As things are hotting up in Summer, you really cannot go wrong with a citrus, Mediterranean-style cologne to cool you down, feel refreshed and maybe even bridge that tiny gap your deodorant might not keep up to. I first...
As things are hotting up in Summer, you really cannot go wrong with a citrus, Mediterranean-style cologne to cool you down, feel refreshed and maybe even bridge that tiny gap your deodorant might not keep up to.
I first discovered L’Occitane Lemon Verbena around 10 years ago when I spent 6 months out in Barcelona. I’d only just arrived, needed some toiletries and there was a L’Occitane a few doors down from the apartment where I grabbed the Lemon Verbena shampoo and conditioner.
I immediately fell in love with it. It’s an intoxicating balance of a masculine Acqua di Parma-type cologne but with a fruited-sharp lemon scent that makes it fun. It has a lot more depth than many other colognes out there, on a similar level but without the high price tag of the aforementioned Italian icon.
L’Occitane Lemon Verbena is made up of the following simple, but well balanced notes:
Top notes: Lemon, Grapefruit, OrangeMiddle notes: VerbenaBase notes: Cedarwood
It’s the Cedarwood that gives it depth and a little warmth amongst the sharp lemon and grapefruit with the sweet orange and verbena.
L’Occitane Lemon Verbena (Citrus Verbena) Eau de Toilette 100ml. £54 from L’Occitane
Does L’Occitane Lemon Verbena have the biggest sillage/throw? No, and it doesn’t last that long so I class Lemon Verbena as a ‘functional’ fragrance. I have it in my gym bag, I also have another in our bathroom that I spray a little on as I pop in and out. It’s a pick-me-up refresher to boost your mood, rather than some long, lingering part fragrance or statement scent and that’s what I love about Lemon Verbena.
L’Occitane Lemon Verbena Shampoo and Conditioner
The original products that made me fall in love with L’Occitane Lemon Verbena, the shampoo and conditioner.
L’Occitane’s shampoos and conditioners really are world-class. Even though they’re ancillary to the main fragrance, they’re not an afterthought. Their formulations don’t just smell fabulous, but will leave your hair and scalp thoroughly cleansed and deeply hydrated.
Rather than just being a ‘fragrance’, there’s actually real lemon verbena, lemon, grapefruit and orange peel oil in the formulation, so you’re getting the benefits of those conditioning and invigorating essential oils on your hair and scalp (I love a well formulated essential oil).
L’Occitane Lemon Verbena (Citrus Verbena) Shampoo. £16.50 from L’Occitane
L’Occitane Lemon Verbena (Citrus Verbena) Conditioner. £16.50 from L’Occitane
If you’re wanting to give this a try or are considering it already and came across this article in your research, give it a go. You’ll pay an awful lot more for an awful lot less from other brands versus L’Occitane and having been lucky enough to experience so many during my career, I adore some of their fragrances the most. Give it a go, and have a wonderful summer!