No one will be surprised to learn that I will not be rushing over to Paris for the Olympics.
Sport leaves me cold, yet the City of Light never does. What draws me there? The museums, the food — and the beauty products. Forget medals, I say go for gold by way of skincare.
For France is always top of the podium for mid-price pharmacy brands, available on every street corner. And I mean every: it boasts 33 pharmacies per 100,000 citizens, versus our average of 20. Oh, the thrill of a wall of Vichy, La Roche-Posay, Avene, Bioderma, Eucerin, Embryolisse, Caudalie, Phyto and Klorane.
If you’re not crossing the channel this summer, head to London‘s French Pharmacy (10 New Cavendish St, Marylebone, or online at thefrenchpharmacy.co). Launched by Dr Marine Vincent in 2020, it is a cornucopia of all that is most glorious in Gallic beauty, from Roger & Gallet soap (£7.50) to Vitry Nail Enamel (£3.99).
Avene’s Eau Thermale Face Mist (£5.75), a portable hydrator and cosmetic fixer, and La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ (£10.90), a multi-purpose soother, are its top sellers.
France is always top of the podium for mid-price pharmacy brands, available on every street corner
Dr Vincent also steers me toward Biafine Emulsion (£11.50), noting: ‘This is the not-so-sexy summer staple that every French family will use for sunburn and other irritations.’
So what other secret weapons do French women have in their beauty arsenal? Here’s what I recommend…
The original and still the best
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for sensitive skin (now £4.39, superdrug.com) is the original and best micellar water, prized by legions of celebrities. I also adore Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil for very dry to eczema-prone skin (now £15.19).
Sensitive skin dream team
AvEne’s Tolerance range once saved my skin when it was so painfully reactive I couldn’t even apply water. Avene Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin (now £11.60, boots.com) and the cult Avene Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream for Sensitive Skin (now £16.80) are a barrier-repairing dream team.
We’re all talking about…
Dr Vincent reveals: ‘A313 Pommade (£24.90, thefrenchpharmacy.co) has gone viral. One of the most stable, pharmaceutical-grade retinols on the market, its ointment texture aids Vitamin A penetration.’
The menopause skin saver
Vichy Neovadiol Menopause Meno5 Serum (now £31.87, boots.com) erased my cynicism about brands chasing the midlife- panic pound. It leaves skin looking so fresh.
Fabulous multi-tasker
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Fluide (£13.50, escentual.com) is a silky, featherlight multi-tasker that can be used as a moisturiser and/or cleanser. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Multi-Protection SPF20 (£15.75) acts as a moisturiser, make-up base and after-shave cream. Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre (£10.50) can be used as a mask and/or primer.
Heaven scent body oil
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil (from £12.50, thefrenchpharmacy.co) and its spin-offs sell like hot croissants at the French Pharmacy. This summer’s hits are Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Florale (£12.50), a rose-gold incarnation, and Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Care (£18).
Parisian hair flair
I was delighted to find travel-sized Klorane Oat Dry Shampoo (from £5.50) at the French Pharmacy. And I carried away my treasures in the store’s ‘French Girl’ Tote (£14.99), fulfilling every English woman’s fantasy.
I was delighted to find travel-sized Klorane Oat Dry Shampoo (from £5.50) at the French Pharmacy. And I carried away my treasures in the store’s ‘French Girl’ Tote (£14.99), fulfilling every English woman’s fantasy.
Race you to it!
With the Revitalash Cosmetics Ultimate Summer Lash Collection (£129, revitalash.co.uk) you can invest in a genuinely effective lash serum, and receive three free gifts: a 5ml Lash & Brow Masque (worth £46), a Depuffing Eye Roller (worth £15) as well as a chic carry bag.
Holiday palettes
Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Coral Treasure (£54, chanel.com)
Radiant, rippling oranges and pinks evoking corals on colourful reefs.
Jones Road Miracle Balm Palette (£28, jonesroadbeauty.com)
New tint, blush and highlight trios in this cult formula are set to sell out.
Nars Afterglow Irresistible Make-up Palette (now £46.75, boots.com)
Peaches, roses and neutrals in mattes, satins and glitters.
Indu Summer Soul Make-up Set (£30, indu.me).
A glossy, glowing, beach make-up collection for teenagers that 40+ women should steal.
Ruby Hammer Lip Serum Balm (£18, rubyhammer.com)
Hydrating and fullness-imparting colour plus care in six non-sticky shades.
My icon of the week: Jeanette Kwakye MBE
The Olympics presenter and ex-sprinter, 41, always carries Lanolips 101 Ointment (£10.99, boots.com).
Her skin staples are The Ordinary Niacinamide (£5) and Hyaluronic Acid (£8.80). She loves Fenty and Charlotte Tilbury for make-up, and Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil (£28, johnlewis.com) and Plant Made bars (from £26, weareplantmade.com) for her hair.
Jeanette Kwakye MBE – Olympics presenter and ex-sprinter, 41