When I was younger my advent calendars consisted of a cardboard scenic Christmas scene with small cut out windows. Behind each window wasn’t a gift but a smaller picture and, every year it filled me with the same excitement of ‘what was behind the windows’. The most exciting picture always had some glitter in the scene, which as a child left me squealing with delight. As an adult, and my children now young adults it’s often hard to replicate that excitement I had as a child. Whilst I still fill my wooden advent up with chocolate for my children, they too have slowly lost the enthusiasm of chocolate coins!
Then L’Occitane sent me their advent calendar to review from this year’s Le Grande Voyage collection, and once again that nostalgia of excitement has made a come back!
The beautifully designed box is running the same theme as the previous gifts I reviewed, with the ‘Toile de Jouy’ French design of a train travelling through citrus groves and the escapism of Provence. Toile de Jouy, meaning cloth from Jouy a town near Paris, was designed and printed by Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf dating back to the early 1700s. It’s intricate, swirling design is well known to adorn materials used from Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston.
The pattern is so intricate you can barely make out the 24 enclosed windows however, this just builds to up the anticipation of ‘what lies behind each door’. Each side of the advent contains 12 windows waiting to be pressed open.
Now, I do always struggle to review advent calendars as I don’t like to ruin the element of surprise. With this in mind, I have put a photo up of the contents and listed them at the bottom of this review. What I will say is that it contains products that pamper not just your body, but your skin and hair too. It’s a luxury advent containing many of the best selling products from L’Occitane.
An idea of just how luxurious can be seen by the ingredients list of some of the products. Many of them contain:-
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter - this rich butter is extracted from nuts and has a high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids. It contains linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids that nourish and moisturise dry, dehydrated skin types. It also creates a barrier on the skin to protect it from pollution and harsh weather elements. It’s suitable for all skin types and whilst moisturises it doesn’t leave the skin looking oily. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties so is ideal for sensitive skin and those suffering from conditions such as eczema.
- Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil - again anti-inflammatory but also is antimicrobial and so helps prevent bacteria. It contains a high amount of vitamin E and anti-oxidant proanthocyanidin that helps refine the skin tone and improve hyperpigmentation.
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - this emollient protects the skin by forming a barrier that doesn’t clog pores. It gives a shield from environmental aggressors such as UV rays, pollution etc. It’s ideal for all skin types including sensitive.
So now would be the time to look away if you don’t want to see what’s inside the box (although if like me, you just cannot resist)!
- Neroli & Orchidee Hand Cream 30ml
- Shower Oil Cleansing & Softening 35ml
- Ultra Rich Body Cream 20ml
- Immortelle Divine Youth Cream 4ml
- 5 Essential Oils Shower Gel 50ml
- Effervescent Cube For Bath 18g
- Verveine & Agrumes Shower Gel 35ml
- Dry Skin Hand Cream 30ml
- Amande Shower Scrub 20ml
- Intensive Repair Conditioner 50ml
- Overnight Reset Oil-In-Serum 5ml
- Cherry Blossom Shimmering Lotion 35ml
- Verveine & Agrumes Body Milk 35ml
- Sensitive Skin Shower Cream 35ml
- Lavande Blanche Soothing Hand Cream 10ml
- Verbena Extra Gentle Soap 50g
- Light Comforting Cream 5ml
- Milk Extra Gentle Soap 25g
- Gentle & Balance Miceller Shampoo 35ml
- Milk Concentrate 20ml
- Glycine Hand Cream 10ml
- Face Make-Up Remover Glove
- Cleansing Milk 20ml
- Intensive Foot Balm 50ml
I have personally used many of these products and some that I haven’t. I cannot wait for the 1st of December to start opening the doors! Whilst the cost of this advent calendar is £68, the actual total of the products are worth £129.50 a saving of £61.50, and at the moment you get a free ‘Bauble’ gift when you spend over £55! The products are all cruelty free and you can purchase by clicking the link HERE
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