Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Help! What do I need from France that I haven't already tried?

As usual, I have left important decision making until the last minute. My parents are returning from France this weekend and I need to put my order in now for any beauty related items. My mind is drawing a complete blank though.

Last year when I was on holiday, I bought the following items: Bioderma face wipes, Bioderma Crealine Cleansing Water, Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré, Gemey Eye makeup remover, Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, Sanoflore 24H Sans Concession Deodorant, MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara, BcomBio Organic Intense Triple Action Eye Contour, Mavala Nail Polish Remover and Avibon Vitamin A Pommade.

French haul2

I used up the Bioderma face wipes, Klorane dry shampoo and Mavala polish remover all quite quickly. Both the Klorane dry shampoo and Mavala are worthy of re-purchasing but you can buy both of these in the UK and I know that I can purchase the nail polish remover in a larger size online. The deodorant, MUFE mascara and Avibon ointment are things I wouldn't purchase again, so they are instantly off my list.

I've recently finished off the Bioderma micellar water and Gemey eye makeup remover. I loved the Gemey remover as it's really gentle and feels very much like a cleansing water. However, I bought this in duplicate so I don't need a replacement for it yet. I'm a bit more ambivalent about the Bioderma. It's ok for cleansing when you're feeling lazy but I always have to wash my face after I've used it as I dislike the sticky feel. It is great for touch ups but I do wonder whether it would be worth trying different micellar water cleansers? I do have the travel size bottle left too.

I rate both the Embryolisse cream and the BcomBio eye serum and think these were my best pharmacie purchases. I've not run out of either of these yet and I don't feel I need backups at the moment. If only the Embroylisse contained an SPF, it would instantly be re-purchase worthy.

What french fancies am I forgetting? I'm sure there must be an important must-have or two that I have missed? I am particular interested in skincare items but my Mum should have opportunity to go into Sephora at Cite Europe, so makeup is a possibility too.

Thank you in advance for your help!
Posted by Unknown at 22:23
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27 comments:

  1. Renata25 July 2012 at 23:30

    Caron powders! Take a look at Café Makeup, there's an excelent review and they have an adress for their boutique.
    These powders are rated 4.9 at makeupalley :O

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:10

      Thanks for the recommendation Renata. Unfortunately my Mum isn't visiting Paris and I'm pretty sure the boutique is only in Paris? I have a feeling I once spotted an online retailer in the UK which stocked Caron, I must check and see if they carry the powders.

      Delete
  2. Elysse26 July 2012 at 02:18

    The famour OPI black spotted nail polish that is exclusive to France perhaps?

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:11

      Hi Elysse, I can't tell if you're pulling my leg or not. Is there really a black spotted OPI?

      Delete
    2. smugnificent26 July 2012 at 22:59

      it is true, it is a special effects nail polish, part of Spiderman collection but exclusive in Sephora stores in France

      Delete
  3. Beauty Box26 July 2012 at 02:47

    I think if you are concerned about breakouts, La Roche Posay's Effaclar Duo or Effaclar K are excellent choices to prevent clogged pores.

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:13

      Thanks BB. I have bought from the Effaclar range before in the UK. I will have to get my Mum to check whether the prices are still the same here as they are in France.

      Delete
  4. Claire26 July 2012 at 06:15

    Looking forward to the comments on this as we are off to France in a couple of weeks. Despite numerous trips over I have never once gone on a beauty buying spree.

    Have you read the GOOP post on French pharmacy buys of the Lisa Eldridge one?

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:20

      Hi Claire. You absolutely must spend some time in a French pharmacy. Only then will you get a real idea about how seriously the french women treat looking after their skin (and health for that matter).

      I read the GOOP post before I visited my parents last year and that's how I came to add the Avibon and Klorane to my list. Many of the other brands she mentioned (Nuxe, Biotherm, Caudalie and Decleor) cost pretty much the same in the UK as they do in France.

      I will definitely have a look at Lisa Eldrige's recommendations, thank you!

      Delete
  5. Natalie26 July 2012 at 06:26

    I do love the Nuxe 3 Roses Micellar Water, maybe that would be worth looking into? T. Leclerc powders are also lovely. Hmm, that's all I can think of right now as its been a couple years since my last trip to France... I also adored the pretty odds and ends you can find, such as soaps, but that is not brand specific so Nuxe and T. Leclerc are all I can suggest at the momen!

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:23

      Thanks Natalie. I agree that the odds and ends, such as shower gels and soaps are lovely to pick up over there. My Mum is terrible if I don't give her specifics though!

      I'll have a look into the T.Leclerc powders as they're not something I know about. Thank you for the recommendations :)

      Delete
  6. Anonymous26 July 2012 at 08:22

    I can recommend the Caudalie micellar water, which I like a lot more than the Bioderma one.
    And Le Petit Marsellais (in supermarkets) have great shower gels. My alltime favourite is Verveine Citron - we've been using it for years and it smells divine.

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:25

      Oh, thank you so much for reminding me about Le Petit Marsellais. I used to live in Marseille and I loved the LPM shower gels. I will definitely ask my Mum to get me some as I know they will induce some happy memories!

      Delete
  7. Delicate Hummingbird26 July 2012 at 10:23

    i second on Caron Powders! it's also my next France-lemming ;)

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:29

      Thanks DH! As I mentioned to Renata, I'm sure I spotted an e-tailer that stocks Caron in the UK. I will have to investigate and report back if they carry the powders. Unfortunately, my Mum isn't going to be stopping in Paris, so she's unlikely to be able to get hold of them for me :(

      Delete
  8. Nina26 July 2012 at 13:42

    I concur with the Nuxe - the Huile and anything else! Have you tried Homeoplasmine? It is one of those good-for-everything creams. The Goop list and Lisa Eldridge's are very good resources. ALso, City Pharma on Rue de Four has the best prices but it is always insanely crowded. Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:32

      Thanks Nina. I read the Goop list last year when I was doing the research for my holiday but I haven't seen Lisa's recommendations. I will definitely have a look at that. My Mum is travelling back from rural France and won't be going to Paris, so my choices are restricted to items from Sephora or the big pharmacy in Calais. I have heard stories about the Pharma on Rue de Four before and believe it's a makeup artists favourite!

      Delete
  9. TheKindlyOne26 July 2012 at 13:53

    You could try Embryolisse's rich moisturizer for winter. As far as micellar solutions go, I'd love if you tried and reviewed the new one by Boots.

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:34

      Oh, which Boots water is this? Is it No.7 or Boots label? Let me know which one it is and I'll gladly give it a spin for review.

      Delete
  10. Ally@AestheticLA26 July 2012 at 22:25

    This coincides with my own thinking lately. I'm heading to Spain in October and exploring items to get while over there (and can bring back!).

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    1. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:45

      I hope you get some inspiration Ally! Apparently Helena Rubinstein mascaras are very good and I know you can pick them up easily in Spain. I think Natura Bisse is a Spanish brand. It's extremely expensive in the UK but I'm not sure if it's cheaper over there, maybe something to investigate?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 July 2012 at 08:16

      Natura Bisse is an spanish brand,from Barcelona, but it is also outrageously expensive here as well. You can find better deals buying online...There are good deals on Helena Rubinsteins's products in Perfumerias Primor, you can find stores in Madrid and the south of Spain, it's worth check it there are good deals in high end brands.

      I can't help with french brands, there are no little secrets anymore : ) I can find most of french brands here in Spain but I buy them online on french pharmacies because is cheaper and shipping costs are getting lower. Have you try Ducray brand? it's in the same company as Klorane and Avene, the make nice moisturizers for dry skin (Ictyane), shampoos (cheaper than Kloranes) and sun screen...Aderma and Galenic are also from the same company, Aderma has nice shower gels and Galenic is more high end than Avene...

      Delete
    3. Ally@AestheticLA@gmail.com28 July 2012 at 19:36

      Thank you so much for the recommendations, ladies!

      Delete
  11. Unknown26 July 2012 at 22:36

    I know it isn't trendy these days, but I do love a traditional bar of soap. I'll get my Mum to have a look for it. Merci :)

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  12. Dija26 July 2012 at 22:38

    For a quick mask when you don't want to get out the big boys - Dermagor is a fantastic brand. I use their Matiderm mask which they say is for oily skin, but any combination skin types can use too. Its mid deep cleansing so a good one to draw everyday impurities out. Dija x

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  13. Anonymous28 July 2012 at 10:42

    I like the micellar water from absolution and the melvita and cattier ones are good too. Also, creme caroline from doux me! Laura

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  14. Oliviadarling29 July 2012 at 16:37

    The sephora adjustable sunscreen, I always have it in my bag!

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