lost Deliveroo drivers, so for me, it’s pointless. Plus, I hadn’t realised how much I enjoy the satisfaction of washing the day off my face and watching it disappear down the bathroom sink. It primes me for sleep, and besides, I can’t see retinol working as effectively above the foundation.
That said, it is good to know that if I do occasionally break this skincare rule - festival season is fast approaching, folks - my skin won’t punish me for it. Thank Gaga for that.
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HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation with Fermented Arnica 30ml
She's a star of stage and screen and now, Lady Gaga has added a beauty brand to her considerable CV. The star claims you can sleep in her medium-coverage serum-like foundation without waking up to any spotty consequences thanks to the 20+ skin-caring and enhancing ingredients in the formula, including the headliner - fermented arnica.
Available in 51 shades, this lightweight and buildable formula glides on easily without feeling caked on, and won’t pile or settle into fine lines. Two pumps are all you need for full face coverage.
While my skin looked rested having spent a night wearing it, the same can't be said for my mind. It just feels wrong to sleep in makeup, no matter how many nourishing ingredients are packed into it.
That said, I won't feel nearly as guilty if I pass out wearing this foundation on the rare occasion I don't make it to my cleanser before my head hits the pillow.
Buy now £42.00, Sephora
