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Flower Power: Peony Producer Jean Luc Riviereimpresses with his extensive knowledge at hisplantations in the heart of Provence, in France.

The PlantationsThe rst leg o my LOccitane journey involveda visit to the peony (a beauti ul Mediterraneanfower) plantations to meet peony producerJean Luc Riviere. It is in his nursery in Crest,North o Provence, that LOccitane sources itspeony extract, and whose exceptional rangeo peony fowers inspires the new PivoineFlora makeup and per ume range. Rivieresimpressive amily nursery spans over seven

hectares and homes more than 700 varieties o

the peony talk about fower power!In Ancient Greece, the peony was a amous

fower, a symbol o eminine beauty andconsidered by many as a lucky charm. In theMiddle Ages, the peony was cultivated or itsmedicinal properties; however, nowadays it isregularly used or its ornamental qualities, andis recognised by its distinctive rustic lingering

ragrance. Usually, in the early months o

May, the peony fower blossoms in a dazzling

display o colour and grace; un ortunately, dueto an early bloom, the peony fowers werentvisible in the elds (typical!) although Rivieredid delight with an insight ul peony lecture.Its plausible as to why LOccitane chosethis whimsical fower or inspiration thenatural foral shades are refected in the reshpackaging o the makeup range, and each shadeused is named a ter the peony it refects!

Orna Ballout ventures to the heart of Provence,in France, to discover the new LOccitanepeony plantinspired range and to meet the brains behind it all...

PeonyPower

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GLAM EXPERIENCE

Historic Retreat: LOccitane established its rst Spa at this beautiful hotelwhich boasts three centuries of interesting history.

Scent of Success: Sidonie Lancesseur, the nose behind the newLOccitane Pivoine Flora Eau de Parfum, gives a lesson in perfume making.

Le Couvent Des Minimes Hotel-Spa

A ter the peony elds, it was time to ventureto mesmerising Le Couvent Des MinimesHotel-Spa located in Mane, Provence, whereId be staying or the duration o the trip. Thisimpressive building boasts three centurieso history, and it is here that LOccitaneestablished its rst Spa Hotel be ore eventuallytaking the idea global.

The hotels decor is a per ect usion o thepast and present, eaturing modern urniturewith an antique touch. Here, I was absolutelypampered experiencing tasty French cuisine,exceptional spa acilities and a wonder ulambience.

The amazing Spa uses the best LOccitaneproducts combined with therapists expertise.I enjoyed an hour and a hal o pure bliss

with a rejuvenating body massage ollowed

by a tailor-made acial. My riendly therapistrecommended a speci c product range or myskin type and even gave me a little card withskincare tips and tricks.

Perfume making sessionNext on the programme was an adventure to theCouvent des Cordeliers where the Universityo Fragrances and Flavours is located. Onarrival, a brie tour o the university wasgiven be ore being whisked to a lecture roomto greet Sidonie Lancesseur the per umerbehind the new Pivoine Flora Eau de Par um,and, the lecturer o a two hour workshop tomanu acture my very own per ume! Perched inmy seat, I eagerly listened to Sidonies adviceon how to create a per ume. The explanation

seemed simple enough, but when the time

came to create, the measurements proved to bea little di cult! With a consortium o di erentscents dazzling in the box in ront o me, Icare ully selected di erent oils to make up thebase, heart and head o the per ume.

A chart was provided or guidance o whatusually comprises the peony foral structure;sandalwood, white musk, white cedar, peonyaccord or the base; may rose or the heart,topped o with bergamot, grape ruit and cut-grass. I ollowed this structure, smelling oilbe ore adding it to a glass container balancedon weighing scales making sure to stay inline with the speci c measurements (trickypart!). A ter this process, I then selected a ewpersonal oils to di erentiate my scent. I opted

or chocolate and lots vanilla yummy!

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Trip to LOccitane Factory A brie walk round allowed a sneak peek into the

ascinating action where LOccitane products

are created including laboratories, tube andbottling areas, soap and candle manu acturing areas and where all the labels are stored!

The tour was nished with a brie talk romJenni er Barachet regarding LOccitanesSustainable Ingredients policy. LOccitane is a

socially responsible company which strives tolimit its actions impact on the environments,and never tests its products on animals. One o

the notable sustainable development programsit has developed is in Burkina Faso where thecompany brought together womens cooperativesaround the production o shea butter. TheLOccitane oundation ( oundation.loccitane.com) is the arm which continues to support these

meaning ul missions. LOccitane prides itsel sourcing over 200 ingredients o plant origin andessential oils, with the aim o creating the best

natural or certi ed-organic products.A ter the Sustainable Ingredients policy, it

was shopping time and a great opportunity toavail o a discount needless to say I le t thestore holding a large shopping bag lled withsweet smelling goodies.

Behind the Scenes: A trip to the factory is great for seeing some bottling and packagingaction; it also contains a large gift shop stocked with sweet smelling LOccitane goodies.

The makeupThe Pivoine Flora makeup range is inspired by thepeony the fower with a thousand petals that putson a whimsical show every May when it blooms,and the pretty fowers come alive as they seeminglydance and spin in the wind like ballerinas. Thepackaging o the collection refects this vibe withpretty ballerina sketches adorned in peony tutus. Itis packed with a variety o easy to apply products,all enriched so tening Peony extract that glides onto skin with ease.

The Fragrance Pivione Flora Eau de ParfumThis new musky, woody ragrance wonder ully uses thecharacteristics o peony with magnolia. Base notes consist o vanilla, cedar and musk; the heart eatures an intense scent o peony, magnolia and violet petals, while top notes round the

ragrance o with bergamot and grape ruit delicious!

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Dinner with Olivier Baussan,Founder of LOccitaneSave the best till last is my motto and this wasde nitely the case at an exclusive dinner hostedby LOccitanes Founder Olivier Baussan. Oliviersawe-inspiring home, located in Forcalquier,Provence, was the per ect setting to meet the brainsbehind the prestigious brand.

Oliviers home is a grand renovated castlecontaining walls lled with taste ul, rare,

spectacular works o art something which hasbeen a huge infuence on Oliviers li e as a resulto his artist parents.

I was ascinated at how modest Olivier wasabout his success, and even more taken at howwell behaved his Beauceron dog, Din, was; neverbe ore have I seen an animal so consumed by itsmaster Bin ollowed Olivier everywhere, sittingbeside him throughout each interview just lookingup at him with inquisitive eyes!

Everything about the evening was splendid.Oliviers riend, a gourmet che who owns arestaurant in Mansoque, served up a storm witha east o antastic culinary delights, while Olivierreminisced on his LOccitane journey which startedwith an old steam distiller and a van.

Back then, Olivier used his knowledge on plantsto create shampoos at his home which hed sellat local markets, and this led to the ounding o

LOccitane in 1976. As the business developed,Olivier knew hed need a proper home or hisbusiness, and by chance he made riends withan old soap maker. This man instantly spottedOliviers passion, and as he had no heir himsel ,decided to give all his machinery and know-how toOlivier. On this chance meeting, Oliver recollects:I think what struck me the most was how I elt likeI owe this man something, and how I was reallylooking orward to seeing the actory progress.

LOccitane is available at Villaggio Mall, Landmark Mall and Royal Plaza.

For more info visit loccitane.com

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