L’Occitane en Provence – Shea Flowers of Love

L’Occitane in Provence, is a brand that is not only passionate about beauty, but committed to making a difference in the world. Introducing ‘Shea Flowers of Love’ – L’Occitane’s third Shea Butter limited edition collection (see previous here) in three new irresistible scents (Rose Tenderness, Subtle Violet, and Passionate Jasmine), and available in an Ultra Rich Body Cream, Hand Cream, and Lip Balm. There is also a 50g Rose Tenderness Solidarity Soap (CAD $3.00), of which 100% of profits will finance eye-health problems in developing countries, supported by the L’Occitane Foundation.

“Almost 285 million people across the world are visually impaired, and yet 80% of blindness is avoidable. The L’Occitane Foundation is particularly keen to address this international challenge, and has made a commitment to do so via the creation and sale of their Solidarity Soaps.”

Shea Butter, the star ingredient in so many of this brand’s products, is produced from the nuts of the African Shea Tree, which can grow up to 15 metres high (close to 50 feet) and live to 300 years – while the most productive period for harvesting the nuts is between the 50 – 100 year mark. Since 1980, Olivier Baussan – founder of L’Occitane en Provence, has worked with the women of Burkina Faso, a land rich in African Shea Trees, and has helped to create a fair-trade cooperative where these women are able to learn to read, write, and achieve financial independence.

The harvesting work falls solely to these women as well, since this tree is considered sacred and men may not destroy it, or touch the fruits. From late June to early September and once the fruits have fallen to the ground, the women must then extract the nuts through a difficult process of drying, crushing, and mixing them with water to create shea butter – in 2012, L’Occitane purchased a record amount of 550 tons of shea butter, making them not only the biggest supporter of this product, but also helping to create a significant positive economic impact in Burkina Faso. A well-kept secret amongst African women for thousands of years, we can now all share in the amazing properties of natures beauty cream.

L’Occitane en Provence – Shea Flowers of Love Collection

Subtle Violet Hand Cream (30 ml CAD $12.00) – Made with 20% Shea Butter, L’Occitane’s best-selling Hand Cream is scented with a light violet fragrance – but not like the stuff your grandma might have worn. If you’re already a fan of this cult-fave product (I have a travel-sized tube in every single makeup bag with me at ALL times), then you’re familiar with its amazing power to thoroughly moisturize the skin, with no greasy residue left behind – the bonus here is the fresh & light fragrance that seems to blend so harmoniously with that of the Shea Butter. Also available in a larger 150 ml size for CAD $30.00

L’Occitane – Subtle Violet Hand Cream

L’Occitane – Subtle Violet Hand Cream (ingredients list)

Passionate Jasmine Lip Balm (15 ml CAD $18.00) – Infused with a yummy fruity fragrance, but definitely steering far away from teeny-bopper territory, this Lip Balm is made with 10% Shea Butter to leave your lips feeling thoroughly hydrated. I have a love-hate relationships with lip balms in general: with Winter approaching, my lips begin to resemble the Sahara & I slather on lip products religiously, but often wind up with a pucker even drier than when I started out. With l’Occitane Lip Balms, I find that the product wears incredibly well, with no tacky feeling or overly sticky sensation, and once it wears off, my lips continue to feel soft and nourished. Applied overnight, you’ll wake up to baby-smooth lips, with any flakiness totally gone.

L’Occitane – Passionate Jasmine Lip Balm

L’Occitane – Passionate Jasmine Lip Balm (ingredients list)

Beauty with a cause – doesn’t get better than this, unless you factor in all the benefits to be had from using products with nature’s best-kept secret: Shea Butter. I am addicted to L’Occitane Hand Creams and have them in all formats: regular, travel size, and scented, while the Lip Balms have been steadily making their way to the top of my beauty must-haves.

The limited edition Shea Flowers of Love Collection is available now – find more information online or through twitter/facebook.