It's kind of a cliché by now, the American in Paris frantically raiding the Paris drugstores of all the miracle French skin creams + potions they can get their hands on, then toting home an entire luggage bag full of just beauty products. It's silly though, because--and full disclosure I fully intend on doing it anyway--you can get just about all of it here in the States without even leaving your house.
Some of my favorite French drugstore products you can find on l'Amazon . . .
Klorane Dry Shampoo - pricey, but lovely.
Bioderma Solution Micellaire - this makeup remover doesn't require rinsing! it's weird + wonderful.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré - ultra moisturizing
Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm - goes on real thick, like a moisturizing lip mask, perfect at bedtime
Now for all you who travel more than me--what are your favorites? Spill it. And if you've come across any products that are legit-style only offered in France, let a girl know so I can nab some!
I want all of these just because they're so pretty.
ReplyDeletexo, Sarah
http://www.sarahhartley.net
I haven't been to France, but my husband went for work last year and I sent a list with him. He stocked up on Roger & Gallet soaps for me, since they are hard to find in the U.S. The carnation scent (Oeillet Mignardise) is especially rare and lovely. And I'm addicted to the Nuxe oil now, too. Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteHomeoplasmine! It's a salve (sold in a tube), great as a primer for the eyes, lips, & face. I also use it to moisturize dry patches of skin (elbow, etc.) t's awesome.
ReplyDeleteWas bemoaning this fact to a friend just the other day, you no longer bring back those brilliant things you can only get in France, Italy wherever, the whole world has become so homogenized........Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse I can't live without but can get round the corner here in London....... Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré I always get from the pharmacy when in France, so cheap, Caudalie is also in the pharmacy and now Avibon is discontinued I ger Pommade Fletagex, less vitamin A but still lovely....... and Toms of Maine toothpaste and deodarant when in USA as they don't export anymore..... oh and I like to pick up some Advil too even though we have perfectly good ibuprofen here!!
ReplyDeleteLove this! the Nuxe reve de miel lip balm is great. the la roche posay effaclar duo is great for blemishes! i could spend all day in a french pharmacy!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if formulas for products sold in France are different than the formulas for products sold in the US--in which case, it's better to get the real thing in France than the US version. This is just a guess based on the fact that the US and France have different standards for chemicals in products--the US, I believe, allows for more of them, which in turn allows manufacturers to make cheaper products here. Guessing, though. Kind of like Cadbury chocolate ... tastes much better when it's purchased in the UK than in the US because it's made with better ingredients!
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! I am French and I use 5 of the 7 products you have listed on a daily basis!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed your time in Paris! I was so bummed out not being able to make it to your meet and greet ... Next time hopefully ;)
I've heard so much good stuff about Bioderma, I have it on my beauty wishlist!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find them the last time I was in Paris, but I LOVE Quickies pads for taking off eye makeup! I found Demaq ones that aren't too bad either--they're great little round pre-soaked pads that they sell in Monoprix and they're the best and easiest thing that I've found to take off eye makeup!
ReplyDeleteNivea, the classic blue tin. The european formulation is very different from what you get in the US. I miss it! AND Vichy lip balm.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Europe for a month and Paris is my last stop (first time to Europe) so all your Paris instagrams and blog posts have been so helpful! Thank you! Especially the what Parisians wear part, hope you dive a little more into that as I'm kind of freaking out about what to take! I'm going for a study abroad and we are told to pack very light, one carryon. Eek! So I'm planning on taking one pair of "le tennis" as they say in French and sandals? Not quite sure yet. Looking forward to more helpful tips from you regarding everything Paris. Looks like you're having a really good time and your photos are getting me so excited. And I loved your feature on design sponge, you're very inspiring Natalie.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been to the New London Pharmacy in New York (in Chelsea)? It's a wonderful little shop specializing in overseas pharmacy finds (mostly from around Europe and Asia). Now that Avibon is out of production, I get my A313 (its close cousin) and Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse there. In all honesty, the number one reason I use the latter is because, man it has a sexy smell.
ReplyDeleteNot a french product but I noticed in your book that youre a fan of batiste dry shampoo and said its hard to come by in the US... well you can stock up when you get to London as its in pretty much every haircare aisle in the country. If in doubt head to Boots x
ReplyDeletekatie@ http://whatyoudoingkatie.blogspot.co.uk
Not a french product but I noticed in your book that youre a fan of batiste dry shampoo and said its hard to come by in the US... well you can stock up when you get to London as its in pretty much every haircare aisle in the country. If in doubt head to Boots x
ReplyDeletekatie@ http://whatyoudoingkatie.blogspot.co.uk
I sadly just moved away from Paris after 3 years and I had to stock up on a few of my favorite french drug store essentials.. First of all (i am sure you know this- but Pharmacy du Four is the grand daddy of French Pharmacies-not recommended for claustrophobics, but it has everything and is slightly discounted I cannot walk out of there without spending a LOT of euros.) I LOVE LOVE LOVE Sanoflore Foaming Face Water- its really the best face wash- light, I cleansing, foamy without stripping skin and smells divine. I really love the Bioderma Micellane wipes. I also love the Sanoflore Essence Merveilleuse which is a divine organic night serum.. really lovely. Anything Cattier is nice- organic and smells great.. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletesame items listed on goop. was hoping for some newbies.
ReplyDelete