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There are summer scents, and then there is verbena.

Sparkling and citrusy, verbena smells like the sun. It smells like summer. It smells like hope, and happiness. Appropriately enough, it smells like citron pressé, the fresh lemonade they serve in Provence, home of L’Occitane.

Verbena is a scent associated with the Mediterranean, having grown around it for centuries. While it grows wild on the island of Corsica, off the southern coast of France, L’Occitane organically cultivates this small shrub with mauve flowers in Provence, and extracts precious verbena essence from its leaves.

Nicknamed the “cure-all herb” or “witches’ herb” for its magical properties, verbena’s fresh perfume is an instant de-stresser. Its clean zing is not only invigorating, it also tones and softens skin, repels bugs and mosquitoes, battles body and foot odor, cools and reduces the swelling of sunburn. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for hot weather, long journeys, or any time you need a lift. While the French crush handfuls of verbena leaves to release its scent, L’Occitane has bottled this heavenly fragrance in its Verbena Harvest collection, which offers all the wonderful benefits of verbena in an eau de toilette and products for the body and home.

Verbena Edt

Both men and women can use this joyful scent, a crisp blend of verbena on a bed of geranium and lemon tree. Since the formulation is so light and the bottle so large, I use this as a body spray, and spritz it on my hair and clothes to get the scent to last longer. (It’s also made for layering over the Verbena Body Lotion.) The packaging is gorgeous as well: a rustic glass bottle engraved with a verbena leaf, long considered a symbol of good fortune. (P2,375 for 100 ml)

Verbena Body Lotion

This silken lotion glides on and melts into the skin with no greasy afterfeel. Verbena extract soothes and softens skin, while antioxidant coconut and grapeseed oils nourish and moisturize. This veils the body with a delicate perfume, great for layering with the EDT for a more lingering impression. (P1,475 for 250 ml)

Verbena Shower Gel

This never fails to remind me of the Four Seasons Hotel, where the amenities are all by L’Occitane and where I first tried it. Appropriately luxurious, this is more body shampoo than plain old shower gel. Soothing verbena and gentle botanical cleansers make it ideal for sensitive skin, while the zesty citrus fragrance is an energizing wakeup call. It lathers up like nobody’s business and when you wash it off, your skin feels moist, not dry. Comes in a hygienic squeeze bottle designed for the whole family to share. (P895 for 250 ml)

Verbena Body Ice Gel

Indispensable in hot, humid climes like ours, this can be used either as a bath gel or after-shower treatment. In the bath it creates voluptuous bubbles, but don’t worry: its palm and copra-based foaming agent doesn’t dry out skin. Après shower, this cool, tingly gel sinks in quickly and leaves an icy feeling and smooth skin — great for easing tired, aching muscles. All in all, a luxe treat guaranteed to make you feel better at the end of a stressful day. (P1,475 for 250 ml)

Verbena Foaming Bath

Remember Julia Roberts’ bath scene in Pretty Woman? You can dunk yourself in similar mountains of bubbles with this foaming bath, enriched with soothing, relaxing verbena. Pour one tablespoon under hot running water for the ultimate, “Hollywood movie star” experience, which fills your boudoir with a light, lemony fragrance and leaves your skin soft and delicately scented. (P1,245 for 500 ml)

Verbena Harvest Home Perfume

Greeting guests with a mist of fragrance is a Mediterranean tradition, and the perfect way to do it is with this room spray. Verbena’s long-lasting aroma eliminates unpleasant odors and leaves a sparkling-clean ambience in its wake. The engraved bottle’s so beautiful you’ll also want to display it proudly — it’s a lavish little appointment for any home. (P1,195 for 100 ml)

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L’Occitane products are available at Essenses in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Place, Cebu Ayala Town Center, and Rustan’s Gateway.