The 11 Best French Beauty Staples to Stock Up on in Paris Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Buly 18031/11Catherine Piercy, Vogue.com Beauty Director
“I have basically mortgaged my future home to Buly 1803, the wildly chic beauty boutique in Saint-Germain, over the past few years. In particular, I love their Tuberose, Bergamot, and Bigarade soaps, which are infused with the lightest but most heavenly essential oil fragrances. Unlike other scented soaps, they’re pH-balanced and super-hydrating, so they don’t irritate even my insanely sensitive skin. I have to restrain myself from buying more than five at a time when I’m there, along with the rest of the store.”
Buly 1803 Savon Superfin, for information: buly1803.com
Photo: Courtesy of Bioderma2/11Sophia Li, Vogue.com Photo Producer
“Bioderma, hands down. My Parisian friend introduced me to the micellar water years ago before I even found out it was a staple in most makeup artists’ kits. Every time I go to Paris, I buy the combo pack for sensitive and normal skin. It’s actually the only reason I check my luggage, as I buy the industrial size.”
Bioderma Sensibio H2O, for information: bioderma.com
Photo: Courtesy of Sanoflore Nuage de Fraîcheur3/11Celia Ellenberg, Vogue Beauty Director
“When I can get away with it, I don’t wear deodorant. But when I can’t—say, during a freak heat wave at Paris Fashion Week six years ago—I only wear aluminum-free formulas, and this is hands down the best natural deodorant I’ve ever used. Be advised: It is not an antiperspirant, so you will sweat. But it keeps you smelling surprisingly good, for a surprisingly long time. Get the three-pack, if at all possible. The better pharmacies tend to stock the brand, which is pretty great all around.”
Sanoflore Nuage de Fraîcheur roll-on deodorant, for information: sanoflore.fr
Photo: Courtesy of UPSA4/11Maya Singer, Vogue.com Contributor
“That French drugstore aspirine with vitamin C that you dissolve in a glass of water is the ultimate hangover helper.”
UPSA Aspirin with Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets pain and fever relief, for information: moncoinsante.co.uk
Photo: Courtesy of Nuxe5/11Zoe Ruffner, Vogue.com Photo Researcher
“Nuxe Après-Soleil! I bought it on a whim last time I was in Paris and have since been asking every friend who visits to bring me back some. Unfortunately, it seems most pharmacies stock it only in the spring and summer months. I use it after a day at the beach and am convinced that it helps prolong my tan. And just like Nuxe’s Huile Prodigieuse (which is available in the U.S.), it smells incredible.”
Nuxe Lait Fraîcheur Après-Soleil Visage et Corps, for information: fr.nuxe.com
Photo: Courtesy of Sylvain Le Hen6/11Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue.com Archive Editor
“Genuine made-in-France barrettes. My hair is as thick as a horse’s mane, and it’s next to impossible to find clips that really hold. You can’t go wrong with the classic tortoise style.”
Sylvain Le Hen Barrette à Cheveux, for information: colette.fr
Photo: Courtesy of Arnica Pellets7/11Chloe Malle, Vogue Contributing Editor
“Klorane dry shampoo. It’s so much cheaper there! And in the summer, Klorane’s chamomile shampoo because it helps bring out sun streaks—the lazy man’s highlights. And Mixa hand cream: It’s just a cheap drugstore brand, but I love it and it’s hard to find hand cream that is rich but not greasy, gooey.”
Klorane Shampoo with Chamomile, for information: kloraneusa.com
Photo: Courtesy of Klorane8/11Samantha Adler, Vogue.com Associate Photo Editor
“My love for La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios XL sunscreen—SPF 50, of course—has been well-documented, and the absolute best way to apply it is by stick. While these are finally available in America, they’re one of the few products that are genuinely cheaper to buy abroad, so I pick up at least 10 whenever I can because I go through them really quickly. French pharmacies also sell Arnica montana pills in tiny, single-serving tubes. They help speed up any healing process—from a bruise to overall swelling or pain—and are amazing to have on hand, just in case.”
Arnica Pellets, for information: arnica.com
Photo: Courtesy of Monoprix9/11Lauren Mechling, Vogue Senior Editor
“If you were to bring me some super-simple white 100 percent cotton underwear from Monoprix, I would not say non! White or pale pink would be très Godard heroine.”
Monoprix Femme slip en coton pointelle, for information: monoprix.fr
Photo: Courtesy of Biafine10/11Matilde Wergeland, Vogue.com Fashion Photo Researcher
“I lived in Paris before I moved to New York and am crazy about beauty products, so my bathroom almost looks like a French pharmacy. Some favorites: Avène Cold Cream lotion; Bioderma Sensibio makeup remover; Sanoflore lavender oil. And for dry skin: Homeoplasmine cream, Biafine cream, and the A-Derma Epitheliale cream.”
Biafine cream, for information: biafinecream.com
Photo: Courtesy of Innoxa11/11Helena Suric, Vogue Bookings Director
“Gouttes Bleues eye drops. I’m not quite sure how the FDA feels about them, but they are amazing for brightening eyes!”
Innoxa Gouttes Bleues, for information: innoxa.fr
