Here are some Beauty Tips for a Summer in Provence . . . ones I have tried over the years here, and guaranteed to help me survive the heat and humidity during the long hot summer months. They are all widely available at pharmacies here as Caudalie is a trusted brand here in France. I also love the fact that it is very grape orientated after all this is France, hugely known for its grapes and its vineyards.
Beauty Tips for a summer in provence
- If you have a favourite panama hat bring it, if not don’t sweat!! There are so many opportunities to buy a special one whilst here. whether in a little shop dedicated to hats such as the lovely one in Lourmarin, or many market stalls have some really nice ones.
- Caudalie Grape water – Eau de Raisin is a spray I am never without. I keep it in my basket and you will find me giving myself a quick facial spritz. Perfect if you tend to overheat as it dries naturally and quickly. They say the women who crushed the grapes with their feet used to use the grape juice for nice skin. So here’s your opportunity minus the grape stomping!
- Caudalie Huile Solaire Sublimatrice – Beautifying Suncare Oil 30 SPF. I love how your limbs look sun kissed and golden with this oil.
- Caudalie Vinosun Protect Invisible Protection 50 SPF. A creamy version that will rub in to your skin without a single trace.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios spf50+ Invisible spray (perfumed) non-greasy and no white trace marks.
- Mosquitoes and other biting insects abound in summer, so yes the pharmacies have deterrents, however I prefer buying mine from the health food shops, as they are much kinder to sensitive skins. So stock up! There is stuff for the skin and stuff for fabrics, as yes they can much through fabrics. And also go easy on wearing black or navy colours. In my experience these irritating little pests seem to be more attracted to dark colours.
- Wasps love picnics and pools – I keep a little homeopathic kit with Ledum, Apis for sting-relief.
- A luseful kit called an Aspivenin that all pharmacies stock . . . this little kit comes with a small pump with different sized plastic tips that you use to suck the venom out. It is used not just for insect bites/stings but also for snake bites! If successfully done you will really notice the relief.
A glass or stainless steel water bottle due to the extreme heat is so much more sensible than a plastic one. I have a stainless steel one that keeps my coffee hot or I can use it to keep iced water chilled for a good while.
A little trick I learnt whilst on my visits to India and Java was to have a small turkish towel face cloth soaked in cold water and wrung out tucked into a small zip-locked bag. There will be many instances when you will find this particularly useful.
French pharmacies
I’ve never met a female, tiny, young or old that does not adore a visit to a French Pharmacy. I also think it’s how French women learn from a very early age, to look after their skin. My grand-daughter loves visiting as they really do cater to us gals of all ages. Last visit she found, healthy teddy bear shaped vitamin C jellies, a lip gloss shaped as a pretty ice cream cone, and a pale brown teddy-bear type furry washbag.
I always encourage the leader of visiting groups to let their groups off at a good sized pharmacy for a fun time. As all the items are relatively small they easily fit into luggage so no problem there. Remember though, for liquid items you will need to put these into hold luggage.
These are my top beauty tips for a summer in Provence. They are all tried and tested, and as I have very sensitive skin, they will be perfect for all you similar types. I also use these on my grandchildren so safe also for kids.
Coustellet Pharmacy:
Elsie Santé
90 Route d’Avignon
84220 Cabrières-d’Avignon
Tel: 04 90 76 91 36
Monday – Saturday : 8:00 – 20:00
Saturday : 8:00 – 19:00 & Sunday : 8:30 – 12:30
I am also a big fan of the pharmacy in Robion:
Pharmacy des Marronniers
732 Avenue Aristide Briand
84440 Robion
Tel: 04 90 76 55 67
Monday – Saturday : 09h00-12h30 / 14h30-19h30
