Okay: I’m not an aromatherapy person. I don’t believe in scents or colours influencing your mood, or your appetite, or your intelligence. There isn’t enough scientific data to back up most of these claims, and the evidence that does exist is often sorely lacking. (It turns out a change to any colour will uplift your mood, for instance — and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar!) I do, however, very much appreciate a nice scent, and the Scentuals Sleep Well Gift Set ($45.50 CAD) is no exception.
Make sure to use code RAE25OFF for 25% off your Scentuals order!
This winter has been a tough one, from sticking to a posting schedule (it’s hard when you’re completing freelance work, picking away at your degree, and in what feels like a near-constant pain flare-up) to cleaning up around the house. Most recently, I discovered that the ever-present garbage smell that no one else could ever seem to notice was, in fact, a tiny layer of compacted crumbs in between the ridges of my garbage can lid.
(G’bless us every one, but especially Method, who makes the most wonderful, biodegradable household cleaners.)
Sleeping well with Scentuals Sleep Well
“Sleeping well” is a misnomer for this one: I almost always sleep well. (It’s one of the only perks to having fibromyalgia!) But feeling well isn’t a guarantee, and no amount of aromatherapy is going to fix that.
Despite not buying into this whole oils-as-medicine thing, I do feel like a great smell can pick up your mood. But it isn’t about opening chakras or tricking your neurochemistry. Instead, I think it’s something much simpler: nice smells make me happy. That’s it.
When I first tried the Scentuals Sleep Well Pillow & Room Mist, I was crushed. The scent was nowhere near as nice as the simple packaging, and it clung to my sheets like lavender-vanilla candy. (I hate lavender.) Each Sleep Well product sits a little differently, though, and so, the day was saved.
The Sleep Well Roll-On is based in a lovely rice bran oil, and my skin likes to highlight its ylang ylang, jasmine, and sandalwood notes. (It turns out only my Brooklinen sheets were determined to make the lavender and vanilla oils explode in a riotous cacophony.) Likewise, the Sleep Well Lotion ($22.50 CAD) settled into a creamy ylang ylang-vanilla blend — with a softer vanilla, which I can only assume was because my super-dry skin sucked up the rest.
How the Scentuals Sleep Well Collection compares
Surprisingly, it really holds its own! I found, for once, that these products were almost too scented for me. My super-sensitive nose doesn’t like a lot of a distractions while I’m trying to sleep, or eat, or work. As a result, I’ve found that my magic blend is to just use the Sleep Well Hand & Body Lotion on my hands throughout the day. The scent is comforting and soothing in a way that’s perfect for the winter. Plus, the aloe juice/rice brand oil base is totally non-greasy and nourishing. Most importantly, however, it’s a hand cream that sinks in quickly: a necessity for someone who washes their hands with almost inadvisable frequency.
My favourite Scentuals product is still their Vanilla Tangerine Hand & Body Lotion ($14.95 CAD), which smells like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange but doesn’t leave your teeth nearly as fuzzy. Both are excellent choices for the holidays, and would be such an excellent way to round out a gift box!
Availability: You can find Scentuals at their website, through Well.ca, or (strangely) at G&E Pharmacy (AKA the human, horse, and pet store pharmacy) in Edmonton. Their products are 100% natural, Canadian, and cruelty-free. For 25% off your entire order at Scentuals, use the code RAE25OFF!
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Disclaimer: These products and code were gifted to me by the brand’s PR company.
