Pampering in Paris

There’s skincare and there’s skincare. If you know that ‘lait’ is more than milk you drink, then you’ve been around the skincare block. Parisgirl admits she’s not the authority on this topic. I go pretty much along with the premise that a splash of cold, fresh water on the gueule (the face, that is) in the morning goes a long ways and probably does as much good in the long run, but that’s me.

There are many who will disagree. Still that doesn’t stop me from being constantly amazed at the sheer variety of skincare products out there - and Paris has to be the epicenter of this obsession. So, rather than go on about a subject for which I have absolutely no authority, let me suggest you take a quick look at Milena Damjanov’s article Paris’ Beauty Secrets in Sherman’s Travel Summer issue (you can receive a free issue if you’re considering subscribing).

Milena’s Top Ten Skincare and perfume houses in Paris include a whopping 9 out of 10 that I’ve never even heard of, much less visited. The one out of ten that I do know quite well, La Maison Guerlain has been around for a while (since 1828) 68 Avenue des Champs Elysees. Their perfumes are world famous because their perfumes use primarily natural-based essences (I don’t know if this is still true, but it was true at the time of the last report I read on Guerlain). You will have to read the article because I don’t want to give away Milena’s secrets or her research, but I will tell you this.

If you don’t want to spend $72 for a cleansing milk or $223 for bottle of perfume, you can hop into the closest pharmacy or Monoprix and pick up a bottle of Vichy Lait (or even less expensive lines at the Monoprix). These products are pretty good - I have used them (under duress from well-meaning friends who are concerned about my daily splash of water regimen!). If all other wrinkle formulas fail for you, try my Mom’s formula: Vaseline. She swears by it. It ain’t glamorous, but she’s 86 and she has no wrinkles. There you have it.