Pillow Talk: Genre-bending musician Maeve’s night-time routine

Sum up what you do in five words?

Create an audio-visual world. 

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming music?

It’s cinematic, it’s raw and it’s honest. Most of the songs I wrote on piano or guitar  first and then the production followed which was a different approach from my  previous EP which was very much beat-led. It’s more optimistic, filled with more  love songs and very lyrical.  

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

I would say a 7. But I never want to go to sleep because I feel like I never have  enough time to do everything that I want to. But at the same time, I am the worst if I  haven’t slept, so I definitely need it. 

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

Ideally, I think 10 pm is probably a good time to go to sleep but on a normal night I usually end up going to sleep at 12. 

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

Mainly working — I’m actually so boring. It’s really all I do but I’ve got an obsession.

What side of the bed do you sleep on? 

I strictly sleep on the left side. I have no idea why but I cannot sleep on the right side, it feels so wrong.  

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

I usually sleep on my front.  

What is your bed setup?

White cotton sheets, velvet bed stand, and way too many pillows. Though… I do really want to get the exact same silk sheets that they have in Scarface.  

Light sleeper or heavy sleeper?

Very light! 

Morning bird or night owl?

I prefer waking up early and being up before anyone else, but I find myself staying up later these days. 

How do you unwind before bed? 

My boyfriend loves cooking and usually cooks most nights… which is great for me.  So I usually have a nice dinner and if I’m not working on music late, I love to watch a film. 

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

At the moment I haven’t been reading before bed because I’ve been working quite late, and so recently I tend to read when I’m travelling, or out and about. But I have been listening to true crime podcasts about cults to help me fall asleep, and it’s driving my boyfriend mad haha.  

What products/items are on your bedside table?

Sparkling water (my unnecessarily bougie vice), my glasses and Byredo Gypsy Water. I swear if you cut me I would bleed Gypsy Water.  

What’s the weirdest thing next to your bed?

Probably my massive blue Great Dane called Ringo — he refuses to sleep anywhere  else and snores louder than a grown man. He’s an angel though.  

Do you sleep with your phone next to you?

Yes —unfortunately, I hate to admit that I actually sleep with my phone under my pillow. 

What can’t you go to sleep without doing?

Brushing my teeth and making sure Ringo’s bed is comfy enough for him.  

Do you always take off your makeup before sleeping? 

Most of the time!  

Favourite way to remove your makeup?

A simple foaming cleanser and then Micellar water for eye makeup. 

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

Yeah, it totally goes out the window. I will fall asleep with full-on red lipstick. I don’t know how anyone can do a whole skincare routine after a night out — it’s a real talent… one that I don’t have.  

Can you walk me through your nighttime skincare routine? 

It’s very minimal but it works. I use a cleanser, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum and Nivea face cream. If I have a show or a shoot I’ll do a mask. 

Favourite products to use before bed?

I said it before but Nivea face cream, I swear by it and use it as a primer too.  Also, my Shea Moisture leave-in conditioner that I go through tubs and tubs of.  

What do you do if you can’t sleep?

Rain sounds or Harry Potter audiobooks.