Pillow Talk: Influencer and vintage store owner Hannah Louise Farrington’s night-time routine

If you’re a London-based and on Instagram, chances are that you’ve stumbled across Hannah Louise Farrington’s profile. The Northern transplant and veteran blogger started sharing her personal style online back in 2011 while studying at the University of Manchester. It transitioned into a full-time job, and then, inevitably, to Instagram. Being one of the lucky ones who survived the great pivot to social media, Farrington now shares snippets of her life — think adorable walks with her dog in London Fields and, often, pints of Guinness with roast dinners — alongside her traditional fashion content. 

In a world full of influencers who only wear neutral tones, and could double as a Kardashian, Jenner or a Hadid, Farrington injects some much-needed colour. Flanked by her signature red shag haircut, her style is equal parts quirky and on-trend — imagine 70’s grunge meets East London cool. And having shared her move to a flat (where the walls pretty much match her hair), Farrington started incorporating more interiors based content into her repertoire. This culminated in her launching In Reverie Vintage in 2020 where she flogs secondhand homeware and trinkets. It’s your go-to for things that you didn’t think you needed like cowboy boot ornaments and mid-century glassware. 

We caught up with the busy content creator about all things nighttime; from how she winds down to the celeb voices she likes dozing off to…

Sum up what you do in five words? 

Post my life on Instagram.

You’ve been a content creator for such a long time now — how do you think the space has changed over the last few years?

It has changed very dramatically since I first started my blog (in 2011, yikes) and even since I went full time in 2015. More recently, I think the biggest shift has been in what is expected of influencers and content creators from an ethical standpoint – whether that’s in terms of sustainability or talking about political and social issues. This is probably true of society in general too, but especially of influencers or public figures with a similar platform. Largely this is a good thing, but once you touch on any of these issues online you open yourself up to criticism for not doing it well enough.

On a scale of 1 – 10, how much do you love your sleep? 

10, maybe 11. I am a renowned sleeper.

What time would you ideally like to go to bed, as opposed to what time you really end up in bed? 

If I don’t have evening plans my boyfriend and I go to bed at 10 pm a lot of the time. Sometimes we’ll watch an episode of something or read in bed. I’m normally asleep by 12.

What’s your usual reason for going to bed late? 

Being out is the main reason – I almost never work late unless I’m on a very tight deadline. Occasionally I get stuck in a TikTok hole.

What side of the bed do you sleep on? 

I sleep on the right at home, but I’m not fussy when I’m away.

What kind of sleeping position do you normally find yourself in? 

I sleep on my front a lot of the time, which does wonderful things to my fringe. I also find sleeping on my back with my hands sort of clasped together very comfortable – like an old man who has fallen asleep in front of the TV.

What is your bed setup? 

I like silk pillowcases for my hair and skin – two pillows but I only use one for sleeping. I like a duvet plus a blanket so I can do one leg in, one leg out sort of situation.

Light sleeper or heavy sleeper? 

Heavy to a fault.

Morning bird or night owl? 

Night owl.

How do you unwind before bed? Can you walk me through your routine…

If I’m at home, we normally eat dinner around 7.30 or 8, usually while watching TV or a film. After that, I take the dog down, then do my own ablutions, then get in bed.

Do you read before bed? If so, what can’t you get enough of at the moment? 

I read Lucy Moon’s Pillow Talk interview where she said she was an aspirational bedtime reader, which I relate to completely. I occasionally read before bed, but more often watch an episode or two of a comfort show. Currently, it’s The Office or Seinfeld but I feel a New Girl rewatch coming on

What products/items are on your bedside table? 

I have a Biossance eye cream and a cuticle oil. I also have a lamp, a glass of water, a silk sleep mask, and a pair of earrings that I forgot to take out before I got in bed.

What’s the weirdest thing next to your bed? 

Dog treats.

Do you sleep with your phone next to you? 

Yes, face down on silent.

What can’t you go to sleep without doing? 

Going for a final wee.

Do you always take off your makeup before sleeping? 

99% of the time.

Favourite way to remove your makeup?

I use the Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Remover Remover to take off mascara and the rest of the make-up on my face if I’m wearing a lot, then I cleanse twice.

How does your nighttime routine change when, say, you’ve had a little too much to drink…

I normally manage to do my full routine, just maybe a little less thoroughly…

Can you walk me through your nighttime skincare routine?

First is the Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Remover on a pad (a reusable one if they’re not all in the wash) to take off eye makeup and the worst of the rest of my face. Then I use a cleanser (Dermaviduals Cleansing Milk – I had an adult acne breakout during the first lockdown so started seeing an aesthetician and still get most of my products from her, or use things she recommends) to get the rest off, then I cleanse again. My next step is NIOD’s Hyaluronic Complex, then Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, then a moisturizer — I’m currently loving Environ’s Super Moisturiser. If I remember, I use an eye cream, and take the Advanced Nutrition ‘Accumax’ supplement, which helps keep my skin clear.

What do you do if you can’t sleep? 

If I’ve turned off all screens and am still struggling to sleep, I like the Calm app bedtime stories. Cillian Murphy, Matthew McConaughey and Harry Styles are my personal favourites.