Of course, you can’t help but be intrigued, especially when it comes to plants and all things natural – obscure herbs just exude that Mother Nature mysticism, calling out to us and shaming us our effrontery in ignoring the wondrous properties of almonds, or olives, or whatever the latest in fruits and nuts are.
Now I don’t really picture Olivier Baussan, founder of L’Occitane, kneeling in a sun-drenched French field, his hands plunging the loamy soil and digging up roots, exclaiming, "O Immortelle!" But he has managed to produce a convincing array of plant-based products that well, make you feel that much closer to the earth. And what he says in the catalogue is key: "L’Occitane has offered to those untouched by toil the sweetness of the ground, normally reserved for those who labor on bended knee…" Those lotion and soap farms are something like sweet-smelling sweatshops, producing goods for a luxury-lapping class of people who do not know what the things mean or cost, but want the perceived benefits anyway.
And so we are introduced to L’Occitane’s Verbena Harvest, one of their several plant-centered product lines. Verbena is a small bush with light mauve flowers and serrated leaves, one that has grown around the Mediterranean basin since "the dawn of time." Its mythological roots have nicknamed it the witches’ herb, probably because it is one of those cure-all herbs with magical properties. The Romans attributed it to Venus, believing it had the power to rekindle the passion of a dying love.
Incidentally, I will be giving my trial sample of Ice Hand Cream Gel with Organic Verbena Extract to my boyfriend.
But that’s because of its invigorating citrus scent (I’m no witch, hey) – its almost minty flavor and cool green color makes it perfect for males who turn their noses up at the overpowering floral notes of most beauty junk, but don’t want to resort to supermarket-scented bathroom products either. In the mood for some Verbena-based frivolous necessities? L’Occitane is well stocked.
The Verbena Cool Stick is an interesting alternative to carrying around a small bottle of cologne. It probably works well as an instant deodorant, just in case you’ve been let down. Applied on sensitive points like the wrists, temples, and neck, the nomadic traveler need not ever be caught out smelling anything less than delicious again.
The Ice Hand Cream Gel, previously mentioned, is also peppered with tapioca powder for absorption. Got sweaty palms? The gel reduces perspiration by leaving a soft powdery finish on hands. Used daily, you’ll be one cool hand luke.
In the vein of freshening up, the Verbena Refreshing Towelettes are handy, not to mention classy, packs of moist perfumed cleansing towelettes that come in 15. Whip them out in the car, in the metro, at the gym. And when you’ve had a long hard day or too short a night’s rest, Verbena Ice Eye Pads are soothing best friends for tired peepers (someday, they’ll come out with a Powerbook that emits moisturizing rays).
For a little practical magic in the bedroom, the Verbena Harvest room spray will perk your stale air with its lemony scent, bringing you back to some Druidian springtime or a midsummer’s marketday en Provence.
I do think that L’Occitane is best used given away, and given away as a family. You don’t give a person only one flower, you give a whole bunch. Just as receiving hydrogel eye pads on its own may seem a bit weird, in conjunction with the other products, the verbena starts to make more sense, and its effects will be felt more throughout. It’s a gift from the soil – without the dirt.