A Guide to the Best of Southern California : BROWSING : Mother Country

The French know beauty. And it shows at L’Herbier de Provence, a 500-square-foot cornucopia of imported cosmetics and toiletries in Costa Mesa’s enclave of personal indulgence--South Coast Plaza.

All of the L’Herbier products contain ingredients--plant extracts--that are indigenous to the south of France.

“We have a tapestry of color, cultures and plants that American women are comfortable with,” says Dona Barlow, director of sales for the company. Among the skin-care potions are a carrot cleanser with beta carotene and Vitamin A; a geranium moisturizer; a cucumber cleanser for oily skin, and a forget-me-not eye-gel cream.

The department-store consumer accustomed to paying as much as $70 for moisturizer alone can pick up soap, talc powder, bubble bath, moisturizer and eau de toilette for about that same $70.

In addition to the skin- and body-care lines, L’Herbier de Provence stocks dried flowers, potpourri, scents and oils, books, accessories and herbs and spices. Hint: Mother’s Day is next Sunday.

L’Herbier de Provence, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; (714) 435-1630.