La French Pharmacy
Beauty is one of my values. I love indulging in a bit of luxury, whether it’s an intoxicating perfume, or rich face cream. When I was planning my last trip to France, I did so much research on the best products to bring back, and lucky for you, I’m eager to share.
French pharmacies are not all the same. The CityPharma on Rue du Four in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is where to go. I ignored the advice to GO EARLY, and immediately regretted it. As someone who’s done Black Friday shopping in the States, I can easily say this is much more intense. All the beautiful Parisiennes know that this is the spot, so go on a weekday, or very early if you’d like to peruse in leisure. The sales associates are very helpful, so have your list ready.
Below I share what to buy, and what to skip. These products make great gifts to bring back to your loved ones, or hoard for yourself. If you aren’t visiting France anytime soon, most of these items can be found online (at a higher price point).
What I Wish I Bought Ten Of
Biafine is technically for healing burns, or applying after sun, but this stuff is so good. It comes in the chicest tube, has a light consistency, and smells delicately like orange blossoms - my favourite! Definitely stock up, the price is right, and I could put this $hit on everything.
Golden Goddess Essentials
This is what I smell like all summer long. You can use this multi-purpose oil on your hair, body, or as a fragrance. It smells warm and vanilla-y, but not cloying or sweet. Ultra sexy! I use it all over myself in summer, and as perfume in the winter to remind me of sunshine.
I also grabbed their honey lip balm - it has a super thick texture, is ultra nourishing.
**Shopper’s Drug Mart carries this brand :)
The Dark Horse Purchases
Kneipp is not French, but a fab German brand that carries the best bath supplies. I bought a bunch of their “sparkling bath tablets”, and could have bought a million more.
Their Eucalyptus Bath Oil is also incredible. Pro tip - stock up as soon as you arrive to enjoy these luxuries in the chic hotel bath, and then you can re-stock on favourites before you fly home.
You’ll Want the Biggest Size
I’m a dry girl, so I gravitate to hydration whenever I can. Avène’s Eau Thermale is a classic, which I spray after cleansing and before moisturizing to add an extra bonus layer of love. In the summer I’ll store it in the fridge for even more cooling action. A great dupe for this product is Evian’s Mineral Mist.
**You can find this brand at Shopper’s Drug Mart
For the Most Kissable Lips
Lip balms are an inexpensive way to dive into French beauty. There were a ton of options to try, but this one by SVR has to be my favourite. It’s nourishing without being tacky, and has the chicest packaging. It’s also angled, to make application sexy, and non-chalant.
How to Smell French
Everyone smelled SO GOOD in France, that I had to join in on the fun. I was on the hunt for a new fragrance, and found my signature scent a few doors down from CityPharma. It smells incredibly sexy, and transports me back to Paris every time I wear it.
Would highly recommend purchasing your French it-girl perfume to bring that vibe back into your everyday.
Things I Bought But Didn’t Love
Caudalie Eau De Beauté - a cult favourite and available for purchase @ Sephora, but I do not understand the hype, especially for the price. Trader Joe’s Rose Water Spray is million times better, and much more budget-friendly.
Embryolisse’s Lait- Crème Concentré - a make-up artist used this on me, and I was so excited to get my hands on it, however, I was underwhelmed. It’s touted as a hydrating cream, make-up base, and hydrating mask, but I prefer to use (Canadian brand) Jamieson’s Vitamin E cream for even deeper moisture. You can apply as thick of a layer as you want, and soak in all the goodness.
La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplat Baume B5 - this came highly rated, but was just okay, and smelled like plasticine :(. If you’re looking for a soothing and repairing balm, my favourite is Mustela’s Nourishing Cream with Cold Cream. So deeply soothing! You can find it online, and in some drugstores.