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In partnership with Flamingo. Editor's note: We only work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
As a wellness editor of 6+ years I’ve observed time and again: there’s always something new promising better sleep. A few years ago, melatonin was all the rage; then, magnesium arose as the sleep supplement du jour. TL;DR: melatonin is a hormone that resets your biological clock, while magnesium is a mineral that relaxes muscles and calms the nervous system, so it’s gained popularity because it won’t leave you groggy the next morning the way melatonin often can.
I’m now seeing the conversation evolve even further, as form factor is playing a key role. First it was powders (which can be a bit cumbersome and chalky), then it was gummies (which taste great but often have added sugar), and now Flamingo’s Calming Magnesium Dual-Action Kit offers a two-pronged approach. Inside, Magnesium Glycinate breath strips and Magnesium PCA lotion offer a double dose of chill from the inside out.
I have tested a lot of supplements over the years. Many of them promise to deliver a daily dose of relaxation; few actually do. After integrating Flamingo’s lotion and breath strips into my routine, I’m actually convinced by this approach. Firstly, and most importantly, it works. On top of that, it’s helped me establish a ritual that’s the backbone of both my day and evening. Below: a bit more on the kit, how I use it, and why it’s become a better-sleep solution I swear by.
What’s Inside the Calming Magnesium Dual-Action Kit
Each kit comes with two products inside:
- A Magnesium PCA massage body lotion with a built-in gua sha-inspired applicator that eases stress and tension.
- A pack of minty Magnesium Glycinate strips – glycinate being the form of magnesium best known for relaxation – that deliver 4 mg of magnesium per strip alongside calming co-ingredients L-Theanine (10mg), 5HTP (10mg), and GABA (5mg), and melt in your mouth for a fast-absorbing, highly bioavailable dose.
I keep the strips on my vanity and take one each night as part of my wind down routine. Worth noting: they’re individually wrapped and travel-friendly. While the box stays on my vanity, I also have a few individual strips stored in my most-used bags, just in case.
The body lotion, on the other hand, moves through the day with me. At this point, I have two: one stationed on my nightstand and one that’s typically on my desk, but frequently gets tossed in my bag. The standout is the built-in gua sha-inspired applicator. I use it to work the formula into areas where I tend to hold tension – my neck, shoulders, even my legs after a workout – and am all in on kneading out that tightness as a secret relaxation weapon. At night, it’s become a peaceful part of winding down; during the day, a few minutes with it between calls feels like a mini reset.
Why I Prefer It Over the Alternatives I’ve Tried
The gua sha-inspired applicator might actually be my favorite thing about this kit. It makes relaxation feel like something I can build into my day – and actively participate in – versus saving for bedtime.
That’s ultimately what sets Flamingo’s approach apart. Most magnesium products are positioned almost exclusively around better sleep; this kit makes sense for both daytime and nighttime relaxation. The lotion gives me those little physical reset moments throughout the day, while the strips have become an easy part of my wind-down routine. And because both are so easy and enjoyable to use, I actually utilize them consistently (unlike the many powders I’ve sworn “don’t taste that bad,” only to abandon them a few days later).
I can’t say whether the effects actually compound, but I have noticed that when I’m more intentional about relaxing throughout the day, I’m less dependent on one “Hail Mary” product come nighttime. Instead, winding down feels like the final step in a process I’ve already started.
The Proof Is in the Numbers
To be honest, I care more about how I feel when I wake up each morning than I do about a sleep score. However, while I don’t think they’re the end all be all, I do understand that a sleep score can be a useful tool in connecting the dots around what works for your body.
With that in mind, some qualitative and quantitative data: lately, I have been able to set one alarm at 6am to wake up and exercise before work with no problem. My mornings feel smooth, and I’m more ‘on’ when I log on to work (a stark contrast to those groggy melatonin mornings). I think I can attribute that to two things: first, I now have a more structured nightly routine that helps me stick to an earlier bedtime; second, I’m getting better-quality sleep. Which leads me to the numbers.
The cherry on top: plenty of five-star reviews affirm that my experience isn’t unique – “I love how much better I sleep now,” “ I wear a fitness ring that tracks my sleep, and ever since I started this combo, I have had such good nights of rest, consistently falling asleep fast and staying asleep through the night,” “Highly recommend if you have an active mind at night.”
Of course, every person is different – especially when it comes to our sleep and sleep hygiene. But based on my experience so far (compared to the myriad other dusts, powders, pills, and gummies I’ve tried) Flamingo’s kit offers an addition to your day-long routine that drives a serious difference. And who couldn’t benefit from mintier breath and a few extra self-massages anyway?
A closer look at the kit compared to other popular sleep supplements
