Michelle Pfeiffer, though most well-known for her work as an actor in films such as Scarface and Batman Returns, has recently ventured into the world of fragrances. The star's perfume line, Henry Rose, specializes in scents for the body; however, a recent Instagram post proves that usage of the sprays is at the bottle owner's discretion.
Pfeiffer shared a clip of herself spraying one of her scents over her bed and pillows, and it got us thinking about how you can make a bedroom smell good for sleep.
While the actor has opted to spritz her linens with her Blonde Barry Body Mist (a fruity-floral fragrance), we spoke to an expert to find out which scents work best for optimal sleep.
But first: why and how do specific scents benefit our sleep hygiene?
'Pillow sprays are typically a mix of essential oils and a base like water or alcohol that you mist onto your pillow,' explains Julia Forbes, a certified sleep science coach at Sleep Advisor. 'The idea is to create a calm, soothing environment that helps you fall asleep faster. The scents from the spray target our sense of smell, which relaxes the mind by associating these scents with relaxation.'
Forbes tells us that there is scientific research to back the psychological impact that scents have on our sleep.
'Scent impacts how we sleep because it directly interacts with the part of our brain responsible for processing emotions,' she explains. 'A nice smell can reduce stress, calm the nerves, and even lower our heart rate and blood pressure.'
Similar to sniffing a favorite perfume (just like Michelle uses in her sleep space) smelling a relaxing scent can help ease tension in the body, which is a plus when winding down.
As far as scents go, Forbes says it's ultimately up to personal preference, but she generally suggests lighter fragrances rather than anything heavy.
'It's important to choose a scent that you enjoy so it is not distracting,' Forbes says. 'Lavender is known for its sleep-promoting properties, chamomile can be as soothing as it can calm you down, and sandalwood offers a deep, woodsy aroma that is great for calming you down and easing stress before sleep. Scent preferences are personal but I recommend avoiding scents that keep you more alert like peppermint and citrus because they may energize you instead of relaxing you.'
Below, find a selection of pillow mists that are aids in a good night's sleep.
-
Unusual outdoor Christmas lights – 9 strange but stylish lighting options to elevate your outdoor decorLots of Christmas lights fall back on boring, predictable designs. I trawled the internet to find 9 unusual outdoor Christmas lights that go beyond the basic
-
'It's the color that makes you happy' – here's how a color psychologist thinks you should choose the 'red thread' of your homeThis clever design theory is a simple yet impactful way to make your room colors more cohesive
-
Drew Barrymore's Beautiful collection embraces flower power – this one item literally lights up a roomThe latest decor drop includes a vintage-inspired flower lamp, which retails for under $48 – and it was the first thing in our carts
-
Diane Keaton's new decor collection is a celebration of wit and playful irreverence – directly inspired by her quirky homeThe collaboration offers a humorous twist to the most simple color palette of all – bringing Keaton's flare to our entertaining spaces
-
RuPaul's kitchen is sleek and sophisticated thanks to this unexpected cabinet colorRuPaul's black kitchen cabinets are undeniably bold, yet have a surprisingly soothing effect that get the expert stamp of approval
-
Justin Baldoni's anti-trend kitchen cabinet color serves as the perfect 'blank canvas' – this style will never fadeThe actor knows that this color transcends fads, so he used it for his kitchen cabinets - experts swear by the classic, calming shade
-
Cynthia Nixon's sofa color is a 'cornerstone in modern interior design' – it's a classic for a reasonCynthia Nixon's gray sofa proves that the neutral hue is anything but outdated, pairing the soft shade with some warm, natural materials for a trendy look
-
Pastry chef Dominique Ansel shares the 3 most useful appliances every home baker needs in their kitchenThe celebrity pastry chef swears by these pieces of equipment to level up your home baking - and explains the one item he can't live without
-
Martha Stewart's dining room taps into this timely trend – here's how to recreate the lookMartha Stewart's Skylands property in Maine has been decked out with a summer-ready tablescape, featuring collectible plates and coveted glassware
-
Jamie Lee Curtis's luxurious bedding is a favorite among sleep experts – and it's surprisingly low-maintenanceJamie Lee Curtis's bedding has benefits for skin, hair, and sleeping temperature - experts say it is exceedingly simple to care for
