ila Put a Spell on You

Review by Jessica Jones


I am under the spell of ila. To say that ila is a range of utterly sumptuous home spa 
products would be completely underselling the whole thing. 


From their website...


“...by embracing the utmost ethical integrity that we can harness the earth’s highest natural 
vibrations: vibrations with the power to reach beyond the physical to nourish emotional and spiritual well-being too.”


Well - I’ve gotta get me some of that. 


Spiritual well-being aside, there’s nothing like a bit of luxury packaging to make me feel special. I savour the jewel-coloured boxes for a moment before ripping them open to 
get at the heavy, white glass jars nestled inside their golden cardboard linings. Following 
instructions from Denise Leicester, ila’s founder, I dump a handful of Himalayan bath salts 
with Damascena Rose Otto and Sandalwood into the tub and turn on the hot tap. Whilst 
the bathroom is steaming up I fold a fresh white towel, roll up some face flannels and place 
them neatly on the rim of the bath. Just like they do it in a real spa. Next I switch off the 
light and spark up my tuberose and rose candle. By now my tiny bathroom could be 
mistaken for  Sheherazade’s chamber. The bath is brimming so I top it off with a scattering 
of rose petals (not organic) and leave those to steep whilst I strip and rub my pale body 
down with Blissful Body Scrub - a heavenly concoction of Himalayan Salt Crystal, 
Damascena Rose Otto, Jasmine and Organic Rosehip seed oil. Then it’s simply a matter 
of sliding into the hot, scented water and lying there is a state of bliss and emotional 
nourishment for twenty minutes with a warm flannel over my eyes. Oh damn - I forgot the 
whale music. No matter, I can sing “Frosty the Snowman” and other hits from “The Phil 
Spector Christmas Collection” that Sheldon gave me last year. I mean, who is going to 
stop me?


So here is my first resolution for 2012: I’m going to be this good to myself at least once a 
week. I grant you permission to do the same.


And if you’re wondering what to buy as a Christmas treat for yourself or for a friend who is 
unwell, ponder no more.


ila Essence of Peace gift box, £74
ila Tuberose and Rose candle for inner peace, £45.94


Body Scrub for a Blissful Experience ingredients: Himalayan Salt Crystals (Sodium Chloride), Wild-Grown Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel), Almond (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis), Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa Canina Fruit), Sandalwood (Santalum Spicatum), Rose Otto Oil (Rosa Damascena Flower Oil), Jasmine (Jasminium Officinale), Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin), Vitamin E Oil (Tocopherol Extract), Wild Poppy Essence, Naturally Occurring Citronellol, Geraniol.


Bath Salts for Inner Peace ingredients: Himalayan Salt Crystals (Sodium Chloride), Essential Oil Blend: Rose Otto Oil (Rosa Damascena Flower Oil), Sandalwood Oil (Santalum Spicatum), Jasmine Oil (Jasminium Officinale), Naturally Occurring Citronellol, Geraniol.


Tuberose and Rose Candle for Inner Peace ingredients: Beeswax, Jojoba Oil, Eco-soya, Essential Oils of Rose Absolut, Rose Geranium, Tuberose and Vetivert