And just like that…you’ll want to add this soothing mist to your cart, ASAP.
At 12 a.m. on December 9, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and, well, most of the gang (see: no Samantha) made their long-awaited return to your TV with the release of the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That... And while the HBO Max series dropped with only two episodes, odds are SATC stans across the nation stayed up past their bedtimes to binge the newly-released content — only to be left buzzing with energy, which made falling asleep difficult. If only they had the same Zzz-inducing product that Bradshaw, err, Sarah Jessica Parker keeps beside her bed IRL. I'll explain...
Recently, Parker posted a video on Instagram that pans across her nightstand, offering a glimpse of some of the star's go-to goodies. One of these bedside-worthy items? This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (Buy It, $29, amazon.com), a mist made up of essential oils that, when sprayed on your pillows or bedding at night, can help you drift off to sleep. Although Parker didn't mention the spray specifically in the clip, you can bet the stuff is good if it's taking up precious space next to her pillow at night. (Plus, it's from the celeb-loved brand, This Works, which counts Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Reese Witherspoon as fans.)
So what exactly is in the spray and how does it work? Essentially a natural sleep aid, Deep Sleep Pillow Spray contains a blend of lavender, vetivert (aka vetiver), and chamomile oils — all of which can potentially help you score some shut-eye (not to mention, of course, make the spray smell amazing). Lavender, for example, "contains linalool, which has a sedative effect," Hope Gillerman, certified aromatherapist and author of Essential Oils Every Day, previously explained to Shape. "It also relaxes the muscles, lowers blood pressure, increases circulation, [and] lowers the cortisol in our bloodstream — all things that we are looking for to help us deal with stress." And the calmer you are as you hit the hay, the better able you are to drift off to dreamland (and stay there through the night). In fact, research suggests that both lavender and chamomile can play a role in promoting better sleep. (
How to Sleep Better When Stress Is Ruining Your Zzz's
What's more, This Works also conducted its own small survey-like study on the effectiveness of the Deep Sleep Spray and found that 89 percent of the 200 participants were able to fall asleep faster when using the product. Users in the brand study also said the mist helped them sleep better than normal and wake up feeling more refreshed.
And, according to the more than 3,000 five-star Amazon reviews, they're not the only ones. Just take it from one pleased purchaser who calls the SJP-product "magic in a bottle" and insists the price is "worth every penny." The reviewer goes on to write, "I struggle with insomnia, but since I got this, I'm sleeping like a baby. It smells so comforting, and it's so effective, it works almost as well as a sleeping pill, but with none of the side effects."
"I would give this 10 stars if I could," shares another fan. "This thing is a miracle worker."
As for my thoughts? The brand sent me a sample of the spray, and while it definitely smells lovely, I can't vouch for any miraculous sleep-inducing properties. When I spritzed my pillow before sliding into bed, I appreciated that the fragrance wasn't too overpowering and yet lingered until morning. Again, I don't think it helped me sleep any better than normal or fall asleep faster but I enjoyed it nonetheless. And, let's be honest, I'll try anything with SJP's stamp of approval. (Up next: Sarah Jessica Parker Responded to 'Misogynist Chatter' About Her Appearance and Age)