I discovered L'Occitane accidentally, whilst on holiday in France. I'm a shopaholic and I wandered into one of their brightly decorated shops, drawn in by the lovely fragrances coming from inside. Since then, I've been a devoted L'Occitane user.
You may not have heard of L'Occitane before, or of Shea Butter, so I'm going to start off with a brief history.
L'Occitane was founded in the South of France in 1976 and its popularity has spread so that it now has stores in over 70 countries worldwide, including the UK. The brand produces skincare (face and body) for both men and women, as well as fragrances. The company is committed to using natural ingredients and limiting their use of silicones and chemical sunscreens.
They do not test on animals, use minimal (and recyclable) packaging and as far as possible use organic ingredients in their products. L'Occitane cite their core values as: 'authenticity, simplicity, sensory pleasure and respect for people and the planet'.
Now, onto the main focus of this review: SheaButter. It originates from the kernels of Shea tree fruits in West Africa, which are harvested, dried and ground into a fine paste which then becomes Shea Butter. It is this, and this only, which fillsL'Occitane Shea Butter tins. If you look on the back of a tin and read the ingredients, you will see that it says only 'Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) fruit'. This is a 100% natural and organic product, which L'Occitane obtain through fair trade from Burkina Faso, West Africa.
I'd like to say a few words about the packaging. L'Occitane are very minimalist in their packaging in order to keep environmental damage to a minimum. Tins of Shea Butter, therefore, do not come in boxes. They're just a simple silver-coloured round metal pot with a yellow and blue label on the top, and on the bottom is a white label printed with the ingredients ('Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) fruit') and manufacturer's information. If you peel back that little label, underneath you will find another one, certifying the product 'free of synthetic pesticide, artificial fertilizer and preservatives. When you open the tin, you are greeted by a paper sheet, protecting the product underneath. Lift that up and you will see the beautiful white Shea Butter. It appears almost milky, with a slight sheen to it in the light. It has no smell that I can discern. The texture is firm, but not hard and it is very easy to scoop out a good fingerful to apply. You don't need a lot, a little really does go a long way with this product. Take out a little with your fingers - if you need more, you can always go back. Warm it up, either between your fingers or your palms, then simply massage into the area where you've chosen to apply the product.
You may be wondering, after all that, why you should buy it. Well, Shea Butter moisturises, nourishes and encourages cellular renewal. It can be used on cuticles during manicures, to soften them. It's great for use on elbows and knees, heels or anywhere at all you have dry skin. I'm prone to dry patches on my legs and tummy, but a couple of applications of Shea Butter and they're gone! If you have particularly dry hair, take a small amount of Shea Butter and massage it through, which helps to hydrate and make the hair softer. Anywhere that's in need of a little TLC can benefit from Shea Butter, though I would advise against using it around the eyes because even though it's a completely natural product the eyes are such a delicate area. Shea Butter can be used by men and women alike, and is also safe to be used on children.
Not a day goes by when I don't reach for one of the tins of Shea Butter that I have scattered around the house. By far my favourite usage, though, is on my lips. This is a fabulous product for repairing and soothing dry, chapped lips. Once they're lovely and soft again, a little exfoliation a couple of times a week and daily applications of Shea Butter help to keep them that way. For an intensive moisturising effect, you can apply a fairly thick layer before going to bed so that it really has time to work its way in. If you're doing this on your hands or feet, I'd suggest wearing gloves or socks so that it doesn't all come off on your sheets - they won't benefit from it but you will!
Tins of Shea Butter come in two sizes. There's the big 150ml (4.9oz) tin, which I keep in my bathroom basket. That will set you back £23 and will last just about forever. I can't even remember how long I've had mine, and it's still as fresh as it ever was. It really does last well. There's also the travel sized 8ml (0.26oz) tin, which costs £5. I keep one of these next to my bed, one in my handbag and one with my manicure kit. What can I say…I'm an addict!
So, if you're now wondering where you can get your hands on a tin, I shall tell you. L'Occitane have stores in 27 UK towns/cities, so you're bound to find one quite close to you. A full list (including international locations) can be found on their website: www.loccitane.com, where you can also select your regional website and shop online. I have to admit, I prefer the experience of a L'Occitane shop to the website, because I just love to look at their other gorgeous products and try out the samples, but the website is just so convenient.
I hope you've enjoyed reading this, or at the least that I didn't bore you to tears with my history lesson and enthusiasm!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Soften, soothe and comfort your skin with this 100% Shea Butter Moisturiser (150ml) from ... more
L'Occitane. This product is completely natural, containing only shea butter, and so is perfect for men, women and children, and anyone suffering from sensitive or ...
Postage & Packaging: £3.45 Availability: 3 to 7 days
Feb 5th, 2008
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