I’m reading an engrossing novel set in 17th century Amsterdam, The Miniaturist. It’s partially a mystery, and the character who provides the mystery lives and works on Kalverstraat. Kalverstraat got its name from the cattle market that used to be held at the end of that street. Now it is the main shopping area in Amsterdam, and at least part of it is a pedestrian walkway. I know that Jeff and I walked on Kalverstraat, but I don’t think I knew it at the time.
When I was on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, a post with a beautiful Dutch building caught my eye. It was the building at Kalverstraat 73 where the Dutch brand RITUALS Cosmetics opened its first store in 2000.
RITUALS has lots of stores all around Amsterdam, and a smaller store within the department store De Bijenkorf where I bought some RITUALS Sakura Hand Cream to take home to the U.S.
I’ve been writing about RITUALS bath and body products on Never Say Die Beauty for ages: shower foam, bed & body mist and hand balm. I first discovered The Ritual of Sakura, the cherry blossom scented product family, and I got hooked on it and never ventured to try any of their other scents. A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to try The Ritual of Ayurveda Gift Set via Tryazon, an organization for social media influencers that gives us a chance to try new products for free in exchange for an honest review.
I know this was a rambling beginning for me to tell you about The Ritual of Ayurveda, but I love an opportunity to talk about Amsterdam and anything Dutch, lol.
The Ritual of Ayurveda Balancing Treat Gift Set
Balanced living is the core philosophy of Ayurveda, the science of life. This ancient wisdom from India focuses on improving health and well-being by “cleansing and nourishing your energy”. My take on that is that it means to take care of yourself and do things that will help balance body, mind and soul.
I selected The Ritual of Ayurveda to try out because I thought I would like a scent based on Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil, and I was correct. It is a lovely, soothing, calming, deep scent. I was not familiar with “Indian rose”, and truth be told, it doesn’t smell like rose. It doesn’t smell like almond either. The two key fragrances combine to create a completely new scent, and I love it. In fact, the scent smells slightly different in each of the four bath and body products in the set, but they all work together harmoniously.
The holidays are not that far off, and IMO, The Ritual of Ayurveda Balancing Treat Gift Set priced at $29.50 is a perfect way to introduce a friend, family member, teacher, or yourself to the joys of RITUALS bath and body products. First, the set comes in a luxurious red and gold keepsake gift box with a ribbon and gift card. It looks very impressive.
Inside are four travel size bath and body products:
- foaming shower gel
- nurturing shower oil
- natural dry oil for body
- balancing body cream.
The foaming shower gel product form is an old friend of mine at this point. I’ve already used up three cans of this fun foaming shower gel in the Sakura scent. I originally received a can in my Barney’s Beauty Bag of cosmetics. You spray some of the clear gel into your hand, and it foams up when it comes in contact with water. It is very gentle, and the Ayurveda Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil scent is very mild. I love using this as shaving foam. The travel size contains 50 ml. The full size can of foaming shower gel is priced at $15.
The nurturing shower oil was a new-to-me product. It is a clear lightweight oil with a mild scent. When it comes in contact with water, it turns milky and a little foamy. It leaves my skin feeling super soft. I also like using the shower oil for shaving. It sets up the hair, and gives a closer shave. I was afraid that the shower oil would turn my bath tub into an oil slick, but surprisingly, it doesn’t. The travel size shower oil contains 75 ml. The full size bottle of shower oil is priced at $15 though it seems to be out of stock right now just about everywhere.
The 100% natural dry body oil Vata is truly delightful. The Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil scent is divine. It fragrances my skin when I apply it, but the scent fades after about 5-10 minutes. In fact, I love the Ayurveda scent of the dry oil so much that I’m thinking of buying the body mist, so I can extend the fragrance.
The term “dry body oil” means a non-greasy body oil. I wondered how that was possible, but it means that the oil sinks into the skin and within minutes, there is no greasiness, just softness. The oil doesn’t disappear completely into my skin on contact, but it takes about 3 minutes or so for the oil to be absorbed. IMHO, it’s worth waiting 3 minutes for! I love putting it on my legs after a shower. Gee, from the angle in the photo, my leg looks huge!
I love the bottom heavy shape of the dry oil’s clear red plastic squeeze bottle. It’s so pretty. I think it’s my favorite product in the set because it was also new-to-me and the scent is soooooo pleasant. The travel size bottle contains 50 ml. The full sized bottle of Ayurveda Dry Body Oil Vata (3.38 fl. oz.) is $29.
The body cream is a medium weight white cream that sinks into my skin and like the dry body oil, it is not the least bit greasy. It’s nicely hydrating. If my skin is feeling super dry, I apply the body oil first and then body cream. But on most days, I choose one or the other. The scent of the body cream, though part of the Ayurveda line, for some reason smells like melon, though not exactly. At any rate, it is a pleasant mild scent that also fades within about 5-10 minutes. The plastic travel size tube contains 70 ml. A full size jar of body cream is priced at $33.
The Ritual of Ayurveda Balancing Treat Gift Set is a new product, priced at $29.50. I think it would make a welcome gift for a bath and body product lover. And it would be a great way for you to get introduced to either RITUALS products or to try out the Ayurveda scent family. I am so happy to have had a chance to try out some of the bath and body products in the Ayurveda line. I know I will be purchasing a full size bottle of the dry body oil soon because I am using it so often. Love it!
In addition to The Ritual of Sakura (cherry blossom) and The Ritual of Ayurveda (Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil), RITUALS has 8 other scent and product families to try. I suggest that you visit the RITUALS website to learn more about them. In addition to bath and body products, RITUALS makes home products like fragrance sticks and now hand wash and hand balm plus the ultimate kitchen treat, dish washing liquid. Also, RITUALS has perfumes, scented candles, nail polish, and mineral makeup. I am amazed at the breadth of the product line now. Check out RITUALS because it certainly isn’t too early to start thinking about gifts for the holidays!
In addition to the RITUALS stores in Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands, RITUALS is sold throughout Europe and in the U.S. There are RITUALS stores in New York, New Jersey and California. But RITUALS is also available at Ulta, Macy’s, Barney’s, as well as on the RITUALS website.
Oooh, the Miniaturist! Please let us know what you thought. I watched the series on PBS, and although it was visually beautiful, the story was heart-wrenching.
And those Rituals products look fascinating… putting them on my Christmas list.
I always enjoy your blog, as it’s for mature women like me, not for young girls.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad to know that you enjoy my blog.😘
I was up until 4am this morning reading The Miniaturist! The book is such a page turner I couldn’t put it down. I’m 3/4 of the way through and I am supposed to be reading something else for my book club next week but there’s no way I am putting this one aside till I finish. It is so tragic, but finding out who or what the miniaturist is keeps me going. I had no idea that there was a PBS series. After I finish the book, I’ll watch it for sure! Thank you for letting me know about it. I strongly recommend the book even though you’ve seen the series – the writing is so good!
On a different topic, My Brilliant Friend series is starts next week on HBO. The 4 novels in that series were fantastic!
The Rituals products are wonderful. The Sakura Hand Balm is the most effective greaseless Hand Cream I’ve ever tried. Buying it at Ulta with their $3.50 Off $15 is the way to go.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment and for telling me about the series – how did I miss it, I wonder?
Look at that stunning packaging! This would be such a nice gift for loved ones
What a hit of a gift for holidays or housewarming. The packaging is beautiful and I know that the quality of Rituals is just the best.
I wholeheartedly agree!
I would love to receive this as a gift! The scent sounds very intriguing.The price is great too!
I remember receiving a gift containing rituals products. This would make a perfect holiday present
The red color of the bottles as well as the luxe red woven box with the gold embossing certainly do make this gift set perfect for holiday gifting.
This sounds like a lovely gift in general, and the packaging is beautiful!
The red color of the bottles and the luxe red and gold packaging make Rituals Ayurveda Gift Set a perfect holiday gift!
That store looks gorgeous! I want to shop there! What lovely packaging for the products.
I love the presentation of it. I want it as a gift!
What a beautiful gift! I can’t wait to see all the holiday collections coming out soon.
These look so luxurious..would be a perfect gift for the upcoming festive and holiday season..
The red and gold packaging is perfect for the holidays!
This looks perfect for gifting!
This Gift Set sounds like a great deal. I’ve never used a shower oil but it sounds so nice!
I had never used a shower oil either, and I was surprised when it turned lotiony and kind of foamy. Neat stuff!
This sounds like a wonderful package to gift someone! I’d love this for myself! hahah
I think you would love the Rituals gift set. It’s such a great way to try out a few of their bath and body products at once.
The building for the company is just so cute!
That shower oil sounds AMAZING. I love how in-depth your reviews are!
Thank you, Jenalyn! I’m a market researcher so I guess I think I’m writing reports for my clients, lol.
I love how you can tie it into your real life! This sounds like a great starter set for the brand. I’m always looking for good stocking stuffers!