While Europe opened its borders to some foreign nationals, including Canadians, last week, the reality is is that only about three countries are really allowing travel to resume. France, not surprisingly, isn’t one of them. Since I can’t be in Paris for the foreseeable future, I’ve been indulging in as many French things as I can at home. Fresh baked croissants on the weekend, orders of clothing from Sezane, and skincare from my favourite French beauty brands.
The French drugstore is not a Shopper’s Drug Mart or Walgreen’s equivalent. In Paris, a pharmacy is a pharmacy, dedicated solely to healthcare needs. And in France, healthcare encompasses skincare. Which means the best of French beauty products aren’t at the CHANEL counter (much as I hate to say that.) They’re at the local parapharmacie, casually displayed on flimsy shelves. Packaging is often less than glamourous, but the products, from brands like Nuxe, Avene, Caudalie and Embryolisse, among others, pack a punch.
These days, my beauty bag is filled with more French drug store brands than ever. And I am loving it. I feel like I’m almost back to my 2013 skin, despite being seven years older! So it seems only right to share the products that are getting me there, starting with my favourites from a brand I came to discover a bit late: Caudalie.
I confess: I did not use Caudalie products when we lived in France, prefering to stick mostly to Nuxe and Embryolisse. I was younger then – but I was also seriously missing out.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
This facial mist is the most refreshing way to start the day. I love to spray it all over my face in the morning after cleansing. It promises to tighten pores and provide an instant shot of radiance to the skin. While I’m not sure my results are exactly that, I love the way it feels, and my skin definitely looks better when it’s part of my daily routine.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
This serum might not replace Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair as my all time favourite. But it’s half the price, nearly as effective and much lighter weight, which makes it a blessing in the summer months.
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
I never travel without this mask. Which is no small feat, because it sells out at Sephora constantly. And there is good reason for that. It works! Since a lot of my travel is work-related (or at least, used to be,) I very often fly with make-up on. Airport gymnastics – taking clothes on and off to go through security, carrying luggage, rushing between gates – inevitably leads to me breaking a sweat. Between the two, by the time I get to my destination, my pores are always a mess. But all I need is one treatment with this mask and my skin is completely cleared up the next day.
Caudalie Vinosource SOS Intense Hydration Moisturiser
I almost never use the same moisturiser twice. Which is because so few moisturisers live up to my (high) expectations. While I haven’t yet tried this in a Winnipeg winter, which is always the real test, I’ve loved it so far – it’s both rich and hydrating but light and quick drying, a rare combination.
Caudalie Vinactiv Vitamin C Energizing Eye Cream
This is my holy grail eye cream. I’ve always had dark circles under my eyes – thanks, genetics – but in the past few years, probably as a result of allergies, those circles have gotten puffy. Stubbornly puffy. No amount of eye cream or serum did a thinf to decrease that puffiness until I tried the Vinactiv line from Caudalie. While results weren’t immediate, I noticed a major difference after a few weeks… and it lasted until a few weeks after I started using a different, less effective eye cream. Suffice it to say, this eye cream is never leaving my beauty bag again! It’s not super inexpensive at $39. But it lasts. And trust me, considering how well it works, it’s worth every cent.
I’m intrigued by that eye cream – I’ve been hunting for a good one as I seem to also have constant under eye puffiness these days. And speaking to your comment on my recent post about Zoom attire and backgrounds – how embarrassing is it that I downloaded a Real Housewives confessional background and use it in Zoom? It’s truly one of the most idiotic things I’ve done.
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
So sad travel is on hold, but at least you no longer need to travel to get your favorite foreign products. I’ll have to try the detox mask, which sounds amazing, and forward the eye cream recommendation to my sister, who is always struggling with under eye circles.
Chic on the Cheap
One of my mom’s holy grail brands – she’s been an avid user for years and it shows! Her skin looks amazing at 67! And now, I want croissants on the weekends. Influenced!! Happy almost Friday, sweets!! xo
My Curated Wardrobe