Fat freezing – what you need to know*

For some people, body image and self-confidence are often closely linked, and this can be the case throughout our lives. Irrespective of gender, young people in their 20’s and 30’s to those in middle age and later life can all struggle. There are lots of steps people can take to improve their body confidence but not one is right for everyone. Finding what works for you to give you a body you’re happy with is really important.

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There are lots of diets, supplements, treatments and programs available to everyone in today’s society and this can make things difficult. It can be overwhelming in terms of the amount of choices and information out there. With this in mind we wanted to put together a quick guide on what you need to know about one of the options available to you, fat freezing. You may have seen it called cryolipolysis or even CoolSculpting, but in this article we are going to highlight the key information about this treatment.

How does it work? 

The most important thing to understand with any treatment is how it works. The first thing to point out here is that unlike other fat removal treatments you may have heard of, such as liposuction, fat freezing is non-invasive and non-surgical. It uses controlled cooling in specific areas to target fat cells. Scientists discovered that fat cells were particularly sensitive to colder temperatures. By using cold temperatures to target these cells they crystalise and ultimately die. 

Following a treatment session these cells will start to leave your body. This process will take place over the following days, weeks and months. It is important to note that this process is completely natural and is controlled by your lymphatic system. 

What areas can it treat? 

It is important to point out here that fat freezing is not designed to be weight loss treatment. It is designed to be a fat loss treatment which can target specific areas of your body. Everyone has areas of their body they may not be happy with, and fat can play a significant role in this. 

Because fat freezing can be targeted specifically to certain areas you can achieve highly localised results. Larger areas such as your thighs and abdomen are often areas where people would like fat removed as it can help them fit into clothes more comfortably. However, fat freezing can also be used on smaller areas such as your chin and jawline which are obviously highly visible areas. Another area which may be less visible but still one people may wish to target is the back, specifically around bra straps. 

What are the benefits?

There are a several key benefits to fat freezing, some of which you may already have realised reading the information above. Firstly, it is a highly versatile treatment as it can be used to target a range of areas on the body. Secondly, as mentioned initially, fat freezing is a non-invasive and non-surgical process. This means that there is no risk of scaring as there is with other procedures. Furthermore, invasive and surgical procedure have a period of recovery time which is needed to allow your body to heal, however, this is not the case with fat freezing. 

Undoubtably one of the main benefits to fat freezing is that because the fat cells have been destroyed and removed from your body, they will not be able to return in the future. Finally, it is worth highlighting that because it can take weeks for the fat cells to leave your body the change in your body looks natural rather than immediate. Yes, it will be a change but not instant, but rather gradual. 

Is it right for me?

To discover if fat freezing is a treatment which is right for you it’s important to speak with a professional. Do your research to find a well-respected clinic which offers fat freezing and organise a consultation or even just an initial discussion over the phone or by email. This will allow you to learn more about the process and for a specialist to answer any specific questions you may have. It also allows a clinic to ask you about your medical history in order to identify any issues which may impact your ability to have fat freezing treatments. 

Overall fat freezing can be a fantastic solution for many people and help them feel better in their body every day!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Olverum Restful Sleep Pillow Mist

If you follow me on social media, it might have caught your attention that my sleep pattern is a little disrupted. I go through bouts of being awake in the early hours of the morning and nothing I'm going to do is sending me back to sleep.  I was kindly sent one of the new additions to the Olverum Collection - Restful Sleep Pillow Mist to try.

I am a big fan of Olverum as a brand, the bath oil being a big favourite of mine. Whenever I have a cold on its way, I hop into the bath with Olverum Bath Oil and it works it magic to battle with the cold to make me feel a whole lot better, same with the onset of a headache and if I am feeling a tad grouchy.

"Awaken relaxed and refreshed with the Olverum Restful Sleep Pillow Mist, a fine mist that imbues linens and spaces with a serene and tranquil natural fragrance, helping to promote a peaceful and restful sleep".

Sleep is one of the most important things you need in your life, as you sleep your mind and body recover, relax and regenerate.  I am a horrendous sleeper of late. Gone are those long weekend lie-ins which saw me getting a good 12-14 hours sleep, it is more likely to be 5-6 hours now if I am lucky.  To that end, I will try absolutely anything that is calming and relaxing before bed time.  

This is where Olverum Restful Sleep Pillow Mist comes in and is quite the product to be using. 

The Olverum Restful Sleep Pillow Mist features a unique blend of soothing essential oils which are natural, vegan and cruelty-free. Those essential oils include bergamot which is chosen because because it helps the body to relax as well as to improve the mood, then we have Amyris which is great for calming and helping to relieve anxiety, Geranium which helps to ensure a disturbance-free transition into the calming, restorative second stage of sleep that is really important, Chamomile oil helps to maintain and extend the period of deep rest, which ensures you awaken looking and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and then finally we have lavender which helps to promote deeper sleep.

Putting all of these ingredients together gives you quite the product with a whole host of benefits which includes:

Key Benefits:

• Helps promote a restful sleep
• A fine mist with a serene natural fragrance
• Works to evoke sensations of calm and comfort
• Features a soothing blend of essential oils, including bergamot, amyris and lavender
• A natural, vegan and cruelty-free formula

To use the spray, the advice is to use it immediately prior to sleep or relaxation. Then you need to spritz just two pumps of Restful Sleep Pillow Mist into the air, or you can spray it directly onto linens from a distance of around 30cm.  Once the Mist has been dispersed around your room or onto your linens, what I have found is the scent, which is similar too but not the same as, the bath oil is a fragrance that I have come to recognise as relaxing and one that does help calm and soothe.  Taking the time to properly appreciate the essential oils is really important because that is what makes this so beneficial.

For me, this pillow mist has been a delight to use. Sleep comes easily for me when I use it and I tend to sleep for longer periods of time. I've taken the time to use it a few times a week since it arrived to see what happens both when I do and don't use it, using it definitely helps to relax and calm, better so when I have used it with the Bath Oil to create quite the routine.  If I don't use it, sleep does come but it has been patchy and not a great sleep.

The Olverum Restful Sleep Pillow Mist is on sale via SpaceNK for £25 right here* and if getting that restful, peaceful sleep is an issue for you, then giving this mist a try might just help!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Blooming Blends Sleep Easy Collection

I have had these two products from Blooming Blends for quite some time and they are just absolutely divine to use on their own or as part of a pre-sleep ritual. If you follow me on Instagram, you will have noticed that I suffer from bouts of insomnia, though in recent weeks this has improved. For me, falling asleep isn't always the issue, it is staying asleep that I have a problem with, so I was delighted to give these two products a try.

The two products I was very kindly sent are the Sleep Easy Botanical Sensory Facial Mist and the Sleep Easy Herbal Tincture.

I absolutely love a facial mist, there isn't one day which goes by that I don't use one. It was during a facial a few years ago that the therapist suggested that one should be part of my everyday routine because I spend a lot of my time sitting in front of a computer screen. Using a spray not only gives me that refresh, but it also stops my skin from feeling really dry.  However, from Blooming Blends, the Sleep Easy Facial Mist (£18) is quite unlike others that I have used.

Sleep Easy is described as being a is a botanical sensory facial mist to soothe and settle the senses and help you find the perfect night's sleep. The mist is made using a balanced blend of soothing essential oils and Blooming Blends very own, homemade flower waters which are designed to help your body relax and quieten as you drift into an easy sleep.

The Blooming Blends homemade flower waters include a mixture of lavender, petitgrain and chamomile three ingredients that I associate with relaxing and calming and as a mist it does smell absolutely lovely. You'll notice there is also a hint of Witch Hazel, which I am told is included to help preserve the mist. To use, the advice is to hold the bottle 30cm from your face, spray liberally over your face and pillow and sheets and inhale deeply. As a mist, it doesn't soak your face thoroughly, it is more of a light dusting. Delightful to use and definitely a very calming blend.

The second product is the Sleep Easy Herbal Tincture (£22) which was created, as Blooming Blends state, to help you sleep deep, long and well, the Sleep blend will try to bring you comfort and peace. Unlike the Facial Mist, this is a liquid designed to be taken internally.

To use, it is one pipette under the tongue before you go to sleep. It is made up of a botanical blend of ethanol (25-45% v/v) and vegetable glycerine extracts which include - Oat Straw, Passionflower, Catnip, Chamomile, Lavender and Ashwagandha.  Blooming Blends state that their tincture formulas are created using a ratio of 1:3 to 1:1 herb to liquid so they are at their best possible strength.

When taking this blend, I didn't notice any immediate benefits, it doesn't have a particular taste to it, it definitely doesn't make you pull faces! I think for me, knowing it should and is designed to help me get a better nights sleep rather than fall asleep, I don't stress myself out if I don't immediately nod off as soon as my head hits my pillow, but instead, if I wake up feeling refreshed, it is a bonus.

You can find out more about Botanical Blends from their website. Alongside the Sleep Easy Range, you will find a whole host of other ranges such as a De-Stress and Brain Boost Range.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Three Beauty Expert Must-have products

At Beauty Expert, there have been regular collections detailing some of the best the site has to offer, such as the Serenity Edit, which I featured on my blog just a few weeks ago.  More recently, I was kindly gifted some credit to spend on the website to buy and try some products from my wishlist.

As you can imagine, I had quite the wishlist of products that I want to try and I managed to narrow it down to three, which I had been wanting for quite some time.

The first product is from Peter Thomas Roth, a brand I have seen across many social media channels that I follow, yet a one I haven't tried. This Cucumber Gel Facemask is described as being a soothing face mask that is ideal for skin post peel, waxing, sun exposure or extractions. On the skin, this gel mask, with its gel formula, is really cooling and soothing on the skin

As the name suggests, this gel mask is enriched with Cucumber Extract and Aloe Vera, a blend of Papaya and Chamomile extracts which come together to comfort and soothe any irritation. Then we also have the inclusion of Pineapple, Sugarcane and Sugar Maple extracts which perform a visible brightening effect.  To use, the advice is to apply a generous amount to freshly cleansed skin and allow it to work for 10 minutes or for a more intensive treatment, it can be left on the face overnight.

I bought the sample size mask which comes perfectly packaged in a 14ml tube and is priced at just £6.72, a great idea for trying a product before purchasing a full-sized tub.

The second product is the Neom Organics Real Luxury Standard Scented Candle. I had intended to purchase a lipstick from Lipstick Queen, which is a brand I adore, but I got sidetracked by this candle. 

Described as being a refreshing, balancing aroma designed to relax, soothe it is perfect for those evenings and weekends when you just want to sit back and create an environment which just allows you to do just that. It uses a blend of 24 of the purest possible essential oils which includes lavender, Brazilian rosewood and jasmine with which not only smell wonderful but can help bring a feeling of calm.

This candle has been hand-poured using 100% natural wax and it has a burn time of up to 35 hours. It is priced at £36 for a single wick candle but there is the option of a 3 wick candle and even a travel edition.

The final item from my wishlist comes from ByTerry and it is the Beauty Essentials Kit, a collection of the brands iconic cult favourites housed inside a limited-edition pouch.

This Beauty Essentials Kit contains three products:

• Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder (1.5g) - Described as being an ultra-lightweight and completely invisible powder which controls shine without leaving skin looking dry or chalky. This loose powder contains whipped Hyaluronic Acid Microspheres that are designed to 'fill in' pores as well as to blur imperfections, leaving the skin looking and feeling smooth and more even-toned and it comes with the cutest mini sponge I have ever seen! I had been wanting to try this powder since it was released and now I have, I have already ordered a full size.
• Mascara Terrybly (4g) - I am a huge fan of mascara and am always wanting to try new ones. Included in this Essentials Kit is the Mascara Terrybly in Black Parti-Pris. This mascara is enriched with what is referred too as ‘Lumicoat Care Technology’ – a cocktail of glycoproteins, collagen and hyaluronic acid which conditions and promoted thickness of the lashes.  I really like the formula which isn't too wet when applied to the lashes, the wand grips and separates each individual lash without flaking, smudging and there is no sign of clumping either.
• Baume De Rose Le Soin Lèvres (2.3g) - One of the first products I ever used from the brand was the Baume de Rose Lip Balm. Infused with Shea Butter, Rose Flower Essential Wax and antioxidant Vitamin E, this balm softens and moisturises lips, whilst delivering subtle, non-sticky shine and promoting a plump appearance. This multi-purpose balm can also be used as an overnight lip treatment or it can also be applied on the nails and cuticles to nourish, fortify and protect from dryness. This balm is ideal for travelling, carrying in your handbag or placing on your bedside table.

These three products are packaged inside the most beautiful purple pouch which features the ByTerry logo and it is worth £45 but is priced at just £25 which is an absolute bargain.

As you can see, I chose three products which are all sold at incredible prices and right now, if you spend £60, Beauty Expert has an offering od saving 15% or 20% when using the code SPEND.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Soakin Bath Salts

I know I have said it many times, but believe me, bath salts are so underrated and I am a huge fan, especially when I come across new brands, many of which I feature on my blog. I came across Soakin Bath Salts in my local Health Food shop when collecting a package that has been shipped by DHL, being on a buy one get one free offer, I was spoilt for choice as to which ones I wanted to try - Dead Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, Magnesium Flakes it Himalayan Salts. In the end, I opted for Dead Sea Salt and Himalayan Salt.

I absolutely love Dead Sea Salts and from Soakin, these are made of 100% Pure Natural premium quality Dead Sea salt which in themselves are pack full of minerals and as such you will find they contain:

• Magnesium - Which is great for detoxifying and cleansing the epidermis. It also helps heal damaged or inflamed skin.
• Calcium - Which promotes skin growth and regeneration as well as moisture retention through the production of sebum, and stimulates the production of antioxidants.
• Sodium - Which helps cleanse and exfoliate the skin, neutralise free radicals and relieve sore muscles.
• Zinc - Which helps heal and rejuvenate skin
• Potassium - Which is great for helping to keep the skin moist and plump as well as helping to reduce puffiness.
• Sulphur - Which helps decongest pores, but it also has powerful healing, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.

Together these minerals along with the salt, not only soothe, but they also soften, hydrate and exfoliate the skin and are an absolute dream if you have dry or itchy skin.  For me, usually, the winter is spent wearing thick tights or leggings, so as soon as Spring arrives, my legs resemble a snake shedding its skin and they need a lot of moisture and exfoliation before they see daylight, something which bath salts are perfect for.

Then we have the Himalayan Pink Salt bath salts and as well as looking pretty and pink, they to are enriched with minerals to help detox the skin. As with Dead Sea Salt, Himalayan pink salt also helps to exfoliate the skin and help it to retain moisture. 

Unlike Dead Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that heal and soothe skin by calming irritations and breakouts, so, therefore, using it within a bath, it could help those hard to reach areas, such as your back if you suffer from breakouts there. 

When using bath salts, for relaxation and well-being, you should add 100-250g to a warm bath, I always ensure there are a few inches of water in the bath before adding any salt too it as I have found it helps it to dissolve much better. Once in the bath, you should aim to soak for around 20 minutes to get the best benefits. You can also use these salts as a foot soak, ideal if you have hard or dry skin on your heels. As with the bath, add 100-250g to your bowl or footbath and soak your feel for 20 minutes and then rinse, at which point the salt should have helped to loosen some of that skin.

Soakin state that they specialise in sourcing only the highest quality, 100% pure natural salts to ensure the most soothing and relaxing bath-time experience. Soakin Salts retail for around £4.99 each and are designed to be reused and refilled, whether or not you use them for the same product.  I have found that they keep the salts really fresh, which is a must for bath salts.

If you are tempted by these Bath Salts, then there is a store locator on the main website to help you find your nearest stockist,

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Revolution Skincare Mood Pulse Point Roll On

It has been a while since Revolution has released something to capture my attention, in fact not since the disaster that was the Foil Frenzy Eyeshadow Palette, if I am honest. But then I saw the new Revolution Skincare Mood Pulse Point Roll-On products I am wanting to buy it.

If you read my regularly, then it is no secret that I am a huge fan of Essential Oils and their properties and these Mood Pule Point Roll On's, which in many ways remind me of Aromatherapy Associates own version and something I am a big fan of, call out to me especially as they are priced at just £6

Let the good vibes roll with our Mehhh! Relaxing Pulse Point Roll On. With a blend of English Lavender, Peppermint, Geranium, Bergamot and Eucalyptus Essential Oils to create a soft, calming floral aroma with sweet Balsamic and Herbal undertones. This handbag sized Aromatherapy essential will have you rolling in relaxation.

As a roll-on, it is a great item to have in your handbag for those times in need, easy to apply to your pulse points and the key benefits with Mehhh from Revolution is its relaxing and calming properties and it has the following as ingredients:

Hero Ingredients

• Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil – Helps to soothe & nourish
• Vitamin E – Known for its antioxidant properties
• Essential Oil Blend – Creates a calming floral scent

I really like how this pulse point roll-on is packaged and experience of using other brands, the metal rollerball makes it easy to roll directly on to pulse points (wrists, temples, and behind ears) and if you are familiar with products like this, the advice is, after application to take 5 deep breaths and allow those essential oils to work their magic.

Mehhh! is currently the only offering from Revolution with regards to the Mood Pulse Point Roll On, so I would hope there are other variances in the pipeline/about to be launched and I am really intrigued to see what they might be.  Mehhh! is currently on sale for £6 via the Revolution website*.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the morning with Aromatherapy Associates and Dr Tara Swart talking about how to use aromatherapy and the sense of smell to revive and reset your brain, a title in itself which absolutely fascinated me.

I have long been fascinated with aromatherapy oils and how they can change your mood, your outlook and your wellbeing with just a few drops. Brand Ambassador for Aromatherapy Associates, Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart, whose book I am currently reading, explains that the sense of smell is linked to the deepest parts of the brain, known as the limbic system, unlocks our basic instincts, feelings and memories.  

Starting the day with and following little daily rituals using specific essential oils can rewire our brains, according to Dr. Swart. 

‘Rituals are really important and recent discoveries about neuroplasticity [the adaptability of the brain] show that we can change our neural pathways through, for instance, using a mindful sensory ritual that includes aromatherapy to start your day,’ 

Rituals such as this can help you feel brighter in the mornings, or to help you be much more focused and efficient throughout the day and for some, a more relaxed evening.  For me, starting the day feeling awake and alert is a must, especially as I am prone to bouts of insomnia.  From Aromatherapy Associates we have the Revive blend and it can be used to alert all of those senses.

The five senses - touch, smell, sight, taste and sound are all incredibly important to our being, whether they work alone or with one another.  Revive as a blend uses Juniper Berry which is not only uplifting but it helps relieve anxiety and tension. Then we have Neroli which as a fragrance I absolutely love, within this oil, it is used because its properties include bringing about a notion of relaxation and calm. Finally, we have Grapefruit essential oil which not only has an uplifting effect on the mood and helps with stress and depression. It is also used to help combat muscle fatigue and stiffness whilst at the same time stimulating the lymphatic system and thereby clearing the body of toxins. Together these essential oils create a reviving aroma which works to shrug off lethargy and help you jump into tackling the day ahead.

So with Revive and those five senses, Aromatherapy has put together a little routine to help you get the best out of using their products and I was kindly gifted the Bath and body oil, a body brush and a rollerball.

We start with Touch - Start your day with a feel good ritual that also promotes healthy skin circulation. The Aromatherapy Dry Body Brush uses natural Agave Cactus bristles to ensure your skin is left feeling incredibly smooth to the touch. To get the best use out of dry brushing, it is advised that you start at your feet using short, lifting strokes in the direction of your heart to stimulate circulation and eventually work the brush all over your entire body for maximum effect. The bristles on the brush are quite abrasive but I am informed that this is how your bristles should feel for dry brushing and redding of the skin is quite normal after use.  Then using a capful of Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil massage it onto your torso before stepping into the bath or shower and really take in those aromas.

Next, we have Smell - Each morning, or evening, depending on your preference, take just 5 minutes to focus on you.  Again, using Revive Body Oil, poor a few drops into the palms of your hands, cup to your face and inhale deeply three times to help restore inner emotional balance. Once you have completed this ritual, you can then apply that oil to your body for soft, moisturised and nourished skin.

Your Sight is incredibly important and Aromatherapy Associates advise paying attention to your local surrounds, nature, the trees, your local park, flowers and wildlife, all of which are proven to lower stress and your wellbeing.

When it comes to Sound, take a moment to be still. Find a quiet place and use the Revive Rollerball. Apply it to your wrists and close your eyes, in doing so, bring your wrists to your nose, take some deep breaths and pay attention to the sounds around you, allowing your mind to wander. It is said that by stopping what you are doing and allowing your body to reboot will naturally help you to recharge.  This is something which is perfect for that mid-afternoon slump when a disco nap in your office chair calls!

Finally, we have Taste - Food is our natural source of energy and as well as choosing it wisely, enjoying it is equally important.  Instead of sitting at your desk on your mobile phone, move to a new place, a different room and leave your phone on your desk. This allows you to think about something other than your emails, social media and the news and instead concentrate on the task at hand - your food.

Aromatherapy call these actions - Easy Actions to Revive Every Sense and they are all really straightforward, something we can all learn to do and they serve as a timely reminder that we all need to take time to reflect, pay attention to what is around us and to our bodies and in doing so, these moments of reset can really make a difference.

I would love to know if you have any daily rituals which you complete to get you through the day?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Marks & Spencer Apothecary Range

I am a huge fan of the Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall, it has been through quite the transformation over recent years, gone is the feeling of feeling too young to buy anything as you approach the shelves to instead wanting to fill your basket with all the amazing brands and new products.  Just recently, Marks &Spencer launched their brand new Apothecary Spa range which has been designed to help you recreate your own at-home spa and frankly it is right up my street and I bought two products to try and if you have been wanting to find an affordable luxury, then consider that box well and truly ticked.

I am sure I am not the only one guilty of buying products from those more luxurious brands - think Jo Malone and Molton Brown for example, only to them use them sparingly or for a special occasion. From Marks and Spencer, they are offering you a choice of four different ranges - Calm, Restore, Balance and Uplift with prices starting as low as £4!  I was tempted by all four ranges and in the end, opted for the fragrance I felt I would like the most and found myself with the Restore Collection.

Within the Restore Collection, there is the option of a bath oil, hand wash, hand lotion, bath salts, body wash, room spray, candle, reed diffuser and soap.  I only had the option of a body wash, bath oil and bath salts and chose the latter and I'll be honest, whenever I see bath salts, I am most definitely buying them.  The Restore Collection is one which is described as having a fragrance containing essential oils of cedarwood, geranium and eucalyptus, all of which are considered to have soothing and relaxing qualities

On a cold wet day, there is nothing better than going home from the office and running a hot bath using a scent which is as soothing as it is calming and the bath salts are incredibly potent, so you need just a handful to sprinkle into the water, usually after there are 1-2 inches already in the bath and then, as with the bath oil, as soon as those essential oils come into contact with the hot water and steam vapour, the Eucalyptus and Lavender scent is really noticeable. With the bath oil, you need around a capful, two if you have a stuffy nose or the onset of a cold to help calm and soothe.

I absolutely love these two products and as a range, it just covers so many uses - it calms, it soothes, it helps relieve stress and tension, it relaxes and if you are suffering from a cold or are feeling run down, it definitely helps with that.  I am hoping the next time I get to the Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall they might have more of the Restore Collection in stock, especially the candle and I might even venture into the other collections too.

With prices as low as £4 and with packaging as fabulous as it is, the Apothecary range is definitely worth buying and trying!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

GO2 Inhaler Sticks

Everyday life can be stressful, it can be hard work and there is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting that life has been tough of late.  I have been learning how to use the power of smells and scents to change my mood and there are a few products which I have loved using, the first being these Go2 Inhaler Sticks and if you read my tips on getting a better nights sleep, you have noticed the inclusion of one right there.

Go2 Inhaler sticks are the brainchild of brothers Marc and Benjamin Shipman and are the first UK-based company to launch 100% natural essential oil inhaler sticks to the UK market.  I have always been fascinated by Essential Oils and their properties, wanting to know what they do, why they do it and what works best for which reason as well as knowing how to use them to the best of their ability.

Essential Oils can help you relax, deal with cramps, help with the symptoms of PMT, help with sleep, aches, focus and stress. So finding a product such as an inhaler stick has absolutely fascinated me since I came to have to them to try out and use. They came about when Marc found juggling life too much and what started out as small internal worries soon manifested themselves into stress-related anxiety, which in turn led to poor sleep and a lack of energy.  Having tried different routines and activities, it wasn't until the suggestion of essential oils was mooted to Marc that the idea of Inhaler sticks came about and wanting to ensure it wasn't a placebo effect, he spent over two years researching, trialling and testing. So, with all of that in place Inhaler sticks were born and they are not only affordable but also accessible at £3.99 each.

Why Essential Oils? When inhaled, the olfactory receptors in your nose are activated, once activated they send signals to the higher regions of the brain, the neocortex and the limbic system and it is the limbic system that then sends messages to the hypothalamus which in turn sends messages around the body.   The benefits of essential oils aren't something new, they have been known for 6000 years but thanks to today's use of science, those benefits are now proven. Essential oils come from plants and they create both the flavour and fragrance of that plant and it is how those oils are extracted to create a product which is important - cold-pressed, with water or by using steam distillation will determine the quality and purity.

There is essentially three ways to benefit from essential oil usage - through your skin, internally via your digestive system or aromatically such as Inhaler sticks.  When inhaling one of the GO2 blends, odour molecules are released and the olfactory receptors in our nose are activated and it is these different odour molecules which result in different messages being sent.  The GO2 essential oil blends are uniquely formulated to maximise the response for each described mood and with that, we have B.Calm, Sleep, Energy and Focus.

Each of the GO2 Inhaler sticks is packaged in bright colours so that you can see which one of which and each outer packaging gives details as to what the stick is for, how to use it and what essential oils it uses.

• Helping to boost your performance we have Energy. This stick which is recognisable from its bright red packaging is designed to support performance, be it with work, life, sports or just generally.  Made from 100% natural oils, this blend uses Eucalyptus which is uplifting and help promote clear breathing, Peppermint which helps to stimulate and aid focus before finally Lemongrass which helps to combat feelings of fatigue.
• Helping with focus is the Inhaler stick called Focus.  This stick which is packaged in bright blue is said to help with focus and concentration. Whether you are sitting in front of a computer, studying or just need to be completely focused on your task in hand, this is the stick for you. Using Rosemary which supports memory function, Peppermint which is stimulating and aids focus and then we have Lime which is uplifting for both the body and the mind.
• Helping to promote inner peace we have B.Calm.  With its baby blue packaging, B.Calm is said to help promote inner peace in those times when you are feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed or simply just need a break. The essential oils included within B.Calm are Cardamom which promotes the feeling of calmness and warmth, Lavender which is relaxing and soothing for both the body and mind, Bergamot which helps to promote inner calm and finally Sweet Orange which is deeply relaxing and works to promote well-being.
• The final stick is one I featured within my sleep post and it is called Sleep. Designed to help promote your quality of sleep, assisting to help give you a deeper and better sleep, this inhaler stick uses Lavender which is relaxing to the body and mind, Red Mandarin which helps support a restful sleep before Frankincense, which helps to promote a sense of inner peace and contentment.

Right now, whilst I have tried each and every one of these Inhaler sticks, I have found to be of most use is Focus because it works the best for what I need because I have just been in the middle of a huge work project and needing to just sit there and work my way through an Excel spreadsheet of doom is something I've had to get on with, so knowing that I can use Focus has been a huge help.

These GO2 Inhaler Sticks are priced at £3.99 each and can be found via Amazon or the Go2 website.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.