I will be in Florence soon and am curious about these products. I have been to the shop in the past but have never purchased anything. I would love to hear opinions of particular products for women that people love and recommend. Face creams in particular! Thanks so much. (Feel free to mention beauty products from other sources as well.)

There's at least one long thread on the subject that will come up if you put <"Farmacia Santa Maria Novella"> (without the arrows, of course) in the Search Box.

Thank you , Eloise. I did read that thread but was hoping for further information, as there is not all that much detail there about the actual specific products.

Balenciaga, one of our posters, knows their products quite well. I hope he posts in soon.

BC

Oh, yes, I always enjoy those gorgeous posts of his; I do hope he checks in before I leave!!! Where has he been, anyway?

anyone???

The almond hand cream is wonderful--about 20 euros. The whole place smells great and be sure to check out the view of the convent garden area in the back. I have to say the women who work there are very snooty.

Thank you! I will put that almond hand creme on my list of products to check out.

the men's shaving stuff is fantastic. the potpourri is great smelling too...

I'm a friend of Balenciaga who also likes this line. All the body cremes and the body milk are wonderful on the skin. There signiture frangrance SMN was created for Catherine Medici. The range of fragrances and bath oils is long. I like the Iris and tuber rose.
Very expensive so make sure you'll like what you buy.

My husband likes the after-shave cream. I didn't find the women there snooty at all, they were very helpful. I was interested in something that might help ezcema and the one out front sent me to the back room to get help. The woman in that room was just as helpful.

I am the greatest expert on Farmaceutica Profumo Santa Maria Novella here at Fodor's. My entire hhome is scented with SMN pot-pourri, which I have sent from LAFCO in Manhattan. (It is also sold at Takashimaya 5th Ave.)

The best product that SMN sells, in my opinion, is the pot-pourri, followed by the almond paste handcream. I also recommend the sandalo soap, camomile shampoo, Idrasol body cream, and the Russian Cologne (for men).

Is there anything else you would like to know, darling? I have the complete list of products stored on my mobile.

Balenciaga, sweetie
John G.

OOOOH!! Thanks to all and a big Ciao to Balenciaga. I got so caught up with his post that I am about to miss the plane....but no problem..will just give a call on my special Schiaparelli shocking pink phone to the special secret Alitalia hot line and aks them to hold the plane for me! On second thought, they may be holding the plane anyway, even without my call. Really, thanks for the great advice..I left lots of room in my bag.

Hi, Gorjus. I'll be in Florence in May and plan to visit SMN. What would you recommend in ladies eau de cologne, orange-citrus type? Something subtle though. I don't mind splurging.

I'll be in Florence in May, so I'll have to check this place out too!

Monica

Monica, is your Italian itinerary written stone? We'll be in Italy May 4 thru May 25 but we've requested a couple of timeshare exchanges and our itinerary will depend upon their availability. I sure would like to meet with other Fodorites for drinks or dinner. Right now Rome 5/22 thru 5/25 is a given. Sicily, Positano, Bellagio, Tuscany and Orvieto are on the "will see" list.

Sorry Eskrunchy...

Yes, my plans are all set and I'm just waiting for May 10th to arrive for my flight to Florence. I'll be in Florence on the 11th (4 nights), Bologna the 15th for 6 nights, Venice on the 21st for 4 nights; fly home the 25th. All three locations I'll do day trips via train or bus.

I posted a message on fodors about a fodorite get together(s). Here's the link: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34716171 If you're interested, just post a message there so others can read it. You can also email me directly and we can see what we can work out in meeting. mjpileggi @adelphia.net.

Monica

PS: So far I have 5 people that are interested in dinner on the 13th of May in Florence.

SMN makes a very nice bitter orange cologne. I think it is called "Bagara."

Don't forget to hit Ferragamo on the Via Tornabuoni.

Balenciaga, this is my first post, but I couldn't resist....you may be the "greatest expert" on SMN, but I would likely be second..I started using the products 40 years ago as a very young girl...they are lovely. IMHO the Queen of the line is the Melograno scent..in everything, soap, cologne, candles, etc...it is wonderful to wear it and be asked "What is that amazing scent???"

My favorite product is the Crema Pedestre which is fabulous for your feet - soothing and softening.