L’Occitane 2023 Christmas gifts and limited edition collections

Where I got it

Every year around November L’Occitane launches exciting new products for the holiday season. Whether it is a new scent range, a new product line, a new gift set, or cute little crackers or tree ornaments, L’Occitane really does do very well during the Christmas period. I’ve said it numerous times, but their gift sets are ready to gift, they are in gorgeous, presentable boxes sometimes in ribbons, and in a beautiful paper bag. There are options for every budget and for whatever you want to gift – skincare, body care, haircare, etc.

As usual, I head into the store to try out their new limited edition scents, which include their new Almond Flower collection, the Sparkling Leaves collection, the Shea Powdered Light collection, and the Rose Vine Peach collection. I was particularly interested in the Almond Flower and Sparkling Leaves collection because I already love their Almond range and their Verbena range. I picked up the Almond and Flower Collection set for $125 ($130 online) and the Hand Cream Trio set for $50 ($55 online). I also picked up a tube of the small Delicious Hands Almond hand cream because I was just a little short of getting the free gift (a 6-piece gift inside a Christmas cracker).

What I got

I picked up the Almond and Flower collection set and the Hand Cream Trio. Both of these sets are limited edition, so make sure you go in and have a smell of the range. Items available from the Almond and Flower range: shower oil, milk concentrate, and hand cream. There is a little bath cube in one of the crackers set, but I don’t see it available for purchase separately.  From the Sparkling Leaves collection: shower gel, body scrub, light body cream, hand cream, lip balm and cuticle oil. The Powdered Shea collection: shower cream, light hand cream, body lotion and lip balm.

Almond and Flower collection set. Reminiscent of the scent of blossoms of the olive tree, this limited floral edition includes:

• Almond Flowers Shower Oil 250ml
• Almond Flowers Milk Concentrate 200ml
• Almond Flowers Bath Cube 18g
• Almond Flowers Hand Cream 30ml
• In a L’OCCITANE signature gift box

Hand Cream Trio. Indulge in this trio of delicate creams adorned with festive designs. This hand pampering treat includes:

• Shea Powdered Light Hand Cream 30ml
• Sparkling Leaves Light Hand Cream 30ml
• Almond & Flower Delicious Hands 30ml
•  In a L’OCCITANE signature gift box

How I find it

With the new Almond and Flower collection, no new formulations or “products’ were introduced. It has the same shower oil, milk concentrate and hand cream, just in a new, limited edition scent. Now I already love the almond collection – shower oil body oil, body milk, milk concentrate, hand cream, etc. I have tried all of the product in this range (actually, everything except for haircare). I repurchase the shower oil on a regular basis and the body oil. The Almond and Flower scent a stronger floral scent compared to the sweet almond scent of the original. It is a beautiful twist, but not as intoxicating as the OG almond scent.

If you haven’t tried L’Occitane’s Shower Oil you really have to try it. It is nourishing to the skin and leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft and smelling yummy. Not overly sweet and obnoxious, but it is a gentle smell that lingers around you. I apply the shower oil to damp skin and just massage it all over my body. Upon contact with water, it will emulsify and turn into a milk. Rinses off until water turns clear and you are all good to go.

As for the Milk Concentrate, it is said to be a firming body cream, but I really don’t notice the firming effects. However this is super moisturising. It is not a gel-cream, but a medium weight cream. If you want a thick cream/balm, go for their Almond Delight Body Balm that comes in a tin. The milk concentrate applies on the skin with a fresh feeling. The almond scent again, layers very well on the skin after using the shower oil. It leaves your skin moisturised and smooth for the entire day.

We all know one of L’Occitane’s best sellers are their hand creams. They have over 15 scented hand creams, some are more of a gel-cream, some are thicker and this one here is a silky-soft cream that is non-greasy. It contains sunflower seed oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil to hydrate and soften the skin. I have one of these smaller tubes of handcream in each of my handbags, in my car, in the kitchen, everywhere because it is such a great size.

Finally, the Hand Cream Trio is a great set if you like the smell of all their latest collections. The Amande Delicious Hands is a beautiful creamy hand cream that leaves my skin moisturised and smelling amazing. As for the other two scents, they are in this whipped texture which you can see is like a whipped cream consistency. It is lighter and fresher on the skin with 5% shea butter.

Overall

I’ve said this before for all previous L’Occitane holiday launches, they are so ready to go and presentable. There are plenty of options for different budgets as well. I do like the Almond and Flower scent, but it is far from my favourite original Almond scent. They have taken much of the creamy sweetness of the almond oil and the fresh floral has taken more presence instead.