L’Occitane‘s inaugural L’OcciBox was a very hot commodity that sold out pretty quickly after it was released. As I expected, there were several bugs and setbacks, and everyone whose order got canceled had to re-purchase their boxes with adjusted non-stackable coupons, and fixed shipping price, if they still wished to do so. From what I read on some blogs and forums, a lot of people were so unhappy, they swore to never buy anything from L’Occitane again. As for me, I’ve been a customer for 15 years, and built up some brand loyalty, so ditching them at this point is not going to happen, unless they do something really drastic [akin to those rumors about Revlon’s CEO]. But I digress…
To create their first ever sampling box, L’Occitane collaborated with ELLE Magazine and their resident illustrator, who designed prints for the nail file, four mini hand creams, and the Limited Edition makeup bag. In addition to that, all boxes contained sample sachets of Immortelle Divine Cream, and travel-sized versions of Almond Supple Skin Oil, Shea Butter Body Milk, Immortelle Precious Cleansing Foam, and Arlesienne Hand Cream from the brand’s newest collection. One hundred randomly selected boxes came with a special surprise – a one-year subscription to ELLE Magazine. Unfortunately, I was not among those lucky ducks this time around, but there’s always next quarter.
Right, speaking of quarters. In case you missed my first announcement of this box, L’OcciBoxes are going to be released quarterly, with the next one due in Spring 2015, most likely early March. Each box will include a mix of best-selling products and brand new items, and feature a different collaborator. Can’t wait to find out who will be the next one! Any guesses?
After being a L’Occi-fan for so many years, I already tried everything from the permanent lineup, so the only new discovery was Arlesienne Hand Cream, which smelled very sultry and feminine. It reminds me a lot of L’Occitane’s Pivoine Flora products that I always turn to for some sweet floral indulgence. By the way, the design of the outer cardboard box mimics the packaging of Arlesienne line, that features drawn saffron flowers, roses, and violets, stylized like fireworks. I think it’s very clever and artsy, and perfect for the season.
At this time there is no option to schedule a recurring subscription to L’OcciBox [I hope L’Occitane considers adding it at some point in the future], we will have to stalk the site and hunt it down again next time it’s released.
THE VERDICT
For $15 this box was a steal, considering the quality and the retail value of everything inside. I am beyond thrilled that L’Occitane went down the subscription box path: it’s a smart way of attracting new customers, as well as giving seasoned fans the opportunity to introduce their friends to the company, try new releases, and stock up on travel-sized versions of their favorites. Needless to say, I plan to purchase the next box as soon as it’s available.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$15 USD for 1 box. Available exclusively at L’Occitane online store and retail locations. You need to use the code DISCOVER to have the price adjusted in your cart.
$15, how did I miss this! What a fabulous box!
Hi Allison! You didn’t miss it at all! The box is available again, I added a link directly to it at the bottom of the post π Enjoy!
ALL THE HAND CREAM!! I’d have been all over this!
I know, right? I’m a big fan of their hand creams myself. I think it was the first product I purchased 15 years ago, and been hooked ever since.
Now that’s a GREAT value on a box!!! Thanks for sharing!
You’re most welcome!
HOW DID I MISS this amazingness? It looks so awesome.
You didn’t miss it just yet, Norah, it’s still available for purchase, but I wouldn’t wait too long. It’s a fabulous little treat!
L’Occitane is one of my fave skincare brands!
Mine too, Miranda! I’ve been buying their products for 15 years now, and can’t imagine ever stopping. Their body lotions are some of the best I’ve ever tried.
Now I’m really kicking myself for not buying this!!
You can still get it, they just restocked it online π Finding these at retail locations might be tricky though, because I heard they had very limited stock.
I’m so jealous! Great stuff!
They’re still available, or I should rather say available again. Seems like L’Occitane was generous enough to restock these online, but I don’t know how long it will last. I’d grab one, because we’ll have to wait til March for the next box.
I want this box!
It’s a great one, isn’t it?
What a cool box! If it was cruelty free I’d buy it.
That would be really nice if they were.
I got this box but didn’t know there were so many problems. I did wish the hand creams in the makeup bags were larger.
Yes, unfortunately when L’Occitane originally made it available for sale, the DISCOVER coupon stacked with two others (since the “base price” is $59) – one for a free $10 gift card, and another for some more free hand creams. Of course it was not intentional, and they canceled most orders. Also, that stacking deal was posted on the front page of Slickdeals, and reposted on hundreds of deal and freebie websites.
Ooh… this box seems fabulous… I would love this. I can’t easily get this brand here from their site… shipping is either outrageous or they will not ship. This is so fun.
That’s a bummer π Do you have a L’Occitane store on your island or nearby? Maybe they still have a few of these boxes in stock there.
$15? sign me up! I have all those products in my stash right now!
Girl, can I go play with your stash? Okay, that sounded a bit creepy… But seriously, you have a fabulous beauty collection!
Wow, that is a major steal!
I know, right? That is one fabulous bundle of goodies.
all that for $15? I’d love to try all those L’Occitane products! wow.
Then you are in luck! They actually restocked the box right after I published this post, so I added purchase information at the bottom. Enjoy!
Oooo, I had not heard about this box! 15 bucks is a fab deal on what you received.
That’s what I was thinking too, Tina. Considering the normal price of their travel-sized goodies, this box is a steal.
$15?!?!? Omg SO sad I missed this!
You didn’t! L’occitane restocked the boxes and they are available again π I added a link to my post so you can grab one for yourself.
whoaaaa what a steal! I love their lotions!
Me too! My favorite is Pivoine Flora, with Shea Butter being a very close second.
I can’t wait to get this next time!
This is so nice
I tried to purchase the box but the code won’t work for me.
Hi Sandra! Shoot an email to their Customer Service about that. Unless they discontinued the promo price, the code should still work.