Retrograde is here, and she's fierce. Feeling down lately? Unable to communicate? At a loss about your entire life plan? Blame it on the retrograde, baby. We're feeling it hard, and because we love our community, want to provide all the resources you need to get through these trying times. But first, here's the low down on the planet of communication's (Mercury) retrograde. 

What is Mercury Retrograde? 

While all planets move in the same direction, they all move at different speeds. Mercury's orbit is 88 days long, meaning it orbits the sun in 1 Earth year.  

But sometimes, Mercury slows down... and then stops... and then moves slowly backwards for several weeks. That my friends, is retrograde. 

In actuality, Mercury isn't actually stopping, slowing down, and moving backwards but it just appears to be doing so. This has to do with lots of #science associated with the relative speed of the Earth and Mercury.

There are three Mercury Retrograde periods of each year, each lasting 3 weeks. 

What does Mercury Retrograde mean? 

The planet Mercury is said to be associated with or to rule all activities that relate to communications, travel, learning such as:

• making agreements
• sending correspondence
• communications 
• traveling Classically

• placing ads
• making important decisions
• travel
• purchasing communications equipment
• signing contracts
• initiating business deals
• sending important correspondence or any type of message
• starting school or any important project
• beginning any new enterprise (as plans may be reversed later) 

Source 

Why is everyone talking about Mercury Retrograde? 

If nothing else, Mercury Retrograde is the time when you can blame literally anything that's going wrong with your life on a faraway planet. Hey, we'll take it. And in the mean time, take a break from retrograde while reclining on a NIGHT Pillow. 

Oh sleep, how we love you so. NIGHT was built on the belief that sleep is a powerful tool, and with the right products to support your *best sleep*, it leads to feeling and looking better.

We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, but is that all there is to know about sleep?  Check out these sleep facts:

1. 12% of people dream in black and white.

Studies show that before color television, only 15% of people dreamt in color. Thanks to color television (scientists think) we’re all seeing colors.

2. World record for longest time without sleep: 11 Days 

In 1964 Randy Gardner set the record for the longest period of time without sleeping. Under close observation by scientists, Gardner went 264 hours without any shut eye.

3. Sleep deprivation will kill you faster than food deprivation

Stranded on an island? Best to get some rest. Although neither types of deprivation come recommended, after several days without sleep, you’d lose almost all ability to function.

4. Fear isn’t the most common sleepy time emotion

Despite countless stories of nightmares and terrors, scientists have found that the emotions most commonly felt during sleep/dream states are sorrow, guilt, and confusion. Still a bummer.

5. High Earners get the best sleep

 According to the British Bedtime Report (yes, that’s a thing) people who make equivalent to upwards of 80K per year get 34% better sleep. 

The takeaway? Sleep is unbelievably important. And a very worthwhile place to invest in. Want to get a better night's sleep? 

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Time...none of us have enough. There’s work, family, friends, health/wellness, travel, the sex life (or lack thereof), bills, and not to mention hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Trying to keep up with everything proves nearly impossible in a 24 hour period, so what gives? More often than not, sleep. 

“I’ll catch up on sleep this weekend,” you say — until you find yourself out partying, or up with the baby, or just binging a new tv show...until 3am. And you’ll get charged if you skip that 7am spin class you already signed up for. Repeat. And repeat again. Until you find yourself with a massive pile of sleep debt.

So what is sleep debt?

Sleep debt is defined as: “the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep”. Every hour of sleep you skip adds up. And as the sleep debt builds...so do the side effects, including mental and physical fatigue, weight gain (gasp!), and irritability. Not good.

So yes, sleep debt is a thing. And the collection agency is calling. According to Harvard Health, the adults should get between 7-9 hours of sleep a day. But studies show that 60% of women fall below that number. Sometimes it can be caused by a medical condition, but more often than not its caused by a busy schedule that requires missing our bedtimes and sleeping long enough to get back to normal.

What’s the good news?

Unlike our beloved credit cards, sleep debt doesn’t carry interest and can easily be repaid: just sleep. In order to make up long-standing sleep debt, you’ll have to sleep more hours in one night than usual.  

Struggling to get to sleep? Read these tips.

NIGHT is 100% about chasing the dream, packing your schedule, and doing all that it takes to make it to the next level, but the one thing we don’t condone: skimping on sleep. And with NIGHT products, you can pay your sleep debt with added benefits! 

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No beauty tool can beat a good night’s sleep. That’s the philosophy NIGHT was founded on. We create products that harness the power of sleep for better skin and hair while you rest. “Beauty sleep”—what a famous cliché. But now, there’s science to back up the NIGHT philosophy (though its not like we needed it).

 A new study has shown that 60% of people find that a good night’s sleep improves their appearance. And that those who can find a way to catch 9+ hours of the stuff per night see increased effectiveness of sleep on their looks.

Participants in the study reported these #killer stats:

44% of people reported improved overall demeanor

42% reported brighter eyes

21% reported brighter complexion

17% reported fewer wrinkles

11% improved skin condition

Sleep expert Neil Robinson noted that a good night’s sleep might be the key to a “better appearance,” but you already knew that.

Ready to look as good as you feel?

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In 1972, Harvey Milk opened a small camera shop on Castro street in the heart of San Francisco. Upset by what he considered an unfair tax on small businesses in the city, Milk decided to run for a small local office. Within 5 years, Milk would make history as the country’s first openly gay elected official. 

As the month of June nears its close, the trailblazers of the Pride movement should be commended. In the fields of politics, entertainment, music, and sports, there are the firsts: those who took the risk of unfair judgement and hate to come out to the world with #pride. Here are just a few of them:

1. Harvey Milk 

In November of 1978, Milk was assassinated in his office. Though his tenure in government was short-lived, he introduced the possibility of powerful officials being gay to the table.

2. Ellen 

Ellen, oh, Ellen. How we love you. In 1997, she was one of the first women to come out as gay in entertainment. Ellen’s personal coming out was timed perfectly with that of the character she played at the time, Ellen Morgan — who also came out on the popular sitcom Ellen. She would late front a historic Times cover and an interview with Oprah. Though she was outed by Hollywood for a time after, Ellen was one of the first to make being gay, really ok. Two decades later, Ellen said: “I’m Ellen, and I’m gay. 20 years ago, I said that; it was a much bigger deal then.”

3. Jason Collins

Basketball is a guy’s guy kind of deal. Collins was the first openly gay player on a major American team sport. “I'm a 34 year-old NBA Player. I’m black. And I’m gay” Collins said in an op-ed for Sports Illustrated. "No one wants to live in fear. I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don't sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly,” Collins wrote, inspiring many to follow his footsteps. 

4. Anderson Cooper

Though he was the sixth, Cooper was by far the most high-profile journalist to come out in the cable news industry. While the topic of his sexuality was speculated for years, Cooper came out in an open letter, saying: "while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible,” changing the tide himself.

5. Chely Wright

While country music singer Chely Wright decided to come out in 2007, it took her three years to release her the song “Like Me” through which she came out to the world in conjunction with a spot on The Today Show. Still today, Wright is one of the only openly gay country music singers. 

At NIGHT, we’re pretty committed to doing everything a little different. And we firmly believe that beauty is multi-dimensional. That’s why we make products made to work on your skin and hair while maximizing the hours you can catch some Zz’s; our new Dual Sided Pillowcase is no different. We took a look at our product line and wondered why we didn’t have something that was customizable to the user’s needs. So we went out, like we do, and developed this double-sided-magi-refiffic pillowcase to help create balance for your skin and hair, whether you lean to the dry or oily side of life.

How it works: 

Side One is made of our classic mulberry silk to help maintain optimal moisture levels of dry skin and hair. It provides that one-of-a-kind smooth, NIGHT surface that won’t absorb moisture, or face creams from your best beauty assets. Wake up bedhead, breakout, and sleep crease free. 

Side Two is made from bamboo, which naturally wicks excess oil, moisture, and sweat away from your skin and hair, giving it a balancing boost so your skin and hair can get back to normal. Bamboo fibers are less abrasive than traditional pillowcase materials like cotton or jersey, so it won’t tug on your skin+hair, preserving the signature NIGHT benefits like eliminated bedhead, hair damage, and sleep creases. #YAS

We might be crazy, but we think we’re onto something. Here’s three reasons why two sides are better than one:

1. The seasons change, so should your beauty routine  

Pretty much no one’s talking about how skin and hair needs change with the seasons, but we are. Dry in the winter, and oily in the summer? Vice versa? All you’ve got to do is flip this baby over halfway through the year.

2.  Life ain’t consistent, so get something flexible

Hormones, diet, a broken AC, there’s no predicting what’s going to come up in the middle of the night. So even if you tend to be a little dry, some nights might call for something different — to avoid waking up with a bad hair day, or a #fresh blemish.

So, be prepared to look your best every morning, no matter what with the NIGHT Dual Sided pillowcase.

3. No two skin + hair types are the same, so get something that works for you

At some point along the way, beauty companies began to catch on to the fact that not everyone’s beauty needs are the same. Your moisturizer or shampoo specifies dry or oily skin/hair types, so why should your nighttime beauty routine be any different? The NIGHT Dual Sided Pillowcase was born from of this question, and was designed to ensure no matter what your skin and hair type is, you’ll wake up on the bright side.

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Real talk: not one of us on the NIGHT squad loved memory foam when we started working on this brand. We joke about how skeptical we were that the hero product, the sleep-enhancing and beauty-boosting NIGHT Pillow features a memory foam base.

As we talk to more and more consumers, we have realized that we were not alone; a good percentage of the population has a negative opinion on memory foam. Sad.

Flash forward to today: we are memory foam > filled pillows all the way. It is NIGHT’s unique, high quality, air light memory foam that has converted us. We have so many interesting memory foam convos via phone and email, we decided to share some insights here on the blog.

Below are the top questions we receive on memory foam, straight from our customers. In fact, a memory foam conversation can go a little something like this:

“Seriously tho, why are you guys so obsessed with your memory foam?”

Not going to lie, we are pretty obsessed with our memory foam. Memory foam (done right) provides the perfect balance between comfort and support. Check out this YouTube video of our egg test comparing memory foam to filled pillows in their ability to achieve this delicate balance.

Also, memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic, so dust mites, allergens and pollutants won’t build up inside your pillow. Considering that other pillows can be bacterially indistinguishable from a toilet seat (yes, science says), this is a pretty important point to consider.

“Ok that’s legit. But my experience with memory foam is that it [insert: is as heavy as a brick, sleeps hot, holds its shape too rigidly, etc etc]. How is yours different?”

Love that you are asking this because ours IS different. Our unique memory foam is oxygenated, making it the lightest, airiest and fluffiest memory foam on the market. It is specially designed to “recover” i.e. regain its shape quickly, so that as you move in your sleep, it does the work to self-adjust and keep your neck and head aligned and supported. The light nature of our foam allows for ideal air flow for a cool, comfortable sleep experience.

“Wow, good stuff. But I’ve heard memory foam can have a funny smell. What’s the deal?”

Yes, this is a process called off-gassing. As part of the production of memory foam, there is a short period where compounds can break apart and produce a gas, hence the term off-gassing. No studies have shown that the off-gassing process is toxic or dangerous, but if you are sensitive to smell, it may be unpleasant for a few days. On our end, we do our very best to complete any off-gassing at our production facility (located here in the USA in Detroit) so that by the time the pillow arrives at your door, you will not experience any odor whatsoever. If by chance you do, we hope you will holler at us right away because we maintain top notch customer service and you can be rest assured we will take care of any issue.

“Word. I’ve seen pictures of your foam- what’s up with the craters in the foam?”

Craters in foam = high quality foam. All higher quality memory foam has craters because of individual air bubbles that form during the custom molding and manufacturing process. Here’s a quick video to show how our foam is individually hand-poured into a custom mold and then trimmed and inspected for top quality assurance right here in the USA.

“Ok, last question. I want to get my money’s worth. Do memory foam pillows last as long as filled pillows?”

General rule of thumb is that you should replace filled pillows every 18 months, unless you are extremely dedicated to washing it on a regular basis. Then you may be able to hold onto it a little longer…but remember what science says about that pillow and a toilet seat. Gross.

For memory foam pillows, it is recommended that you replace them every three years. No maintenance necessary because of the naturally hypoallergenic nature of the foam.

 “Well damn…I think I need to try this memory foam for myself. Can I place an order right now?”

Yes, yes you can.

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As a small but mighty team, we spend our days very focused and embrace caffeine in many forms to keep the momentum going. But want to know how to distract us? Bring a dog to the office. Everyone who works at NIGHT loves dogs and it’s something we bond over.

But the fact is—the love goes both ways. Dogs LOVE NIGHT.  Labs, Goldens, Bulldogs, Pomeranians, Mutts…we could go on and on. We receive pictures via text, email and on social media of dogs, peacefully resting their heads on NIGHT Pillows, with and without their owners.

You may be asking yourself: Why? Well, besides the obvious: dogs are extremely smart creatures and have great taste…here are three reasons:

1. Smooth and gentle sleep surface: The top-quality mulberry silk used in the TriSilk Pillowcase allows hair to glide effortlessly across without pulling or tugging. Goodbye bedhead (and hello less shedding in this case). It is also custom-fit and expertly designed with a hint of spandex to produce a wrinkle-free, perfectly smooth environment. Our canine friends can appreciate this top-notch engineering for a most enjoyable experience.
2. Sleeps cool, no sweat: No one and no dog wants to deal with non-breathable bedding that produces sweat and general discomfort. The NIGHT Pillow provides a cool sleep experience thanks to the oxygenated foam and the mulberry silk.
3. Deeper sleep = better dreams: Ok, we may be stretching here…but the dogs just look so happy when they sleep on NIGHT Pillows! We do know that NIGHT Pillows support deeper, more restorative sleep thanks to the self-adjusting memory foam and the signature black hue, so why can’t we assume that better dreams come along with it?? We like to believe the pups are thinking about peanut butter, long runs in the park and cuddles with their owners.

Final conclusion: Dogs know best and they love NIGHT Pillows for good reason. Follow their lead and invest in a NIGHT Pillow.

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2017 was an absolute mic drop year for NIGHT. We crushed our retail launches: think Bloomingdales, Anthropologie, QVC. We extended our product line as well as launched a sister brand – SHINE by NIGHT. And, was shown love by some big names– cough:  World News Tonight, People Mag, The View etc.

The secret to our success?? ….we have some awesome fcking people on our side. 

These people come in different forms, positions, and relationships to us..but, they have one thing in common: They are believers in NIGHT and go the extra mile to move us forward. No amount of money or other asset on our balance sheet can compensate for what these legit AF humans bring to the table.

One day we will shower these people with jewels and adventures on yachts..but, in the interim, we show our love to these rock stars with a gift that doesn’t piss off our accountant– fresh sneaks. Because what better way to recognize the forward ‘steps’ that they help make happen? And, not just any sneaks – but, always, the Nike Cortez…

Why the Cortez? Nike’s first ever shoe was originally called the ‘Aztec’ until Adidas threaten suit over a similar named shoe.  So, in response, Nike named their groundbreaking shoe ‘The Cortez’ in reference to Hernán Cortés (insert history lesson on the unfortunate fate of the Aztecs due to Cortés). To us, this shoe represents a bold an audacious spirit that turns challenges into opportunities. Perfect for the people who have stuck their neck out to push NIGHT forward.

Who are these people you ask? Well, check out the ‘Cortez files’ where in 2018 we start profiling them. The first 5 are found below.

To the other NIGHT believers, big and small, I sincerely thank you. Thank you for every like, every review (good or bad), every dollar spent, every chance and effort that is given to make us better and push us forward. (insert prayer hand emoji).

Warmest Regards,

Kalle Simpson

The Cortez Files:

Mollie Riegger Keppler – nickname Big Rig

Satin this and silk that; you hear the two materials thrown around and often used as synonyms. But the truth is that these materials are different and it is important to understand how as you make the right bedding decision for you and your beauty game.

Let’s start with the how they are similar when used in bedding. Both satin and silk support healthy skin and hair while you sleep. Either of these materials is going to boost your beauty game more than more traditional bedding materials (ahem, cotton). Why? Because while other materials may tug at your hair follicles and strip your skin of natural, important oils, satin and silk provide a smooth sleep surface. Skin and hair gently glide across as you catch z’s, reducing friction and leaving your skin and hair hydrated. This is key in helping to reduce bedhead, hair breakage, fine lines and wrinkles and dull, dry skin.

Now for the key difference. Silk is a natural material produced by the silk worm. Satin was originally produced as a weave using silk fibers to enhance the look and feel of the material (think: extra shiny and smooth). Slowly over time, this same effect could be achieved incorporating sophisticated manmade fibers, leading to today's ability to produce satin as a solely synthetic fiber. This alone immediately presents a difference in price for the consumer. Satin is a more affordable material than silk. So as we like to say here at NIGHT headquarters, if you have champagne taste but are on a budget, satin is your best beauty sleep solution. If you are looking for the ultimate luxury experience, silk is for you.

As silk is a natural fiber, it does offer an important additional benefit. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, which keeps your sleep surface clear of allergens, dust mites and mold aka skin irritants that can cause breakouts. For acne prone skin, this is key to consider, and something that we hear many dermatologists call out.

Net net- making the switch to satin OR silk is a no brainer. You’ll wake up fresher and be out the door faster with less time messing with your hair and skin. Choosing between satin and silk is a personal choice, depending on your budget and skin concerns.

Have follow up questions? The NIGHT team is always happy to help! Email info@discovernight.com.

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“Traveling does wonders for my skin and hair,” said no one ever. But perhaps you’ve seen people stepping off a plane looking flawless? Well of course they have secrets. No one puts in zero beauty effort while traveling and gets away with it! So bring on the tips, tricks and insider secrets!

To celebrate the launch of the NIGHT Pillow compression case, we spoke with some of our favorite beauty experts to get the scoop on upping your beauty game in tough travel conditions. Between being able to easily take your NIGHT Pillow with you wherever you go and their game-changing advice, consider yourself celebrity jetsetter status. 

Here’s what they had to say…

“Packing my beauty products used to stress me out but now I collect samples and minis of my favorite brands and store them in a pouch that’s actually made to store a wet bathing suit (ha!). It sounds weird, but it’s lined with a wipeable material so if my moisturizer explodes during a flight, the clean-up is easy. I always keep the pouch filled with baby toothpaste, razor, face wash, SPF, moisturizer, face oil, self-tanner wipes, etc. so I have everything I need in one spot. I literally grab it and go. It’s a fun way to try out new products that I don’t use on a daily basis. If/whenever possible, I fly without wearing makeup (just skincare) and I love to use undereye patches while en route. Upon arrival, I pull them off and instantly feel refreshed. I also use a facial self-tanner (I love the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pads) the night before I travel so I look glowy when I get to my destination.”

 -Heather Muir Maffei, Beauty Director at Real Simple and Health Magazine

"Dry plane air can suck the moisture right out of your skin, so I always make sure to BYO hydration! I bring my own empty water bottle to refill at the airport, en route, and when I land. I pack my favorite tea bags (usually spearmint since the spice is a known skin-enhancer) to dip in hot water for extra nourishment, and I bring a face spritz to use throughout a long trip as needed." 

-Alexis Farah, Freelance Writer and Founder of Random Acts of Lipstick

“When I travel I always bring makeup products that are in cushion form. Now everything from foundation to blush and highlighter come in a cushion compact, and I love it because it's leak free, easy to throw into your bag, comes with a built-in mirror and the formulas usually give your skin a really beautiful, dewy glow that you can't always get from stick products (the other easy-to-travel-with makeup form). Plus I've found that cushion compact foundations and blushes really give your skin a nice youthful finish that photographs really well!”

-Carolyn Hsu, Site Director at New Beauty

“I love clothes that are still chic but comfy.  I’m not that person that can travel in 6-inch stilettos and tight outfits, so I try to go for cute coordinates that are still tasteful.  My eye mask and Barefoot Dreams shawl are a must because I’m always freezing on planes!  I also try to stay extremely hydrated by drinking tons of water (planes dry me out!) and love to spritz my Kiehl’s Cactus Flower & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist in the middle of the flight, especially on redeyes.”

-Brittney Levine, On-Air Style & Trend Expert and Host of Marie Claire’s “The Fix”