Product Review: L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam

Posted on 07.17.09 to $50 and under, Reviews by Lindsay



Long enough title? Maybe? There are probably a few more words I could fit in there…

Okay, so before this gets crazy, I want to preface (for anyone who has read my blog since last November) that I rarely go outside my hardcore Clinique addiction when it comes to skincare. The reality of the situation, though, is… I’m poor. I know, it’s a shock, right? I’m poor and I can’t really afford to keep up with 3 different pieces of an amazing cleansing routine that accompanies a Clinique dependency.

So, please hold your fire… I’ve strayed. A cleanser was sent to me from L’Occitane and, I admit, I willingly told them I would try it before I even got it. Why? Because L’Occitane has a great reputation for skincare, and this baby is only $9. Yes, that’s approximately 1/5th the price of a complete Clinique set.

The cleanser I was sent was the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam and yes, it says all of that right on the adorable 1.7 fl. oz. bottle.

At first, after I opened the package, I just kind of stared at the little tiny bottle full of swishy, thin liquid. Why? For many reasons. Well, two. One, the bottle looked like it could wash my face approximately 4 times before running dry. Two, the color of blue they chose for the bottle is really exquisite – it reminds me of my favorite crayon, Cornflower.

Anyway. I thought I was getting gipped, but then I remembered that I didn’t pay for this at all, so it was okay.

So, bedtime came (yes, bedtime) and it was time to use this stuff. I get a little nervous about “foam” cleansers because it always seems to take 2-4 pumps of the stuff to really feel like you’re using anything. I get that it’s mostly air and blah, blah, blah… But it just makes me nervous and generally sounds like an excuse to dish out less product.

Fortunately, I was surprised that the foam, airy as it was, appeared to be somewhat substantial! It wasn’t heavy by and means, but it took only two pumps and, when I rubbed my hands together, it didn’t completely dissipate! Off to a good start.

Now let me take a second to talk about my skin: it’s allergic to everything. Pollutants totally attack my skin, as do most metals, some fabrics, and occasionally – facial cleansers. I’m not very oily-faced, but it is summer in Chicago which means humidity. I’m happy to report that, not only did this stuff feel really light, but it totally didn’t irritate my skin.

In fact – my skin has improved (CLINIQUE, I’m SORRY!!) since I started using it. After washing, it doesn’t make my skin feel tight like most other hardcore cleansers, but the film of dirt that usually hangs out on my face when I wake up completely disappears. Plus, there’s so little dryness afterwards, I’ve been forgetting to use moisturizer after washing without any ill effects.

So all-in-all… This stuff is definitely worth it’s $9 price tag. Like, defniitely definitely. I’m going to have to think long and hard about returning to Clinique because – not only would this cleanser give me a break in the pocketbook area – but the idea of only using one or maybe two products on my face is quite appealing after the 3-step process of Clinique.

I’ll make another post in about 15 years letting you know how it affects aging.

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Comments ( 6 )

The Best Places to Buy Solid Perfume | Broke & Beautiful added these pithy words on Jan 04 12 at 1:40 am :

[...] may recall L’Occitane from my review of their Brightening Cleansing Foam (which I still crave and cannot wait to buy more of – especially at only $9 per bottle!), but [...]

Dedicated: L’Occitane | Awakened Aesthetic added these pithy words on Apr 12 12 at 10:29 pm :

[...] wrote a review of the Brightening Cleansing Foam on our sister site, Broke & Beautiful, and has been a fan ever since. We’ve also spent [...]

lisa added these pithy words on Jul 17 09 at 12:00 pm :


Great review! Hmm since it is supposed to be a brightening foam, have you noticed any improvements in the tone and texture of your skin from using it?
.-= lisa´s last blog ..Weekend Shopping =-.

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Michelle added these pithy words on Jul 17 09 at 8:01 pm :


This sounds great! I’ll definitely look into it, as I’ve been using Clearisil for lack of knowing anything better (and also, brokeness, as you mention!), but I’m not really a huge fan of it. Thanks for the review, Elle!
.-= Michelle´s last blog .. =-.

[Reply to this comment!]

L'OCCITANE added these pithy words on Jul 20 09 at 9:18 am :


Elle, we loved your blog post!

It was so honest and informative. We are so glad that even as a die-hard Clinique fan you can enjoy and appreciate another product like our Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam. We enjoyed your post so much that we tweeted about it at http://bit.ly/zSKSV

[Reply to this comment!]

Shelley added these pithy words on Jul 22 09 at 10:03 am :


Way to go, Miss Elle! Great article and you’ve got me looking toward L’Occitane for my own skin ‘issues’ – thank you!!
and I love you, by the way.

[Reply to this comment!]

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