Pivoine Sublime By L'Occitane

Peonies are one of the most lush flowers in the world, and until now, I thought they were just pretty to look at. I've been using rose water in my skincare routine as a calming and refreshing facial mist, and I am so happy to have been introduced to a new floral extract this season. 

For Spring 2015, L'OCCITANE is expanding their peony-infused line to include five noteworthy products that will bring new radiance to an ordinary routine. Pivoine Flora (shop here) is a classic perfumed line created in 2010, which features six Peony fragranced body products ranging from bath oil to shower gel, and of course their classic hand cream and soap. 

Peony Perfecting Cream $46

The Pivoine Sublime (or Sublime Peony) range includes five "perfecting" skincare products suitable for all complexions. The peony extract is a patented active ingredient which is at the heart of this innovative skincare line.

This Perfecting Cream is a rich day or night cream, that smooths onto the skin leaving a natural fragrance of fresh peonies. The texture is thick and emollient, but the product dries to a comfortable silky finish that feels wonderful on my combination-oily skin. It is formulated with a patented "intelligent" texture agent combining beeswax and jojoba wax to help your skin adjust to the climate and humidity levels. I am both intrigued, and amazed by how velvety my face feels after using this cream.

The peony extract works to correct uneven skin texture, refine pores and fine lines, while enhancing the complexion overall. Floral extracts have been used in skincare for centuries, and with good reason. Not only do they smell divine, but flowers hold a multitude of benefits which help to increase turnover, repair and renewal of skin cells.

Peony Perfecting Mist $25

One of my favourite components of the Pivone Sublime collection is the Peony Perfecting Mist. You can use this at any time of day: in the morning before your moisturizer, in the afternoon for a touch of glow, or in the evening to "set" your makeup.

The scent is absolutely lovely. It's like bottling sunshine on fresh flowers, with just a touch of sweetness.

I would prefer a more fine and delicate mist from the bottle, especially when using this toner to set my makeup. The spray intensity isn't a big issue for me since the bottle is both functional and pretty. It's always a bonus when good looking products truly work.

This bottle is a perfect 100ml, which means that it is airline friendly and can be used as a refresher midway through a flight. The air inside planes can get very dry, and my skin absolutely drinks up a toning mist whenever I bring one along for the ride.

One spray of the Peony Perfecting Mist $25

Peony Tinted Lip Balm in Rose Nude $20

My final product in the line is the Peony Tinted Lip Balm in the shade Rose Nude.

These lip treatments are very much peony scented, but the flavour isn't like tasting a real flower petal. It's almost a candied floral, which tastes pleasantly sweet.

This creamy balm nourishes and protects the lips with an SPF of 25, while giving them a fresh and natural rose shade. Lips feel comfortable, with 8 hours of hydration. Enriched with perfecting peony extract, this lip balm is easy to apply and offers a natural finish, leaving a light rose shade on the lips. -L'Occitane

The tinted lip balm comes in four shades, with the lightest having no tint, and the darkest giving off a deep wine colour on the lips. See the press release photos below for more information.

This metal twist-cap packaging is very similar to the Sugar Lip Treatment balms which have been all the rage over the past few years. In my opinion, these are just one step above since Sugar lip balms have a much softer consistency that melts and may break in a warm environment. The Sugar balms have an SPF of 15 and cost $26 for just about the same amount of product. Though they do give off a slightly richer colour, I'm almost certain that these Peony balms would last longer overall.

Peony Tinted Lip Balm in Rose Nude $20

Even the packaging is picturesque!

 

I have been experiencing some dryness around my chin and nose recently, so this collection came at the right time. The products are enriched with hyaluronic acid, one of the star ingredients in my favourite nighttime moisturizers along with chestnut extract and natural powders to smooth the skin, allowing for a healthy and radiant glow. 

L'Occitane's recent collections have been off the charts, and I am always impressed by how lavish and effective all of the new releases are. The other two products which I have not yet tried are the Skin Perfecting Essence and a CC Cream with SPF 20, available in both light and medium. 

Click on the photos below for more details on each of the five new products in this line, and click here to see my recent video review and demonstration.

Happy Spring!

 xx