Sleep aids with Silentnight

For just about as long as I can remember, I have struggled with sleeping and this isn't the first time I have mentioned insomnia on my blog.  In time I have tried quite a few different products to hope they bring about sleep, some have been successful and others have failed.

Silentnight are conducting a Sleep Clinic online to try to help some of the nation's poor sleep sufferers, their research showed that only 25% of all parents are getting a good nights sleep. So having completed a survey and being offered the chance to try out choice of products to review I selected a sleep mask** and a magnesium oil goodnight spray**.

I tried both separately at first and then together and wrote down how I felt. The mask is made by Tempur and it conforms to your body and uses soft velour that is allergen and mite resistant.  As soon as I fitted the mask using the elasticised strap, I was surprised at how soft it felt against my face and skin and how much light it blocks out.  

One of the issues for me is that as soon as it gets light, I wake up and given that the sun has risen by 4.30am most mornings, you can imagine how tired I am come lunch time at work!  I was also skeptical as to whether or not the mask would remain in place all night, it did and I didn't strangle myself with it (one of my fears) and it didn't leave any marks on my face when I did wake up the following morning.  So for me, this did help keep me asleep longer but drifting off remained an issue.

The magnesium oil goodnight spray I also used.  It states the oil can be applied to any area of the body. Apply 5-10 sprays every evening and gently massage into the skin for optimum absorption. 

Apply at least half an hour before retiring. Can be re-applied if sleep is disturbed due to muscle discomfort and it is suitable for anyone from 12 years of age.  This is its description:

Magnesium is an essential element in over 350 bio-chemical reactions within our bodies and many of these involve chemical reactions within the brain, particularly those responsible for sleep patterns. BetterYou Goodnight Spray helps promote a good night's sleep without the morning-after drowsiness.

Magnesium Oil Goodnight Spray is an ideal muscle rub to help maintain normal healthy sleep. The magnesium has been enhanced with the most relaxing essential oils of bergamot, clary sage and chamomile.

When I first applied this, i thought it would be a good idea to apply it to my pressure points as I have done with other products to aid sleep.  I had read that there could be a slight tingling feeling to the skin, well there was and it wasn't too uncomfortable and did subside after a few minutes, but it didn't help me drift off at all.  There was a slight scent to it, nothing overly potent, but one of those scents you would want in a candle which would be relaxing.  

Did it help me drift off to sleep, on its own no, but teamed with the mask I definitely fell asleep much quicker than I would usually done and even now I am still using both products and am falling asleep and staying asleep for a much longer period of time than usual.

I asked around my office for suggestions and tips from people about sleeping well or how they fall asleep and this is their list:

• Go to the gym and have a good work-out for 30-40 mins
• Get plenty of fresh air during the day, instead of eating at the desk, walk to the park
• No electronics half an hour before bed because it keeps your mind alert
• As above with the TV
• Turn your phone off or put it on Airplane mode
• Buy a Black-out blind
• Listen to relaxing music
• Use something Lavender scented before bed

What things do you find help you sleep better? I'd love to hear any tips!

To try out the Silentnight Sleep Clinic yourself, just click here

Magazine Freebies!

Every month I read reviews about magazine freebies and it is very rare I am excited enough to go out and buy them, though last month I did get the mini REN hot cloth cleanser which was fabulous. This month, I feel a little bit more spoilt for choice with the choices on offer, there are just so many good ones to get, plus my very friendly newsagent has been a little generous with some of the extra freebies which didn't seem to belong to any of the magazines for sale in his shop, so when he asked if me I would like them, how could I refuse?

So what did I manage to get my hands on?

Yes I think I have done pretty well this month with getting my hands on the whole Clinique set which comes from Glamour magazine. There are two Chubby Sticks in Super Strawberry and Woppin' Watermelon, a mini High Impact Mascara and a mini bottle of Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ though I seem to have two of these. All of these together are said to be worth £30 and given Glamour Magazine costs just £2 perhaps it would have been worth shelling out that extra £6? I had initially opted for the Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon as I like the look of the colour, but as I was given both Chubby sticks plus the mascara and two Moisturising lotions, I am more than chuffed with this little haul!

With Instyle magazine comes a free Neal's Yard Geranium and Orange Hand Cream in a 50ml tube, which is worth £10 and given Instyle costs just £3.90 this in itself is an absolute bargain and I am a huge fan of Neal's Yard products and am yet to try a hand cream, of which I go through quite a lot, so I am hoping this is good.

The magazine I really wanted besides Glamour was Red magazine because they have a Rodial Stemcell Super Glam Balm Lip 10ml, a 7ml version in Marks and Spencer and Harrods which has an RRP £17, so this is an absolute bargain given I paid just £4 for the magazine!

In Cosmopolitan this month you can choose from four freebies from a brand called New CID Cosmetics, those freebies are a Black Mascara and three shades of their Lip and Cheek Tint, all together worth £60, I have the Mascara which I was given and the Lip and Cheek Tint in Rose Tint which is a shade I really like.

Marie Claire Magazine has a freebie from one of my favourite brands Balance Me this month and there is a choice of the Luxury Face Cream 15ml or Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm 40ml which together are said to be worth around £25. I opted for the Face Balm which I have had my eye on for some time and I can't wait to see what it is like. This Magazine usually costs £3.90 but if you go to Tesco it is just £2.50 which means even more of a saving for a fab freebie.

The one magazine I didn't buy was Elle which has a skincare travel set by Malin and Goetz and the kit contains a Grapefruit Face Cleanser 10ml, Lip Moisturiser 5ml and Vitamin E Face Moisturiser 10ml which together are worth £10, the only reason I don't have it is because someone had stolen all the freebies from the magazines on offer, but if you do want it, then Elle is £4.

The Lip Crayons I am really looking forward to using and this is how they swatch:

The Mascaras I am also looking forward to using and they look like this:

So there you have this months magazine freebies and the ones I was lucky enough to get.

Have you managed to get your hands on any of these freebies this month? 

Are there any that you really want to try?