itâs time for a #beautytalk â but a Parisian version!
what better way to start the new year with one of my favorite topics? SKINCARE! and hey, any chance to re-live the Europe trip right? french pharmacies are on almost every corner in France noted by a green cross. it was something i was really looking forward to since pharmacies in France are actually stocked with skincare in various price ranges. so not what you would typically think. in these pharmacies youâll find crammed aisle after aisle of beauty products along with typical homeopathic medicines as well. letâs just say, as a skincare addict, i could spend hours looking at every product, -ooohing and ahhingg. unfortunately, they would probably kick me out and i didnât have the luxury of time on my side. so i had to find the âmust-haveâ products to lug home with me (in my non-existent check in luggage) = PP (poor planning).
in some quick google searches i made a list of a couple of things to look for. while you can buy pretty much anything online these days, youâll be paying a premium here in the states. and hey i was in Paris so what the heck. tips & list of items i purchased after the jump.
side ramblings: itâs hard to believe that weâre in 2023 already. i started off this year with a new annual tradition of going to the crystal store for some healing stones. itâs always a fun trip and i learn more each time && even if youâre not super spiritual, the stones always make great decor pieces! with an intentional year ahead, i created/decorated a memory box and plan to putting random things in it that are associated with a milestone or memory (ex: a receipt to a memorable meal, hotel key to a place i traveled to). itâll be a good exercise to reflect on at the end of 2023. i also plan on creating a vision board in canva, and maybe a list of INs and OUTs. iâm not really a big new year kinda person. but idk, this one feels different and it canât hurt to be more intentional and vision-focused. i wish you health and happiness in 2023!
currently on my playlist: vienna by Gretta Ray
tips //
take screenshots of the actual products youâre looking for. itâll be easier when youâre asking for help locating something particular â also helps you get in and out faster because they can get crowded depending on location.
if you see something go ahead and purchase it then vs. waiting because you might not see it again. all pharmacies stock very different brands & items.
if someone asks you if you need help, take it! the associates are supposed to be very knowledgeable but unfortunately i was on such a time crunch each time so didnât get to do this đ
some items are located behind the counter, so these are where the screenshots come in handy!
if youâre out of luggage space (also needs to be a check in for most items) go with beauty products you canât readily get in the states. i put an * on the ones that you canât really find here in the USA.
and as always, before you use a new product, test it on a small part of your skin before going full-on!! everyoneâs skin is different and reacts to different things!
the conversion from USD to EUR was almost 1.00 when i was there AND it makes it easy to calculate the âcost-savingsâ below. so really it depends on the product. sometimes the cost-savings isnât that much for you to lug home, esp if you can find it in the states. but sometimes the cost-savings is half price⌠which then⌠you just gotta get it! gotta prioritize on the skincare haul đ
le list //
01. Biologique Recherche P50W lotion* â $138.00 USD // 62.00 EUR
this is supposed to be a very iconic Parisian brand. known for their P50 lotion, a lotion that is supposed to exfoliate, mattify, and purify your skin. iâve never heard of tried it. in fact, i couldnât find it at a french pharamacie but ended up finding it in Le Bon Marche (department store). i purchased the P50W for sensitive skin, the regular/original version is P50. i also heard this stuff smells slightly funky so thatâll be interesting.
02. Biafane* â ?? canât find this on Amazon // guessing 9.00 EUR
this is a moisturizer in a metal tube used for post-chemical peel, sunburns, and general dryness. itâs almost an all-in-one cream equivalent of Aquaphor thatâs been around since the 70s.
03. Embryolisse lait-creme concentre â $29.00 USD // 13.99 EUR
also another moisturizer for all-skin types. i read that a lot of make-up artists use this cream. itâs another one of those multi-tasking products: moisturizer, makeup primer, makeup remover, moisturizing mask.
04. Homeoplasmine* â $16.99 USD // guessing 7.00 EUR
this is an ointment that is supposed to help with skin irritations such as when you blow your nose too much. itâs also used on dry lips. basically the equivalent to vaseline in a metal tube. apparently people use it to tame their brows too!
05. Filorga time filler eyes â $59.00 USD // guessing 45.00 EUR
i picked this up specifically for the puffy eyes target. i feel like my under eyes have gotten puffier over the years so weâll see if this stuff works! pretty clunky packaging for eye cream IMO though.
06. Caudalie resveratrol-lift serum â $84.00 USD // 44.90 EUR
Caudalie was my first brand intro to premium skincare when i was in my early twenties. it started with the SOS serum (sadly, they no longer make this). Caudalie makes some amazing products so this was the chance to try them for more age-related skincare concerns such as the resveratol-life serum. you can also purchase it as a set to try here!
07. Caudalie premier cru serum â $139.00 USD // 79.90 EUR
iâve tried samples of the caudalie premier line and itâs NICE. so this was the perfect opportunity to bring a bottle of the premier cru home with me at HALF the price!
08. VICHY mineral 89 daily booster serum â $32.99 USD// 17.99 EUR
this is a pretty mainstream brand you can find at Target (letâs give it up for Target who has come a longgg way in beauty/skincare brands). however the price was too good not to lug home to try. apparently thereâs an eye serum too that could be a light daytime option!
09. Arnican* â ?? canât find this on Amazon // guessing 6.00 EUR
arnica is a herb that treats bruises. this is a roll on and pocket size! itâs supposed to cut down the coloration time of bruises due to the anti-inflammatory component. i have used a similar Chinese medicine based one so i believe this stuff really works. great for those that are prone to bruises!
10. Avene eau thermale â $18.00 USD // guessing 10.00 EUR
there are a lot of facial sprays and mists out there. and tbh, facial sprays really arenât necessary if youâre starting on your skincare journey. you should invest in more solid skincare products than a mist, this one should be last on your list! however, when youâre at a place and misting yourself this one is special since it uses thermal spring water (contains natural minerals) #mistyourself
11. La Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5 â $17.69 USD // 6.99 EUR
this is another multi-purpose cream for dry and irritated skin. fragrance and paraben free. iâve also been using their gentle hydrating cleanser in the AM (milky side) and love it!
*not readily available in the USA
catch you at the next #beautychat!,
JD