L'Occitane

Comment to Win L’Occitane’s 28 Days Divine Skin Renewal Program (a $130 Value)

February 19th, 2015 by Karen 208 Comments

L'Occitane 28 Days Divine Renewal Program — Comment to win the L’Occitane 28 Days Divine Renewal Program, a $130 value

A lot can happen in 28 days.

Like, there could be a zombie apocalypse in England (you know what movie I’m talking about, don’t lie!!).

You could also get softer, smoother skin, and perhaps L’Occitane’s new 28 Days Divine Renewal Program ($130) can help with that.

It comes with 28 individual treatments of essential oils for more luminous, regenerated skin — one set of seven for each of the four weeks in a span of 28 days, which coincides with skin’s natural 28-day renewal cycle.

Each week in the program has a different focus.

Week 1: gentle exfoliation. Pistacia lentiscus, or “mastic tree” essential oil, acts as a gentle exfoliator by encouraging the skin’s natural process of shedding to result in softer, smoother skin.
Week 2: hydration and nutrition. A unique blend of four vegetable oils combine with cistus essential oil help nourish and hydrate the skin.
Week 3: balance. Myrtle and rosemary essential oils work together to improve skin’s overall well-being.
Week 4: renewal. Carrot, cypress and immortelle essential oils work to improve the visible signs of aging for a glowing complexion.

I’ve just about finished my first cycle of the program, and I have to say — I like the results.

My biggest skin dilemma lately has been hydration — rather, my skin’s complete lack of it — and the oils have helped. My skin feels softer and nowhere near as dry as it was before I started the program, and I also see a slight improvement in luminosity, although it’s been subtle…

No breakouts at all, though, during the program, so whoop-whoop!

The program is available now for $130 at L’Occitane counters, stores and online.

And um…it’s also potentially available right now FOR FREE, thanks to L’Occitane and today’s giveaway. 🙂

One lucky MBB reader will win the complete 28 Days Divine Renewal Program (a full set of the essential oils) to try at home.

To enter, just leave a comment below, and it can be a comment about anything at all, like…tell me about your favorite L’Occitane product, or how your skin’s been behaving lately, or type out all of the names of all of the frogs (or frog princes) you’ve kissed throughout your life.

What I’m trying to say is this: any comment at all. Yes, girl. It’s that easy.

More deets…

Enter by leaving a comment below about anything (like I said, anything at all). The deadline to enter is Friday, February 27, 2015 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Entrants must enter using a valid email address to win. Giveaway is open to individuals of the United States who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21). After the giveaway ends, my tabby overlord and I will select one (1) winner at random from the entries left in the comments below. Void where prohibited by law.

Good luck! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Roses and Queens, Coming Soon to L’Occitane: The New Roses et Reines Collection

July 17th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

This scent brings back so many good memories!

I used to live near Golden Gate Park in SF, right next to the rose garden, and this new scent by L’Occitane, Roses et Reines, smells just like when I’d walk through the park when the roses were in bloom.

Roses et Reines means “Roses and Queens” in French. 🙂

“The queen of flowers is an olfactory, evocative muse that inspired L’OCCITANE, perfumer in Provence, to create the captivating tale of a fresh and velvety Eau de Toilette. This tale goes back to the legend of the Count of Forcalquier and his four daughters, who became queens through love, and through their favorite roses.”

–L’Occitane PR

According to L’Occitane, they used roses from Bulgaria, Turkey, Grasse, Morocco and Provence in the fragrance (I guess that’s neat).

I love rosy scents… My first ever “big girl” perfume was YSL’s Paris, which I wore as a senior in high school.

This one feels fresh, light and modern to me, as far as rose scents go. I think some of them seem very heavy and dated.

It opens with bergamot and blackcurrent notes, before moving into rose and raspberry, and then drying down to deeper blackberry, cedar, musk and heliotrope.

Very feminine and delicate.

I’ve been enjoying three things from this new collection — the Hand & Nail Cream (absorbs quickly), Beautifying Body Milk (moderately moisturizing and great for summer) and the Eau de Toilette (sparkling and fresh).

The 11-piece collection comes out July 30 with…

Extra-Gentle Soap – A bar soap enriched with rose water to gently cleanse skin. $8 for 2.6 oz.
Silky Shower Gel – A scented shower gel to gently cleanse skin. $20 for a 8.4 oz.
Beautifying Body Milk – A beautifying scented body milk to moisturize the body. $25 for 8.4 oz.
Hand & Nail Cream – Contains shea butter, vitamin E to soften and protect the hands and strengthen nails. $12 for 1 oz.
Fresh Face & Body Mist – A moisturizing and fresh face and body mist enriched with rose water. $16 for 1.7 oz.
Solid Perfume – A solid perfume in a small take-along tin. $12 for 0.3 oz.
Roll-on Eau de Toilette Intense – A travel-friendly roll-on fragrance. $22 for 0.33 oz.
Shower Scrub – Enriched with rosehip seed extracts, this shower scrub gently exfoliates the skin. $20 for 6.7 oz.
Gentle Bath Salts – Bath salts with rose water to soften skin. $24 for 10.85 oz.
Pearlescent Body Gel – This moisturizing body gel refreshes the skin and adds a beautiful pearly sheen. $25 for 8.4 oz.
Eau de Toilette – A sparkling, refreshing rose fragrance. $50 for 2.5 oz.

Look for Roses et Reines at L’Occitane stores and counters, and online at usa.loccitane.com.

Currently on the Bathroom Shelf: Fourth of July Sun Protection Products From Neutrogena, L’Occitane, Vichy, Avene and Philip Kingsley

July 1st, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

Sun protection from Neutrogena, L'Occitane, Philip Kingsley, Vichy and Avene — Sun protection from Neutrogena, L’Occitane, Philip Kingsley, Vichy and Avene

It’s almost Fourth of July, and fireworks are completely legal in my bathroom!

Wait — that was weird.

By fireworks, I’m referring to exciting sun protection products, like these things currently celebrating their independence on my bathroom shelf. 🙂

Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 110

When a two-digit SPF ratings just isn’t enough, there’s Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 110, which I’ve been using every day for about a month.

The oil-free formula is fabulous to the max! Not only is it easy to apply makeup on top of it, but it doesn’t pill up into little flecks, or otherwise behave strangely no matter what I wear it with — primer, foundation, whatever else.

Best of all, it’s not greasy! — so when I put it on my neck, it doesn’t feel all sticky and gross. For $12.99, you get a 3-ounce tube, and it’s available now at drugstores, Ulta and online.

L’Occitane Jenipapo Gel-Protecting Body Jelly Milk SPF 20

I like L’Occitane’s Jenipapo Protecting Body Jelly Milk SPF 20 for a couple of reasons.

First, the name. Jenipapo.

That’s pure win right there. 🙂

As for the formula, I like it for light SPF protection when I only plan to catch a few rays while running errands or going for a quick walk.

It’s a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen lotion that smells ah-maze-balls! It starts with notes of watermelon, orange, pineapple, frangipani and Lily of the Valley, and dries down to a smooth vanilla musk.

It launched last May with a whole slew of skin care, fragrance and sun protection products in L’Occitane’s Au Brasil line, a range inspired by the fabulous foliage of Brazil.

Jenipapo, a fruit tree found in Brazil’s Cerrado tropical savanna, is said to be very moisturizing.

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Spring Is in the Air With L’Occitane’s New Néroli & Orchidée Body Milk, Eau de Toilette and Fragrance Beautifying Cream

May 7th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

The first time I wore L’Occitane’s new Néroli & Orchidée, seriously, I literally could not stop sniffing myself.

Oh, gosh! It smells so good! Floral and refreshing, but not heavy, and it lingers all day long, too.

Néroli & Orchidée blends the scents of two precious white flowers in a beautiful harmony. A heart of radiant neroli essence from the Mediterranean is blended with caressing white orchid absolute from Madagascar. Fruity bursts of orange and heart notes of peach complete the sensuous bouquet.
— loccitane.com

Lately in the mornings after my workout and shower, I grab either Néroli & Orchidée Body Milk ($20) or the Fragrance Beautifying Booster Cream ($35). Both absorb quickly without leaving any kind of residue behind. So great for warm weather.

And the Fragrance Beautifying Booster Cream is really interesting. It moisturizes your skin and his a light floral scent, but it also complements and extends the life of the other La Collection de Grasse fragrances if you layer them on top of it.

It works with all of L’Occitane’s La Collection de Grasse scents, but my favorite combo is with Néroli & Orchidée.

Then, after the Body Milk or Beautifying Booster Cream when thoroughly I’m moisturized, I spray a couple spritzes of Néroli & Orchidée ($75) on my wrists and neck, and I’m good for the entire day.

Give it a sniff next time you’re visiting a L’Occitane counter or store.

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L’Occitane Cherry Princess Proves That Every Girl Can Be a Princess From Provence

January 22nd, 2012 by Karen 17 Comments

L'Occitane Cherry Princess

Never underestimate the healing power of a shower, cute pajamas and new Cherry Princess bath and body products from L’Occitane. They combine to create one of the most powerful trifectas of recuperative relaxation known to womankind!

Drill Sergeant Tabs worked me hard this week, and by Friday I was totally beat. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to go out (he’s such a party animal!).

So while Tabs went out clubbing with his new BFF, Bruno Mars, I stayed home, took a long shower with L’Occitane and rented movies instead.

I discovered a few fabulous new L’Occitane treats from the new five-piece Cherry Princess collection of bath and body products (coming Jan. 30), like their Pearlescent Shower Cream ($20 for an 8.4-ounce bottle), Eau de Toilette ($40 for 1.7 ounces) and Hand Cream ($10 for 1 ounce). These three items, along with a Solid Perfume ($12 for 0.35 ounces) and a Silky Body Gel ($25 for 8.4 ounces), comprise the limited edition release.

This time around, L’Occitane takes us straight to Luberon, an area of Provence in France that stretches 30 miles along rugged hills east of Avignon, incorporating cherry extracts from the region into each of the products in the Cherry Princess line.
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