judyrose

Thanks for your ideas. I'm leaving in a week. Can't wait!

marcy_

I'm hooked on Cr&egrave;me 24, by Molinard. It's made with almond oil and lemon; it smells <b>so</b> good, and is great for dry hands and feet.

Scarlett

Mmm, marcy, that sounds wonderful!
What about Darphin shampoos? Smell great, leave your hair really silky and I cannot find them here in the US.

Therese

Check out Marionnaud, a chain of shops that sells all sorts of cosmetics and skin care stuff. Similar to Sephora. Just look for perfumes that you haven't seen in the U.S.---you can try anything. One perfume that I've not seen here is L'Or by Torrente.

One thing that I find hard to get in the U.S. that French shops have is a sort of lotion that's used for &quot;jambes lourdes&quot;, heavy legs in English. Particularly if you've been walking a lot in a warm climate your legs and feet tend to swell, and these lotions generally contain some menthol and camphor. Very refreshing. Lots of different vendors make these products, the chief difference being the price. I like Lineance product, on sale at both Marionnaud and Monoprix.

Marionnaud always gives you about a bajillion little giveaways---perfume and cosmetic samples, costume jewelry (nice Christmas stocking stuffer if you have a teen daughter).

sfarah

Take a look in Pharmacie Fouh&eacute;ty 26 Rue du Four, Sixth Arr.; 33-1/46-33-20-81. This is the place for 30 percent markdowns on all the products you find in French pharmacies: Phytologie hair products, great baby products, Roc face and hand creams, cool toothbrushes, and great hairbrushes. I love this place and the Phytologie hair products are about 1/2 of the price here in NY. Most French cosmetics and perfumes are available in the States these days but most of the products here are uniquely French. It's right on the corner of Rue Bonaparte just across from Pierre Herme and those wonderful macaroons!

marcy_

Ooooh, I can't wait to go shopping in Paris! ( 28 days, but who's counting?!)
I know I'm going to need that spare tote bag for the trip home!

Scarlett

I love shopping at Pharmacie Fouh&eacute;ty!! I went early in the morning and it was still quite crowded, so do be prepared to squeeze past the ladies with their shopping baskets.
I bought a ton of Roc products that were much less $ than in the US.
also the hair stuff, love that hair stuff

Sherrala

I also vote for Pharmacie Fouhety...and although they're always mobbed, they're helpful. I always go there looking for the face cream that's going to make me look 10 years younger...haven't found it yet, but I'm still hopeful! I didn't find the Roc to be much cheaper (mostly because the dollar is so bad)but other brands definitely are. L'Occitane is definitely less in France than in the US, but I'm not sure that the selection is any better there than here. I buy it at Galeries Lafayette (or Samaritaine), where the selection is smaller, but you can get the 10% discount. Re: Bourjois...I was told it was made by the same people who make the Chanel products. Who knows?

t_racy1402

Another suggestion - Lancome... very good products and one of the top best sellers in Europe! (cosmetic and beauty treatments).

Tracy

jody

I am printing this whole darn thread!

when I come home..with my full carryones...in a week or 2 I'll be the best looking 60 yr old in FL!!

Can't wait to get the Lemon Verbena shower gel!

taggie

Check out Fragonard - they have a shop on Blvd St Germain... fragrances, nice soaps (wrapped in gorgeous coloured tissue) and lots of little things like organdy envelopes, even nice matchboxes. Lovely spot that we happened upon while strolling around.
They also have fragrance museums. Website is www.frangonard.com

Also Diptyque... the candles and some fragrances are available in the US but a shop should be experienced in person. The lightbulb scent rings make a great gift (we gave them to our catsitter) and the packaging/wrapping is beautiful. Also on Blvd St Germain, among other locations http://www.diptyque.tm.fr

I also looooove Annick Goutal - even though it's available in other parts of the world, I still love to buy my fav scent (Eau de Sud)in Paris.

Scarlett

The L'Occitane store (I believe on the Ille St Louis) has some soaps and honey products that I have been unable to find here in the US.
Anick Goutal has a new scent out! Cannot remember the name but I would be on the look out for that~
Mariage Freres used to have different tea scented lotions..that is certainly something you will not find in the US.
I did find Clarins products in all pharmacies at better prices than here..

Now as to the spare tote bag:
Get one at Longchamp! You can go to their own store or at Galleries Lafayette. At GL you can get 10% off with a coupon that your hotel will give you..
Happy shopping!

skatterfly

Scarlett, speaking of Annick Goutal, here in CA the Nordstroms stores are having trouble getting stock on her fragrances because the company has had a bit of trouble shipping lately... apparently the corporate ownership has changed a couple times since her sad death a couple years ago. I'm going to stop by her shop in St Sulpice for my favorite... even though it can be purchased here it always reminds me of Paris.
~k

cigalechanta

All the honey fragrances are here at L'Occitaine . The new Goutal is by her daughter. I posted about it on another thread a few months ago.

ita

if you are going to Fouhertie, rose onagrine lip balm is a good choice for a small, inexpensive gift. I too bought phytologie hair products there and saved money, even with the Canadian exchange rate

PamSF

Well...you can get this stuff in the US but I've only found it at Nordstroms and for considerably more..Dauphin skin care products. I bought them at a drug store on Rue Republique (stocked up for months).Just look for a Dauphin sign in any drug store window. They're wonderful. I agree with the idea to check out Diptyque. While you can get their fragrances at considerably less than in the US, I can't say enough about their votives. OMG..they will run you less than $30 while in the States you are lucky if you can find them for less than $45.They scent our entire home when one is burning. The wrapping job on the packages at Diptyque is worth the stop.(Blvd Ste Germain).

PamSF

Anyone have any idea on the Annick Goutal new fragrance. In years gone by I've worn both Charlotte and Hadrien.

PamSF

Correction that's Darphin.

BTilke

Don't forget, whatever you buy, ask for &quot;echantillons&quot;--free samples. Every place that sells skin care and cosmetics has oodles of them.
Darphin also has a makeup range, although I haven't tried it. Seaderm is another bodycare line, fairly new I think, and they're running a promotion--buy two items and they give you a free candle. Very nice scent.
Fluorocaril makes an excellent toothpaste and their &quot;blancheur durable&quot; toothpaste is the best whitening toothpaste we've ever tried (safe for teeth). The last makeup line I'd recommend checking out is Biotherm. I use their foundation and lipstick. I think it may be available in the U.S. but isn't found easily.

mitchdesj

A stronger, more musky version of Eau d'Hadryen was launched in the fall, les Nuits d'Hadryen, orange colored bottles and I love it; bought it in Paris but available in mtl.....

I find we have all french products here but there is one all purpose cream from Fragonard I never found here &quot;Creme 21&quot;
I had bought it in Grasse at the museum/factory, very rich.