Christina

I'm not a real makeup junkie so don't do a lot of shopping for that in Paris, but when I do, I just like going to the regular department stores which should have most every brand Sephora does (except Sephora). Sephora is an experience if you like that, though, and haven't been in one.

IN any case, the Virgin Megastore is practically next door to it, so the male companion could easily go in there to spend some time (they have a popular cafe in there, also).

Suzanne2

Another great place for skin care products on the Champs Elysse is L'Occitane. If you are looking for unique perfume check out the Annick Guatal (sp) shops. They are elegant.

grandmere

I used to love to shop at Occitane and bring back soaps, etc., but while I was in Paris in March, '04, a store opened here in Pgh., and now there's one at our airport, also. This past trip I didn't even go in Occitane. It's nice to have the products available all the time here at home, but Occitane always symbolized shopping in France, and now that's gone.

I was in Sephora on C-E on a holiday weekend a couple of years ago, and the salespersons could not have attempted to be "pushy." Rather, it was the customer who were pushy, of necessity! That cavernous store was elbow to elbow with shoppers, and you had to literally push your way to get around. I couldn't believe it!

Scarlett

There were no Sephoras in the US when I first visited the store on the Champs Elysees.
I am glad that I saw it that way, since now they are so common, it sort of takes away the "thrill" of walking into that store.
The guys standing by the door with the long black coats and gloves..the scent ! my husband would walk outside to get a breath of fresh air then come back in. He enjoyed looking for soaps and shampoos..my kinda guy
Even if you don't care about brand names etc, it is fun to see in Paris.
Otherwise, I would not really think it was a great treat anymore in a mall somewhere.

Suzanne2

I don't have any idea what it was but as I was out walking on my way to Rue De Rivoli. I passed a cosmetics store that looked very trendy and was very busy. It may have been on Ruc Richilou.

I have so many allergies that I'm lucky to be able to wear Almay. So if I need anything in Paris it's off to Monoprix for me.

Ronda

Suzanne, I had the same problem. I do wear perfume but with all the different perfumes drifting through the air was more than I could handle. My husband didn't even come in for that reason.

I like Monoprix, too. I bought a compact of about 4 lipsticks by a brand I have not seen here in the US. Just loved it. The brand started with a B and it wasn't Bourjois. Last November I noticed beauty salons with the same name in the window. I did find it in Monoprix but alas, they changed colors and didn't have the one I had before. Anyway, if anyone knows what this brand might be, I don't think it is imported into the US yet so might fill the bill for "something you can't buy in the US."

CarolA

Rhonda,
I think your lipstick has now been imported into the states at Sephora.

MargrietVanderBanck

This may not sound very exciting, but in Europe Nivea has make-up (rather than skin care products) that you can't get North America.

Last year in Monoprix I bought a liquid blush for my daughter that she loved so much that she has asked for more. She says it blends beautifully and smells of roses.

Ronda

I found my old lipstick - the brand is Biguine. Their web page is www.biguine.com Look under collection for some of their makeup.

Christina

I have some Biguine makeup I bought in Paris. I liked the packaging a lot, it was a little different. They sell that brand at any of the major dept. stores, as they do all of the main brands (I bought it at BHV). I don't think prices really vary much on those cosmetic brands at any of the stores, whether Monoprix or Sephora or a regular dept. store. I've found the French brands cheaper in the US than in Paris (and that was before the dollar was as low as now), so I don't bother buying anything I know is readily available at home. I've bought some Bourjois blush for gifts and myself as they have a very nice case that is good for purses (the small round one with a mirror and very small hair brush inside). I don't really like their makeup very well, though. I think it's better for women in their teens or 20s (very highly pigmented, not a wide range of colors), which I think is their target market.

I like shopping at Bon Marche best for makeup for the ambience and tranquility and sales staff; cheap brands I pick up when in BHV or Monoprix while shopping for something else.

BTilke

Biguine skin care and makeup products are produced in the same place as the (more expensive) Sisley line and many of the products are quite similar...so if you like Sisley, Biguine is a good choice.