Spring has sprung with L'Occitane's Pivoine Flora Collection!

Today was such a beautiful, sunny day for the first day of spring here in Australia!  What a coincidence as I was enjoying the much missed warmth of the sun I walked by the L'Occitane shop and noticed their gorgeous display of bright pink peonies!  And lo and behold!  Their new limited edition makeup range for spring, the Pivoine Flora Collection.  Their makeup is all organic, dermalogically tested and contains the key ingredient and scent of the peony extract.  Mmmm... ^_^  I had seen a few great reviews of their cosmetics online, but I'd never seen them myself.  I just assumed it was not something they released in Australia like many other products that are so hard if not impossible to get a hold of here!  I must say, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them.  I was quite excited indeed. *grin*  I have tried several of the French brand's gorgeous line of skin care and hair care.  I've been a fan of them for years.  I even made the effort, whilst travelling all around France a few times over the year by car between many of their pretty towns (as yes, if you haven't read by now, I am a francophile!) to head to Manosque (in the south-eastern region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur‎) where their factory is located.  Unfortunately, there were no tours available that day, but I did enjoy a spot of shopping of their gorgeous products!  

Anyway, apparently, they also released a limited edition makeup range last year, so this venture into cosmetics is fairly new and I cannot wait for more to come from this brand as from what I've tried and seen at the store today was just devine!  

The entire collection is limited and is -

"inspired by the graceful peony which dances like a ballerina in the Mediterranean breeze, L’Occitane unveils its stunning color collection of luminous springtime hues and velvety textures enriched with softening peony extract."

The collection consists of 7 different types of products (prices listed also):

• Facecolour Cream Duo in  2 x 1.5 g – 2 x Net Wt. 0.05 oz. (available in 3 shades) @ AU$26.95
• Duo Eyeshadow 2 x 1.8 g – 4 x Net Wt. 0.05 oz. (available in 4 shades) @ AU$26.95
• Petals Eye Quartet 4 x 1.5 g – 4 x Net Wt. 0.05 oz. @ AU$39.95
• Lipstick 3.5 g – Net Wt. 0.12 oz. (available in 4 shades) @ AU$24.95
• Lip Shine 8 ml – 0.27 fl.oz. (available in 4 shades) @ AU$24.95
• Incredible Lip Shine 10 ml – 0.33 fl.oz. @ AU$19.95
• Healthy Glow Face Powder 9 g – Net Wt. 0.31 oz. @ AU$39.95

I just had to buy a few items from their range.  Unfortunately, as I was only passing by, I did not have enough time to check out the rest of their range, only the ones that really caught my eye.  Here's what I purchased:

• Petals Eye Quartet: made up pale pink, beige, rose and deep purple eye shadows.  I swatched this at the store and I'm AMAZED by the creaminess and smoothness of the product.  This is even smoother than Chanel's quint eye shadow from the spring 2011 collection!  The pigmentation is also amazing.
• Facecolour Cream Duo in Rose reverence: consists of a matte, bright pink blush, which is creamy to the touch and blends well into a matte velvety powder finish.  Beautiful!  Most cream blushes I've tried if not all are quite creamy and have a quite moist, sometimes sticky finish, so this blush really is quite unique in my makeup collection.  I welcome this gorgeous texture with open arms!!!  The second part of the duo is a pearly shade which according to the product's instructions is to be applied on the apples of the cheeks to catch the light. ^_^
• 2 x Lipsticks in the colours: Fuschia #03 and Rose #02.  They are quite sheer with a hint of gold glimmer and moist - perfect for everyday wear.
• 2 x Lip Shines in the colours: Peche #03 (peach) and Grenadine #04.  Very moisturising, non-gloopy and not too sticky texture.  It has gold glimmer - very pretty indeed!  In the tube, the peach reminds me a little of a Nars Orgasm lip gloss, too.

My purchases (L - R): Lipsticks in Fuschia & Rose; Lip shines in Grenadine & Peche; Facecolour Cream Duo in Rose Reverence; & Petals Eye Quartet.

L'Occitane also currently have a gift with purchase of AU$75 or more (from memory I think that's what it was), so I received a very pretty, spring and peony inspired makeup bag, and two of their products from their new Pivoine Flora collection of skin care: a 75 ml bottle of their beauty milk and 75 ml of their shower gel.  I also got a sample sachet of the 'Fluide Radieux' protective lotion, which apparently suits combination skin like mine. Sweet!

Pivoine Flora Gift with Purchase

Gift with Purchase (L - R): Pivoine Flora Shower Gel, Beauty Milk & Makeup Bag

All their makeup products have the slight scent of the peony, which is not at all a strong floral scent, but is quite fresh and clean - very suitable for spring!  

I'm very excited and I can't wait to try all of the products I purchased!  I shall share my review with you along with more photos and swatches as soon as I've given them all a try!  I love the packaging, which is graced with ballerinas in soft pretty pink hues painted in water colour.  The packaging is also reminiscent of the quaint yet chic cardboard packaging of one of my other favourite makeup brands Paul & Joe.  I also love the fact that this high quality collection and high-end brand is very affordable!

Click here for photos, swatches & a review! x

Anyone tried makeup from L'Occitane?  Do tell!