Already seen the Eiffel tower? Then go to Paris for the pharmacies.

She has seen it now - what next?

I am going to be very controversial for a few of you and then there will be those who will be high fiveing me cyber-spacially.  
But I am not that crazy about Paris. 

Anymore that is. (Gasps, I hear?) 
 

We all have different experiences of any place right? 

I loved it when I was 17.
Mind you I loved Renoir then as well. 

Things change.

Pun very much intended.
( To any Parisian readers, I apologize and I am sure you are the exception.)


In my teens, I used to dream about being a skinny, chain smoking,  snooty lady sporting an age inappropriate hairstyle and no makeup like some Parisian women.

Exhibit A of a chic Parisian woman

Baah non? They can't be real. ( Exhibit B )

But after you have been there a good several times, you realize it is a city for geared for tourists or die hard Parisians; 

but even tourists can find it boring sometimes.

Recent Paris Fashion week.
Come on Kayne, if you can pretend to like Kim - you can pretend to like Paris.

Paris is also for French people who can not be bothered to learn another language. 

Even zough we are meant to be zee best and zee brightest persons of la France, 
we both don't speak zee English - we hate each other but let's shake on that.

It is crowded and this is from someone who grew up in a city of ten million people.  The streets in the Latin Quarter and Le Marais were just not made for hundreds of thousands of people ambling about on Saturday afternoons. 

Champs Elysees.  
( OK, I cheated a little - there was a strike. 
The French are really good at that. )

But for me with the crowds, the attitude, the faded glory of the French empire, and globalization - there is just no need to go to the city unless you want great value cosmetics and first aid kits.

On every street corner - you can't miss it.

I have to hand it to them - they do great pharmacy products.   

The best. 
 I have tried many different lotions and potions from so many countries.  They are of such great quality that they would not be amiss in any department store and the price points are that of a generic drugstore brand.  

Even ordering on line is easy to do.  Depending on where you live - going on the Eurostar for the day might work out almost cheaper.  Most companies will add a bit extra to the price plus there is the postage.  If you go to Paris, you can go by several pharmacies and see which items might be on sale and get a few extra samples.

This is my list of must haves if you want to buy online or put on your list next time you go to Paris.

1) Marvis Toothpaste 

click for link

The best tasting toothpaste out there unless you like chalky, burning, caustic "mint" used in normal toothpastes.

Cinnamon Mint, Aquatic mint, Ginger mint - Yummy

There is also licorice and jasmine mint.  They have unusual flavours that are gentle and make brushing your teeth so enjoyable.  The toothpastes aren't any better perse but they just taste better so then you brush your teeth for longer which is better for you.

2) Bioderma Eye makeup remover

click for link

Simply one of the best eye makeup removers around.  I get both types. One regular and one for extra dry skin.  I wear contact lenses and have dry skin anyway so I tend to swap between the two.

Right one is for very dry skin - Tres seches means very dry.

Just get a cotton wipe and a gentle swipe will suffice. No pulling or rubbing around the delicate eye area.  When I run out - I literally stop using mascara because nothing else does the job like this.

3) Homeoplasmine

click for link

This is the French equivalent of the famous
 Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream.

I prefer this to the 8 hour cream.  This one works a treat for chapped skin and minor abrasions.  I always make sure it is on hand in the winter for noses that get very sore, red, and chapped due to a cold and the weather change.  
In the summer, I use for minor sunburn.  It also makes a great overnight lip and cuticle treatment.  But please don't use around the eye area because you could get milia.  Also, due to its weight it will sag around the delicate eye area.

4) Avibon
click for link

This is a Vitamin A cream - retinol palmitate.

This is the one cream that is proven to be an anti-wrinkle cream.  
It reverses some forms of sun damage.  
I tend to use this during the winter months to eradicate as many freckles as possible.  I don't waste my money on super duper expensive moisturizers - I just add this to my moisturizers.  But do not use if you have an allergy to lanolin or are pregnant.  Also,if you are using this intensively, do remember to use a sunscreen.  

I sound really calm about this but honestly, amazing.

5) Embroylisse - 24 Hour Miracle cream

click for link

This cream is really difficult to explain.  It is super versatile!

It is a moisturizer, primer, cleanser, and soothing mask. 

A lot of make up artists use this as a primer and also as a mask to soothe skin.  I use it as a cleanser in the middle of winter or when the skin is fragile.  It is just a must have in your make up bag because you will find a use that suits your skin type.    

This cream is not always displayed on the shelves and you will have to ask the pharmacist and ask for it as they stock it behind the counter.

6) Z Gel
click for link
 

Via

 This is part beauty and part first aid kit material. 
This is my desert island item.
I would rather be without Dettol than this.
It moisturizes and heals. 
It contains arnica, calendula, and Bach flower essences in a base of aloe vera gel.  

 One more tip - if you can try not to do last minute shopping by the Eurostar Gare du Nord train station because they tend to charge a bit more as they know that there are procrastinators out there. 

They also tend to have sold out of the eye makeup remover.  Speaking from experience so there you go.

Bonne cosmetique!  

That makes no sense at all in any language but you get my drift.