Review | L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

You may have seen me mention L'Occitane on here before or definitely on my instagram. They just get it right when it comes to bodycare in my book. I'm especially a big fan of their hand moisturisers which I always have in my handbag because they come in the perfect size, absorb quickly, are available in beautiful scents and leave my hands feeling nice and nourished. The brand originated in Provence, South of France which is where my Grandma lives so I always love using their products because it makes me think of her, the beautiful fields of lavender and sunflowers and the picturesque countryside.

For Christmas last year I was generously given a large gift set of L'Occitane's Amande range, none of which I had tried before. Someone please tell me where I have been and why I haven't tried anything from it before?! It came with one of the hand moisturisers that I mentioned before which went straight to the handbag, finished it too quickly and I even managed to convert a moisturiser-hater to these because they don't leave your hands feeling greasy or icky but rather fresh and fab smelling. Another goody that came in the gift set was the shower oil which I've definitely seen on the beautysphere- be it Instagram, YouTube or blogs, I'm positive I've seen this quite a bit. Thing is that it is a bit pricey so I don't think I would've really be inclined to spend that much myself on a body wash but now that I've been exposed, nothing else will ever do. Spoiler alert: this stuff is the bomb.com. I use it together with  my Body Shop exfoliating body polisher  which is a nylon towel that can be washed so it's great for daily use. Two pumps of the oil onto the towel, it'll lather up a little and you will hear the angels sing. It not only smells absolutely divine but it leaves your skin feeling like nothing I've ever used in the shower. Admittedly this is my first shower oil but I've used similar products and a few in-shower moisturisers but no, they do not hold a candle to this lil beauty. Your skin feels nourished and hydrated and no surprise, it smells fab; I don't find the scent lingers too long throughout the day on my skin but could just be me or maybe I just can't smell it on myself. 

What they say: A customer favourite. Transforms into a lavish, softening foam--original and unique in texture--that leaves a satin-like softness all over the body. Rich in almond oil and nourishing lipids. Cleanses gently to impart a delectable perfume. Keep handy in bath or shower as an extra-pampering alternative to Shea Butter Soap and our fragrance soaps.

What I say: As I said, I don't see myself using anything else for a good while because this just is an amazing product. They say you can also use it as a shaving base so I'll give that a go as well. The fact that this gives my skin added moisture than a standard body wash and cuts down on steps for me in the morning, I am more than keen for. Also as an award winner, you can't go wrong! 

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is priced from $36

Sunday Saviours

Sunday evenings have become my pamper/rejuvenating night so I can start my week feeling fresh and pampered! Here are a few bits and pieces that I generally like to do and products I love using.

If it's a wash hair day, I'll treat my locks to a hair mask if I haven't already that week and at the moment I'm loving the L'Oreal EverCreme Deep Nourishing Masque which you just pop on for a few minutes after shampooing while you're in the shower. As that's soaking in and working it's magic I like to exfoliate and use either the Soap & Glory Flake Away or Breakfast Scrub exfoliants or if I have a few more minutes, the Frank Coffee Body Scrub. All smell amazing and leave my skin feeling silky smooth but the Frank one is meant to reduce scarring and even out skin texture and minimise all the bits that us ladies hate.

Next I like to moisturise and for an all over option I love the Aesop Body Balms or a more recent find is the L'Occitane Firming and Smoothing Milk Concentrate which is part of their 'Amande' range and boy does this smell good. Well, obviously all of these do otherwise why would I have bought them?! Sunday evenings also call for a good old face mask and at the moment I have a few on rotation depending on my skin's need so I'll use either the Origins 10 Minute Recovery Mask or their Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask which I've sadly just finished and need to repurchase. I'm also loving Lush's Mask of Magnaminty which is amazing for clarifying and exfoliating. A nice hydrating facial moisturiser and eye cream to follow up and I'm done.

Once I'm feeling fresh as a daisy I like to do my nails for the week or at least the beginning of the week. A good base coat like Essie's Ridge Filler or Sally Hansen Bottom Coat then a few coats of whatever colour I'm feeling that particular evening followed by a top coat to protect it and give it extra shine, either Seche Vite or Sally Hansen Insta Dry. When they're definitely dry (key word- definitely. Too many times have I been impatient and not waited long enough and resulted in smudging.. so annoying and definitely #firstworldproblems) I'll use a nice hand moisturiser, generally one of the mini L'Occitane offerings that I have laying around.

And I'm done! Feel ultra pampered, fresh and ready for the week ahead! What do you like to do on your pamper evenings?

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