Shopping Experience Comparison: L'Occitane vs Sakare

Today I am pitching Sakare (my new favourite beauty care brand) against L'Occitane (an old time favourite) in terms of shopping experience. I am taking into consideration speed and quality of service, layout of store and value for money. Check out my verdict:

Customer Service 

Sakare - As soon as you even walk past this store there are people outside welcoming you in and offering you demonstrations of the products. The staff are not simply trying to get you to spend a fortune in the store, they genuinely understand the customer and offer them products specifically. For example they know that as a beauty blogger, I am always looking to try the very top end range of anti-ageing products, but they realise that that isn't what everyone is looking for. All staff are highly trained on the ingredients and can offer expertise knowledge as to what will work best with your skin. I have never once walked into the shop and been ignored by the staff. They straight away welcome you and help you to find what you are looking for. Some people find this a bit overpowering but as a mystery shopper with years of experience I know that this is the benchmark for good customer service.

L'Occitane - While staff are not generally out in the street to engage customers, I have always been welcomed on entrance to L'Occitane. They pretty much operate with the same procedure as Sakare...asking how you are and how they can help. Staff are knowledgable about the products but sometimes if they don't have what I am looking for then they don't offer a similar product which is a bit frustrating.

Layout

Sakare - Window displays are always immaculate and representative of the brand...luxurious and opulent. Inside the products are displayed simply and in keeping with the style of the widow displays. There is a feel of 1940s cruise liner glamour that transports you to another world.

L'Occitane - As soon as you walk in you feel as if you are in a French beauty boutique of the finest handmade products. Countryside feel with a touch of luxury. Slight overload of products for the eye which I find very off-putting.

Value For Money

Sakare - No top end luxury brand with use of the latest research is going to be cheap. By taking a look at the website you could say that Sakare cosmetics are expensive, although the trick is to strike a deal with the staff as they are usually willing to do you a discount or special offer if you ask. Considering the quality of the products the prices are good value.

L'Occitane - French luxury and cheap will never be found in the same sentence together. If you decide you want a L'Occitane bathroom then it is going to cost you. Don't think of trying to strike a deal in this store as that just won't fly. Prices are not always readily displayed...'if you have to ask it's too expensive' comes to mind.

My Winner: Sakare - just shows that it is possible for new brands to break into the luxury beauty product market which is so often set in it's ways.

Regenerating Peeling Mask from Sakare – Amazing “Lifting” Effect

This mask will not let you down. Whether you wish to achieve a more youthful, firm complexion or simply want to rejuvenate your skin with a regenerating treatment that will leave it looking its best, you won’t be disappointed.

Often people head straight for the bestselling Intensive Nourishment Mud Mask from the Sakare range (no wonder – it’s really something) and always overlook this under-stated gem of a skin treatment.

How do you use it?

This mask takes just two minutes to get to work. Then simply rub it in circular motions into the skin before rinsing off with warm water. No fuss, no mess, you don’t even need to take more than 3 minutes out of your busy day to treat yourself to a high class product that will give you real results.

What does it do?

So, what does it promise to achieve and what did I really see after using this mask once a week for a month? As expected I did see a firmness and lift that wasn’t previously there. I didn’t notice anything straightaway but after the four weeks I was getting comments from friends about looking “fresh” and that I must have been getting loads of sleep recently! I noticed the difference myself when I was applying make up and my skin didn’t seem crepe-y or too delicate. It appeared more elastic and strong but still soft. Literally a face-lift in a bottle! If you are considering any sort of surgery please try this first as I think you will be surprised at what a mask can achieve.

How does it work?

How is this amazing “lifting” effect achieved? It’s all down to Kendi – an organic, eco-certified Indonesian nut oil that so far has not been used widespread. It not only strengthens the skin with firmness and elasticity, but removes all impurities and refines pores for a flawless complexion.

 Who is it for?

Absolutely anyone and everyone! All skin types and ages will find the benefit in using this Sakare product now and then (once a week is ideal).

Great Gift Idea - Sakare Nail Treatment

Since discovering Sakare I waste no chance to introduce others to the products. Every time I need to buy someone a gift I look to Sakare first. Everyone can do with a bit more luxury in their lives and even though the range isn't huge, I feel that there is something for everyone (yes guys included).

Some of the products tend to be a bit more of a let's say...investment rather than a spontaneous purchase and so I realise that it's not such an accessible option for every occasion. Therefore I wanted to share with you my favourite go-to gift for those times when you are trying to hold onto those purse strings!

Sakare Nail Treatment

The complete nail kit is a great option as it includes everything needed for a home manicure. Isn't age sensitive...old and young alike will love it and it is assumable that most people take care of their hands and nails in some form or another. £45 is s pretty good deal considering that you get a nail file, buffer, full sized hand cream and the amazing cuticle oil.

If you are looking to spend less you can still treat that special person! 

A single bottle of hand cream is a great idea....needed all year round and will only cost you £15 for a full sized bottle! Choose from 3 different fragrances to suit the receiver.

The cuticle oil or nail buffer are also a great options for just £15 each and can be purchased separately. The buffer really does work magic and the shine it gives lasts for weeks. 

Sakare is a very affluent brand with high level products but that doesn't mean it's exclusive. They will even give you great deals when buying a few products at a time (don't say I told you so!) 

Everyone that I have treated to Sakare gifts have so far loved them. Don't be caught short again and don't panic buy the first thing you see! 

Sakare Product Review: Luxuriating Body Butter

Body butter is every woman's staple product. Before bed, after shower, first thing in the morning...most women work it into their daily routine somehow.

Personally I have been searching a huge proportion of my life for the perfect body butter but have never been successful. They always seem to be either too thick, too fragranced, too greasy, or take too long to dry.

Now I have found the perfect body butter! Sakare have got the best combination of moisture, fragrance and consistency. Thick but not too thick, it doesn't take hours to dry and won't leave you feeling oily. Choose from 3 different fragrances which are all beautiful and most importantly, not overpowering.

Luxuriating Body Butter from Sakare

Leaves your skin feeling soft and silky smooth for a whole 24 hours. Not only that but your skin is given a boost by the rich concentration of vitamin E and anti-oxidants. This cream actually helps your skin to repair itself naturally...pretty cool!

With the millions of brands and products out there it is almost impossible to find the ones that are so good we stick with them for life. Luxuriating Body Butter by Sakare is one of those products that you won't regret investing in.

Sakare Botanox Serum...a Miracle in a Bottle

With all the serums and lotions available out there to combat the unfortunate effects of ageing it's no wonder we often get confused. Is it really going to work like it says it will? Is it really worth that much money? Am I barking up the wrong tree completely and just need to get surgery?

Don't despair! I always like to believe that there are alternatives to surgery no matter what your age and state of skin. Ageing is a natural, beautiful thing, but we do need little helping hand to ensure that it is a graceful process.

I recently discovered Sakare Botanox Serum, and I have decided to dub it 'my little miracle in a bottle'.  I am a huge fan of all the Sakare anti ageing products but I hadn't tried any of the Botanox range. To be honest I thought that it might be a gimmick and not worth the money but oh how I was wrong.

The ground breaking Botanox complex is full of peptides and collagen which penetrate deep into your skin to restore that youthful plumpness. Skin is hydrated and completely rejuvenated by minerals, aloe vera, jojoba seed extracts and bounds of vitamin E. The high concentration of anti-oxidants gives your skin that extra boost it needs to repair itself and defend against those approaching wrinkles.

I have noticed such a difference in my skin after just 2 weeks using this serum. Even my most pronounced wrinkles have evened out significantly and in general my complexion is more youthful. Dark circles are no longer bringing my confidence down as they have been lightened.

This serum is the best I have ever tried and I would go as far to say that it is the best anti ageing treatment out there. Yes you may want to hide the receipt from your husband but trust me that you won't regret investing in this miracle serum! If you are considering surgery then please try this first before you go under the knife...you will be surprised at how happy you will be with the results.

Best Skin Brightening Treatments

With so many anti ageing/anti wrinkle treatments and products out there we can get so caught up on straightening out those pesky lines. Ageing is a natural part of life and doing it gracefully is the best way to go. It has taken me some time to come to terms with my wrinkles but now I am learning to embrace them. Yes I use eye serum every night but I believe that natural methods are the way forward and not plastic surgery. Recently I discovered that in order for our skin to appear more youthful and healthy we need to focus on care in general for our skin and not just on getting rid of a specific line or flaw. With a good skin care regime your skin will have a healthy glow. If you have tried this and feel your skin needs an extra helping hand then there are loads of brightening treatments you can try! They introduce that youthful glow that you had before things started to do downhill, disguising other signs of ageing such as wrinkles and lines. Here are some of my favourites....


                                           Countertime Enlightening Treatment Pads

These are great time savers simply because they are in ready-to-go pad form. Think you don't have time for a skin brightener? Well you do with Countertime. Fruit acid complex gives your skin a shot of anti oxidants, brightening the skin and reducing the appearance of pores and imperfections.

Sakare 24k Gold Serum

This serum is simply amazing. It is saturated with tiny pieces of real gold that give an unrivalled level of skin brightening. Elasticity is brought back to the skin with the high concentration of argan oil,  nyamplung oil and vitamin E. Extremely light and extremely potent. Will also get to work on those tough wrinkles at the same time. Works well on all skin types.

Arcona Gentle Solution

This is one for all the sensitive skin sufferers out there. A nighttime treatment that helps your skin repair itself overnight for optimal results. Great for dry/damaged skin. Repairs the skin by encouraging cell renewal meaning you wake up every day looking like you have had the best sleep of your life. 

Sakare Soothing Shower Oil Review

I'm not a shower girl...I need to feel relaxed and pampered and not in a rush. Bath time is my favourite time of the day and I always make time for it. Bubbles, music, candles, sometimes wine. I know, I'm a cliche, but that's me. My friend Joanna was recently raving to me about how amazing the Sakare Soothing Shower Oil is and that I should try it out a couple of times a week and try to be a bit more environmentally friendly by saving water. Unwillingly. I gave in to the peer pressure and here is what I thought:

The shower oil felt really silky soft when I rubbed it into my skin. Lathering slightly you do feel that it is doing a good job of cleansing as well as moisturising. Although it might not be as relaxing as lying in amidst the bubbles there was something rather luxurious about it.

When I came out of the shower and dried off I realised that my skin had still retained the moisture from the oil and so I didn't need to spend any time rubbing in moisturiser like I usually do.

The oil has a gentle yet beautiful aroma which stayed with me even after I had dried and dressed.

In order to try and inject some more luxury into my shower I made sure the water was extra hot and lit some candles for a relaxing atmosphere. I saved so much time and still felt pampered thanks to the help of Sakare. Not sure I will be converted to a shower girl just yet but a couple of times a week I am now taking the quicker option.

If you swear by a quick shower then you will just love this product. It's a time saver's dream!