L'Occitane de Provence Award Winning Collection

If you have been to any of the major malls across our country lately you have probably walked past a beautiful, golden glowing store that smells divine and looks as though it belongs in France. L'Occitane de Provence has been expanidng across the country and through The Bay and is quickly offering Canadians some of the european beauty secrets that we have all been coveting.

I was first introduced to L'Occitane when I was 13. I was going to school in Southern France and my very fair skin was getting a sun burn almost daily. The parents of the family I was living with were quickly becoming concerned. They did not burn with their exquisite Mediterranean skin and, despite my application of sunscreen I was still looking more like a tomato than desired. They kindly purchased an oatmeal based skin care line that miraculously washed away my sunburn as well as soothed my irritated, sensitive skin. I loved these products and was so excited to bring them back to Canada along with a beautiful collection of soaps and candles for my sisters.

I have kept L'Occitane on my mind ever since. When I need a cream, or have a skin care problem quickly arise I look to see if they have a solution. I want you to get familliar with L'Occitane, I really believe that once you do, you too will fall in love with the quality, the luxury and the results it delivers. Right now in store you can purchase beautiful little pouches that have mini sized products that allow you to give L'Occitane a try. I picked up one of these kits, as they are perfect for travel-I do try to pack light I promise, it's just so hard-and let you to try out a product and see how it works for you before you buy the full size. I chose the Award-Winning Collection, which already includes two of my all time favourites! Here are my thoughts and reviews of these delightful little products!

Dry Skin Hand Cream, 20% Shea. With cooler temps fast approaching we are all in need of a little bit of moisture and I swear a minute spent outdoors with uncovered hands results in dry, painful skin. This hand cream offers a beautiful scent, completely natural and rehydrates your hands quickly without leaving them greasey.

Dry Skin Foot Cream 15% Shea. One of my favourite routines to unwind is to apply foot cream at the end of day. This cream soothes and repairs leaving your toes soft and the skin smooth and without cracks. We often pay less attention to our feet during the winter as they remain under comfy wool socks and stylish boots but come spring you wonder whatever happened to your sandal ready toes. Keep up your foot cream routine and at the first sign of warm weather you will be showing off your toes without a thought!

Immortelle Precious Cream. This cream is based on the immortelle flower, a flower that does not wither or fade despite the elements or even after being picked. This cream is excellent for normal to dry skin, offering full hydration and rejuvenation to your skin, leaving it looking full and luminous. I love this cream to start my moring when I look less than bright. A little goes a long way with this cream and gives you a bit of that effortless glow French women are so well known for.

Amande Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil. When most think of Southern France they think of the fields of lavender rustling in the wind. I always think of almonds. When you're in Southern France you see almonds everywhere from the delicious treats at the patisserie to the skincare and soaps at the corner store. Almonds offer so many skin care benefits and this oil based shower oil is luxurious in the shower and when you step out of the shower your skin already feels cleansed and mositurised. Perfect for when you're travelling.

Fleurs de Cerisier Eau de Toilette. One of my fondest memories spent in Southern France was a Sunday afternoon spent walking through the newly bloomed cherry blossoms with my French famliy along with the families of four other girls I had become close with. It was an extensive garden of trails accompanied by gazebos and ponds, all under the canopy of cherry blossoms. The scent of cherry blossoms is not unheard of and has been done many times by other fragrances, however the freshness and warmth of this fragrance are unlike any other. When I smell this scent I am immediatley taken back to that sunday of running and laughing and beig completely present and at peace with where I was. Scent has the strongest attachment to memory and the memories you can make with this gorgeous scent are endless.

I strongly encourage you to pop in to that golden glow of L'Occitane next time you pass by. The stores are beautiful and transport you to another world. The staff are highly knowledgeable and mini facials and hand massages are offered immediately in store upon request. I dare you not to become entranced and a devotee of the brand, it's impossible.