Merkaela Review Winter 2016
Wellness and tranquility. Two words that have become a HUGE part of my life this past year. Prior to that I’m not sure I knew what they meant. Sad but true. So, why am I telling you this? Well, they are two words used to describe one of my new favourite subscription boxes – Merkaela. Not only have I embraced these two words, but I have also embraced a life of natural living. Put all these things together, and we get a wonderful little subscription box full of wonderful little things.
Merkaela Details
If you aren’t familiar with Merkaela it is a quarterly subscription box that makes wellness and tranquility easy to experience. Their all-natural health and wellness products, delivered right to your door each quarter, are made on site with ingredients you can pronounce and know. They are made with you in mind and formulated to nourish your body, your mind and your spirit.
Winter Box – Solstice
This month’s Winter Solstice Box features a collection of handcrafted personal care products that are specially formulated to enhance the most important relationship in your life – the one you have with yourself. By learning to embrace and respect yourself, you will attract people who will treat you accordingly. This is why the company a person keeps is often revealing of his or her own self-worth. Therefore, it is incredibly important to surround yourself with people who appreciate exactly who you are and will help you become who you want to be.
Wow, I absolutely LOVE the meaning behind the Winter Merkaela Box. I like really, really love it. It took me 35 years to realize that we can choose who we want in our life. I love that they are telling us to closely examine our relationships…….I speak from experience when I say that this is VERY important.
VENUS BODY BUTTER
The lovely blend of Rose, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense and Pine essential oils in the creamy Venus Body Butter will foster feelings of self-love and self-appreciation. As you slowly massage in the body butter, you will increase blood circulation while lowering blood pressure in-effect supporting the health of the lymphatic system. Luxurious Shea and Coconut Butters heal irritation and promote collagen production giving you smoother and supple skin.
So, here’s the deal. I have been using my body butter from the Fall box quite a bit lately and I love it!! It’s a tiny bit greasy, but it absorbs nicely, and it smells divine. The Fall scent was a mixture of cinnamon, lemongrass and frankincense. This season we have liquorice, ylang ylang, fir and pine.
VENUS BODY EXFOLIATOR
Reveal the true glow and luminance of your skin with the nourishing Venus Body Exfoliator featuring Frankincense, Rose, Ylang-Ylang and Pine essential oils. The aromatherapy component of our Venus Body Exfoliator helps combat anxiety and depression, while Vitamin E and Agave calm skin irritation and inflammation. As you exfoliate, mentally list the reasons for why you appreciate yourself and your body. This is a chance to take back your “me” time and focus on ridding yourself of negativity.
I really love the way they describe the products, and I really love that they make suggestion on how to use them. It’s kind of funny because an exfoliator is an exfoliator. You might not think that directions are necessary, but in this case they are.
EVERGREEN SOAP
The Evergreen Soap is made up of a highly nourishing blend of luxurious butters and essential oils. The uplifting scents of Pine and Frankincense are both recharging and relaxing, making the soap ideal for use in the morning or before bed. Pine is notorious for providing stress relief and mental clarity, while frankincense eases you into to your spiritual practice.
For the last couple weeks I have been using the Fall soap in the shower, and on my face at night. I have really been liking it, but I think I am more excited about the Winter soap. Pine essential oil is a new discovery for me and I have a feeling it is going to be a new favourite.
VENUS MINERAL BATH
The Venus Mineral Bath is formulated to promote feelings of wellness and personal happiness. The artisan salt blend has many antioxidant properties that will help keep your skin looking young, smooth and clear. Our mineral bath is great for supplying the body with much needed magnesium and other nutrients, alleviating pain and soothing aching muscles.
I love that they include a mineral bath each month. When I have a wonderful product like this in front of me it is a gentle reminder to take some time for myself and have a relaxing bath.
RAVEN TEA POTION
Few things can be as soothing or comforting than a nice cup of hot tea on a long cold winter day. The aromatherapy benefits of our caffeine-free Raven Tea Potion include increased relaxation and mental clarity. St. John’s Wort, Chamomile, and Anise are famed for stress-reducing properties that are similar to those of Valerian Root. That’s what makes the caffeine-free Raven Tea Potion so amazing. Every cup of tea is a new opportunity to remind yourself of at least three things you’re grateful for.
This cute little tin of tea is probably one of my favourite items in the box. I LOVE that they include this with the bath products. It fits the theme perfectly, and the fact that it is caffeine-free makes me very happy. It’s a perfect evening tea.
HONEY CLAY FACEMASK
If you want a clear, radiant and supple complexion, then the Honey Clay Face Mask is for you. The natural Bentonite Clay is notorious for its ability to draw out impurities while cleansing the skin. The infused honey is great for creating an even skin tone while providing intense moisture, the rich lavender oil soothes irritation while lifting the spirit. The mask does not dry, making it ideal for people with extra dry or sensitive skin. Use it whenever you’re in need of a little tender, love and self-care.
This mask sounds like it will be perfect for me. I have used a couple of masks this past month that got extremely dry and pulled my skin in the process. I have dry skin already, so I need all the moisture I can get. The fact that this one is made specifically for people with extra dry skin is a bonus!
NURTURE LIP BALM
Winter is coming and that means dry-lip season is upon us. Pamper and moisturize your lips with our natural blend of nourishing Sunflower Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa and Shea Butters, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera. The mild scent of cocoa butter takes your mind back to the beach, as the Aloe Vera provides relief from winter’s harsh climate and protection from the elements.
The Fall Box didn’t include lip balm so this is a nice little change. We received an elixir instead.
CEDAR SMUDGE STICK
Considered to be natural purifiers, Cedar Smudge Sticks are used for getting rid of bad spirits and/or negative energies. Widely regarded as a protective herb, Cedar’s potent scent is a great asset to any cleansing or purification ritual. The act of smudging involves using herbs and resins to ward off bad and evil thoughts, negativity, and physical sickness. It is commonly performed using Lavender, Cedar, Palo Santo White Sage, Sweetgrass, Copal, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Smudge sticks are my new obsession. Prior to receiving the Fall box I had never used smudge sticks, but have always wanted to. My cedar smudge stick kind of broke during the shipping process, but I am still going to try to use it.
CLEAR QUARTZ PENDULUM
Healers have used pendulums throughout history to locate and heal infectious diseases, find answers to their questions and identify areas with specified energies. Today, many people incorporate quartz pendulums in their spiritual practice and search for personal fulfillment.
This is SO exciting!! I have never received a pendulum before. This is completely new to me. Of course I did a bunch of research, and discovered that pendulums are actually very cool. There’s a whole process when learning how to use them so I won’t get into details, but take my word for it when I say that pendulums are VERY interesting.
Merkaela Review Winter 2016 – Final Thoughts
It’s official, I love this new subscription box. Merkaela puts a smile on my face. It makes me happy. It makes me feel relaxed, and it gives me a reason to slow down and take time for myself. It’s almost like a tranquil little spa experience in a box. I can take all my Winter items, and create an at-home spa ritual. I can make myself a cup of tea, run a bath, add the mineral salt, apply a face mask, exfoliate my skin, and use the body butter afterwards……..how amazing does that sound! This subscription box has my name written all over it.
PS – They also have a playlist to go with each box. Get it through Spotify. I just discovered this little bonus item and for the life of me can’t figure out why I haven’t jumped on the Spotify trend prior to this. I love it!!
XOXO