
Lately, I’ve been experiencing some stress in my life beyond Now Smell This. It’s just deadline-related tension, and it will all be resolved for better or for worse within another month or two, but in the meantime, I’m feeling all tied up in knots. This seemed like the perfect time for me to test the calming benefits of two lavender-fragranced body products. Lavender has been used for centuries for its mind-soothing properties (as well as its antiseptic qualities), and if it was good enough for both the ancient Romans and Queen Elizabeth I, it’s good enough for me!
Divine Calm Sublime Body Lotion belongs to The Body Shop’s new Wellbeing line, which is comprised of four scent families for different purposes: Deep Sleep, Total Energy, Pure Detox, and Divine Calm. Divine Calm Sublime Body Lotion contains French lavender essential oil…
Balance Massage and Bath Oil is my favorite product from Essence of Vali, a small, New York-based company created by trained aromatherapist Valerie Bennis. Bennis has been offering her botanical formulas since 2000, and her thoughtfully focused product line includes various concentrations of a blend called Sleep, for a “Bedtime Ritual,” and a citrusy, uplifting Eau de Parfum simply named E.O.V., as well as a range of nine Massage and Bath Oils. These multi-use oils, composed of various plant essences, are intended to evoke different moods and responses, including Calm, Detox, and Passion.