For as long as I can remember, I've battled with sleep so decided to put Marks and Spencer's Ragdale Hall Spa Sleep range to the test.
I'm a big fan of Marks and Spencer's in-house products, as they're all certified cruelty free, decent quality and fairly reasonably priced. After a particularly prolific resurgence of insomnia last month, I decided to invest in my night-time routine in a bid to improve my sleeping habits.
Using the money from a game show win, I finally replaced my 11-year-old mattress with a sumptuous, soft yet supportive number that allowed me to lay down without feeling springs digging into my heels and sides for the first time in a very long time - seriously, it's like sleeping on a cloud. I even ordered new pillows to boot.
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While wandering around Marks and Spencer in Liverpool's bustling city centre, I spotted the Ragdale Hall Spa Sleep range and I was intrigued. The line includes a diffuser, candle, body lotion and butter, hand cream, body scrubs, pillow spray, bubble bath and more.
I chose the Sleep Pillow & Body Mist (£7.50) and the Sleep Bath Foam (£8.50). As my new passport photo harshly highlighted, the shadows under my eyes are so deep, I look like I'm recovering from being punched in the face, so my hopes for these products (and an improvement to my appearance) were pretty darn high.
The Sleep Bath Foam comes in a tall, dreamy white bottle - matching the colours sported throughout the range - finished with simple, linear text branding to the front and a little added glitz with the stylish gold cap. It's made with lavender and geranium essential oils and has been designed to "help calm your senses before sleep".
I poured a generous amount into a running bath and was satisfied by the rich, luxurious bubbles that appeared. Sinking into the bath, the lavender fragrance was subtle but I did feel calm and relaxed.
I find baths to be very relaxing in general, so I'm not sure if my feelings of contentment would've been present even without the use of this bath foam. Still, the bubbles last a long time so those who enjoy an indulgent soak (*cough*, me, *cough*) will certainly appreciate this product.
I was glad I purchased it while it was on sale as I do think £8.50 is expensive for a bubble bath, especially considering the fragrance isn't particularly strong. When using it, I do get out of the bath feeling suitably relaxed and I think having a bath product specifically designed for sleep encourages me to stick to a proper evening routine.
I've also been using Marks and Spencer's Pillow & Body Mist, which contains lavender oil and chamomile extract "to help calm your body and mind before bed". According to the online product description, it "has been expertly designed to help you achieve total relaxation and get a good night's sleep".
I spray it liberally on my pillow and along the top of my duvet so I can breathe in the relaxing aroma while trying to nod off. I use it every evening and I feel like the more consistently I use it, the more it seems to have an effect on my ability to sleep. It's almost like it's training me to fall asleep, with the routine a vital component to any successful night.
It's not possible to have a bath every night; there isn't the time for such an indulgent treat on a nightly basis and I'm too worried about the cost of living crisis to risk filling the bath every evening but even on nights I stick with the shower, I use the pillow spray before climbing into bed.
It smells dreamy and does help ease a lot of my stresses while I try and nod off. The products work in perfect harmony with one another but I wouldn't say they've managed to cure my insomnia entirely.
For me, the most positive result of buying these products has been the desire to stick to a proper evening routine. The consistent fragrance of both is also helping ensure my anxiety-riddled brain associates a lavender aroma with bedtime and falling asleep, which is a refreshing and much needed experience.
These products - and, I'm sure, others like them - are most effective when implemented as part of a strict routine to try and beat the beast that is insomnia. While it remains an ever present bane to my existence, I am finding myself feeling more at ease while laying in bed waiting to fall asleep - long may it continue.
You can buy Marks and Spencer's Sleep Bath Foam by clicking here, and its Sleep Pillow & Body Mist by clicking here. Alternatively, you can find your nearest M&S store here.
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