L'Occitane Inflight Duty Free Exclusive

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One of the things I discovered from flying to/from Asia is the amazing selection from each airline's duty free catalog!  And some of the offerings are exclusive to in-flight shopping only and that makes it even more of a special treat. 

This beautiful L'Occitane gift set is a perfect example.  It is exclusive to Dragon Air in-flight duty free catalog.

The set includes three of L'Occitane's popular scents: Roses et Reines, Cherry Blossom, and Verbena (left to right).  Each collection has a pairing of hand cream and eau de toilette and comes with a matching pouch that is exclusive to this set.

The hand creams are 1.0 oz, perfect to throw in your purse, gym bag, travel bag, etc.

The eau de toilette are these cute little mini's that look great on your vanity and for traveling as well!

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rose et reines

If you have read my post on Diptyque, you know I'm addicted to the rose scent.  Naturally, the Rose et Reines is my favorite of the 3 in this gift set. 

L'Occitane uses a proprietary process where rose petals from Grasse, Bulgaria, Morocco, Turkey and Provence are steeped in oil and become saturated with the natural fragrance of the roses.  I probably wouldn't use the hand cream and eau de toilette at the same time as it is quite a powerful fruity scent, but individually, they are just lovely additions to any outfit.

The hand cream also doubles as a nail cream.  It contains shea butter and Vitamin E which helps soften the skin while it strengthens the nails.  I think this will become a regular in my in-flight pampering kit!

Individual items are available -

Hand Cream 1.0 0z USD $12.00 (Also comes in 2.5 oz for $22.00)

Eau de Toilette 2.5 oz USD $55.00

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cherry blossom

The Cherry Blossom is a lighter scent.  Cherry Blossoms bloom in the spring and this scent carries that refreshing and rejuvenating feeling as we welcome spring after a long cold winter.

The star ingredient is a cherry extract from the Luberon region of Provence, France.  "It is because cherry blossoms fly away in the first breeze of spring that they are so rare and precious," says Olivier Baussan, L'Occitane founder.  I can't agree more - Cherry Blossom is one of my favorite flowers as they are so pretty and delicate.  I think that's why I love the pouch so much and have been using it to carry my phone whenever I'm running errands in the neighborhood.

Individual items are available -

Hand Cream 1.0 oz USD $12.00 (Also comes in 2.6 oz for $22.00)

Eau de Toilette 2.5 oz USD $55.00

Voyage Set USD $28.00 (This is a great value set!)

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Verbena

The green verbena leaf is the star of this collection - It grows in abundance in Provence, France and gives out this lemony fragrance that wakes up all your senses.  In this collection, the eau de toilette has a much more powerful verbena lemony scent than the hand cream, so it's also ok to use both at the same time as you pamper yourself. 

What's unique about the Verbena hand cream is that it gives you this cooling sensation upon application.  A blend of organic verbena extract and tapioca powder helps soothe and absorb, leaving hands dry and cooled.  I think this is perfect for those hot summer days. 

Individual items are available -

Hand Cream 1.0 oz USD $12.00 (Also comes in 2.6 oz for $22.00)

Eau de Toilette 3.3 oz USD $58.00

Holiday Bauble Set USD $14.00 (Another great value set, but minus the eau de toilette)

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I can't wait to fly to Asia again and get my hands on some exclusive beauty goodies!  Besides the shopping, I also love the great hospitality by flight crew on these Asian airlines.  They treat everyone with a great smile and, more importantly, with respect.  Something the U.S.-based airlines should learn to do.

What's your favorite L'Occitane goodie? Do share with me!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Travel-Friendly Face Masks from Goodal

GOODAL FUN FUN TRAVEL KIT

TRAVEL-READY FACE PACKS

I was initially drawn to the packaging before I even knew what this was for!  But besides the ultra cute packages, these packs* are great and I love how it comes with a variety of benefits.  I have since re-purchased these lovely packs a few times.  My only wish is that I could buy each one individually as I prefer some over the others as noted below.

*For those who are new to Korean beauty, face masks are sometimes referred to as "face packs".

Starting from top left:

Keeping Your Coconut Wash-Off Pack  Filled with a blend of coconut from the South Pacific that promises to help improve lines & textures. This pack comes with coconut pulps that feels great on my face, like a mini massage as I gently rub all over my skin.  It also has a slight cool & tingling sensation upon application that's perfect for those hot summer (or tropical) nights.

Want Night Sleep Moisture Cream Pack  This hydrating sleeping pack is filled with soothing oatmeal extract and aloe vera leaf.  Put this on before heading to bed as the very last step in your beauty routine (after nighttime moisturizer), and you'll wake up with glowy, dewy-looking skin.  This is perfect for long flights or work trips where working breakfast always starts at 7am!

Deep Clean Pore Glacial Clay Wash-Off Pack  Deep cleanse your skin with this clay mask made with Canadian glacier milk, glacial clay and green tea extracts.  With my large pores, I love using clay masks regularly to help minimize the clogging, but I try to limit this extra step to only 1-2 times a month & only the areas with large pores as any type of exfoliation (while it's needed) is actually pretty harsh on your skin. 

Want Night Sleep Brightening Cream Pack  Vitamin C is the star here.  This is also a sleeping pack that focuses on giving you brightening benefits.  My take on brightening products - I love this pack, but in order to truly maximize brightening benefit, we need to use brightening products on a consistent/daily basis as opposed to a one-time use such as this pack.  Skin tone improvement doesn't happen overnight and requires time, discipline and patience to see the fruits of our labor.  Having said that, this pack is great as a supplemental step in our quest for brighter skin!

Available At  Glow Recipe

$ Saving Tip 

Even though suggested usage is one pack per usage occasion, there's actually enough product in one pack for at least two pampering sessions.  Just put the open pack in a ziplock bag to minimize contamination.

Thanks for stopping by! 

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Diptyque - Be My Valentine

#diptyque #beautydiscovery

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Diptyque candles are the crown-jewels of the brand.  With Valentine's Day coming up, the brand is introducing some limited editions like the Rosaviola candles.  My curiosity about these lovely candles took me to the Diptyque boutique inside the Liberty Department Store during my stay in London.  As I was waiting for the crowd to disperse from the candle section, something else caught my eyes - These less-talked-about, but beautifully-packaged Diptyque body care and perfumes.  And the scent I'm completely head over heels with is perfect for adding some romance in the air.

Diptyque the brand

Photo Credit: Diptyque - Our Story

The Beginning  Interestingly, Diptyque's first business was in fabric and wallpaper design.  Liberty London was actually one of their first customers.  The brand was founded by three friends - an interior designer, a painter, and a theater director - who share the same creative passion.  Their first connection that brings them closer to today's collection took place in 1961 when the three founders opened their first store in Paris.  In addition to selling their own soft furnishings, the founders also introduced English perfumes to their customers.

The Iconic Oval  Diptyque's signature label goes back to a fabric designed by Desmond Knox-Leet, one of the founders, in 1963.  The oval label resembles the shields of ancient Rome and echoes the shape of an 18th century medallion.  Fast-forward to today, as soon as you see this iconic oval, you immediately know that you're looking at a Diptyque product.

Information in this section is drawn from Diptyque "Our Story" page on its website.

eau rose hand lotion

I'm a hopeless romantic and I think that's why I'm so drawn to the eau rose scent.  I am also obsessed with hand cream/hand lotion...Lucky for me, this is also the only hand lotion scent available. 

Scent  This rose scent is intense.  At the same time, it's a soothing-kind-of smell.  The imagery in my mind as I put this hand lotion on is that of a romantic getaway...Rose petals on a white-linen-lined bed, two glasses of bubbly, with a large bay window overlooking a gorgeous sunset.  If you are using this hand lotion, I recommend going light on your regular perfume as the scents may compete with one another. 

Texture  True to its lotion form, this is lightweight and does not feel greasy or sticky upon application.  My skin absorbs the lotion quickly and remains moisturized for several hours.  Perfect for helping me get through this dry and cold Boston winter.  

Partially rubbed onto skin.

Design  The packaging design has every signature element of Diptyqye.  From the iconic oval to the hand-drawn rose prints.  It's just absolutely beautiful. 

What Smells So Good?  The 1.7oz size is perfect for travel and this has become my must-have on my recent trips.  I once had a neighbor on the plane asking me what I had just put on that smelled so good.  Do I need to say more?

Available At Diptyque (Currently offering a limited edition with Valentine's Day design).

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eau rose eau de toilette

My go-to perfume is Estee Lauder Pleasure, but ever since I got this Dipyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette, I have cheated on and off.  It's totally normal, right?

Scent  As I ooh and ahh in previous section, the rose scent is again heavenly.  Since this is an eau de toilette, the scent is lighter than a perfume...feel free to apply more liberally!

Body Fragrance Type  Diptyque carries eau de parfum and eau de toilette although this rose scent is only available as an eau de toilette.  On a very high-level, the ranking of scent intensity is as follows across the 3 main types of body fragrance for women: 1) Perfume 2) Eau de parfum 3) Eau de toilette.  The key difference is that, with eau de parfum and eau de toilette, the concentration of perfume essence is less than that in perfume.  As a result, the smell is lighter and each application doesn't last as long.  These two options maybe more ideal for those who have varying levels of sensitivity to fragrance.

Application  Because this is an eau de toilette (lighter scent), you can apply several times over the same spot.  I usually apply on my wrists, tummy, upper chest, and upper back.  I love this roll-on version because I can really control how much I am dispensing.  Also, sneak this baby in your clutch for some mid-date touchup.

Design  Same as the hand lotion, the rose-themed design is just as gorgeous.  What amazes me is the attention to detail and the commitment to beauty from Diptyque product designers - Even though both items are for the eau rose scent, the hand-drawn rose design on each product is unique.  One is purely black and white drawing while the other is a more close-up of roses with pink color applied to the petals.    

Travel-Friendly  In addition to the lean tube size, this also comes with a velvet carrying bag to prevent breakage.  Another way the Diptyque design team shows how much thought and care they put into their work!

Available At Diptyque - Regular design and limited edition Valentine's Day design.

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special treats

Shopping at Liberty London was a special treat, and the Diptyque staff made it even more special.  I wasn't in there to buy a whole lot of items.  Nevertheless, the staff paid as much attention to me as they did to the shoppers ahead of me who bought a few bags full of products.  I was also pleasantly surprised when I was offered two travel sprays as gifts - And don't think the design team takes it easy on these mini's.  You can see it for yourself in the photo. 

My next decision is - Should I still go with my original shopping plan and splurge on some Diptyque candles?  Are you the proud owner of this signature item?  Is it worth the splurge?

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Tatcha Skin Care For the Wanderlusts

#tatchaskincare #beautydiscovery 

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Tatcha has impressed me ever since I used my very first product two years ago.  The amount of details the brand puts into everything they do - from product quality to package designs - is out of this world.  An example is from a recent order I've placed for some of their travel size items and deluxe samples.  Even though these are either free sample or smaller-size purchases, Tatcha maintains their gold standard across the board.  I feel like I'm receiving the same user experience as those who have purchased their full-size products.  Comparing that to a recent experience from another luxury brand that has given me deluxe samples placed in cheap plastic jar with incorrect labeling of the product.  I know I can't complain when I'm receiving freebies, but this just highlights Tatcha's commitment to customer service which is at a whole different level!

Tatcha's story is a beautiful one, too.  I want to do it justice, so I won't even try to "summarize" it.  You can read about it here.

PURE ONE STEP CAMELLIA CLEANSING OIL

Tatcha Cleansing Oil Available at (full & travel size) - Tatcha, Sephora.  Photo shows 0.8oz travel size.

I converted from cleansing wipes to cleansing oil about 2 years ago.  The wipes started to burn my delicate under-eye area, so I decided to give the oil a try...and I haven't looked back ever since!  If you haven't tried cleansing oil, I'd recommend it - Another downside of using wipes is our tendency to rub a bit too hard, and rubbing is never good for our facial skin.  On the contrary, cleansing oil application is more of a gentle circular massaging action.  While it does require an extra step (rinsing with water), the more gentle motion is better for our facial skin.

What Does It Do?   This cleansing oil is non-comedogenic and non-irritating and does not contain mineral oil.  It contains camellia and rice bran oils and promises to melt away even waterproof makeup. 

Texture   A clear oil that feels greasy initially, but it quickly emulsifies into a milky form as you gently massage it onto your skin.

Scent  Very light aromatic scent.  You'll notice that many Tatcha products share this characteristic. 

Usage  I use this to remove makeup.  Recommended usage from the brand is that double-cleansing is not necessary when using this oil.  If I'm not wearing foundation (CC Cushion), I'd cleanse with just the oil as suggested.  Otherwise, I'd still double-cleanse to make sure I remove all traces of foundation. 

Results  Skin feels soft and moist (not greasy) afterward. Also, as stated, even waterproof makeup is gone when using this oil. 

Conclusion  This cleansing oil does the job that all cleansing oils do, but the reasons I'd choose this oil over others are:  1) The aromatic scent that is so soothing.  2) It contains a key ingredient - Camellia Oil - that provides skin health benefits - Vitamins A & E (antioxidants), oleic acid (known to seal in moisturize), Omega 3 (known to reduce chemicals produced by our body as part of aging process), and many more. 

LUMINOUS DEWY SKIN MIST

Tatcha Mist Available at - Tatcha (full & travel size), Sephora (full size only).  Photo shows 0.4oz travel size.

I am traveling to Asia soon (i.e. circulated dry air = bad news for skin), so I've been looking for a non-aerosol facial mist that I can put in my carryon.  Since Tatcha was running a 20% off Friends and Family deal, I am trying out the travel size of this bestseller mist.

What Does It Do?   This mist is a spray-on moisturizer that serves as a boost of soothing hydration and promises to deliver dewy, luminous skin.  Key ingredients include squalane (antioxidant), Okinawa red algae (enhance skin's ability to retain moisture), and HADASEI-3 complex (Tatcha's proprietary anti-aging complex).

Texture   This is a milky emulsion that quickly dissolves into skin.

Scent  Very light aromatic scent. 

The milky texture

Usage  I spray all over my face - You can gently pat your face or just let your skin absorb on its own.  Either way works well.    

Results  Note: I have only tested this in a normal setting, ie, not yet on the plane with dry, circulated air.  It's a bit too much hydration for my Combo skin in a normal setting. This would be more suitable for dry skin or for those living in drier climate.  I know my skin definitely gets dry on a plane and I can certainly use some aroma therapy up there, so I'll be able to benefit from this mist at 40,000 feet.    [UPDATE:  Tested up in the air and a total thumbs-up!  I had a crazy travel day on day 1 with multiple flights in a 16-hours window.  This spray helped me keep up with the moisturization exercise and my skin totally thanked me for that!]

Conclusion 

I'd recommend buying travel size for in-flight use if you have Combo skin or Oily skin.  For those with Dry skin, this is a convenient hydration booster that comes in a handy mist form (as opposed to having to apply moisturizer with your fingers while you're on the go and risk ruining your makeup).  Comparing to the Shu Uemura Facial Mist I've used in the past, Tatcha's is much more moisturizing.  I can feel the difference immediately.

Another thing to note - I use CC cushion which already has moisturizing benefits, so I really don't need extra hydration in a normal setting.  However, I do recall the days when I used powder or full-coverage foundation and my skin would get a little dry throughout the day.  In that case, this mist would be a good refresher.

INDIGO SOOTHING TRIPLE RECOVERY CREAM

Tatcha Indigo Available at - Tatcha (full & travel size), Sephora (full size only).  Photo shows 0.34oz travel size.

I knew from the get-go that this facial cream would be too rich for my Combo skin, but I am so drawn to the unique color.  I've been seeing this all over social media and, when Sephora offered it as a deluxe sample, I couldn't resist getting it!  Even though it's not suitable for my skin type, this cream contains ingredients that are good for anti-aging as well as certain skin conditions.

What Does It Do?   This is an anti-aging moisturizer that promises to calm and restore skin.  It is also supported by the National Eczema Association as an acceptable product for those suffering from eczema.

Texture   This is an ultra rich cream.  It feels greasy on my face (because of my Combo skin), but feels moisturizing when I use it on my hands and arms.

Scent  Unlike the other two products, this cream has a strange scent.  The best way to describe it is...some flowers have scent that doesn't smell bad, but just not very desirable. It does go away after about 5 minutes, so it doesn't bother me that much.

The beautiful indigo color

Usage  This is meant to be a facial moisturizer.  Since it doesn't contain SPF, it should be used as a nighttime moisturizer.  I have been using it as a body cream since it is not suitable for my facial skin type and I don't want it to go to waste.  It works just as well. 

The indigo color slowly turns clear as you gently rub onto your skin.

Results  Results on my facial test won't do justice to this cream since it's not suitable for my Combo skin (or oily skin).  Results on my hands and arms do a better job demonstrating its hydration benefits - My skin feels very moist, but not greasy at all.  Also, don't let the color scares you, the blue color becomes clear once the cream is gently massaged onto skin.  As for the other claims - wrinkle reduction, sensitivity improvement - I can't vouch for those.  If you're interested, check out the product page for some before/after photos here.

Conclusion 

Given its richness and its ingredients, this is a good candidate for dry skin, sensitive skin or those looking for an anti-aging nighttime moisturizer.  Its active ingredient - Colloidal Oatmeal - is known to treat, sooth and prevent dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin.  Aveeno, a drug store brand, also uses this ingredient in some of its products, including the eczema therapy line.  Another noteworthy ingredient is Indigo Extract, which comes from the Japanese Indigo plant, has the ability to heal wounds and provide anti-inflammatory relief.  This cream packs some skin-healing power in a small jar.

The full-size is at a whopping USD $135 - ouch - but not to worry, the $30 travel size I've purchased has a very generous portion that will last quite a while.

Final Thoughts

Tatcha is worth the splurge, but I still get a sticker shock every time.  Good news is that the brand offers a good variety of their top sellers in travel size, and these travel size items have enough content for continuous use for at least a month.  While you do pay more on a per ounce basis, it's a cheaper way to try out a new brand. 

I hope you'll give Tatcha a try! Do share your unique experience with the brand...what are your favorites so far?

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