Viva Woman

L’Occitane is a line of high quality body care, skincare and fragrance products made from organic essential oil and shea butter.   I’ve reviewed a couple of their products – many of which are L’Occitane best sellers – and for the convenience of my readers, I’m summarizing and consolidating them under one single post here.   

1.  L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
The cream is heavy with a slightly greasy undertone because it comes with 20% shea butter but it pentrates quickly and is definitely a superior hand cream, living up to its reputation as L’Occitane’s best seller.  Price is a bit steep but I highly recommend this especially for those with very dry hands.   I gave it 5 out of 5 hearts and you can read my review here.

2.  L’Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream
This foot cream which contains 15% shea butter does moisturize and keep my feet feeling soft and supple but it isn’t as rich and doesn’t soften the most stubborn of callused skin on my heels that well.  The lighter texture means it gets absorbed into my feet much faster and I can apply it on with confidence, without worrying about leaving greasy residue on my shoes, the floor or my bed.  I gave it 4.5 out of 5 hearts and my detail review is here.

3.  L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream
This much acclaimed ultimate moisturizing comfort with 25% concentration of Shea Butter is extremely rich and good for those with dry skin or need more moisture during those winter months.  I gave it 3.5 out of 5 hearts and you can read my detail review here.

4.  L’Occitane Immortelle Very Precious Cream
This cream has a rich nourishing texture which reminds me of Creme de la mer.  Yet, unless if I apply too much, the cream penetrates into my skin very quickly and my face does not feel at all greasy.  I cannot vouch for the cream helping to reduce my pigmentation marks but I certainly can confirm that it makes my face look softer, firmer, with more radiance and luminosity after about a month of application.  Again, one that I highly recommend for those looking for a rich night cream.  5 out of 5 hearts and you can read my detail review here.

5.  L’Occitane Immortelle Very Precious Fluid SPF40
Formulated with highly concentrated, organic Immortelle essential oil with anti-wrinkle, firming and regenerating properties, the fluid comes with 12% of Titanium Dioxide and is supposed to contain high UV filters to effectively protect the skin from UVB and UVA rays, as well as defend against premature aging and the development of new pigmentation marks.  This is great in terms of the texture, can be used on its own without additional moisturizer and does protect, but is not well rated for safety by the folks at Skin Deep.  I gave it 3.5 out of 5 hearts and my review is here.


6.  L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Fluid
I didn’t review this product but I used this underneath the Very Precious Fluid and I like it because the texture is lightweight with a powdered finish and works well for normal to combination skin.  This lotion comes with the Immortelle essential oil and is combined with fig gel which preserves skin’s hydration, plus restructuring vitamin A and vitamin E with anti free-radical action. Provides an excellent base for make-up.  Overall, I would give this product 4 out of 5 hearts although I would say this is not necessary if you’re using the Very Precious Fluid SPF40 unless you’ve very dry skin.

7.  L’Occitane Immortelle Eye Balm
I was given a few packet of samples for this best seller and honestly, I don’t think much of it.  It’s got a velvety texture and is fairly light, not too rich.  But despite what the impressive ingredients, I didn’t see much difference to my eye area.  I give this 3 out of 5 hearts but I have to qualify that I’m quite a cynic about eye creams and balm.  Even La Mer’s didn’t impressed me. 

8.  L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam
Love this for the great smell.  My complexion was indeed slightly more evenly-toned and radiant, but I can’t vouch that it’s due to this cleanser alone because I believe the other L’Occitane products could have also helped.    But it does feel fresh and soft after each wash.  I gave it 4.5 out of 5 hearts and you can read my review here.

9.  L’Occitane Honey Comfort Mask
One of my readers, Happy Feet, reviewed this and said that the product does what it promises: to soothe, protect and strengthen sensitive skin.  She loves the mask because she finds it really soothing and extremely comforting.  After using this mask regularly, she finds her skin more hydrated and supple.  In fact, she thinks that it has strengthened her skin and made it less sensitive these days!  She gave the product 4 out of 5 hearts and her review can be found here.

10.  L’Occitane Almond Apple Sweet Peel
I bought this exfoliating treatment because it promises to refine skin’s texture and tighten pores. The texture isn’t fine but it smells lovely and does leave the skin soft and supple. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any effects on my pores. I paid S$69 for the big bottle but it has lasted me months because I only use it once or twice a week.  3.5 out of 5 hearts.

11.  L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate
This is a silky, almost cream like concentrated milk that nourishes and smoothes the skin.  It supposedly helps to firm and tone the body, especially the breasts I was told. I haven’t seen uplifting effects but I do love how moisturized my skin feels and how I smell with this concentrate.  But the 200ml jar is expensive at S$88 (or maybe higher now).  I reviewed it under the L’Occitane Almond Body Care range here but if I were to rate it alone, I would give it 4 out of 5 hearts. 

12.  L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
This shower oil transforms into a lavish, softening foam once in contact with water.  It doesn’t lather much but it does keep the skin clean and leave it soft.  Good for an occasional pampering treat as the price isn’t cheap.   Plus it is only good if your skin isn’t too dirty.  My review is here and on its own, I’ll give it 3.5 out of 5 hearts.

13. L’Occitane Aromachologie Revitalizing Shower Gel
I remember seeing this as one of the customer favorite in the stores but I could be wrong.  But I certainly love this!  It foams very well, leaves the skin clean and yet is not drying.  In fact, I think it has some moisturizing properties even.  I gave it 5 out of 5 hearts here.

Other products I’ve reviewed are:

• L’Occitane Rose Velvet Hand Cream (3 hearts)
• L’Occitane Ice Hand Cream Gel (1.5 hearts)
• L’Occitane Eau des 4Reines Eau de Toilette (4 hearts)
• L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Solid Perfume (4 hearts)
• L’Occitane Almond Delicious Paste (3 hearts)
• L’Occitane Immortelle Harvest Brightening Polish (5 hearts)
  (This product has been replaced by Immortelle Brightening Smoothing Exfoliator.)

Others I’ve tried but did not review are:

L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream, which smells great and is fairly lightweight but good enough for moisturizing.  4 out of 5 hearts. 

L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Shimmering Lotion which is light even though enriched with Shea Butter but leaves the skin moisturized and perfumed with a delicate and enveloping flowery scent.  3.5 out of 5 hearts.

L’Occitanes Ruban d’Orange Shower Gel and L’Occitane Ruban d’Orange Soft Skin Milk which are delicious in ingredients and color but awful in smell.  2 out of 5 hearts.

Overall, L’Occitane has a range of good quality products and going by their quality and ingredients, I would say that prices for their skincare products are mid range and many are worth the money.  However, while their body care are great for pampering, I find them a tad expensive.

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Do bigger breasts give us better self-esteem?  While I don’t think so, but a study conducted by the University of Florida reports that women who underwent breast augmentations experienced better sexuality in addition to enhanced self-esteem levels.

Clinical assistant professor Cynthia Figueroa-Haas, Ph.D. surveyed 84 women who received breast augmentation surgery. While these women did not have notably low self-confidence or poor sexual function prior to surgery, the women showed improvements in both of these aspects following surgery.

Perhaps this is the reason why many teenagers are actually relying on the scalpel to boost their body image as according to reports from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of women 18 and younger who have had breast enlargements has risen nearly 500 percent over the past decade.   But what’s disturbing is that these teens do not understand the risks involved and it was reported just last week that 18-year-old Florida high school senior, Stephanie Kuleba had died of complications from a breast augmentation. 

While it’s nothing wrong to want better assets,  one could seek a safer, natural mode of breast enhancement instead of resorting to breast surgery or breast implants.  But of course, there are debates as to what constitute natural.  Without going under the knife, I would pick using breast enhancement creams or an external device like a breast pump to stimulate breast tissue forming over having something like the new Macrolane, which is a volume-building serum made of hyaluronic acid injected deep into my breast tissue to add volume.

Additionally, I would say the most important is to read and understand more about the treatment and if the approach works for you.  For example, I’m not too comfortable with the idea of consuming even non-synthetic breast enhancement pills but at least I learnt from resources like BreastEnhancementGuides.com that how these pills work is that the herbs within them stimulate our hormones to make our breast tissue grow.  And these are the same hormones that are released, albeit in a smaller amount, during our menstrual cycle and during a pregnancy, which is why our breasts may be tender during that time as well.

The bottomline is, there are ways to increase your breast size without surgery or implants but you still need to figure out for yourself which type of breast enhancement method will give you the best and safest result.  It’s afterall your body and your health and it definitely pays to find out more. 

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Here’s my weekly feature on fashion and accessories and today, I introduce a new online store Cococesa which carries a range of apparel plus fashion accessories like bags, jewelry and sunglasses.  

The sunglasses, which are 100% genuine rhinestone with 400UV ultra violet protection are going for below US$5!   And the prices of their fashion bags start from just US$39.99.  And the best part for you?  50% off storewide when you use this special coupon code 50VIVA during checkout.   International shipping is also available.

Happy weekend shopping!

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Last month, I mentioned Ferro Cosmetics Mineral Makeup and I said I’ll be reviewing the products as well as bringing my readers an exclusive promo.  Well, here it is!  Just for the readers of Viva Woman, Ferro Cosmetics is offerring FREE international shipping on orders US$75 or more, plus US$5 off purchases over US$40.  If you’re located in US, you already get free shipping on purchases over $49 but you can still benefit from the $5 discount. Just use promo code VIVA200 during checkout. 

And here are my reviews on Ferro Cosmetics mineral foundation, mineral veil, mineral glow and mineral eyeshadow. 

Mineral foundation that last all day
Ferro Cosmetics offers two types of mineral foundation; the Radiance Foundation and the Ultimate Foundation.  I really love the Radiance Foundation!  While it is said to offer sheer-to-medium coverage, I find that it gives my face good enough coverage for a natural-looking, radiant glow.  In fact, my face, which is combination type, still looks good with just a slight sheen around my cheeks after a full day, despite our warm weather now.  This picture shows how I look with Radiance Foundation in Light Beige R-2 after wearing it for 6 hours.  Please note that I did not apply concealer to my face, except for the undereye area and I did not apply any blusher or veil either.

The best thing I like about Ferro Cosmetics’ Mineral Foundation is that the shades I see on their websites — Pale Honey, Light Biege and Honey Creme which match my fair skin tone — actually work precisely for me.  I don’t need to order a shade up, unlike some of the other brands of mineral foundations like EM, Lumiere and Alima I’ve tried.  I’m not going to dissect the ingredient list but I believe it’s because Ferro Cosmetics mineral foundations have concentrated minerals for the coverage and that’s why their shades can match exactly.

And maybe it’s for this reason that the Ultimate Foundation doesn’t work as well for me as it contains more minerals than the Radiance Foundation with pearl and pure silk powder to give matte, full-coverage.  So when I put this on using the same amount I usually use, I get a darker tone even for the same shade although I concede it does give me better coverage overall.  If I want to stick to this, I have to remember to layer less to get a more desirable effect.

Because of the health concerns surrounding inhaling Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) in nano particle form in powdered mineral makeup, I asked Krissy Ferro, who is the founder of Ferro Cosmetics about their position on this and here is what she said:

“About nano-particles, we don’t use them. Micronized particles are extremely small, however they are absorbed into the body like anything else we put on our skin.  We do use micronized titanium dioxide in our darker shades of Ultimate Foundation because it offers more sun protection and allows the darker pigments to show without being cakey and heavy.”

Matt mineral veil
I tried Sheer Matt, Nude Matt and Rose Matt Mineral Veil and I have to say Sheer works best for me.  Nude somehow gives me a darker tone.  But I’m happy with Radiance Foundation on its own and usually do not to brush on anymore veil afterwards.  The picture you see above also did not include any mineral veil.

3-in-1 mineral glow
Ferro Cosmetics’ Glow are great because they’re 3-in-1!  You can use them as a bronzer, a blush or an eyeshadow.  I like the Glow Baby Glow most because it’s great as as a warm blush for me.  I’ve got Spring Kiss too but since it is darker, I can use it as an eyeshadow base.

Delicious mineral eye candy
I tried Ferro Cosmetics Pearl Eye Candy which offers a beautiful sheen.  I’m in love with Sage, a very fresh dose of subtle green which is great for my skin tone and it works great with Emerald Smoke which I use for crease contouring or as an eyeliner.   Sapphire Smoke is a very deep blue and works well as an eyeliner but I wish they offer a pale blue to match. 

But whichever color you pick, you have to order at least one of their eye candies.  Their packaging is so cute and they come with sifter which means, no mess and no wastage!  I also noticed that their pigments are really concentrated and I just need to use a little each time.  So it’s true what they say, that a little goes a long way!

Summary
If you’re into mineral makeup, you want to try this line to see for yourself the difference with some of the others in the market.  Their foundation formulations are pretty concentrated and yields a good finishing.   And because they are more concentrated, you don’t have to layer too much of it to achieve sufficient coverage.  But you’ll need to find out for yourself if Ultimate works for you, or like me, Radiance is better.  You can always try their mini foundation kit which comes in fully labeled 5 gram jars with a sifter.  I’m using those now and they actually last awhile.

Application techniques
Before I go, I leave you with a link to videos that Krissy Ferro has put up to demonstrate how to put on mineral makeup.  Even though I’ve used mineral makeup for nine months now, I’ve learnt something new, which is to start out by applying foundation on the jawline first and work your way in so as to avoid an overdose of powder on the cheeks.  Additionally, I’ve also discovered on my own that I shouldn’t be using the brush in a circular motion around my face, but rather buff it downwards so as not to push the pigments into my pores and accentuating them in the process.

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