L'Occitane Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-quenching Cream

At the beginning of Spring I was lucky enough to be sent two pots of this gorgeous hydrating facial moisturiser from L'Occitane and I have only just opened the second pot!

If a scent sums up Spring/Summer it is this one. Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-quenching Cream smells fabulously fresh, the cream is light and almost water like in texture, sinking into the skin without leaving a trace of sticky residue. Wonderfully hydrating it, I think it is the perfect choice for post holiday parched skin.

The claims -

Enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid and calcium rich Réotier water known for its properties to help skin maintain its hydration barrier and retain moisture, this melting fresh cream hydrates the skin while comforting it.
Its velvety, light texture combines the refreshing thirst-quenching benefits of a gel with the softening and smoothing properties of a cream. Its formula act like a magnet to hold-in moisture and drench the skin all day long. Skin’s natural hydration is improved; it is immediately recharged with water. Replenished and radiant, skin is visibly plumped. 


My thoughts - 

Does exactly what it promises. My skin feels and looks great, a perfect base for foundation. Thumbs up from me. 

Have you tried it? 

L'Occitane Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-quenching Cream 50ml £28 

*PR Sample

L'Occitane - My Top Three Christmas Gifts

No Christmas is complete without a gift or two from fabulous skincare company L'Occitane, as always if you pop in store or head online it will not be difficult to pick up the perfect gift at any budget!

Here are my top three gift ideas but hurry as L'Occitane always sell out very fast!

For men 

AROMATIC L'OCCITAN COLLECTION £52

Coming in a signature L'Occitane gift box there is no need to wrap this gorgeous gift - Sophisticated for the discerning gentleman in your life - this spicy fragrance takes distilled lavender and blends with nutmeg, black pepper and smoked woods. Provence through and through.

• 100ml L’Occitan Eau de Toilette
• 250ml L’Occitan Shower Gel
• 100g L’Occitan Soap 
• 30ml L’Occitan After Shave Balm

IRRESISTIBLE ARLÉSIENNE TRIO £31.50

If ever there was a brand that knows how to do floral it is L'Occitane - Containing
Rose, Violet and saffron, these three flowers from the heart of Provence encapsulate the sensual Arlésienne fragrance

• 250ml Arlésienne Delightful Bath & Shower Gel
• 30ml Arlésienne Velvet Hand Cream
• 14ml Arlésienne Delicious Gloss.

And finally my personal favourite from the collections 

IRRESISTIBLE ALMOND COLLECTION £45

A box full of Almond delicious delights that will leave skin delicately scented and incredibly smooth, once again presented in a special signature gift box. 

• 250ml Almond Shower Oil
• 100ml Almond Milk Concentrate
• 50g Almond Delicious Soap
• 30ml Almond Delicious Hands

Three Hand Creams To Protect Your Hands This Winter

Regular readers of BeautySwot.com know that I am a real hand cream obsessive. Currently I have three fabulous hand creams on the go. As we slip into Winter I thought I would share the ones I am currently using.

Dr. Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir 50ml £14.99

This hand cream contains snail excretion which I must admit I thought was a bit yucky but having tried the facial serum and got an instant glow, I realised that actually if you didn't know, you wouldn't know. The hand cream has a lovely, fresh lemon scent and is more of a runny serum in texture than a cream.

It promises to provide up to 24 hours of moisturisation. Soothes and revitalises skin and improve skin elasticity. I find it to be really light and not at all greasy. It leaves my hands looking instantly younger, plumped and silky smooth and eases any tightness that may be there. I really like this hand and nail elixir and use it during the day.

L'Occitane Delicious Hand Almond Hand Cream 30ml £8

Well it is no secret that I adore the L'Occitane Almond collection. The Shower Oil is my holy grail bath product, the scent is the nicest I have ever encountered. Delicious Hands is enriched with Almond Milk and Almond Oil and features the same delicious scent. Just like the other hand creams from L'Occitane this is a light, lotion like cream that is easily absorbable with no greasy residue. The 30ml size is perfect to pop in my handbag which is where I keep this for some out and about softening action.

If Almond isn't your thing then check out the wider collection from L'Occitane as I am sure one of the other great scents will tempt you.

Bee Good Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair 50ml £12.99

The Bee Good brand as its name suggests uses honey as one of its key ingredients in its range of skincare.

Bee Good say

Bee Good’s natural Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair is our most intensive multi-use repair treatment to rescue and soothe even the driest skin.

Packed with naturally active ingredients this rich, hard-working cream is an everyday miracle for hands, feet, elbows and knees in need of a little extra TLC.

The active ingredients include moisturising British wild flower honey, British echium oil to replenish and calm and shea and cocoa butters to combat dryness. Protective antioxidant vitamin E is blended with skin-strengthening borage and antibacterial British propolis.

My thoughts

Unusually the cream is housed in a round pump action bottle so I keep it beside my bed to apply and treat my hands just before I go to sleep. As you would expect from a product that contains the word 'Intensive' in its description, the cream is thick and feels extremely nourishing leaving my hands feeling well nourished. I don't suffer from excessively dry hands or particularly dry skin so it is hard to assess it on those claims but I like to think that I am giving my hands a real treat through the night.. It has a lovely sweet scent but don't worry it is not overpowering, I find it to be most pleasant at bedtime.

*PR Samples

L'Occitane Vitória-Régia Day Body Lotion & Hand Cream

Completing the au Bresil Collection from L'Occitane is the Vitória-Régia Day Flower range . Where the Vitória-Régia Night range is sweet and floral the day collection is a green and fresh floral which is every bit as fragrant.

L'Occitane say 

The story - 

The majestic vitória-régia flower perfumes Amazonian waters with its captivating fragrance. A versatile plant, its petals transform from white to pink, intensifying their floral aquatic scent. Ephemeral, this flower dismisses itself after two days, giving way to new life

Hand cream - 

Enriched with shea butter, this light cream hydrates hands, while leaving them delicately perfumed with the green, aquatic floral notes of the Vitória-Régia Day Flower fragrance. It contains a vitória-régia extract from the Amazônia region of Brazil.

Body Lotion 

The smooth Vitória-Régia Body Lotion melts rapidly into the skin leaving it soft, supple and pleasantly perfumed with aquatic floral notes.

Contains Vitória-Régia extract typical from Amazônia.

My thoughts 

The day lotion has a fabulous and delicate fresh scent that is mirrored in the hand cream. Both are light to apply but absorb fast leaving silky smooth, soft skin that smells wonderful.

I love the size of the hand cream, perfect to travel with.

The au Bresil collection is quite simply gorgeous and my love affair with L'Occitane products continues..

L'Occitane Vitória-Régia Day Body Lotion 250ml £20

L'Occitane Vitória-Régia Day Hand Cream 30ml £8

*PR Samples

L'Occitane Vitória-Régia Night Flower Eau de Cologne

L'Occitane's Vitória-Régia Night Flower Eau de Cologne is from the Limited edition au Bresil Collection.

L'Occitane say 

The Vitória-Régia Night Flower Eau de Cologne captures the richest scent of the pink, fully blossomed vitória-régia petals, in a voluptuous floral perfume. Initial powdery notes give way to the sensual vitória-régia notes in the heart of this fragrance. It contains a vitória-régia extract from the Amazônia region of Brazil.

Story behind the flower..

The majestic vitória-régia flower perfumes Amazonian waters with its captivating fragrance. A versatile plant, its petals transform from white to pink, intensifying their floral aquatic scent. Ephemeral, this flower dismisses itself after two days, giving way to new life

Top notes:
Reed
Water Hyacinthe

Heart notes:
>Peony
Vitoria Amazonica
Lily of the Valley

Base notes:
Waterfall Accord
Cedar Wood
Musk

My thoughts

I really like this slightly sweet but sensual floral fragrance, it does remind me of something else already on the market but I can't quite put my finger on what.. anyway no matter it is one that appeals.

A delicious and light Summer evening scent

L'Occitane Vitória-Régia Night Flower Eau de Cologne 100ml costs £30 

*PR Sample

L'Occitane au Bresil Jenipapo Shower Oil & Body Lotion

With the World Cup being held in Brazil this year it is no surprise that many brands have Brazil inspired offerings.

One of my favourite skincare brands L' Occitane have created a delightful limited collection of bath and body products inspired by and made from Brazilian ingredients. Two plants are featured in the range - Jenipapo - a citrus tree from the Cerrago region, it seeks the sun and soaks up energy and Vitoria Regia - a water lily from the Amazon that falls asleep at dawn and blooms when night falls. In addition the artwork for the packaging was created in colloboration with local, talented illustrators.

The results, a bright and colourful collection with suitably inspiring scents.

Today I feature two items from the Jenipapo bath and body collection but later this week there will be more....

Jenipapo range -

Jenipapo flowers contain a scent with green, floral, fruity notes. Notes of citrus , watermelon and pina coloda follow with lily of the valley and frangipani trees. Finally, the scent rests with a blend of musk, sandalwood and vanilla.

The result is a delicious and sparkling fruity floral scent that explodes with the sweet smell of Summer.

Jenipapo Shower Oil 250ml £14

It is no secret that the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is my holy grail bath product and this is a similar product. A shower oil that emulsifies in contact with water to become a milky liquid that cleanses and softens skin whilst leaving skin with a most wonderful fruity scent.

Summer in a bottle.

Jenipapo Body Lotion 250ml £20

The body lotion also contains the same scent so is ideal for layering. It is a really light lotion that absorbs pretty much instantly.

L'Occitane au Bresil range is available now 

*PR Sample

Christmas Gift Sets From L'Occitane

With just over a week to go I thought I would share with you my top Christmas gift selections from one of my favourite skincare brands, L'Occitane. Every year they produce fabulous, money saving box sets and stocking fillers and this year is of course no exception. If you are stuck for ideas or indeed if you want to treat someone to some fabulous scents or bodycare head down to one of their shops and you will be sure of a friendly welcome.

Stocking Filler Delights 

Miniature Grasse Assortment £28

This year L'Occitane introduced their fine fragrance Grasse Collection of scents, four incredible scents and in this mini set you will get all four, perfect for the traveller.

Hugs & Kisses Hand and Lip Duo £16

Available in Violet or Rose

Shower Gel Collection £20 

Another great gift for the traveller, these shower gel minis are perfect for weekends away. In Lavender, Almond, Cherry Blossom and Pivoine Flora.

Almond Petit Gift £18 

A great introduction to the fabulous Almond collection

Deluxe Gifts 

Cannot decide which collection to go for.. why not choose the bumper The Best Of L'Occitane £62 featuring all the best sellers

Under my tree it won't be complete if I don't receive my favourite classic box - The Delightful Almond Collection £49

Amber & Santal Collection £65

This is one of the newest fragrance launched by L'Occitane - This is a warm and sensuous scent, perfect for this season.  Features -

• 75ml Amber & Santal Eau de Toilette
• 175ml Amber & Santal Shower Gel
• 175ml Amber & Santal Body Lotion

Men are not left out at L'Occitane why not treat them to the following skincare and scents that are on offer this Christmas

L'Occitan Grooming Essentials £49 

  100ml L’Occitan EDT 
  250ml L’Occitan Shower Gel
  150ml L’Occitan Shaving Gel
  150ml L’Occitan Soap
  30ml L’Occitan After Shave Balm

The sporty man may like the icy freshness of  the Verdon Collection £46 

EDT 50ml
Pebble Soap 150g
Fresh Water Shower Gel 250ml
Pure Face Wash 50ml
Invigorating Shave Gel 150ml

Or why not treat the man in your life to L'Occitane's newest male fragrance in this super gift set -

Cedre & Oranger Collection £65

Cedar and Orange are combined in this modern and sophisticated scent. Features

- 75ml Cèdre & Oranger Eau de Toilette
- 175ml Cèdre & Oranger Shower Gel
- 75ml Cèdre & Oranger After Shave Balm

Happy Shopping x

Pivoine Flora & Cherry Blossom Hand Creams From L'Occitane

As part of my winter skincare regime I have purchased some wonderfully soft leather gloves to protect my hands when out in the elements. Of course, being the hand cream obsessive that I am a hand cream or two or three are never far out of reach.

Readers of BeautySwot.com will know that L'Occitane is a brand that I love and these gorgeous hand creams in a handy 30ml tube are perfect for popping in the handbag to apply anytime.

Both contain Shea Butter, are light and non greasy leaving skin feeling soft and silky.

Cherry Blossom containing cherry extract has a delicate fruity scent of cherries

Pivoine Flora contains grape oil and has the flowery scent of peonies.

L'Occitane 30ml Travel Size Hand Creams cost £8 each

L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate - Review

L'Occitane's Almond collection is one of my favourites for body care . The shower oil is my holy grail shower product and everything in the collection  just smells so damn wonderful and leaves skin silky smooth that it puts me in a good mood all day.

Almond Milk Concentrate - Firming and Smoothing

L'Occitane say 

Was voted Best Anti-Ageing Body Treatment - Beauty Bible 2011

Rich in almond oil and almond milk, this body cream nourishes and softens the skin. The blend of silicium and almond proteins, which are similar to collagen, effectively fights skin slackening by restoring skin’s support tissue.

The light, creamy texture melts into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Skin feels satiny-smooth and is enveloped in a fresh and delicate fragrance.

Tip: This product is ideal for nourishing skin after hair removal or shaving, due to a formula rich in soothing almond oil.

My thoughts

The glass jar adds to the luxurious feel of the product. This moisturiser has a slight blancmange texture and it is incredibly light to apply to the skin instantly melting into the skin. The skin is not greasy just left beautifully soft, you can dress immediately. The scent is delicate and light but the almond scent is most definitely present.

A delicious product and perfect for Summer application.

L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate 200ml £35

*PR Sample - this 100ml was part of a Christmas Gift Box 

L'Occitane Iris Angelica Sublime Essence Skin Perfector

L'Occitane say 

For the 1st time in cosmetics, L'Occitane has patented the association of 2 angel's flowers to visibly reveal a perfect skin.

White Iris for its power of sublimation
Angelica for its power of hydration and vitality

Fresh and light, the Sublime Essence is a silicone-free perfecting serum. It's unique ultra velvety texture helps to correct skin irregularities.

1. Skin texture is visibly smoothed and refined.
2. Pores look instantly tightened
3. Redness and blemishes seem reduced
4. Complexion is more even and radiant
5. Skin is hydrated and plumped
6. Skin touch is ultra soft and velvety

My thoughts 

Sublime Essence is a new addition to the Angelica range from L'Occitane. Sublime by name, sublime by nature. Regular readers know scent is extremely important to me and this delivers, the serum smells so good and refreshing. A good scent means that making the product part of your routine is so much easier and I look forward to applying this day and night. I use 2 pumps twice a day.

The serum is thickish in texture and creamy opaque which goes on clear on the skin and leaves skin feeling soft and velvety to the touch, just like it promises to. Sublime Essence does a fantastic job of hydrating my skin and when I apply my foundation/BB Cream/CC Cream I have no dry patches at all. It also does a great job of smoothing and plumping my skin. My skin is not at all dull and appears more refined.

A very nice product indeed.

L'Occitane Sublime Essence Skin Perfector 30ml costs £39

*PR Sample

L'Occitane Petit Grasse Fragrance Collection Limited Edition

Last week I gave a little background into the new fragrance collection from L'Occitane - La Collection De Grasse. It is a really quite beautiful collection and with four in the range there is bound to be one that will appeal. However, if you cannot decide there is this super cute mini collection which features all four of the fragrances inside!

Four miniature bottles (ideal for travel) each containing 7.5ml of EDT

Jasmin & Bergamote EDT

A sensual and luminous union between Jasmine from Grasse and Bergamot from Italy.

This is a gorgeous floral scent that manages to be bright and fresh. Like walking into a garden full of Jasmine flowers. I can imagine this being extremely popular.

Magnolia & Mure EDT

A mysterious and charming union between magnolia from the Far East and blackberry from the South of France.

For those of you who prefer sweeter, fruity scents this will be right up your street.

Vanille & Narcisse EDT

A radiant and voluptuous embrace between Vanilla from Madgascar and Narcissus from France.

Vanilla scents can be quite sweet and sickly but this contains a musty slant to it that makes it rather more appealing and incredibly wearable.

Thé Vert & Bigarade EDT 

A refreshing union between the aromatic Green Tea and the zesty Bitter Orange.

As you will know from my full review of Thé Vert & Bigarade this is my favourite. Sparkling, green and bursting with citrus notes . Refreshing Green Tea, delightful for Summer.

I adore this new collection, there really is something for everyone. Each one of the fragrances has its own charm and none are overpowering. Beautiful and a treat for the senses.

L'Occitane Petit Grasse Fragrance Collection costs £28.

Full size EDT's cost £49 for 75ml.
Also available in the range - Shower gel, body milk and soaps.

*PR Samples

L'Occitane La Collection De Grasse - The Vert & Bigarade EDT review

L'Occitane have just launched four new fine fragrances developed by top perfumer Karine Dubreil.

Grasse is known as the perfumery capital of the world, a town in the south of France. Local growers mastered the art of cultivating rare and delicate flowers such as orange blossom, rose and jasmine. Adventurous perfumers travelled to distant lands like the far east and brought back ingredients like Madagascan vanilla to complement and enrich the fragrances and that is how modern perfumery was born.

This was the inspiration for Collection de Grasse

The four EDT's are

Jasmin & Bergamote
Magnolia & Mure
Vanille & Narcisse
Thé Vert & Bigarade

I have samples of all so will be writing a review shortly of each of them but one that particularly caught my attention and that I simply couldn't wait to share was the delightful Thé Vert & Bigarade.

L'Occitane say 

Energizing upon first contact, this fragrance has head notes of bitter orange, made with essential oil from the Mediterranean. Sparkling citrus notes evolve to reveal a heart of green tea - using an extract from Japan - and yerba mate. An aromatic blend of cedar, thyme and musk compose the base of this fresh and citrusy fragrance.

My thoughts 

I loved Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance and this is every bit as beautiful if not more.

Bursting with light citrus notes at first which make way to reveal a wonderfully fresh, green and sparkling green tea scent. Wearing this I picture myself transported to sunnier climes (The South of France would be ideal) sat in a tea dress, sipping iced tea and people watching. Light, bright and youthful.

Thé Vert & Bigarade is the perfect fragrance for Spring heading into Summer and one that I haven't been able to resist wearing since I received it.

The bottle is clean, simple and classy. It is already on my bathroom shelf.

L'Occitane Thé Vert & Bigarade Eau de Toilette £49 for 75ml

*PR Sample

Winter Hand Creams - My Top Picks

Three gorgeous hand creams, each one has been a saviour for me this winter, keeping my hands, soft, smooth and hydrated day and night.

L'Occitane Almond Smooth Hands £8 for 30ml

This is a light hand cream that I use after doing the washing up or washing my hands or just if my hands feel a little dry through the day. Although this is from the same collection as my holy grail shower oil  the scent is much fresher and delicate. It is green and leafy, the smell is just like the burst you get when breaking open an almond shell. Enriched with softening almond milk and smoothing almond proteins. I love it.

Crabtree & Evelyn Himalayan Blue Hand Therapy £5 for 25g

This hand cream is slighter thicker than the L'Occitane one and therefore a bit more moisturising. I keep this in my hand bag for applying when out and about. Especially when my hands have been exposed to the cold. I had no idea what to expect from this scent but it is rather delicious. Crabtree and Evelyn describe the fragrance as an enigmatic blend of smoked black tea, warm ginger and spices, and golden champaca, touched with a mysterious accord of patchouli, leather notes, and exotic woods. You need to smell it to appreciate it. Contains shea butter and macadamia nut oil.

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Smoothing Hand Creme £52 for 100ml

The tube pictured is a 30ml version that came in an Estee Lauder cracker. As the name suggests this is a real treatment hand cream which is thick and creamy. I pop this on for overnight intensive moisturising. Rich and indulgent, this has the familiar Lauder scent which is one of my favourites. Smooths lines and reduces dark ageing spots.

Hand Creams From L-R   Crabtree& Evelyn, L'Occitane, Estee Lauder - You can see the difference in texture by looking at these.

What have you been applying to your hands this winter?

*PR Samples

Love For - L'Occitane Almond Delicious Paste - Review

The delectable Almond Shower Oil was my introduction to the L'Occitane brand and what an introduction it was, the product became my Holy Grail bathing product and since then I have never looked back. I am a huge fan of the brand and its fantastic products.

I have been using the Almond Delicious Paste recently and have been suitable impressed with this very apt product... Delicious it most certainly is!

L'Occitane say

This delicious blend of almond butter and almond oil, infused with crushed almond shells and sugar crystals, offers a gentle, yet effective, exfoliation of the entire body. Skin is left smooth and soft, delicately fragranced with the crunchy note of fresh almond.

This product is free from: synthetic colorants, mineral oils, animal ingredients, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phtalates, silicone, triclosan, formol or formaldehyde, EDTA, BHA, BHT.


My thoughts 

A gorgeously buttery textured almond exfoliator that contains enough grit to be effective without feeling scratchy. The perfect gentle exfoliator that leaves skin wonderfully moisturised, soft and smooth with a scent that smells good enough to eat.

Seriously good.

L'Occitane Almond Delicious Paste costs £27 for 200ml

*The sample size pictured was included in a Christmas Gift Set

Wonderful Gifts from L'Occitane This Christmas

L'Occitane are one of my favourite brands, as soon as I tried my first item I was converted and I have converted many others to their wonderfulness too. They do many fantastic Christmas gift boxes and stocking fillers so I am certain you will be able to find something to suit everybody in their stores and stockists. The box sets come in pretty boxes complete with gift tag so you literally have to do nothing but sign it. Perfect :-)

My stand out gift collections

Best Of L'Occitane Collection £60

As an introduction to the brand you cannot go wrong with this box of bestsellers.

 250ml Almond Shower Oil
 250ml Cherry Blossom Shower Gel
 100ml Almond Milk Concentrate
 100ml Lavender Foaming Bath
 75ml Shea Butter Hand Cream
 30ml Shea Butter Foot Cream
 20ml Verbena Eau de Toilette

L'Occitan Men's Collection £48

Smart packaging and a manly scent with peppery nutmeg makes this a winning gift.

50ml L’Occitan Shower Gel
150ml L’Occitan Shaving Gel
100ml L’Occitan Eau de Toilette
100g L’Occitan Soap
30ml L’Occitan After-Shave Balm

Delicate Cherry Blossom Collection £48

One of my favourite scents from the brand, cherry blossom is wonderfully fruity

250ml Cherry Blossom Shower Gel
100ml Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette
75ml Cherry Blossom Shimmering Lotion
50g Cherry Blossom Soap
30ml Cherry Blossom Hand Cream.

Delightful Almond Collection £48

This set is my ultimate gift. The almond shower oil is my holy grail of bathing products, it possess the most delicious scent that I have ever had the pleasure of using and leaves skin feeling nourished and incredibly soft.   

500ml Almond Shower Oil
100ml Almond Milk Concentrate
2x 50g Almond Delicious Soaps
50ml Delicious Paste
30ml Almond Smooth Hands 

New this Christmas

Marvellous Flowers Trio £18

Marvellous Flowers a gorgeously floral scent of peony, rose and red fruits

50g Perfumed Soap
30ml Hand Cream
75ml Shower Gel

Note - the picture shows the entire range of Marvellous Flowers products. I can highly recommend the Shimmering Body Oil £22 which is a scented dry oil which provides a beautiful golden radiance. Just divine. The EDT fragrance is also quite simply to die for, such a bright and pretty fruity floral.

Magical Leaves Trio £18

Magical Leaves is a bright citrus blend with notes of verbena with hazlenut and vanilla.

75ml Magical Leaves Shower Gel
50g Magical Leaves Perfumed Soap
30ml Magical Leaves Hand Cream

Note - picture shows available products in the range.

For more gift ideas visit www.ukloccitane.com

Unleash Those Summer Feet!

July's Issue of iN Magazine is out now - take a look at my beauty page where I am showing you how to get the perfect Summer ready feet

You can read the feature by clicking this link - http://issuu.com/in-magazine.com/docs/inmagjuly12digi/33

Happy reading and let me know what you think :-)

L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate Hand Cream

To accompany the L'Occitane Pivoine Delicate Eau De Toilette that I reviewed here there is a matching hand cream - Pivoine Délicate Hand Cream.

Gorgeously pretty packaging, the hand cream is squeezed out by turning the lid to open. The hand cream is enriched with Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Peony extract.

This is not a heavy duty thick hand cream, more like a lotion in consistency. It lightly moisturises and softens hands whilst leaving them with the same floral and delicate scent that I adore in the Eau De Toilette.

Beautiful.

L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate Hand Cream (Ltd Edition) costs £14 for 75ml.


*PR Sample

L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate Eau de Toilette Review

The more I try from the L'Occitane brand the more I find I like, I have gone on to make purchases from the Almond collection, my absolute favourite bathing products. I have yet to try their fragrances bar a quick squirt of Cherry Blossom last winter which immediately had me sniffing my arm adoringly, it is gorgeous! So when this box dropped through my letterbox with this most pretty of boxes I could not wait to open it up and have a spray.

L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate Eau de Toilette (Ltd Edition) is described as a fragrance that' blends the delicateness of Peony petals with delicate and fresh green scents of Rose and Lily of the Valley'.

My thoughts

The outside box is decorated and so exceptionally pretty, feminine and Spring like. I love the drawings on it and the delicate pink shade. The shade is mirrored in the perfume's colour, although the bottle is wonderfully simple with the L'Occitane logo raised on the glass.

Now I am not a fan of hugely floral scents generally but this blend of peony, rose and lily of the valley is exquisite and just so beautiful and fresh that it appealed immediately, it has already been worn many a day. I do think this is very much a day scent, it is just too 'pretty' and delicate to be an evening scent in my mind. 

This fragrance is ideal for Spring/Summer and as floral scents go this is surely up there with the very best of them.

L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate Eau de Toilette (Ltd Edition) costs £35 for 75ml

*PR Sample

Bathing Beauties - L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil and Almond Firming and Beautifying Milk Veil

I think I have found my holy grail of bathing products. I do not use those words lightly as I have used many, many bath/shower products over the years and nothing has come close to how wonderful these are.  I have never been so excited to share my favourite products as this combination has made a real difference to my skin and is so utterly pleasurable to use.

Almond is known for its softening, firming and toning properties.

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil - 250ml - £16


Pictured above is the 500ml version which was available in the L'Occitane Delightful Almond Collection (Ltd Edition) - £46 Christmas Box.

I was a little worried that almond would equal smelling like marzipan but this really is THE nicest shower product I have ever used. It has the colour of olive oil, a thick gloopy texture but when it touches water transforms into a lovely runny milky texture. It doesn't foam or froth but that doesn't bother me at all. It is fantastic used as a shaving cream as the razor just glides across the skin and leaves my skin feeling satin smooth and incredibly soft. The scent is a gorgeously light almond scent that I just love smelling on my skin ALL day.

L'Occitane Almond Firming and Beautifying Milk Veil - 250ml - £27

L'Occitane say - Formulated with almond oil and milk to soften and supple, almond proteins and silicium to smooth and firm, this body veil melts into the skin leaving the skin soft, smooth, firm and deliciously perfumed. Its formula contains micro-pearls that illuminate and visually smooth the skin.

I find the task of applying a body moisturiser quite often time consuming and laborious which means that I tend to skip it. The Almond Milk Veil actually makes the task so easy that since I have started to use it I have never been tempted to skip. As it is a runny milk texture there is no rubbing it in to ensure it has been absorbed. It sinks into the skin with so little effort it is amazing. There is no greasiness or tackiness so you can dress immediately. It does contain a very slight shimmer to it which gives the skin a gentle glow but this is very slight, there is no disco ball effect. The scent matches that of the Almond Shower Oil, utterly delectable.

Both products leave my skin smelling wonderful, feeling healthy, hydrated and incredibly soft and smooth all day. I honestly cannot ask for anything more.

*PR Samples 

BeautySwot Best Christmas Gift Guide Under £50 - 2011

If you still haven't got your presents all wrapped up and need some ideas, worry not as I have picked out my top picks of Christmas gifts and they all cost under £50!

Whether you are looking for a Secret Santa present or a stocking filler a trip to a Lush store is a must.

I really love Latte Lip Tint - £4.95 for 10g

Latte is a moistursing lip balm and tint that leaves a beautiful bronze shimmer on your lips. As well as looking gorgeous on the lips, it smells incredible thanks to the ingredients of icing sugar, fairtrade coffee, vanilla powder and vanilla absolute.

Ted Baker Cosmetic Purse - £8 - Selected Boots Stores

I was drawn to this pretty fairy print bag whilst out shopping on Saturday, the bag comes in various sizes and prices.

Aromatherapy Associates Little Star - £10 for 7.5ml

How about a gift that doubles as a decoration for the tree? This little star contains Deep Relax luxurious bath and shower oil.

It must be the year for decorative gifts as Paul & Joe have packaged some fabulous shades of eye shadow inside eye catching tree decorations.

Paul & Joe Ornamental Select Select Eye Colour - £12

Fa-La-La-La-La -Bronze

I have shown just one of the shades here but they are available in 5 beautiful colours, each one having its own outer packaging print. Shades are

001 Fa La La La La - Bronze
002 Deck The Hall - Green
003 Midnight Clear - Blue
004 Silent Night - Purple
005 Joy To The World - Pink 

These are highly pigmented eye shadows that are formulated to be easy to blend.

Available at Fenwicks, Bond Street and Harrods.

Nails Inc The Show Stoppers - £15

I love the shades in this set of 5 glossy mini nail polishes


Finsbury Park – Gold Glitter

Gloucester Place - Metallic Deep Red 

Regents Palace – Deep Metallic Purple

George Yard - Metallic Champagne

Chelsea Manor Street – Gun-metal Shimmer

Once again Benefit have brought out some must have limited edition Christmas kits with something for everyone.


Benefit Ticket To Glossytown - £19.50

Fans of lip gloss will love this set of 6 mini glosses all in gorgeous and wearable shades -

So frisk me (gilded berry)
Nudie-tude (goldspun twist)
Spiked punch (juicy coral)
Life on the A list (bubblegum pink)
Foxy lady (diamond rose)
Kiss you (clear fuchsia)

Give someone the gift of the glow with this great set -

Tess Daly Tricks of The Trade Face And Body Glow Kit £22 - Available at Marks and Spencer

This set featuring best selling products provides everything you need to for radiant glamour 

Body cream 200ml
Highlighter compact 15g
Lip balm stick 3g

Perfume is such a personal choice and yet remains one of the top gifts at Christmas. To avoid bottles sitting in cupboards unloved the clever people at The Perfume Shop have come up with the perfect solution

The Perfume Shop Vivabox - £39.99

Vivabox is a collection of 7 sample size designer perfumes -

BOSS Orange, Beyonce Heat, Paco Rabanne Black XS, Giorgio Armani Code, Emporio Armani Diamonds, DKNY Be Delicious EDP, Carolina Herrera 212 VIP


Once the recipient has tried them out and picked their favourite there is a voucher which they can take along to The Perfume Shop to swap for a full size bottle of their choice.

Way back in August I had a preview of the wonderful gifts on offer at Elemis for Christmas, below is the one that caught my eye the most.

Elemis Superstars Face and body award winners - RRP £45 

This fabulous gift set from the Christmas Starlight Collection not only has a lovely white bag to hold all the products but also contains some of my favourite products from Elemis and will be a real treat for the lucky recipient.

Inside -

Papaya Enzyme Peel - 50ml Full Size
Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules -14 caps
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream - 30ml
Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream - 50ml
Skin Nourishing Milk Bath - 125ml
Frangipani Monoi Body Oil - 35ml

L'Occitane are always a favourite of mine to visit at this time of the year as they have such great value gifts and this year is no exception. Many of the products are packaged in boxes complete with a gift tag so there is no need for you to do your own wrapping.

My choice would be

L'Occitane Delightful Almond Collection (Ltd Edition) - £46 

This wonderfully scented and body nourishing gift collection includes:

500ml Almond Shower Oil
250ml Almond Milk Veil
50ml Almond Delicious Paste
3 x 50g Almond Delicious Soaps

Happy Shopping!