Not only does L’Occitane have really great body products, they have some fabulous bits of makeup too! I tried some of it and love that it is soft, subtle and beautiful.

Since my first introduction to L’Occitane late last year when I received a sample of their Shea butter hand cream, I knew that this was an amazing brand. All L’Occitane products are made with natural active ingredients with proven traceability, and with a formulation following the principles of phytotherapy, handing down of culture and local know-how, respect of people and the environment.

Their bath and body ranges are quick-absorbing, super-moisturising, and leaves your skin glowing and healthy-looking.

SHEA BUTTER HAND CREAM

This super smoothing, decadent hand cream is an addictive treat, a beauty essential made up of 20% Shea butter, honey and sweet almond extract.

The rich cream is quickly lapped up by thirsty skin and contains anti-oxidising vitamin E. With all of this deliciousness, it’s no wonder that a tube of this Shea butter hand cream is sold every five seconds around the world!

This fantastic non-greasy hand cream boasts as winner of the 2011 FAIRLADY Best of Beauty Consumer Awards.

ALMOND SHOWER OIL

Perfect for the fast-approaching dry winter weather, this oil transforms into a lavish softening foam that leaves skin feeling like satin. It’s a gentle alternative to soap, and has a deliciously delicate fragrance. This shower oil can be used by both men and women for smooth, hydrated skin.

I was vaguely aware that L’Occitane had a makeup range, but only recently experienced it for myself. I’m not big on makeup – I’ve never really gotten to grips with how to apply it properly – and when I do doll myself up I try to keep it natural and easy, which is so much easier to do when you have great products.

As with the rest of their products, the packaging of L’Occitane’s makeup is simply beautiful. I got to try out their Pivoine Flora lip shine in Peach, Pivoine Flora due eye shadow in Corail Quadrille, and the Fleur Cherie eye pencil in Taupe Brandenbourg.

I loved applying the shimmery peach shadow. It made me feel a bit like a fairy, or perhaps like the ballerina on the packaging. The charcoal colour was surprisingly subtle, although I’m sure you can layer it for a greater intensity when doing a smokey look.

It’s been a while since I’ve used an actual pencil to line my eyes, rather than those wind-out jobbies or gel liner and a brush (when there was some serious dolling to be done), and I was worried that I was about to go through a painful experience. This was of course not the case, because the pencil is amazingly soft, making it easy to intensify the line without gouging your eyes out.

The one thing even I can’t mess up is lip gloss. And how fantastic is it that the product you apply directly below your nose doesn’t only look pretty, but smell awesome too? I also like that it has a little brush applicator, rather than a sponge tip that can sometimes feel a bit harsh on lips.

You can (and should!) try a bit of L’Occitane love for yourself.

Stores:

L’Occitane Hyde Park Shopping Centre
Shop 54 Middle Mall
Hyde Park Corner
Cnr Jan Smuts Ave & 6th Road
Johannesburg
011 325 5280

L’Occitane Melrose Arch
Shop SL05
Melrose Arch Boulevard
Johannesburg
011 684 1000

L’Occitane Menlyn Mall
Shop G4
Cnr Atterbury Road & Lois Ave
Pretoria
012 348 0130

L’Occitane Gateway Theatre of Shopping
1 Palm Boulevard
Umhlanga Ridge
Durban
031 584 6865

L’Occitane V&A Waterfront
Shop 6277
Victoria Wharf
Cape Town
021 418 0030

L’Occitane Cavendish Connect
Shop F18A
Dreyer Street
Cape Town
021 683 9266