New L'Occitane Limited Edition Frisson de Verveine

If there's one thing I look forward to each summer, aside from the fortnight or so of clement weather, it's the limited edition verbena release from L'Occitane. The summer time marks the start of the verbena harvest in Provence (home of L'Occitane) so it makes sense that we're spoiled with the bright, fresh products every year. In 2013 we had the minty fresh Verveine Menthe and this year we're all about cooling refreshment as Frisson De Verveine is set to hit stores in July. 

L'Occitane Frisson De Verveine: 100ml - €45

Frisson De Verveine is again a unisex scent, great news for gift buyers, not so much for me as I've been stashing this uplifting beaut from grabby teen mitts every single day. 

Smellophones needed!!

The sparkling, citrussy notes are rounded out with a base of musk and cedar wood that makes this EDT one that will appeal across the board. 

Fresh Shower Gel: 250ml - €17.50

As I do every single year, I'm going to recommend this fresh shower gel as an experience you need to have. Bubbles of air suspended in the citrus gel burst on contact to give an almost fizzy effect on the skin - glorious after a long muggy commute in the summer sun. 

Frisson De Verveine Icy Gel for Legs & Feet: 50mls- €23.50

Probably the stand out of the collection for me this year is the Icy Gel for Legs & Feet. This seriously cooling gel is dispensed using a cool metal roller ball for instant relief of tired calves and feet. 

I've been keeping this in the fridge for extra cooling sensation and I can't tell you the relief it's given me from sciatica and general summer cankle awfulness. If you know a lady of the pregnant variety, I urge you, buy her this. She will love you. Long time. 

The Frisson De Verveine cooling collection is rounded out by this refreshing little lot. While I'm not sure I'd ever take a bath to cool myself down so the salts aren't for me, both that hand cream and Refreshing Body Mist will be joining my desk summer stash toute suite. 

Frisson De Verveine is not due to hit L'Occitane stores until July but, if you're quick, you can nab the EDT online for the reduced price of €42 here. If you haven't decided on your summer scent yet, I'd advise you, strongly, to smell this first. 

What's your go to summer scent? 

L'Occitane's Verveine Menthe/Mint Verbena: A Unisex Intensely Refreshing Citrus Saviour in this Muggy Weather

Despite the Armageddon style weather of the past couple of weeks, I've yet to get used to the mugginess that this unprecedented summer weather has brought to our little emerald isle. From first thing in the morning I'm feeling the heat, right through to lunch when my Sweaty Bettyness comes to the fore and on to close of business when my makeup has slipped 3 inches and my hair resembles Monica on holliers, my only saviour has been L'Occitane's Mint Verveine (verbena). 

The 2013 edition of the French brand's summer verbena offerings, this mint had us smitten from first spray. It's citrussy, minty, zesty, verbena(y) and intensely refreshing - almost sparkling in its scent. 

Advertised as a unisex offering, I was interested to get the Gorgebags' take: 

Eldest: 'Has anyone baggsed this yet? It smells like a whoosh of musky mint'
Youngest: 'What mint shower gel?' with the very clear shape of the Mint Verveine up his geansaí!

Summer Mist 100ml - €23.50Fresh Roll-on 10ml - €20Eau de Toilette 50ml - €38

The mint essential oil used in the EDT and encapsulated in the tiny green spheres in the shower gel mean that this scent stays on the skin all day long, that doesn't stop me hopping into the shower as soon as I'm through the door to wash the day off and wake myself up though. 

For the more knowledgeable about stinky stuff among us the notes include green lemon, grapefruit,verbena, spearmint, peppermint, white woods and musk and depending on the time of day you'll smell every one. 

As it stands we've gotten through three quarters of the shower gel and I've caught Aaron twice so far liberally dousing himself in the EDT. Because it's limited edition though I'll definitely be picking up another shower gel and possibly the body lotion to match. How fresh is it? Minty Fresh. 

Are you a verbena fan? Have you tried this mint version yet? 

Vichy - Aqualia Thermal Light

A little while back I had the very real pleasure to be invited to meet with Vichy experts and skin care analysts. While there my skin was tested with one of the fanciest handheld machines I've yet to encounter in the world of beauty and my 'prescription' was made up.

Of the products recommended for my 'normal with a dry T zone tendency' skin, Aqualia Thermal Light was the one that excited me most. In a heavy weight, frosted blue jar, this lightly scented, easily absorbed cream has worked wonders for me.

After six week's use, there's still some goodness left.

I've found that a little goes a long way, although my skin isn't normally dry it has absorbed every last drop of Aqualia Thermal each time just like water. It leaves no greasy or shiny residue, just a soft, comfortable hydrated feeling that lasts throughout the day, even under my make up. The fresh, clean scent is exactly what I like from a face cream too.

What Vichy say: 


Aqualia Thermal Light combines Vichy Thermal Spa Water and a micro-encapsulated delivery system of Activ Hyaluronine to improve the diffusion of moisture into the surface of the epidermis. The skin feels replenished with water, as if continuously hydrated by misting micro-sprays. It feels refreshed and velvety soft, free of the sensation of tightness all day long.

If you've been suffering with tightness, dryness or the effects of harsh products (facial peels for example) Aqualia Thermal Light is the very cool drink of water that your skin will Thank you for. 


Available in all good pharmacies for €21.86 or online from McCabes.