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beauty, beauty products, becoming madame, France, French, french culture, French pharmacies, french style, health, healthy living, Life in Paris, lifestyle, Paris, paris life, shopping, Travel
French pharmacies truly are a haven for unique and specialized products. I could spend hours roaming around one of the larger Pharma-pharmacies looking at all the hair care, body, face, nail goods and make-up. Hardly any of them are the same as what is available back home and each year I send a giant care-package to my mom filled to the brim with “products”. (Cosmetic-counter brands of make-up and beauty products are not available at a French pharmacy. You will need to visit Sephora, Galleries Lafayette, Bon Marché or Marionnaud for those.)
One of our newest readers has asked that we continue this series, begun long ago, on la pharmacie française. Dear Anastasia, this is for you.
I am cheating a little, I suppose, by borrowing from a beauty expert, Lisa Eldridge, who runs a wonderful blog and Youtube site along with her regular activities as a celebrity make-up artist. I just so happen to come across a video the other day that she did on her absolute must-haves from a French pharmacy. (How can I resist?)
To be honest, I don’t wear a lot of make-up, but when I do I almost always take a peek at Lisa’s site for some guidance on new ideas, proper application, methods, and so on. She’s truly fabulous and remarkably easy to follow.
Lisa now lives in London, but years ago she lived 
in Paris for a spell and every time she returns for a photo shoot she cannot leave without stopping by a French pharmacy to stock up on her favorites (and to see what’s new!).
Here is her very thorough video on the treasures she loves and uses from a French pharmacy.
A lot of French pharmacy brands are available from www.leguidesante.co.uk.
(And if there’s something you really want and can’t find online, shoot me a line and I’ll send it to you!)
Thank you for posting this, I hadn’t come across Lisa Eldridge but I will be checking out her videos! I am very much with her on browsing pharmacies. Even when it isn’t the lovely, wooden fronted shops with etched glass windows and ambience; supermarkets like Cora in Reims acted as my introduction to Caudalie and Nuxe. A wealth of wonderful skin care products!
So true! I have recently gone from an American skin care products line to La Roche-Posay and am thoroughly happy. I didn’t know that much about it before moving here but have since introduced it to everyone back home. Thanks for your comment! Take care.
I fondly recall “Le Drugstore” on the Champs-Elysées. Is it still there?
Hi Annie, there are a few Drugstores on the Champs, one not too far from the Arc de Triomphe, but I’m not sure which one you’re thinking of. Next time I’m over that way I’ll take a look and let you know. I usually just go to my neighborhood pharmacie. Take care.
Oui! The one near the Arc de Triomphe!
I love Lisa’s “how to get the pin-up look tutorial”! I’m like you… I practically live at the pharmacy here (in Spain though…we get a lot of the French products here, thank goodness!!), and most of girls behind the counter already know me. This week, I trotted over to buy Castor oil (used as make-up remover, anti-wrinkle serum, and I even pour some into my shampoo to get shiny hair without having to use conditioner…) and they ended up giving me a liter of it (probably to keep me away? haha). I always go back to check out other available products. I especially love the natural skin and hair products. And I love Vichy’s facial sunscreen! It’s very light and non-greasy.
Hi Michi! Castor Oil – that’s interesting. I’d heard of it being used for stomach issues and things like that but never as a beauty product. Interesting. I’ll have to look that up. Are there any Spanish prodcuts that you really enjoy? I’m currently trying out the Bioderma 50+ sunscreen, also non-greasy, and so far I’m a big fan. Take care!
Congratulations! Yous news are interesting , with a good documentation.
A appreciate the post about “Pharmacie” and beauty!
Bravo! and Tank You!
Evelyne
Thank you, Evelyne!
As someone who has recently moved to France I enjoy reading your posts about your Parisian life. I should to nominate you for the ‘One Lovely Blog’ award.
http://frenchpaintings.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/one-lovely-blog-award/
Thank you kindly! Congratulations on the award!!
I recently discovered Lisa Eldridge and have found her recommendations on products for skin hygiene spot on. I have been using soap and water for my face…I know, not good…and now I am using the Bioderma Crealine and some other products mentioned on other videos of hers. Love love love the Crealine. It is amazing!!! No oiliness, very fresh and gets everything off. Bye-bye soap and water! Anyway, thanks for the post on her.
Thank you for the dedicated post! I am no less than obsessed with these videos. Lisa is so lovely and gives amazing tips. Looking forward to building my (very minimal) makeup collection and learning how to contour like a pro.
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