L’Occitane Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc is the newest in L’Occitane’s line up of fine fragrances. I really didn’t think that these fragrances would work for L’Occitane because we’re so used to it being all about bath and body, but they sell like hot cakes, apparently. Personally, I haven’t found a fragrance from L’Occitane yet that I love and I find £52 a bit of a scary outlay; to me, they’re all just a bit old fashioned. Nonetheless, L’Occitane is one of my favourite brands (and my dad’s!) – it’s just this one area that I don’t get really.
So, for fragrance afficionados, Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc uses floral water extracts of blue iris from Grasse and a white iris extract from the Mediterranean. Unless you know irises really well.. or maybe you actually need a degree in irises to appreciate this.. I don’t think you understand the difference between the two. I can’t. However, what is surprising with L’Occitane Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc is that it’s a very smokey scent. Although the notes indicate blackcurrant, iris, ylang-ylang and peach, it’s the base that gives a blast of cedar. It’s like fruity woodsmoke and a bit weird. You can find it from 19th March.
On the up, and with 100% of profits (minus tax and production) supporting Women’s Day 2015, this dinky little apricot scented balm is delish! L’Occitane has a close bond with Burkina Faso that has flourished over 30 years, so profits from Ultra Soft Balm go to NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) that promote women’s entrepreneurship in Africa. It’s a pocket sized £4, from March.
I’m always banging on about sister brand to L’Occitane, Le Couvent de Minimes, because it’s a more purse friendly version of all the good things of L’Occitane, but Eau de Cloister? Is that a good thing? To be honest, it just smells of lovely rose to me – but I’m questioning whether smelling like a nun’s cloister is something that’s at all desirable (Le Couvent would argue that it is, as that’s where the nuns snipped flowers). Eau de Pope is next. #kidding. Nonetheless, this is a gorgeous and nourishing little hand cream and a complete snip at £3. You can find it at Boots from April.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
1 comment
They sound lovely, but sorry not at that price for L’Occitane. At that price its almost Niche.
They did have a range a few years back at £54, with a lovely Flora Iris which I bought along with the Cedre one at half price when they discontinued.