The Blogger and The Sea

L'Occitane Labdanum

This scent is part of the Voyage En Mediterranean collection at L'Occitane. The collection pairs a specific note with a destination in the Mediterranean from Tuscany to Corsica. Each package features a unique wind rose. This was a graphic tool that was used by sailors to help guide them on their travels. Sailors believed that the wind rose had special powers and protected them on their voyages.

The Labdanam fragrance is a stunning amber. It opens with honeyed citrus fruits and spices. The drydown is amber heaven with a dash of vanilla sprinkled in. The amber note is not as hardcore as Paul & Joe's Bleu or as dirty as Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan. Labdanam has a lighter feel. More sweet and pine-like.

It retails for $66 and is currently at your local L'Occitane store. You can also visit the website at http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Home.aspx for details.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by L'Occitane.

40 days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 19, L'Occitane

Cavewoman: Seven Flowers And Four Queens

A stop at the L'Occitane store is always part of a day of shopping for The Cleveland Gang. We ooh and ahh over all the lovely bottles, pretty soaps and tins, luxurious bath and body products, and gorgeous packaging. We nod our heads in agreement over tubs and tubes of Shea Butter products, and we call each other to displays to take whiffs of the latest offerings in the store. And we want everything!

Recently I caved and purchased two of the scents I've been wanting to buy for a very long time. These two Eaux De Parfums are "Eau des 7 Fleurs" and "4 Reines." Seven flowers and four queens!

Eau des 7 Fleurs is a fresh, happy, and balanced blend of rose, jasmine, neroli, iris, tuberose, mimosa and narcissus from the fields surrounding the area of Grasse, France. There is no annoyance of a citrus blast to hide the emergence of the flowers. And no musk or uninvited base notes either, just a feminine and pretty floral blend that smells like Springtime. The sometimes edgy note of jasmine is softened and sweetened by the lush narcissus, and the iris adds a little bit of fruitiness. The labels are as cute as can be, and the cube bottle of fluted glass is elegant and delightfully old-fashioned.

4 Reines are the four queens of the world of roses, Moroccan, Bulgarian, Turkish, and Grasse roses blend seamlessly in this not-quite-soliflore fragrance. There is a soapy quality to this scent that I love, to me it makes 4 Reines seem more Italian than French. Rose lovers will be delighted with the Four Queens, and non-rose lovers may find this one surprisingly appealing. There is nothing heavy about either of these L'Occitane fragrances. Lasting power is excellent, and because of the nature of the notes and the flowers, there is little change from start to finish.

L'Occitane scents come in EDP and EDT strengths, plus irresistible ancillaries, too. Gather your gang and head to L'Occitane for all things delightful.

Annieytown: It was Beauty Addict's review that got me interested in trying Amande Shower Oil. Her rave convinced me that I needed this product in my life. It is a everything she says and more. It is a skin cleansing oil that looks and feels like honey. This luxurious oil turns into a rich foam on the skin. It leaves the skin silky soft with no oily residue. This characteristic enough would be worth a rave, but it is the scent that makes the bloggers go nuts. It is a true almond scent with some floral thrown in the mix. The scent is so powerful that you can literally fragrance your entire house from just a quick shower.

This product is a necessary indulgence. It is addictive and a "Holy Grail" product. Available at Sephora and all L'Occitane stores for $22 .

What is your favorite L'Occitane product?

Photo: Cavewoman

Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewers.