Buying Cosmetics in Paris

[Ellen]

I don't know if this is the right message board for this question, so feel free to move it , if need be..

I'm just wondering are cosmetics like L'ancome and Clarins and all the others etc etc.. that I like to buy, are they generally cheaper to buy in Paris?
I was in sephora last year and recently in the one in Barcelona and didn't think they were any cheaper. I'm wondering about pharmacys in general around Paris. Can they be got at a cheaper price than at home? . Seeing as they are made in Paris.

[Jody]

Ellen, Try a visit to Cite Pharmacie on the corner of rue Bonaparte and rue du Four. It's always my first shopping stop in Paris. Great prices. A cologne I buy at home in the US runs $85.00, there it is $35.00

[Ellen]

Thanks you Demarais, I will make a note of that.

[Happygoin]

Ellen, I don't find that the same cosmetics available here are any less in Paris. What I do find is that they have many more brands and, I think, better quality in Paris. Just my opinion. Oh, and they're available at the larger Cité Pharmacies, which seem to be on every corner. Look for the green (neon?) cross out front.

And, if the price is the same (or a bit more ) well, we're worth it.

[sistereurope]

Yes, and compared to the US at least, they have many shades of make-up not available here. I really like Chanel and buy it when I can afford it.
I LOVE the pharmacies in Paris...well, in all of France. The staff is usually SO much more knowledgeable than, say, at a CVS (for those of you on the East coast ;D)

[sunshine817]

A Irish-born friend of mine told me that when she was living in France, she found the cosmetics to be generally far kinder to the skin than American cosmetics. She is, of course, very, very fair, and it seems very, very fair skin is also very, very sensitive to various chemicals commonly found in mass-market cosmetics.

She says she had very few problems with French cosmetics of all kinds -- from makeup to shampoos and lotions, and is the one who got me hooked on Saforelle, the miracle liquid wash that has solved all of *my* sensitivity issues!

[Katharine]

Ellen, I have found the cosmetics to be comparable to US prices. The issue I guess you really have to factor in is the exchange rate which I noticed today (checking it for the first time in a while) is becoming better. When we were there it was at $1.60. I do think that the French products are better as they are not goverend by our FDA which tends to be too strict IMO...

Katharine

[denise]

:)Dear Ellen...

I find in Paris cosmetics are not cheaper than here in the UK. and often because of the poor exchange rate they are more expensive. Ordinary things like shampoo and soap also cost more. I find the cheapest prices are at the airport shops for branded French cosmetics like Chanel and Yves st Laurent.

Are you coming from north or southern Ireland?( sorry about my ignorance of Irish geography! I think Tipperary is in the South) As they use the Euro in the South and there is no exchange problem it may be cheaper, although I found prices in Sligo in February much higher than here in the UK.

I know it's another thread but unfortunately I can't remember the Nebakanezer skipping rhyme, but you are right there was one. I googled it but got nowhere and now it's bugging me! I will have to ask all my friends of my age.

Can I say an early [glow=red,2,300]BON VOYAGE[/glow]
I guess you are busy packing now.

Denise
Love from England

[Ellen]

Thanks for confirming that for me Denise. It just came back to me about that rhyme when I heard the word, the thread was when Truffaut was explaining the various names for various quantities of bottles,can't find it now though either.
I'll have a look while there for the different creams . As Denise said I'm probably better off at the airport. Thanks for those adresses of Pharmacies everyone, Sunhine817 I might keep an eye out for that Saforelle brand. I too have 'sensitive' skin. sounds good.
I just about to start packing. I'll make a start tomorow morning when the kids are at school.It's easier. My mam and my sister are looking after them till next Monday, can only manage 5 days in Paris. Its our 12th Anniversary next Sunday, where better to spend it. I just noticed my ticker says 3 days , I'm actually not going till Thursday morning.
You're right too Denise Tipperary is indeed in the South.

[Megan]

Hi Ellen

Due to leaving all my makeup at the security gate at Luton I purchased some makeup at Galleries Lafayette on Saturday . I ended up spending 150 Euro which is not what I would normally buy but I needed to get it as I was makeupless . I have the receipt here so this is what it cost

1 x Lancome Mascara - 29 euro
1 x Mac Eyeshadow case - 6 euro
3 x MAc Eyeshadows - 16 euro x 2 and 1 x 14 euro
1 x MAc Mineral Liquid Foundation - 33 euro
1 x Mac Lipstick 17 Euro
1 x Eyeshadow base - 19 euro

and there was an eyeliner and a brush in there as well but he very poliely took me to one side and said that he was not charging me for them . so that would have been another 30 euro perhaps . As I said I had left all my makeup and I wanted new stuff anyway so just bought what he put on me - I didn't have time to compare it to the UK and I am not sure how it adds up but you may be in a better place than me to do that . Yes it would have been cheaper duty free and yes I probably could have gone for local makeup not imported but I have now got lovely makeup in colours that are fresh young and natural . I know comparing it to NZ it would have cost me more for all that - about 40 euros more at a rough guess !!

PS I also bought some blusher and a lipgloss, eyecream and foundation base at Sephora the next day and that I thought was expensive but it is in brands we don't have in NZ and it is lovely stuff. That second purchase was an extragavence that I really couldn't afford but I was in Paris and giddy with excitement. The eyecream is fantastic tho and the big black rings under my eyes seem t ohave disappeared

[Happygoin]

Megan, isn't it funny how that Being-In-Paris giddiness makes us overspend? I can't believe how much I spend on things in Paris that I would ordinarily rip my thumbnails out before buying here at home. Can't explain it

[Ellen]

:)Megan, thats about average for mac make-up that we'd pay here. Thanks for posting the prices. I recently went through London-Luton and lol,I got a travel iron taken off me, I wanted to ask did they think I was going to bop someone over the head with it, but I just handed it over . It was a steam travel iron, so maybe it was something to do with the liquid.
Megan did you say you got a make-over at GL? I've never had one done, in Sephora etc they're always asking if you want one. I've never indulged though. I think I might this time though. My French is still at the early stages , so I could end up with anything on my face. Might be an improvement,lol!

[Megan]

Hi ellen

To be honest I was a bit cheeky ( it may have been the dutch courage after all the wines consumed at the street party). My French is shocking but I looked for the friendliest person I could see, explained in French that I didn't speak French and he said English was fine ( but did query wether it was english I spoke -MMMMM!!!) . Explained my predicament and said that I needed to buy some makeup and also needed him to apply some. He was happy to and put all sorts on my face - a lot more than I bought . It was good. I also get my makeup done if I can - they show you new things , and different ways of applying !. I have just discovered Sephora - I will need to stay out of there !

Cheers

Megan

[Ellen]

Thanks for that Megan. I'll take a chance , see what I end up like. Hubby might think he has a new woman