Does anyone have a favorite French cosmetic?
 

I was wondering if there is a favorite cosmetic that is not available in the US that would make a nice gift.

judyrose

I quite like YSL (Yves St Laurent) - would recommend Touche Eclat, a very good concealer/reflector which can be used under the eyes or around the mouth. Many of the top models use this product. Their foundation is also very good. What gift did you have in mind?

Tracy, England

I like Clinique a lot, but I suppose that you have that in the US as well. How about T. Leclerc (is it French? it sounds so). Or L'Occitane. Traditional products with Marseille soap. Make a wonderful gift.

bourjois line is now available at Sephora and Macy's but less expensive there and not widely available here.

We have L'Occitane in selected malls in the States. Do they have more extensive selections in Paris?

h2babe, We have L'Occitaine here in Boston on the main shopping street(Newbury) and in th Malls.

Cigalechanta-

Yes, I have seen the stores here as well. I'm going to Paris in 3 wks (but I've never been before) and am trying to have an idea of what kind of nice gifts I could purchase for my mom and sis. Since I'll be there for a few days, I'd like to have an idea of what to look for and where.

I sort of expect that maybe I could look into fave French brands that may not be available in the US just as the question posted above, or maybe brands that we could find here but they have different selections over there which sometimes happens. Any ideas?

Monoprix is inexpensive and have brands unavailable here. Also go to bonjourparis.com and ask, I have a few on-line friends who live there and a few who lived there now back who are shoppers or know where to go.
Have a wonderful time. You'll be happy.

I always bring home tubes of hand cream from Olivier& Co. Wonderful stuff! A shop just opened here in Winter Park that sells most of the O&Co products but they are still less expensive in Paris.

jody, we have one here, they are owned also by L'Occitaine and as you say, she'll find a wider range of products there.

I don't think I have a favorite, I like a couple French lines, but any good French cosmetic line is available in the US that I know of. Bourjois is readily available online or at the many US Sephora stores, but I don't really think it's that good a cosmetic line, myself. It's too highly pigmented and is more for a younger age set for that reason. I think Maybelline makes better mascara than they do, for one thing.

I do think they have great packaging, however, as do some other cheap French/European cosmetics. I think that is their forte, rather than the actual product.

Christina is right about Maaybelline, no one in any price range is as good, as their mascara. Occasionally, I have splurged on a high priced brands and have been disappointed. But if they wear powder or foundation, I'll second the T. LeClerc.

I bought a body lotion, label Payot, at Samaritaine dept store when I ran out on my trip. At home, the scent always reminds me of Paris!

Yep, but I'm not telling:)

Cigalechanta, Christina, Jody, Suze -

Thanks for the tips, I'd definitely keep my eyes open for the brands you mentioned above. With only 3 days in Paris, this would help me narrow my options down!

L'Oreal - its is the Parent Company of many far more expensive brands ! And I'm only a boy (with ageing skin).

Thanks SidneySteve :)

There are of course some Chanel perfumes that do not sell outside of France usually - I think they have one-eigth oz bottles there is a Russian and a few others, not like 5, 19 etc, rather unique.

I love Le Petit Marseillais bath and shower products. They're inexpensive (products retail at a couple of euros), on sale in all supermarkets, but their Lemon verbena shower gel smells delicious and is really kind to skin.

Another option would be to check out the "Parashop" chain, which stocks a wide range of skincare products (not so much makeup, though - they also sell other healthcare products). They sell a fabulous range of products made from organic essential oils, called Sanoflore, which includes gorgeous rose or orange flower water misting sprays.

You could also look for Roger & Gallet soaps, colognes and shower products which make lovely gifts, although perhaps these are available in the US too? I'm based in France so I have no idea what products are available elsewhere...

From the cheaper make-up brands I always take Bourjois (except for the mascara, Great Lash Mascara can't be beaten for that price), because it comes from the same laboratories as far more up-market Clinique.