Have you heard of this Sephora like mecca shop Citi Pharma? I was on vacation recently and Paris was one of our destinations and I googled French Pharmacy products and this store popped up numerous times.
Citi Pharma is a discount parapharmacy store that sells French beauty products, medicines and homeopathic medicines. Remember Embryolisse? Avene? Nuxe? One of the makeup artists that I follow on Youtube is Lisa Eldridge and she advertises her skincare products in her videos. She has introduced me to Embryolisse and La Roche Posay moisturizers.
Here are a few tips when you go shopping in City Pharma.
Arrive early, they open at 8:30 am on weekdays and 9 am on Saturdays. As the day progresses, so do the people that go in. Did you see the throng of people I had to squeeze into? The entrance is quite narrow and there is a security guard that controls the number of people coming in. I arrived just before noon and yes a mass of humanity greeted me at the door.
Make a list beforehand on the items you want to buy. Aisles are narrow. Take photos so you can show the pharmacists what you want if French is not your second language. Some of them speak in English but they are busy attending to tourists, you have to catch their attention quickly.
Head to the aisles that have the cult favorites like Bioderma, Embryolisse, Nuxe and Caudalie. These run out really fast. Did you know that you are also given a limited amount of bottles to purchase? Only 2-3 sets of the prepackaged items are allowed so head to this area first.
Don’t forget to bring your passport to avail of the tax refund. They will not process your refund if you bring a copy of your passport.
Remain Calm. It’s like a market inside. Ask questions and utilize the help of the roving pharmacists, they really make good recommendations. If you are with your spouse or boyfriend, direct them to the cafe across the street to have coffee and a croissant and macaroon while waiting for you. It usually takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours to navigate this gem of a store.
The products sold here are similar to drugstore products wherein they are not as expensive as the branded ones like Guerlain, La Prairie, La Mer etc. I must admit I spent at least Euros 290! Expensive but I was able to get a 12% VAT rebate, so it was still cheaper than when I got them online or here. Sorry big Manila department stores, but I understand taxes and markups are taken into play here. My saving grace is, when I run out of 1 or 2 products, it will be available here for me to grab when I need to replenish my kit.
Euro exchange to Peso is roughly around 66 Euros to Php1.00 I ‘ll indicate the Php price to reflect the 12% rebate.
Embryolisse Moisturizer in 75 ml and 30 ml. Php695.00 Php350.00
Called the Holy Grail of moisturizers by makeup artists worldwide, this was sold as as a 2-1 product. I just bought an extra small one for when I condense my kit. I use this as a moisturizer for those with normal to dry skin, I avoid the nose, forehead and chin area. I use a separate matte moisturizer on the T zone if needed. This acts as my primer before the application of the base or foundation. TIP: Mix a small amount to any dense, thick foundation to sheer it out and make it easier to blend and it gives the skin a dewy effect. You can also use this as an eraser when you do your eye flicks with a liquid liner, dip your q-tip into this and apply to the area. It may be used in the under eye area when dry and when you have no eye cream available.
Embryolisse Hydra Mat Emulsion Php 870.00
For oily and combination skin, this is a good moisturizer to use, Like what it says, it mattifies the T zone and allows the skin to breathe without the heaviness of a creamy moisturizer.
Bioderma Micellar Cleansing Water for Combination Skin Php 1,160.00 for 2 and Php 265.00 for the 100 ml.
Hands down, the best makeup remover. Does not sting, removes all traces of makeup quickly and doesnt leave an uncomfortable film on the face. TIP: If you dont have a toner, this takes the place of it. You can also use this to remove undereye shadow fallout before applying your concealer, specially when you’re doing a smoky eye.
Vichy Purete Thermale Tonic Php 585.00
My favorite toner, it works for combination skin and also for sensitive skin. Does not sting and doesnt have alcohol.
Embryolisse Secret de maquilleurs eye contour stick Php695.00
I’m a big fan of eye creams specially that firms the upper lid. I believe in prevention first, as we age, our lids get droopy and to avoid this, I use this to firm and delay the drooping stage.
Bioderma Crealine Yeux Creme Php 620.00, Vichy Neovadiol Contouren eye cream Php 1, 045.00 Embryolisse Smoothing Eye Contour Care Php 650.00
Fanatic about sagging lids, I personally use the Vichy one because of the metal applicator that makes it cool to apply. I apply a small amount on the eye and use the metal tip to massage the area. These eye creams are good for keeping wrinkles at crows feet at bay. Infused with vitamins and all the good stuff, its safe to use morning and night.
La Roche Posay SeroZinc Php 350.00
I got hooked on this through the webinar that I attended with Kevin James Bennett, and he recommended this specially for those who have very oily skin. Contains Zinc, it also helps tone down redness in the face. Those with Rosacea can benefit from this before their makeup application. Can be used in place of a toner. TIP: Store this in the refrigerator before spraying on the face
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Php 700.00
This toning mist tightens pores, refreshes face and sets makeup. it has rosemary extract, mint and other essential oils to prepare the face for the next makeup application. TIP: Men can use this after they shave and when you’ve overpowdered you face, spray this and this will refresh your makeup and lessen the opacity of the powder.
Darphin Melaperfect Hyperpigmentation Php 2735.00
This was the most expensive skincare that I bought, I have the beginnings of round pigmentation on my face and since I dont want to subject myself to invasive procedures yet, I’ll take my time to use something less expensive. I consulted the pharmacists there and this is what they recommended for me. I began using this during my trip and it has somewhat even out my skin tone a bit. I use this only in the morning. It has a light consistency and doesnt feel heavy at all.
Talika Eyebrow Php1,740.00 and Eyelash serums Php 845.00
I have sparse eyelashes and this brand was recommended to me and we’ll see in a few months if these work. My eyebrows are not yet microblade ready yet, I still dont have the need for it yet since I can still do my eyebrows with a pencil and shadow, the only sparse area is the front brow which is getting a little sparse. I hope this works.
Biafine Php 360.00
I bought this cream mainly for superficial burns and sunburn and post dermatolic procedures. If you’re traveling to a very cold country, TIP, you can use this as face mask to bring back hydration on the face. I’ve also used this on my feet specially around the heel area when your feet start to crack. Repairs instantly.
Homeoplasmine Php 370.00
Another cult classic favored by makeup artists, this is an all around balm. It was first used as a cream for breastfeeding mothers when their nipples get sore, they apply this balm to soothe the redness and inflammation. TIP: This can also be used in the face when you want to add a glow on the high points of the face, like the upper cheekbones to give a dewy effect. Tap on the face and dont rub. This is also used as a lip conditioner, hydrates, smoothes chapped lips.
Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip balm Php 380.00
This lip balm is a life saver, it’s like a matte lip balm but hydrates and restores smoothness to the lips. The only thing I don’t like is the packaging, a bit bulky but I will depot in a small container to put in my kit. TIP: For those matte lipstick lovers, apply this before your lipstick and it wont be as drying.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry oil Php 1100.00 and Shimmering oil Php 1230.00
Similar to Argan oil, this oil can be used on the face, hair and body. Its dry oil that doesnt leave any residue on the face. I’ve mixed this with my foundation and it is not greasy or sticky, safe to use on sensitive skin. I love the old fashioned glass bottle and the spray applicator. I have small bottles that I can transfer them into when you’re travelling. TIP: The shimmering oil can be used as a bronzer to the collarbone and applied on the outer perimeter of the face using a foundation brush or sponge and blend.
Assorted Skin relief creams price ranges Php 200.00 – Php 400.00
I love purchasing these creams for insect bites, balms for sore muscles, bruise creams. These are difficult to find here and most of them require prescriptions. These are offered on the shelf and they work, because they are homeopathic medicines that are plant based and work immediately on the skin and body. Applied in small doses, they are potent enough to heal and repair tissues and wounds. These are like my first aid go tos and can be used in any situations.
Now that you’ve seen what I hauled, yes this is what I lugged around till we got to Spain. Before leaving for my vacation, I checked out the prices and availability of some the french skincare products here in Manila specially Bioderma, Embryolisee and Nuxe and Avene. Like I said, prices here are double or maybe triple due to taxes and markups. These items really made my luggage heavy but I still realized that I got a good deal on what I bought but knowing what I know is available here, I will restock my kit and purchase them here. A Paris trip is nice, sigh, if only it was that easy.
Let me know what items you’ve discovered in City Pharma.
City Pharma is located at SELAS Pharmacie Du Four Bonaparte
26 rue du Four – Angle 49 rue Bonaparte 75006 Paris
Tel : 01 46 33 06 09
Email : contact@pharmacie-citypharma.fr