Evening is not an afterthought. It’s a transition. From doing to being. From output to restoration. From the external world back to self.
For our founder Elle Macpherson, the evening is truly a ritual — a grounded routine that begins long before her head hits the pillow. It’s intentional and deeply aligned with how the body is designed to rest.
And it’s this philosophy that sits at the heart of our newly launched Evening Elixir in Vanilla — a new expression of our beloved 13-calorie warming elixir with 14 premium, organic ingredients designed to boost collagen for glowing skin and support quality sleep with magnesium.
Why The Evening Matters More Than We Think
Globally, sleep has become one of the most compromised pillars of health.
- Around 1 in 3 adults report poor sleep quality
- Nearly 40% of people experience insomnia symptoms at some point
- Chronic sleep deprivation is now linked to everything from hormonal imbalance to skin ageing and reduced immune function
It seems we’ve optimised our mornings and we’ve engineered our days. But our evenings? They are still often rushed, overstimulated, and disconnected.
Elle’s approach offers a different perspective: that how we end the day determines how we recover from it.
A Ritual That Begins Before Sunset
“I aim to eat dinner around 5–6pm, before the sun goes down, so that I have time to digest.”
Rooted in Ayurvedic philosophy, eating earlier allows the body to process food efficiently before sleep. Elle’s focus is on warmth and nourishment — vegetables like Japanese sweet potato, cabbage and mushrooms, soups, curries — foods that feel grounding rather than stimulating.
This also supports Elle’s intermittent fasting rhythm, allowing the digestive system to rest overnight.
Consistent Hydration
“I hydrate well throughout the day (3 litres approximately) so I’m well hydrated when I sleep and not drinking a lot before bed, so I don’t wake up and need to pee.”
Rather than overloading the body with fluids late at night, hydration is spread consistently across the day — from morning Super Elixir Greens to the HydroProtein in the afternoon, taken with mineral-rich water alongside whole foods, fruit, and glasses of lime water and salt. The result?
Better sleep consistently. Fewer disruptions. A body that feels supported, not overloaded.
Creating a Sensory Shift
“I shower at the end of the day — to release the energy of the day — often in candlelight with non-toxic organic beeswax/wicks… and no synthetic perfumes.”
This is more than an obvious routine. It’s a reset. As the day closes, so too does stimulation.
Warm water, low light, natural scents — signals to the nervous system that it’s safe to slow down. That the day is complete.
For Elle, even skincare and self-care rituals including brushing teeth are performed in this softer environment, reducing exposure to harsh lighting and overstimulation. Dr. Will Cole provides an interesting insight on dark showering here.
The Evening Elixir: A Ritual Within the Routine
At the centre of this transition sits a simple but powerful habit:
“I prepare an evening elixir — it does wonders for my sweet tooth and is delicious, packed with benefits.”
Where our original chocolate elixir leans into the grounding, ceremonial nature of cacao, vanilla offers something softer — creamy, comforting, and subtly sweet. It is a different kind of indulgence. And beyond taste, the formulation is intentional:
- Magnesium to support nervous system relaxation and muscle function
- Antioxidants to protect against daily stressors
- Coconut milk base for warmth and satiety
- Natural vitamin C to support collagen formation
This is a signal. A cue to the body that the day is winding down.
Reducing Stimulation, Restoring Rhythm
Evening, for Elle, is about removing what no longer serves.
“I limit screen use to a few hours before bed, with bluelight-blocker glasses. If I wish to watch a movie I will on the iPad as I don’t have a TV or watch TV shows for that matter”
Where screens are used, they’re buffered — blue light glasses, intentional viewing, conscious limits.
“I never sleep with electronics plugged in the bedroom…especially not close to my head, preferring to charge my phone before sleep or even better use a battery clock for time and alarm.”
This reduction in electromagnetic and visual stimulation creates a calmer sleep environment — one that supports deeper, more restorative rest. The bedroom becomes what it’s meant to be: a place for sleep.
“Often I’ll read in bed - I usually have a few books on the go. Right now, Marianne Williamson’s book, Midlife Awakening; Osho; Gay Hendrix, The Big Leap. I’m also reading a book on Kundalini Awakening and the Chakra Systems. I prefer non-fiction. I also listen to the Sutara app for micro buddhist stories.
Before lights out, there’s space for reflection.
“Before sleeping I write a reflection on the day.”
This is a moment to process. To close loops. To bring awareness to what’s been. And then, connection.
“Before lights out — look into my beloved’s eyes and connect deeply… synchronise breathing.”
Something simple. And powerful. Sleep is not just physical. It’s emotional.
Designing Her Sleep Environment
From linen sheets to organic cotton and a no spring mattress, from EMF-conscious choices to clutter-free spaces — the environment is curated to support rest.
“I always sleep with an eye mask, it keeps my face warm and shuts out the light… I sleep on linen sheets if possible… my bedroom is clutter free, just a bed and side tables and a chair.”
For Elle, these details matter. They create the conditions for sleep to happen naturally.
“Sleep with a smile.”
It’s a simple line, but it captures something essential.
Sleep is not something we chase. It’s something we allow. It’s something we should enjoy. It’s something we should revere. The more we support the body — through rhythm, nourishment, and intentional rituals — the more naturally it unwinds.