So you’ve been singing the praises of French pharmacie beauty products for years? So have we. But right under our noses, our own local pharmacies have been quietly starting to stock beauty buys so good, a flight to Paris is no longer required.
Below, the tried and tested skincare, makeup and hair products we expect French women will soon be flying south for. Don’t be surprised by the number of natural beauty prods in this list – a staggering 50 per cent of Australian shoppers say they prefer natural*, a figure we expect to just keep climbing.
1/ Sukin Micellar Cleansing Water, $10.95
Beloved by models and their makeup artists the world over, micellar water is a blessing for all skin types – simply soak a cotton pad and swipe off all your makeup in seconds, without the need to rinse. Sukin offers a completely natural version that’s powerful enough to remove even your waterproof mascara (yes, really) but gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. It’s infused with aloe vera, chamomile and cucumber to clean and calm your complexion.
2/ Klorane dry shampoo, $14.99
As far as dry shampoos go, we can’t go past Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk. Also available in a brown version for brunettes, it’s one of the best formulas we’ve found to sop up excess oil while simultaneously boosting volume, without irritating your scalp.
3/ Bioderma Photoderm BB Cream SPF 50+, $36.99
Finally! A BB cream that offers decent coverage, plus sun protection and hydrating properties to boot. Thanks to its anti-shine finish, it’s suitable for even oily skin types and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t make you break out. It’s also free from parabens and fragrance.
4/ Sukin Rosehip Hydrating Day Cream, $24.95
We all know rosehip oil is nature’s liquid gold for our skin, and no more so than when it’s teamed with nourishing avocado oil, the antioxidant properties of pomegranate and brightening vitamin C, care of our own native super-fruit, the Kakadu plum. The Sukin Rosehip Hydrating Day Cream combines all of the above to naturally improve skin texture and fight the signs of premature ageing, leaving it soft and smooth. Do as Australian artist and Good Vibes Yoga founder Kirra Jamison does and pair it with the Sukin Rosehip Nourishing Cream Cleanser to really boost your results.
5/ Maybelline Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara, $21.50
When it seems like everyone is wearing eyelash extensions, you need your mascara to work twice as hard. Fake the look of false lashes with this Maybelline beauty, which lengthens and thickens without clumping.
6/ Swisspers Blot Off Oil Tissues, $6.99/50 pack
Skin on the oily side? Consider these blotting papers your new desk drawer (and handbag) essential. Steer clear of powder for touch-ups, which can make day-old makeup look cakey, and instead pat on a blotting paper to absorb excess oil without removing your foundation.
7/ Sukin Signature Cleansing Hand Wash, $20.95
Spare a thought for just how often you wash your hands each day; it makes sense to invest in a good quality soap. We love the Sukin Signature Cleansing Hand Wash, a gentle yet effective formula enriched with jojoba, avocado and rosehip oils to rehydrate your hands. Follow with the Sukin Signature Hand & Nail Cream to protect skin and nails (including that fresh mani!), thanks to its mix of vitamin E, borage oil, soy protein and aloe. It’s a product pairing Kirra Jamison uses daily; read more about the glowing yogi’s skincare regime here.