L'Occitane Personal Products Are The Ideal Travel Companion, By Szilvia Gogh

Once upon a time, when luggage weight did not cause travelers' headache, girls could pack their whole bathroom to comfort them while away from home.

Despite the consistently rising cost of fuel and travel in general, countless adventure seeking explorers set their minds to visit new countries and to try new things this year.

The taste of a croissant out of the oven in Paris, freshly made guacamole and chips in Mexico at happy hours by the pool, or a refreshing coconut milk in Asia on a hot day at a roadside are just a few that will stay in one's memory long after their voyage ended to these magical places.

Some people can fall asleep anywhere, while others don't sleep comfortably unless they are in their familiar surroundings. Using the same products that one uses at home can help make foreign places feel cozy. That is why I carry my travel size products with me to trips I take.

A while ago my friend dragged me into a boutique in an airport while waiting for a connecting flight in New York and introduced me to L'Occitane En Provence.

I like to eat organic food and use eco-friendly materials around my house, so I immediately fell in love with the cardboard, paper and wood packaging, and with the products natural smell.

L'Occitane carefully selects their plant ingredients and controls both their quality and origin. They follow the principles of phytotherapy and aromatherapy, use no animal products (except for beehive: honey, royal jelly and propolis) and test their products under medical supervision, not on animals.

My bathroom is well stocked with L'Occitane bottles and containers, and my travel bag contains the same products in smaller size. In case I forget something at home or run out of it, likely that I can replace the missing beauty essential at any major airport or in one of the 70 countries, where L'Occitane has boutiques.

First I always pack is the Shea Butter Foot Cream. When away from home, I tend to walk great distances to explore the neighborhoods of the places I visit. Enriched with moisturizing Shea Butter, soothing lavender essential oil and anti-inflammatory arnica extract, this rich cream smoothes and softens skin while relieving tired achy feet.
Of course, a girl can never leave home without shampoo and hair conditioner.

My favorite is the Aromachologie Shampoo. L'Occitane's blend of pure and natural angelica, lavender and geranium essential oils work to revive and refresh dry and damaged hair. Soothing, repairing and stimulating, this vegetable complex will detangle, soften and add luster to dry, damaged, color-treated or permed hair.

I use the Shea Butter Conditioner that nourishes and restructures dry hair from roots to ends. When traveling on airplanes, I often feel the air drying my skin and hair. Its rich formula regenerates and repairs dry ends and protects the hair against harsh conditions (sun, wind, cold, colorations). Its conditioning agents shield the capillary fibers and detangle hair.

Especially during summer months, I favor the Citrus Verbena Body Lotion for its refreshing citrus scent. Enriched with organic Verbena extract and grape seed oil, this body lotion moisturizes and nourishes the skin. I have two bottles of this; one in my travel pouch with the rest of my toiletries and one in my purse to use during the day while I am out in the city, on a dive boat or in the jungle.

Imagine a place where myrrh and incense reign Iparie; town of magical fragrances. Its generous walls contain a blend of precious resins. The air is filled with myrrh and incense, a blended scent which is like a limitless gift. Transported along the ancient incense road to the eastern Mediterranean countries, these rare ingredients are now combined to create the intense, sensual and mysterious wake of Eau D'Iparie Eau de Toilette. This is the perfume of my choice for this year.

L'Occitane posted a special offer on their website that helps travelers pack their bag with goodies before their next journey.

Plan Your Trip

Check for special offers, and more travel size products at http://www.usa.loccitane.com.

For details on attractions, current events, and lodging visit the California Travel & Tourism Commission site at www.visitcalifornia.com.

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