Tuesday 5 May 2009

L'Occitane Almond Apple Sweet Peel

RRP: £19.50/

--What does the promo say?--
"Almonds and apples are found in Haute Provence. Almonds offer skin their nourishing, softening and firming properties. Organic apples refine skin’s texture and protect from free radicals, preventing premature aging. This exfoliating treatment contains crushed almond shells for a gentle exfoliation, an organic apple extract to refine skin’s texture and apple cider to tighten pores. Enriched with almond oil, it leaves skin soft and supple. Skin is deeply purified, its texture is refined, smoother and softer to the touch."

--Packaging--
In keeping with their other products - shiny silvery screw-top lid, clear pot, concise label. While it's of the right size for hand-luggage travel at 100ml, I'd be concerned about it perhaps being a little heavy - the glass pot is quite chunky - and with the opening at the top being quite large, you also want to make sure to keep it upright.

--Application--
"Use once or twice a week", advises the L'Occitane website. "Apply on damp skin, avoiding the eye contour area. Gently massage, then rinse off." Pretty easy, though make sure the cloth you use to rinse with isn't too wet otherwise this can make rinsing more difficult.

--Appearance--
A lotion reminiscent of apple purée, combining sand and stewed apple in its colour. When exposed to the air (say, if you leave the pot or sample sachet open) it forms a caramelly crust, which is not only quite interesting but also reinforces the natural impression L'Occitane aims to give.

--Scent--
Gorgeous - marzipanny, apply, completely conforming to what you'd expect. However, it's subtle enough to not interfere with any other scented products you may be using.

--Texture/consistency--
Exactly the right combination of scrubbiness and smoothness, as well as not being too runny. It feels like you're giving your face a really good clean without irritating your skin.

--Short and long-term effects--
Short-term, the skin is rid of dry patches and skin feels impossibly smooth. However, you need to use this very frequently for an exfoliator (a few times a week) in order for the dry patches to be properly seen off, as they do recur with surprising speed otherwise.

--Value for money--
This is a toughie. My usual buy (Lush's Ocean Salt) and my current object of lust (Vichy Gel Exfoliant) are both cheaper. For an experience of pure luxury, go for this; for greater long-term effects, plump for Lush's Ocean Salt, or something else a little bit stronger.

perfect partners
Almond Apple Cleansing Oil, £15.75
Almond Apple Toning Cider, £12.75

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