L'occitane Verbena body salt scrub

Salts from the Mediterranean Sea combine with the refreshing fragrance of pure extracts of verbena, orange, geranium and lemon tree in a luxurious exfoliating body scrub. Essential oils of grapeseed, apricot and sweet almond nourish and moisturize. Antioxidizing vitamin A helps to tone and maintain healthy appearance. Skin turns silky-smooth as dead skin cells are massaged away. Body and mood feel revived.

As you already may know I am big fan of body scrubs. I like to experiment and try new ones. I am always on the hunt for the best one. This is my second scrub from Loccitane. I have already reviewed Almond shower scrub here .
I prefer salt scrubs over sugar ones. I had high expectations from the Verbena scrub. I like Verbena scent it's light refreshing, zesty citrus - perfect for hot summer months.  From the rest of the Verbena line I have tried - hand cream, shower gel and body lotion - they are all awful.  BUT I love citrus verbena line.

It retails for 36$ and it's probably best value L'occitane has to offer since you get whole 14 oz or 400 grams. Also comes with a nice spatula that's extremely helpful when product needs to be scooped out of the jar.

For the whole body I needed 4 full spatulas. Two for upper body and one for each leg. I have a feeling this will last me a long time.

Texture is mixture of oils and salts. I gently mixed these together with the spatula before scooping the product out. Salt grains are very chunky and in my opinion too rough on the skin. Don't get me wrong I do not like gentle scrubs but I feel this is just too much. I had parts of my body become very red and irritated seconds after using this. And I tried to scrub gently. Also consistency is pretty thin, there is nothing to hold oil and salt together, so I had more salt in the tub than I had it on me. I was disappointed about this.

Oil part I actually really liked. You can feel that it leaves skin nicely moisturized with beautiful scent but does not leave sticky residue. Just soft skin.

If the salt is not so rough and if the mixing these two together would make better consistency meaning that you do not loose half of the product, I would recommend it. This is not for sensitive skin!!
This might work well as a foot scrub since it's so rough.

I will use it up during summer months but I will not repurchase. Almond shower scrub I plan to buy again. I would also love to try Shea body scrub, that's next on my wishlist.

L'occitane and Sephora VIB Sale 2013 hauls

Time for another haul post.  I had my eye on a couple of product for a while but most of items were bought on a whim... which is unusual for me. I like to plan my purchases. Especially since Sephora has their annual VIB sale in November.

I got : 

Clarins one step exfoliating cleanser - had it long time ago and been wanting to buy it since then. Love to use it in shower, love how gentle yet effective it is. 

NARS Orgasm illuminator - had a mini one, wasn't really impressed but Adrijana convinced me that I "need" it :)

NARS Dolce vita lipstick - been wanting it forever! Such a beatiful MLBB shade. Nars makes great lipsticks

NARS Mississippi mermaid eyeshadow - new "cinematic" formula is mind blowing! It's not a cream but not a powder either. It's hybrid and feels smooth like a butter and shade is not so unique, but very wearable champagne with multi colored shimmer. I can see myself hitting pan on this one.

Bobbi Brown blush in Washed rose - fell in love with it over a year and finally bough it! For me it's a unique shade I do not have anything similar to it, plus I wanted to try more Bobbi Brown products. 

Hourglass Ambiend powder in Luminous light - this is probably the product that I "need" the least but all the crazy hype around Ambient powders made me try at least one and Luminous is right up my alley. (I also tried Dim in store and it's beautiful especially for cool skin tones).

Guerlain Maxi shine lip gloss - this is my first Guerlain lipgloss. I actually wanted to buy Dior but when I saw this shade in store and swatched it I fell in love - such a wearable mauve color with amazing shimmer. Kind of remind me of Rouge coco shine in Boy but in a gloss version.

I am on a L'occitane roll. I keep getting more and more stuff. The only thing I avoid from them is face care. I always brake out terribly. Thankfully they have enough amazing body and hair products. This is my fourth bottle of Citrus verbena shower gel - my husband loves it too, it's such a fresh scent. Great for summer or morning showers to boost energy.  Hand cream is their cult Shea hand cream but in special holiday limited edition (not sure that I really like this year's design). Recently I bought their Repair shampoo but after that I tried the sample of Volumizing one and actually liked it much better so I decided to buy it. Almond shower oil was gift with purchase - woohoo! I love how generous L'occitane is. I always get a great deal plus I was able to use my gift card. 

Before these two hauls I also bought NARS Daydream blush - this was love at first sight! I will be reviewing it soon!

Holiday season is the worst when it comes to cosmetics. So many great deals, palettes, sales, gwps... my wallet is crying in a corner. 

L'occitane En Provence Shea butter body lotion review

Enriched with 15% Shea Butter and natural honey and apricot oil, this creamy lotion absorbs quickly into the skin to leave skin feeling soft and looking radiant all day. Rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, this silky lotion will nourish, moisturize and protect skin.


The shea tree (Sapotaceae family) comes from dry tropical Africa and grows to a height of 12 to 20 meters. It has a thick, corky bark that protects it against bushfires and can live for 200 to 300 years. Its fruits, which look like large yellowish plums and measure 4 to 5 cm, only appear after 25 to 30 years. A thin, edible flesh surrounds 1 or 2 large seeds, which are very rich in oil. Shea trees are rarely cultivated even today and shea nuts are usually harvested in the wild.

Specific to Sub-Saharan Africa, this much-respected tree contributes to the rhythm of village life. Shea butter is used as a food oil, but also in therapeutic products. However, its main use is in beauty products: it protects the skin against the wind and the burning sun and makes a nourishing balm for the hair.

Incorporated into L'OCCITANE formulas, shea butter is an ideal balm for dry and dehydrated skin. Its nourishing and protective properties have been revealed. It contains insaponifiables, to boost cell renewal and repair the hydrolipid film, for softer, more elastic and comfortable skin. It acts like a barrier for the skin and limits water loss, thus maintaining an optimal level of moisture. For an oil version and higher proportion of unsaponifiable matter, shea butter olein is used. Finally, in soaps, the butter can be saponified to make it exceptionally soft and gentle.

I am huge fan of L'occitane shea line. I already wrote about their Shea hand cream and Shea hand scrub and both products highly impressed me. I wanted to try other stuff from their Shea line (I actually had  body scrub on my mind) but I had a chance to snatch body lotion with 50% off. I was slightly reluctant because I read some reviews online saying it's not hydrating enough and that is very lightweight. I usually prefer body butters over lotion just because my skin is so dry, barely any lotion will help with dryness.

Anyway, Shea lotion is on a pricier side. 60$ + tax for 16oz or 500ml. That's a lot. I got it for 30$ which is more acceptable price for me.

It comes in a white bottle that's not bulky at all (even though  it has 500ml) with a pump that can be opened and then closed. A lot of pumps like this one once you open it you are doomed, can't be closed back again.

Scent of this lotion is just divine. It has signature shea scent same as their hand cream. I LOVE IT! So soft, clean and not overpowering.

Texture is really on a thin side, slightly watery and absorbs very quickly. Nothing bad about that actually it's a plus if you are applying it in the morning before getting dressed, or if you like your lotion not leaving any kind of a residue. As L'occitane promises it really leaves skin looking healthy and very radiant. I was nicely surprised by this. Skin feels soft on touch. Unfortunately for me it does not moisturize enough. It is lightweight and could be great pick for summer if you have very dry skin. If not this could be your year around lotion. It is very basic, could be used for hands, feet, even your man would like this since it has such a lightweight texture. I've read some use it on their kids too, but I haven't really tried that.

I wish it has thicker, creamier texture and to provide more moisture. But even like this I am glad I got it. I will try to use it up during summer and then to switch to Shea body butter during winter.

L'occitane En Provence Almond shower scrub review

Enriched with almond oil and crushed shells, the foaming Almond Shower Scrub melts into the skin, cleanses softly and exfoliates to remove impurities and dead cells. Skin is soft, smooth and ready to absorb all the benefits of your body creams. This scrub leaves behind the fresh and delicate fragrance of almond tree flowers

In spring 2012 L'occitane introduced couple of new items to the Almond line. Strangely all of them were limited edition (???). OK I might understand for the shower scrub but other firming items being LE doesn't make sense at all. If you are supposed to use firming products it takes a while not one time purchase. Anyway, I have not tried any of them except the shower scrub. When it was released last year I wanted to buy it, but was waiting not realizing it's LE and I missed it. It was sold out pretty fast. I was excited to see it was released again this spring and I got my hands on it. Yay! I adore Almond shower oil, and I really did have high hopes for shower scrub too.

Almond shower scrub does gentle exfoliation without stripping the skin or drying it out. It is great choice for dry and sensitive skin since it's not as harsh as some other scrubs, but does exfoliate really effectively. It leaves skin very soft and radiant. Since it is enriched with almond oil, skin is nicely moisturized but it does not leave any oily residue. 

I was hoping it will have exactly the same scent as the Almond shower oil, but it is not as sweet. It does have a same base but it slightly lighter and fresher. I would say more suitable for summer, since it's not so heavy and sweet.

Texture is thin, runny and gel like. It is not gritty at all. When you start massaging it into the skin it turns white and more and more creamy. Surprisingly it foams up very nicely. I usually do not like shower scrubs. They are not hydrating enough to be nice shower gel but on the other hand they do not exfoliate enough to be a good scrub. So somewhere in between and average in both categories. That's why I usually avoid this  kind of a product. Well, Almond shower scrub is a nice surprise. Smooth and hydrating enough , foamy enough to provide nice cleansing without drying skin out but on the other hand effective enough for exfoliator.

Nice touch was twist open & close cap.

I really can't find one thing that I do not like about this product except being Limited edition. So either waiting until next spring and hoping it will be released again or stocking up now while it's still available?? Since they discontinued other scrub from the Almond line, L'occitane needs to make this permanent!

I am back! My hauls in past two months...

Life has been hard in past two months. Not to go into details, some of you already know what was going on but simply it was my and my family's toughest time. I did some serious retail therapy, please be aware this post will be picture heavy!

Chanel made some serious damage to my wallet.

Chanel samples

The body shop always sucks me in to buy tons of stuff since it's so cheap when on sale. I am excited to try beauty oils. Mango shower gel and foot scrub are re-purchases. 

Lately I have been giving L'occitane a lot of love. Shea body lotion I got on 50% sale! Who doesn't love a good deal? I have been wanting to try Almond scrub since it came out last year, but since it was LE it was sold out fast. I heard some great things about Verbena scrub and I have been eyeing it also for a while. I was waiting to ran out of scrub I had. Also I got nice GWP - cosmetic bag, Verbena mini shower gel and body lotion as well as verbena cooling hand gel (not pictured) and verbena roll on perfume (not pictured).

And how could I ever resist good deal with Lancome? I planned to get Juicy tubes in Raspberry ice for a while, and as soon as I saw they offer free shipping and two free samples - Bienfait day and night cream I went ahead and ordered it. How generous is this? I love how Lancome treats and spoils their customers. Absolutely the best customer service in the industry.

New addition to Lancome line finally in the US! Energie de vie face cream and lotion. I think it's currently exclusive to Sephora where I purchased it. 

 I finally got my hands on it - Blush subtil palette in Nectar lace

I love layering fragrance and I was so glad to snatch this Chloe shower gel. Mini body lotion and edp were GWP.

My favorite MAC items - Mineralize skin finishes. L-R : Adored, Soft and gentle , Porcelain pink. This is my second Soft and gentle. First one I had for over 4 years and it's still one of my top 5 MAC items. I haven't got pigments in years since I realized I never use them. Yes they are messy and colors I got a while ago are so dark and crazy and I do not know what to combine them with. So this time I chose Vanilla - cult classic and Naked - simple and wearable shades.

And completely unplanned purchase... Kerastase shampoo. I just had very bad day and got this as soon as I saw it at Nordstrom rack. Hopefully I like it (especially for the price). 

As I warned you this will be picture heavy! 

I want to thank my readers who reached to me asking what is going with the blog, is everything ok... etc. It is really appreciated and hopefully life has some good things in future for me and my family.

I am so happy I am back to blogging, I really missed it! 

L'occitane Shea Butter Hand and Foot cream review

One of our best-selling Shea Butter Hand Creams is sold every three seconds around the world!

Enriched with 20% Shea Butter, this super-creamy balm penetrates quickly to protect, nourish and moisturize hands. Honey, almond extracts and coconut oil are blended with Shea Butter to create this extremely effective formula. The rich texture leaves hands soft and smooth with no oily traces, and can be applied as often as needed.

Considered a “beauty must-have” by many, this “life-changing” hand cream is essential for home, work and on-the-go

The Shea Butter Foot Cream is a prescription for relief and well-being. Our formula contains antiseptic A.O.P. lavenderessential oil to purify and anti-inflammatory arnica extract to help reduce redness and irritation. Enriched with 15% nourishing Shea Butter for exceptional comfort, the addition of refreshing mint also cools the feet.

As I already wrote I've had dry hands since I can remember. Tried everything. Nothing helped or helped a little bit. I've heard so many things about L'occitane shea butter hand cream but I was so cheap and refused to pay so much $$$ for it. Until one super cold winter day in Chicago when I had a chance to try it at my friends. OMG! How could I live without this product?  I was so stupid please forgive me L'occitane. That was three years ago. Since then I always have at least one tube at home and use it daily.  It is pricey for a hand cream but amount you are getting plus the texture which is VERY thick and concentrated you need so little. One tube lasts me from 6-8 months.  Smell is one of the most beautiful I've ever smelled in cosmetic product. I wish every skincare item smells like this. Soft and soothing, nothing overwhelming. 

I usually use it only before going to bad, but depending on how often I was my hands, if I clean around the house, use hand sanitizer, use nail polish remover and how terribly cold and windy it gets and how dry air can be inside I try to use it at least once during the day too.

It's hard reviewing a hand cream. I can talk about the smell, I can talk about the texture, packaging... but you really need to try this yourself to really see how amazing it is. 

This product goes in the "life changing" category. 

Whole team : limited edition packaging, regular packaging and travel size

Since I was so impressed with the hand cream I naturally wanted to try the Foot one too. I also very dry skin on my feet and need something extra. So far I haven't found foot cream that's moisturizing enough. Unfortunately this one isn't either. I had really high hopes for it. First of all I am not big fan of the scent. I wish it was the same as hand cream. It is similar but since some essential oils were added it's more minty. Texture is much thinner and slightly runny. Not hydrating enough. If you have normal skin you will love this. It absorbs quickly, so you can use it not just at night time. I like to massage it in before bedtime and also during the day especially during open toe season when  feet have to look their best.

It also has slightly cooling and refreshing sensation that I appreciate especially if I spend many hours during the day on my feet.

Will I repurchase? I do not think so. I wish I could find thick moisturizing foot balm that I could apply only once a day and be happy with the results.

 Texture comparison :  on the left you can see foot cream with it's lightweight more like lotion texture while on the right you will notice much thicker, balm like texture of hand cream