I'll be in Paris & London soon for the first time. Do any of you have any favorite bath or beauty products that you purchase when you go to London or Paris?? Anything really wonderful that you stock up on when in Europe?? I love my baths -- interested in wonderful bath products, soaps, etc... Also I have heard that in Paris cosmetics such as Lancome, Chanel, etc.. are about half of what we pay here in the USA.

London: Boots own brand of cosmetics. They have several different types; my sister swears by #7. Harrad's had a green tea body lotion about a year ago; I bought two bottles, but haven't been <BR>back to see if they still carry it. <BR> <BR>Paris: Face creams! I've bought different brands in pharmacies, Monoprix, Galeries Lafayette, and they've all been wonderful; Neutrogena face makeup; lipstick from Monoprix. Look for new perfumes not yet available in the U.S. - be the first in your neighborhood! As for costs, I've not found them to be substantially cheaper in Europe than in the U.S. Know the cost of your favorite scent in the U.S. plus tax and compare (if you buy enough merchandise in one store, you can recoup the detaxe, which knocks about 17% or so off the price). Rather than look for bargains, look for the different or unusual (Paris was the only place I could buy YSL henna-colored mascara).

Elvira, <BR> <BR>henna-coloured mascara? That sounds strange...I thought I know you <BR> <BR>Tweedy

It's not made anymore, at least the last time I asked. It's great for blondes (brown is too dull, black is too dark), and I miss it terribly.

If you happen to be in Paris try Sephora cosmetics at the Champs Elysees. It is a mega store for make up and other body treats and I can never leave it without taking half their stock with me.

I think L'oocitane of Provence products are great. They have shops in Paris and all over France, and have a web site www.loccitane.com (that is from memory, hopefully it is correct). They sell wonderful bath and body products (for men as well as women) and have wonderful treats. I particularly like their little tins of solid perfume. They have a wide selection of items and have specials at different seasons, for example lavender products in the summer, vanilla at Christmas. <BR>In the UK try Crabtree and Evelyn also great bath and body products, they also have their own shops in major towns, but also sell to some department stores. <BR>Also agree that Boots is good quality, but it is a bit "run of the mill". <BR>Angela

Sephora actually has stores all across the US now, so there's no need to seeking it out in Paris. Though I must admit that it's a fun store and a great place to buy gifts. While in Edinburgh, I did come across a great bath store called Lush. They have stores in London and carry a lot of fun items such as bubble bath bars. Lots of great scents and wonderful handmade soaps.

To Elvira <BR> <BR>I have just seen on the web site that L'occitane also do a green tea range

Thanks Ladies, I love this kind of advice! I am also a "face cream junkie"and I try all kinds of new products,,,anthing out there called facelift in a jar?;-) Judy

Lush have their own web site www.lush.co.uk and will ship to many places

Thank you! Judy: I too love this kind of topic!! Anymore good info out there???

I LOVE LUSH! They have face products, bath products, all kinds of stuff. Don't get carried away there! Also, Neals Yard has some lovely bath & beauty products. <BR> <BR>In paris, I like to pick up LeClerc cosmetics. Chanel liquid foundation is also really cheap, for some reason .... only $27 compared to $50 here. (But the rest of their cosmetics are the same price.) Last time I was there, Galleries Lafayette was having a Provence promotion, and had a whole section of the store dedicated to Provencal products--including bath stuff. Maybe they'll still have inventory.

Hi, <BR> <BR>Another Lush-lover here. They have this soap, called Red Rooster if I am not mistaken - HEAVEN. It is orange-cinnamon-cloves, and all their stuff is handmade. I bring back carts of the stuff. Throw 'em in your sock drawers too (you can only use so many at a time you know). <BR> <BR>I love their fizzy bombs too. Some of them even have rose petals (or other types of petals) within - when it's all done fizzing, you are in a luxuriant bath surrounded by rose petals. bliss. <BR> <BR>I second the Boots comment. I go nuts in there. And I've found the Body Shop is cheaper there than in the States - even with the exchange rate - and if you are in Ireland, it's a LOT cheaper because the Irish Pound is tied into the Euro. So stock up there. <BR> <BR>I have also found that Chanel products are much cheaper overseas than at home too. <BR> <BR>and, there is a sunscreen, called Ambre Solaire (if I am not mistaken - it's not in front of me and it isn't summer so I have not used it in a while) which I have yet to see in the States - I love it. It smells like apricots, and is so-so-so creamy. yummy. <BR> <BR>have fun!! I try to get most of my cosmetics in Europe. <BR> <BR>Beth

Okay, these aren't suggestions for while you're in London or Paris, but for how to satisfy some of these longings when you're back home... <BR> <BR>L'Occitane not only has a web site, but also a bunch of stores in the US. <BR> <BR>If you want to mail order from Lush, you can probably save some shipping costs by ordering from www.lushcanada.com; also, if you travel to Canada, they have a bunch of Lush shops. <BR> <BR>MASCARA--FOR ELVIRA: You might want to check out agnés b. mascaras, which come in a big range of colors (some rather outré--baby blue, sparkly green, etc.). The full line of agnés b. cosmetics is sold at www.ccb-paris.com (they have a US arm, so you're not ordering from France). I do like their sleek metal packaging, too. And while you're at that site, if you're a face-cream junkie...I love the Cosmence Creme d'Eau and Vitamin C creams, with their fresh citrusy scents. <BR>

I forgot about The Body Shop -- that started in England, didn't it?? I looked at the lush website & wasn't too impressed just by the packaging -- but there are so many positive comments here, I'm anxious to smell their products! Is Boots just cosmetics?? <BR> <BR>Beth: The Ambre Solaire sunscreen sounds interesting to me. Is that a Chanel product? Or is that the brand name? <BR> <BR>I have a feeling I'm going to be spending way too much on bath & beauty products on our trip!

Unfortunately, the name brand cosmetics, like Chanel and Lancome are not subtantially cheaper in Europe. However with a good exchange rate and sometime detaxe, you can save a bit. What is different often timse is the formulation, colors or use of fragrance in the product. They don't have the FDA to contend with over there, so accroding to my chemist friend there are some differences in emulsion and how long a fragrance can last (perfumes are made with potato alcohol). <BR> <BR>Lush is wonderful and for the very FDA reason that I mentioned, will probably never be duplicated in the States. Stop there and load up. French nail polish seems to be a bit different over there. My favorite is #86 Beige Delicat by Bourjois. It dries very quickly and looks like a French Manicure without the white stripe. Bourjois is carried in the US, but we don't carry all of the colors or the entire product line. P.S. Bourjois is owned by Chanel, (and L'Oreal has the same parent company as Lancome (Cosmair)).

Ladies: How fun to have our own corner. Good going Lyn. In Paris, in a regular drug store in Montmartre area, found my favorite bath elixir by Father Kneipp, Lavender blend, of course. Difficult to get around where I live. I used to be able to get it in Cherry Creek for about $15 to$18, in Paris it was under $10. For an apres soleil lotion, try Biotherm <BR>with vitamin E (made in Monaco). <BR> <BR>Vive la bonne vie (or something to that effect) <BR> <BR>Dr. Betty <BR>

Boots is a drugstore, and they have fantastic stuff. I brought back lots of shampoos as souveniers and to give as gifts. They have their own line of makeup too. <BR> <BR>There are a couple of Lush stores in London - don't pass them up, especially if you love your baths! <BR> <BR>The Body Shop is cheaper in England than here (at least something was!) <BR>

Hi Lyn <BR> <BR>The Ambre Solaire is made by Laboratoires Garnier - I think that may be L'Oreal? (I just looked it up). <BR> I found a link on the web with a pic: <BR> <BR>http://www.academyhealth.com/academy...oluvchil2.html <BR> <BR>I get the children's one - I have sensitive skin. <BR> <BR>I almost forgot - my favorite lipstick color is made by Chanel and you CANNOT find it in the States. It is called Malice (no. 10) and I think is their hydrabase line (or something). It is a mauvey-pink, very subtle. <BR> <BR>bummer about Lush never making it to the States. I love that place. I also saw it in Venice - just got back (look for my trip report sometime this century). <BR> <BR>my favorite Body Shop item (which you can get stateside - just not quite as cheap) is an eye makeup remover gel. Don't have the name with me but you can't miss it - it may be the only gel eye makeup remover they have. The Body is just plain fun cuz you can get all sort of fun cosmetics & gels, etc... very cheap. load up that basket! <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR>

Body Shop, sorry (typo near end)