claire

Yes, another vote here for Crema Pedestra. By far the best foot cream I have ever used, and not greasy. It is my #1 favorite SMN product. Slightly mentholated in scent.I also use the Crema Per Le Mani (hand cream) which has a slight orange scent. And, I like the signature pot-pourri. I'm not a big fan of the pomegranite sachet.

Balenciaga

Sorry, but my great-grandmother shopped at Farmacia SMN, sweetie. I still get a Christmas card every year from the shop on Walton Street in London, the city of my birth.

I am the greatest star there is......the stars are ageless!!!!!!!

Balenciaga

Traviata

Balenciaga....I am not one to argue with star power...the floor is yours!! To anyone visiting Florence,the products are wonderful it is true, but also keep in mind the setting...even if you aren't interested in their products, I highly recommend a visit to see the interior...just beautiful and historical...don't miss it.

leslief

I was there in Sept - and found the staff to be very helpful. I bought some perfume (can't remember the name right now...), a pomegranete scented candle that makes my bedroom smell fantastic - and it has never been lit!, some beautifully scented baby oil for my kids, and some face creme for my husband (the newly transformed metrosexual). It is 'pre-dopo barba crema' and he swears by it. I could have spent all day in there, as well as all my $$.

MLT

This is great. I'll be in Florence late April/early May. I definitely plan to visit the shop, and will keep these suggestions in mind. I'm always looking for good bath salts. Any suggestions along these lines?

Thanks!

ekscrunchy

Just want to thank everyone here..Balenciaga and all..for the great advice. I have just arrived in cold rainy Florence and will be venturing to the Farmacia early tomorrow armed with the list of all your recommendations.

LCBoniti

And I will be in Florence the latter part of Feb - sure to be cold and rainy, if not actually snowing! We are staying near there so thanks for the info about Farmacia Santa Maria Novella.

tcreath

I love their products! We visited the gorgeous shop in Florence and I probably spent way too long (and way too much money!) in there.

If you are interested in trying various products, just ask. The people who work there were very friendly and let me try anything I was interested in. There were gobs of people in there though, so I tried to hurry. As mentioned above, the products are pricy so definitely try before you buy.

I agree with the above; the almond hand lotion is wonderful and I bought some. I also bought several soaps. Many of the perfumes smell heavenly and I purchased several bottles as gifts (and one for me, of course!). I bought 2 bottles of the SMN and the tuberose, I believe, was the other fragrance I purchased.

Tracy

viaggio_sempre

Hey, I am still working on my Italian, and want to know what Balenciaga means. I checked the dictionary and found "balena" = "whale" or "barrel of lard", and "balenare", which is "to flash". Where should I be looking if this is not correto?

Eloise

Do you mean the name Balenciaga?

He was a famous Spanish-born designer and couturier in Paris. The house he founded continues under the direction of Nicolas Ghesquiere.

When you've been around long enough, you will know that the Fodors "Balenciaga" dresses only in the best designer fashions, dahling...

Balenciaga

Anyone who has been on Fodor's for a length of time will realize who I am. My former persona was exiled by the PC Police on this forum.

Let us just say that I am thin and gorgeous, sweetie. And yes, I took my current sn from the great Christobal Balenciaga, one of the world's most influential fashion designers.

I am the greatest star there is.......the stars are ageless!!!!!!

Leely

I thought viaggio sempre was teasing. Barrels of lard and all that.

But maybe I'm just naturally suspicious.

viaggio_sempre

mi dispiace. I thought perhaps that the name was an Italian derivative.

ekscrunchy

Just to report to Cristobal and friends. I spent about an hour there today. Even in January there were lots and lots of eager penitents. All I can say about this place is WOW! Be sure to go, even if you can hold yourself back. But holding yourself back here is no fun so bring lots and lots of Euro! And prepare to know more or less what you want to buy and to wait in line!!! Thanks,all!

ekscrunchy

Just returned from a week in Italy and want to thank again everyone who offered advice on this place and their products. Especially our resident experts! I bought several bags full of delicious smelling items, including many of the women's products recommended here: almond hand creme, day and night cremes, bath oils, candles, toothpaste, etc. While the saleswomen are very helpful, they do not push anything. This is not the Estee Lauder counter at Bloomingdale's, so it helps to know in advance what you are going to purchase so that you are prepared once you make your way through the line (yes, there was one on a Wednesday in January) to the main counter. And although I spent lots of money, the individual prices are not very high when compard to high-end beauty products in the US; the day cream, for example, is about 22E. for 1.6 ounces. Note that the items in the cases do not display prices; to see the cost you need to check the price list on the counter.

Now, here is another question for Balenciaga: I purchased two candles in melograno scent, but did not realize until I got home that their is no candle holder in the box, a la Rigaud, etc. So, what is the proper holder for the candle? I now see that SMN sells a candle holder; what does it look like? I cannot wait to slather myself and scent up my home with all my new items! Thanks again. I will post some other trip notes on a separate thread.

cigalechanta

ekscrunchy, isn't that MELOGRANO beautiful? I switched from the iris to that.

cigalechanta

here's the holder:

http://www.aedes.com/product.php?product_id=1639

ekscrunchy

I am so excited about all of these products. I see that they are sold here in NYC at Lafco (which also does mail order) but prices in Florence are a downright bargain compared to what Lafco charges. Yes, I love the melograno scent!! And the day face cream smells wonderful as well. But what shall I put the candle in? It looks like the dripping wax would not be contained by the SMN candleholder. I want to light it up right now!!

cigalechanta

I use a beautiful little dish I bought in Provence, but I think the SMN dish is made wide enough to catch any dripping.

Linds

Alas, I won't be in Florence anytime soon, but I *will* be in London in about a month.

So, Balenciaga (and anyone else), the London store is in Walton Street? Which neighborhood is that in? Which tube stop should I use?

I tried to go to the SMN store in Rome a few years ago, but I could never figure out where it was. Now I find out there's one in London! Yay! (Naturally, I'll go to the original in Florence someday, but this will have to do!).

Thanks!

Linds