Self-Care With Valley Mill (Review)

Things got too much. Life was feeling hard. You know when you go through those times where it feels like it’s just one thing after another? Looking back now, I sort of feel I was being melodramatic. Yeah, we’ve had a trying couple of weeks, but overall coming out the other side of it I see now everything is how it should be. Things have a funny way of working out like that.

Self-care is so important when you feel like that, the problem is you don’t often feel the energy for it. Luckily for me, I’d received a beautiful package from Valley Mill. Containing a natural sox wax candle and a 100% natural soap. It was a little bit of calm through the storm.

The soap containing only the good stuff, made me feel like I was taking care of my body by not putting a load of toxic chemicals on my skin and the candle was the perfect way to hygge. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I opened the package and it all smelt divine. A package has never smelt so heavenly.

The soap was Bergamot & Basil which is probably an enquired preference, but one I knew I’d love. I’d previously spoken to Valley Mill and mentioned that I once had a Bergamot and Garden Mint hand cream that I adored the fragrance of so I thought a Bergamot & Basil soap would be something I’d love the scent of too.

I was right. It smells so fresh and energising and sometimes we need a little bit of an uplifting vibe. The 9-year-old liked it too, mainly because she thought it looked like a chocolate bar. I’m not sure I agree, but you know it’s never worth arguing with a 9-year-old.

My favourite though was without a doubt the candle. I had one of the new fragrances, Cwtch Violets. They recently had to change their recipes for the candles after one of the main soy ingredients they used became no longer available. I read about it here and was impressed with how they overcame the situation and used it as an opportunity to try new recipes and make the candles even better.

I love using soy candles because unlike most candles which we know burning isn’t always in the best interests of our health, I don’t have that worry using natural soy wax based candles.

As you can imagine it smelt of violets and I loved it. Having hay fever it’s nice to be able to get a Spring/Summer vibe without the suffering. I can’t find anything I don’t like about the candle, I’ve never had a candle like it.

Maybe I’m just behind the times, but it has a wooden wick. I’ve never ever had this before and it made me fall in love with it. You know that lovely noise an open fire makes? Well due to the little wood wick, you get a really subtle whisper of the same and you know for me it’s the little things. It was total hygge.

Also, it’s annoying candles don’t have a full pool melt and you end up with the middle going down and not the rest, well you don’t get that. No wax is wasted. I just love that about it.

Through a challenging week, I used this candle every day as I little bit of self-care. I don’t know if this is just me, but there is something about a candle that sets a better tone. It’s like you’re making an effort with your environment and I’m a huge advocate of the fact your environment really affects your mood.

The candle also comes with a little Welsh slate to put it on which was a lovely little touch. The candles are hand poured in Wales and I just can’t fault this little Welsh company. I’m a total Valley Mill lover now and would definitely recommend both of these products.

The candle comes with a 60 hour burn time and costs £16.95, which if you’ve ever bought a high-quality soy candle you’ll know that’s really reasonable and the soap is £4.40. Again a good price for a soap that’s handmade and natural. Containing ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter.

If you fancy trying any of the products or simply fancy a browse to see what other products Valley Mill offers then you can click here to see their website.

Disclaimer: Valley Mill sent me these products in exchange for a review. All opinions as always are my own.