F. Scott Fitz. was an author, not an authority, my dear. There are plenty of quotes from novels to suit any situation. Some of us, especially from here in Southern California are naturally beautiful and don't need makeup, like alot of shriveled up Easterners.

The International Plaza in Tampa carries L'Occitane but would recommend the trip to Europe to purchase it. <BR><BR>Love the beth o'hater.....just a lonely sole with no one to share life with. I suppose it's tough at the top with no friends. <BR>

LOL, the one about Southern California being full of beauties really gives me a good laugh, Thank you.<BR>As a former Californian, I remember what those beauties look like, pulled,stretched, siliconed,lasered,plugged, and those are just the men! Hahaha~<BR>as a matter of fact, women in the Northeast have a little better chance of better skin,because of slightly less sun exposure,and the moisture in the air that keeps skin softer.On the other hand, it has a lot to do with genetics, some people are just born with good looks.And some people never get over the fact that some people look better than they do.Thus,nasty uglies on these threads.<BR><BR> .

Kate, I never said that the London hairstylist was such a secret that no one knew his name. I said his name escaped me for a minute, and I meant that he was "exclusive" and did not take on new clients. I remember his name now but it doesn't matter because you couldn't have your hair done by him anyway. My friend said his salon has a unlisted number and clients who give it out can be banned. More's the pity.

Oh, I almost forgot. Why is everyone ga-ga over L'Octaine? They sell it at the mall near my house. It is very ubiquitous, hardly exclusive.

JohnG-I know <BR>I just thought it was funny that he was so exclusive that he is a big secret! But that's ok, I am quite happy with the salon I go to in NYC which is plenty exclusive enough for me~

L'Occitane may be sold in malls but that doesn't mean it isn't good.This thread isn't about exclusivity, just sharing products that we like.

Thanks Beth, this has turned into a fun thread and you are one Great Good sport.<BR>Now I want to add: Moulton Brown's on Moulton St.

mimi~that's it!! Moulton Brown..cool

Sorry, C, but since this is the Europe board, I thought we were talking about cosmetic products that we purchase or can only get in Europe. Just nail me to a cross already and take away my Prozac.

LOL, John you are soooo dramatic! such a card~C

Ummmmm....sorry to show my ignorance, but what exactly is L'Occitane? From reading the thread, it sounds like lotions?<BR><BR>I'm one of those people who probably doesn't pay enough attention to cosmetics but if what ever L'Occitane is is that great, guess I better look for it next month in Paris. (Or at home in my local mall. :^)

L'occitane is a French line of fragrances, lotions, body gels, candles, soaps, etc--all things that smell good!<BR><BR>While you can buy this line in the States, the prices and selection are better in France. The Place des Vosges store is especially wonderful.<BR><BR><BR>

If this topic was restricted to products that could ONLY be purchased in Europe, it would be a very brief discussion! Between Sephora, skin care salons, day spas, and on-line sources, there are extremely few European products around these days that you can't locate in the States. And if you can't get them now, you probably will within a year. A lot of products available in the U.S. are cheaper in Europe, however. I prefer the Babor (German) and Sothys (French) lines. They are found at salons across the U.S. (and I think the Chicago Sephora sells Babor), but cost about 50% less here in Europe. (Finding Babor products in France is MUCH tougher than finding them in the U.S.). OTOH, many American products are much sought after in Europe--BCBGs shopping at the trendy Colette's store in Paris snap up the Bumble+Bumble products. For every American stocking up on European hair care products on their travels overseas, there's a European buying up Redken, John Mitchell, and other U.S. lines on THEIR visits to the States! The grass certainly is greener...<BR>

It's fun to buy cosmetics in Europe for the souvenir value, but the selection is really better in the USA and cheaper, too.

No kidding,BTilke?? Bumble & Bumble are coveted in Europe?? I can walk down the street and get all you want Funny,here I just want to walk down the street in London or Paris or Rome and do my shopping and someone would like to do the same in my neighborhood..<BR>Re'Occitane..aside from being lotions and creams, they have soap and lip balms that are good enough for children to use,gentle on skin.There are L'Occitane stores all over NY but I guess your better malls are carrying them too.These days Ivory or Palmolive must be really getting a run for their money with people being able to buy imported fine soaps and products for the bath. <BR>Re: exclusivity-that is becoming an out of date word these days, since one can just about get anything from anywhere,it is harder to find products that only a few priveledged people can find/afforrd.. these days products are available to everyone.

Are there any L'Occitane boutiques in London?

L'Occitane can be found in London.Not quite sure which streets, do a search for that.<BR>They have little shops all over..very pleasant to go into , they smell wonderful and there are all the bottles to test lotions etc.

Regent Street has a shop and you can go to www.occitane.com/uk for more info

Re: Bumble and Bumble - I know it's ubiquitous in many parts of the US, but I would pay almost anything (except the international shipping prices I've been quoted!) if I could get it here in London, so be happy if you've got it near you.<BR><BR>Sorry to lower the tone of this thread, dahlings, but I'd like to put in a recommendation for the Kolor brand of cosmetics, found exclusively in Superdrug. Yes, I know, but it's one of the few lines I can afford to buy a lot of on my academic's salary. They have lots of cute fun colours of eyeshadow, lipstick and lipgloss, in tiny containers, for just over a pound each - good for the pocketbook and for light packers.<BR><BR>I know there's a considerable subtext on this board that I and other posters who only stick their heads in here occasionally can't hope to understand, so I don't really want to comment on what some of the regular posters have been saying about each other here. But it is a bit disheartening to come across what looks like a fun and promising thread, only to find it cluttered with a lot of sniping. Perhaps someone should start a sniping thread, and comments can be redirected there?