Ode to GOOP

Every Thursday I finish my clinic and crash land on my desk, and have lunch while reading Gwenyth Paltrow's great blog, GOOP. So last time I went to Paris, I had in mind her post: French Pharmacy

I love lip balm so bought her recommended Apricoderm in a French pharmacy, but it doesn't taste like apricots; it tastes like nothing. It is still nice though, and I use it every night before bed. However, in a Paris pharmacy I found something as good as Sugar's $26 lemony lip balm but only 3 Euros - Amilab. The downside is that the stick melts if it gets too warm (like in the sun). Still recommend it, it is very hydrating and tastes like creamsicles.

 And Nuxe is, OK but the smell of Lierac moisturiser or moisturising oil, also from Paris, is lily of the valley, with a hint of rocket popsicle. It's easy to find in any French pharmacy, but can also be found in Canada and the U.S.

Avibon for the skin of a French movie star sounds great, but has apparently been discontinued, after a million years of making it. It is now selling on amazon for $200 a tube. When I was in Paris I got a tube for my mother, it was 9 euros. It is yet unopened- I wonder if I should sell it! Anyway. I have it on good authority (a friend's husband is a dermatologist) that Retin A Micro is what all the smooth faced gals are using stateside. You need a MD prescription, though, this cream means business.

 Finally, not from a pharmacy but from a French grocery store, Ricore is a (nearly) caffein-free cappuccino-like chicory drink. I have loved this since back in the 90's, first trying it at my friend Olivier's, he served it in a big bowl with milk and a croissant on the side. Yum. I make it in the morning and then buy a coffee at work so that don't get too buzzed up on caffeine.