The latest in beauty products and perfumes
No one comes to Paris without at least thinking about buying beauty products, especially perfume. Why? Because it's the perfume capital of the world! Even before I came here I was seduced by the heady Quelques Fleurs (A Few Flowers) made by Houbigant. Pricey stuff, but much cheaper than the American stores offer. When in Paris, you'll notice a few perfumes you've never seen before. Many are launched here for up to a year before they make it to the US. Some never make it at all, but remain the secret of French women and connoisseurs. To find these, take a good look at the latest perfumes before you leave your hometown, in local magazines, etc. You can even ask if there are any perfumes coming in the next few months, to look for them abroad. Once you're in France, you can ask in large perfume and cosmetics stores if they know which brands aren't available in the US.
Where to Shop for the Masses
I would never buy perfume from those pricey tourist shops on the Champs-Elysées or near the Louvre. Although there may be some good discounts, especially around the Japanese tax-free shops near the Opéra. But if you're going to buy perfume in France, try and at least enjoy some of the atmosphere and selection. Buy where the locals do.
My two favorite shops are Sephora and Marionnaud (website in French only). Both are found everywhere, since they're chains, and offer a huge selection of cosmetics and perfumes for men and women. Sephora is great because everything is out where you can test it and play with it without having to talk to any sales people. All of the perfumes are lined up alphabetically along the walls, and there are plenty of gift boxes of all the latest scents. There are even little paper wands so you don't have to cover every inch of your arm with different scents, and cotton balls and make-up remover if you want to play with the lipsticks and eye shadows while you're there (which come in the major brands and Sephora's own inexpensive label). Free samples are always included in your bag at the check-out. If you're a real perfume freak, you can try and ask for more perfume samples, they usually have all of the new ones. The Marionnaud chain is more like a typical department store, where some things are out for you to test and others you have to ask for. My favorite is the one at Le Madeline behind the Madelois men's superstore. It has the largest selection of creams, perfumes and makeup. Prices at both of these chains are pretty competitive.
