What is it about the French? They just exude that effortless beauty, confidence, cool… It’s that “je ne se quoi” that captivated me all of those years ago (and even made me want to move there!) and that still intrigues me to this day. I had the pleasure of spending 4 days in Provence with the L’Occitane team and learned sooooo much about French beauty that I can’t wait to share with you. As a part of our trip, we were invited to peel back the curtain and see what really goes into the brand. We were taken to the exact lavender fields where the lavender for their products gets sourced, we went inside the lab and chatted with the scientists, we experienced essential oil and skincare tutorials from a woman who has been working for the brand for 20+ years (pictured here), and finally, got to have dinner with the founder who talked about the heart + soul behind the company. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I’m looking forward to sharing more pictures with you from the trip, but today I want to focus on the wellness aspect of it. The two most fascinating things I learned on our trip were how to give yourself a facial lymphatic drainage massage and the healing power of essential oils. A facial lymphatic drainage massage services from Premier Image Cosmetic & Laser Surgery instantly de-puffs your face and relieves tension by getting the blood circulating. I consider myself pretty educated in the beauty realm and was shocked that I had never heard of this before! Let me tell you, it is a TOTAL game changer. If I wake up puffy from too much wine, salt, or lack of sleep, I take 5 minutes in the morning to do this and can instantly see/feel results. This tutorial walks you through every single step – ENJOY ;) The next thing I loved learning about was the magic behind essential oils. These photos were taken at a demonstration showing how they used to extract oils back in the day (essential oils have been used for over 5,000 years by cultures all over the world.) The darling woman in the picture with me, exuded that effortless French beauty and was probably one of the happiest, sweetest ladies I’ve ever met. She swims every single day (she was very proud of her swimming pool!) and grows all of her own fruit and vegetables in her garden. Talk about goals! This site talks about all of the different oils out there, but I wanted to highlight one in particular (my fave); lavender. Lavender oil can be used to treat just about everything from anxiety, to depression, digestion problems, headaches, cuts, jet lag, rashes, insomnia… I keep this roller of lavender oil in my purse and dab a bit on my wrists in the middle of the day to help me relax. I also use it when I travel and spray this on my pillow before bed. There are a ton of “fake” or poor quality lavender oils and oils in general out there, so do your research and be careful if you buy from an unknown source! For this week’s giveaway, I’m SO excited to be offering 1 lucky reader $500 worth of my favorite L’Occitane products (including lots of lavender goodies!) To enter, simply sign up for my newsletter and comment below “Signed Up!” The winner will be announced on Friday. XO
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Such a pretty look! (signed up!)
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I love lavender and I love its healing power! It is crazy think essential works makes such an impact! That dress of yours is gorgeous!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Signed up! Love this post!
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Signed up! So excited about this post. I love lavender!!!
You look so pretty and your skin is glowing Kat! I’ve never heard of the massage you spoke about but I’m going to check out the link you shared. The lady’s life is pretty impressive too. Signed up! xx
Coco Bella Blog
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This dress looks so fab on you x
Jenny | LuxeStyle
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Signed up! PS-I LOVE your dress!
Lovely as sunshine … beautiful post. I love ❤️ it! :)
🌸🍃LA BIJOUX BELLA 🌸🍃| By Mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
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So jealous you got to go to the lavender fields. I love the scent of lavender and how relaxing it is!
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Signed up. Fingers crossed!
Style by Joules
Signed up! Definitely trying the facial massage soon!
Signed up!!! I love lavender. It used to be so easy to find at the farmers market or at Trader Joe’s in LA. Other than going to the flower mart I haven’t seen it.
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Signed up! :)
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Signed up the news letter! I would love to try all the natural healing products to help me get through treatment for breast cancer.
Amazing <3
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
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Signed up! Thanks!!
Signed up! As a ballet dancer, it’s important to treat your face from all that stage makeup!!
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Love!
I’m signed up! And I love your dress, the color is gorgeous.
xx
bombshell-to-be.blogspot.com
Signed Up! Love L’Occitane products and lavender of course!! Thanks Kat xoxo
I love lavender! I use it to treat my kids wound cuts.
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White Silk, Black Leather
http://www.whitesilkblackleather.com
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Signed up!!! Beautiful post!!
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Signed up! Occitane’s lavender scent is heavenly and relaxing. I’ve loved it for years!! Thank you for your post.
Signed Up ❤️🐝👩🎨
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Signed up!! 💕
Signed up! Can’t wait to try the facial massage!
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Signed up! Such a pretty dress!
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Signed up!! Gorgeous pictures, Kat!
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Everything about this look is #goals girl! Loved following along on your trip.
xo, Amanda
http://www.aglamlifestyle.com
Signed up! I want all of that lavender, it’s my favorite!
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Great post! Signed up, thanks!
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Signed up! Looking forward to trying the lymphatic facial.
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I love lavender. I added some to the front landscaping of our home this spring. It’s so beautiful and the smell is wonderful.
Signed up and so excited to start getting all access posts!!
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Signed up! I love lavender!
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Signed Up! Love this post! Lavender was my bouquet for my wedding, just love the scent and look.
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Signed up! Thank you for sharing these tips. Loved this post! Beautiful pictures as well.
Signed up! Great post!
Signed up! Love reading your post, I love Loccitane and it’s my dream to visit the lavender fields in Provence.
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Lovely pictures! Signed up :)
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Signed up! what an amazing experience xx
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Signed up! Thank you for sharing. I seriously love the scent of lavender because I have serious anxiety and it helps me so much when I’m stressed in the office or if I find it hard to sleep at night. I didn’t even know Loccitaine made essential oils!
Sounds like such a great experience! These pictures look lovely!
x. kritsida
http://aperfectcanvas.net/
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I’m signed up!! I absolutely love the scent of Lavender, it’s one of my favorites!! And I love your dress, it’s very pretty!!
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Thanks for sharing Kat! It looks like it was an amazing trip. I’ve always been curious about what essential oils can do for you so this was super helpful!
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Signed up!!Love the dress and location ❤️💙
Signed up! (And have been 😉) Love the photography and your effortless beauty, it is stunning!
Signed up! Beautiful post
I’ve been a long time fan of L’Occitane products. I also use Lavender Relaxing Roll-Onoll oil. And can’t live without Almond Supple Skin Oil and shower oil. I can’t wait to hear more info on the products from you. I love your posts! I’m signed up!
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Signed up! Loved this post 💕
Signed up! Thank you Kat!
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Being French living in the US, I was really excited when L’Occitane opened stores here. The almond shower bath oil is insanely luxurious.
PS: love your blog and new addition, Charlie. Il est trop mignon!
Signed up!! Your trip looked lovely. And lavender can make anyone’s heart happy!!
I love everything French… enjoyed your post.
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Signed Up!!! Merci!
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This post is so amazing!! I’ve been obsessed with lavender my entire life and I love to smell it all year long, but especially during summer. It’s such a dreamy smell!
Much love <3
Kay
http://styleunsettled.com
Signed up! Thanks for the wonderful article
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I just started learning more about essential oils and the benefits. I signed up.
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Signed Up! Gorgeous pics in this post!
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Signed up! LOVE THIS! xxx
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You look like a French beauty queen :)
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Thank you! Signed up:)
Signed Up! I really enjoy reading your posts!
[…] winner on Friday. PS congrats to last week’s Wellness Series subscriber Nisha for winning the $500 of L’Occitane goodies and subscriber Jenilee for winning the $500 Lululemon gift […]
Good to know!! Thanks for all the amazing beauty advice!😘😘👍👍
I just want you to know that you inspire me every day and I want to thank you !
And you know in France we say “un je ne sais quoi” ;-)
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i wish i could smell all of this lavendar—looks dreamy! xo
http://www.dearserendipity.com/
[…] Learn some French Beauty Secrets that With Love From Kat learned while in […]
Great photos! Such a lovely dress!
[…] talking about the benefits of lymphatic drainage facials (remember when I talked about them in this post after going to Provence?) The Clarisonic uplift allows you to give yourself a lymph massage every single day! I use it […]
[…] sweet summertime! My favorite season is almost here :) I try to be outside as much as possible and schedule in […]