What to pick up in France - French Pharmacy Shopping List

One of the first blogs on my blog was about french skincare products from the pharmacy (click here to read it) . Since then I have collected quite a few bits from french pharmacies . I thought since its summer and some of you might be going on holidays to one of my favourite countries France this guide/shopping list will come in handy to any skincare lovers. You can find inexpensive but great quality skincare in france .In no particular order heres a shopping list :

1 . Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution

Miceller waters have become really popular lately and this one is the original . Cant beat an original . It had to be included I have gone through three bottles of this stuff . Its just a really great product especially for make up artists because you can remove the clients make up without leaving there skin oily like a lot of make up removers . Your skin feels refreshed after using this . It isn't supposed to replace cleansing and toning though as cleanser and toner work further into the skin and thoroughly remove everything on your face. Its a handy product to have. Works well on all skin types .

2 . La Roche Posay Serozinc 

In that blog post many moons ago I mentioned that I wasn't the biggest fan of this product and since then I have completely changed my mind . Its such a versatile product you can use it as a toner , on burns , skin irritations , razor burns and it helps soothe the skin . I don't use this product everyday but I do reach for it when I have a breakout , want to remove any oils from my skin or spray it on a cotton pad then rub it over my eyebrows after plucking them to calm down the redness . 

3. Nuxe Reve de Miel - Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm

Full blog post here . Just something different from whats available here , its a very hydrating matte looking lip balm . It keeps my lips moisturised for hours . It also smells beautiful !

4 . Eau Thermale Avene
I like applying this mask at least once a week for a moisturiser boost . I recommend this for dry to normal skins it nourishes the skin and calms any redness .

5 . Caudalie Beauty Elixir
I really like this product for freshen up my face ,  give my skin a healthy glow or first thing when I wake up in the morning to wake myself up  . The smell is very medicinal . There is a cheaper version of this by Caudalie which skin expert kathryn hirons prefers so I would maybe opt for that version if your on a budget .

6 . La Roche Posay - Effaclar duo
Quite a well known La Roche Posay product . Did not like this at all when I first got it . It has a very pungent lemony , window cleaner smell and I was very hesitant putting it on my skin . One week when I started to get a few breakouts on my chin I took the plunge and applied it on that night .
The next morning  my skin was nearly fully cleared . It made some different . I don't use this product all the time because its more suitable for oily skin but its good on those occasions where you have a bad breakout. On there website it says that it works on sensitive skin which I personally think it wouldn't because of the strong scent in the product .

7 . Peggy Sage Lipsticks
Never heard of this brand but my brother picked them up for me as a gift in Paris . Amazing pigmentation and not drying in the slightest . Love the sleek packaging also . Not positive about the price but I think there relatively cheap  .

8 . Embryolisse  - Lait Creme
Great everyday moisturiser which is featured in lots of make up artists kits . Nice rich moisturiser that hasn't got a scent and works on most skin types. Really inexpensive . I have gone through a few of these .

9. Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum
My skin drinks this stuff , literally once I apply it to my skin my skin is like yay . The title of the product the perfect fit. It has a very liquidy texture . Great step for before moisturising for girls that have really dry/ dehydrated skin .

10.Night Moisturizer Cream Crème Prodigieuse
When I got this I literally thought the container was empty . Its so lightweight . The moisturiser itself has a lovely buttery texture and a nice fresh smell like most of Nuxe products . When you wake up in the morning your skin feels ready for the day .I can even go without moisturising the morning after .


So thats it for the french pharmacy shopping list , print this out and take it on your trip . If your not going to France this summer you can always order them online .

Hope everyone is having a nice week .

Au Revior (sorry I had too haha) ,

Alannah x

Products I've Used Up / Empties

New week new blog post and today is my first empties blog post . I personally love theses blog posts its nice to see what products people have used up and if they would repurchase them . This empties blog post is full of skincare and fragrances .(How many times can I say blogpost in one post ? Blogpost , blogpost , blogpost )

Bioderma Hydrabio Riche
I really like the Bioderma brand . This moisturiser is no exception . Very moisturising but has a nice lightweight texture . Great for very dry or dry skin . Works well under make up . Keeps your skin moisturised throughout the day . I would repurchase .

Matis Moisturiser
Sticking to the moisturisers this has to be one of my favourite moisturiser I have ever tried . Sadly its harder to get your hands on here in Ireland and the size I have is the beautician size which can be only bought in a salon/beautican service shop .  It almost feels like a moisturiser and primer combined .It makes a nice smooth surface for your foundation to be applied on top of . Its not too heavily scented . Lasts a long time and really makes a noticeable different to your skin.

LOreal True Match
So its finally here , what I think of the ever so popular Loreal foundation 'True Match' . I really like the finish of this foundation when you first apply it , it has a matte finish but its not to matte where your skin looks dry and dull . It looks lovely in photos but after a few hours of wearing it I notice it gets quite  patchy . The only thing that stops this is primer so I definitely would recommend applying primer or even moisturiser underneath maybe even some setting spray too.Its not the most buildable of foundations because it can tend to get cakey . Also it transfers onto clothes like no mans business . Some good things and probably more bad things to say about this foundation , not a completely awful foundation but just not my cup of tea .

Dolce en Gabanna Light Blue- Eau de Toilette
So sad this perfume is all gone , I tried saving it for summer but that didn't quite go to plan ! Its the perfect summer scent , fresh flowery , lemony goodness !

Matis Cleanser
Yet another matis product , its a great french brand ! My skin when using all there products together was at its best , hydrated and glowing . Removed my make up effortlessly and left my skin feeling moisturised .

Matis Toner
There is nothing like cleaning your face with a cleanser & toner . There the perfect pair and I always feel like I am really getting rid of any make up on my skin and leaving no resdew . Toner removes any traces of make up / oils on your face and leaves the skin feeling revitalised .

If you have sensitive skin the Matis delicate skin range might be more suited to you .

Lanvin Eclat - Perfume
I got this as a gift and although I wore it and liked it I would have never picked it out myself . Its not my usually fruity , sweet perfume . Its more of a floral scent .

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mouse - Dark
This is also just run out on me , it isn't featured in the picture because the bottle has tan all over it and I couldn't have it wrecking my picture , haha. I have been using this tan for a few years now and I love it . I find it quite a fool proof tan , I usually put it on quite carelessy, shower it off the next day and it usually comes out even . Cons would be it does have that tan smell , transfers on to anything white and while stain your clothes if you spell any on it . Pros would be the price (such good value) , the fact you can see where your applying it , the fact that it says its a dark tan & actually is and the fact that its available in loads of shops here in Ireland . It really is one of those love/hate products though I know people who swear by it and people who hate it .

Thanks for reading ,
Alannah x

March Beauty Favourites

 

 

How is March nearly over ? This year is flying!  Anyhow todays blog post is my March Beauty Favourites (and a few other things thrown in-between) .

 

Carrefour - Le Duo

 

I have never heard of this brand before and I think it might be French or Spanish , I received it as a gift . I cant find this anywhere online but the main reason I like this product is for the orangey brown shade . So really I have been just loving warm browns , I think there super flattering on all eye colours .

 

River Island Necklace

 

This necklace is so pretty and delicate . I seen it in River Island and couldn't resist . I love wearing it with blouses .

Ben Nye - Neutral Set

 

I have done a mini review about this product on my Instagram and Facebook before but I seriously love this powder . It makes your make up last and stay matte all day . Its very finely milled so it looks invisible on the skin . Ben nye is a stage make up brand so if it can last on stage it can certainly last on a night out  . Its a good price too for the quality of the product . The packaging isn't the fanciest but that doesn't really bother me because of the quality of the product inside. Great price too - Bonus .
 

Sleek- Rose Gold Blush

 

 I usally don't like blush on myself because I have red cheeks to begin with but lately I have been reaching for this blush a lot . Its a shimmery blush and apparently a dupe for Nars Orgasm blush . Its a shimmery pinky coral blush and I really like the way it looks on my skin . I love sleek make up its affordable and good quality. This blush makes your skin look glowy and would look amazing with a tan . Its reminds me of something jlo would wear .

Mane 'n Tail - Detangler

 

 I wish I had found this product sooner  ! All those years of fighting with the hairbrush have finally come to an end thanks to this product . I have long hair that gets matted very easily . If my hairs matted I take this spray ,spritz it through all of my hair then brush through and it really does make such a different you find yourself not tugging half as much on your hair . It smells nice and it makes your hair feel nice and light like your just after coming out of the hairdresser . Its a huge bottle and its lasting me ages .

 

Dolce & Gabbana - Light Blue - Eau de Toilette

 

I got this for Christmas and hide it in my room a few weeks after because I was going through it that fast and wanted to leave it for summer . Its such a fresh perfume(its actually an eau de toilette), it almost kind of smells like there's lemon in it and it is the perfect summer smell . Is one of those perfumes that a lot of people would like and its not too overpowering . Its long lasting too once I apply it I can smell it on myself still throughout the day which doesn't usually happen with an eau de toilette. Next time your in a perfume shop , have a smell.

 

 Soltan - Face Moisturising Sun care Cream SPF 30

 

Why would I need sunscreen I live in Ireland ? The weather has been sunny in Ireland in between the rainy days , but I have been going on walks when it is sunny . In Facial Studies in college we where warned about the damage that sun can cause on your skin so even if its a cold day and I am going for a walk I will still wear sun cream . The sun has a huge impact on your skin aging. This one from boots was a decent price and its quite a high spf . It also adds a nice healthy glow to your face when you apply it and doesn't clog up your pores like some sun creams do. If your going somewhere where there will be flash photography I wouldn't recommend wearing it because it will have flash back .

 

 

So that's it for my March Beauty Favourites . My non beauty favourite of this month is the tv show New Girl I have watched them all before but since season four is finished I decided to go back and re-watch the old episodes . Schmidt is my favourite character ever and I just think he is hilarious .

The whole show is funny , I can really describe the kind of humour it is but if you haven't watched and episode of it before you should watch and episode and see if you like it . Also been loving Nutella on toast , I feel like I'm In primary school again but I'm addicted .

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and if you have any questions or blog posts you would like to see feel free to comment below .

 

What beauty products have you been loving this month ?

 

Alannah x