July 19, 2019

My French pharmacy favorites, a new way to shave and the Aveda hair-refreshing mist that lets you skip the shower.

Celebrate Bastille Day with French beauty

I’ve received some insane product deliveries in my time, including ice sculptures, designer bags (back in the 00s), and too many dozens of Levain Bakery cookies and Baked by Melissa cupcakes to count. Their frequency has definitely declined since I went freelance, so now I see just about any package as a pleasant surprise. But I was truly blown away a few weeks ago when I opened my front door to find this Bastille Day behemoth filled with best-selling Klorane, Eau Thermale Avene and René Furterer products.

This package was especially appreciated because I’m obsessed with French pharmacies—and all of the personal-care treasures they have to offer. Although I’ve tried many of these products in the past (including Eau Thermale Avene’s Thermal Spring Water and Cold Cream Lip Butter, René Furterer’s Karité Hydra hair mask and Klorane’s dry shampoo and Floral Water Make-Up Remover ) I was introduced to a few great new ones, and here are the highlights.

René Furterer Style Vegetal Texture Spray: When your hair is just too squeaky-clean for your liking, this lightweight mist adds the touch of tousle and shine you long for, minus the dulling powdery residue.

Klorane KERATINcaps Hair and Nails Dietary Supplements: Truth be told, I gave these to my Pilates instructor after she told me she wanted to grow out her hair. Just a few weeks later, we’ve already noticed the difference!

Eau Thermale Avene Skin Recovery Cream: My skin freaked the F out a few weeks ago (I still haven’t figured out why), and I couldn’t use ANYTHING without experiencing burning and stinging. This hypoallergenic soothing and protective cream literally saved the day.

Although I’ll probably be spending Bastille Day with a hangover since we’re having a party for my husband’s birthday tomorrow night—I plan on celebrating by treating myself to these French pharmacy favorites! (I have a feeling the Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Eye Patches will come in particularly handy. Maybe I should give them to everyone as party favors!)

The future of shaving is here

It’s kind of crazy to think that I’ve been shaving my legs for more than 30 years. Sure, I started with an electric razor before moving on to the Flicker (you can get one on Etsy for $76!) and finally graduating to those pink disposable razors that I can’t remember the name of. Other than a few additional blades, the shaving scene hasn’t changed all that much over the past few decades—but then the Aveline razor landed on my doorstep. 

I wasn’t really sure what to make of it at first. Although it bears resemblance to the head razors some men use, I obviously have no experience with this sort of personal grooming. The innovative design essentially eliminates the long handle and features a “ring” for your middle finger so the razor can actually sit in the palm of your hand. There are also three rollerballs to help guide the razor—and it has a suspension system that allows the razor head to adapt to curves (such as around your knees). All this is meant to give you more control along with a close shave and less risk of nicking yourself.

I’ll admit it takes a little getting used to—and you can hold it like a tradition razor (albeit with an abbreviated handle)—but the results have been great. I definitely noticed smoother skin as compared to my usual razor (although I think it’s time to replace my cartridge) and I haven’t cut myself at all.

In an effort to transform your entire shaving experience, Avenine has also introduced the Salt & Sugar Body Scrub, Shea Butter Shave Cream and Botanical Body Lotion. You can get product as well as the razor a la carte for $8 each (which is a pretty decent price), or splurge for the starter kit for $29. From there, you can subscribe to have replacement cartridges sent your way on your schedule—and Aveline is decidedly anti-Pink Tax so you know you’re not paying extra just because you’re a woman (and we like that, right?).

Refresh your tresses without sacrificing your blowout

We’ve officially arrived at that point in the summer when it’s impossible to step outside without breaking a sweat. Checking the mail or walking the dog inevitably leads to schvitzing from head to toe—and two showers a day (minimum) has become the norm. This is hardly a conducive blow-out environment (which is why I rarely style my hair this time of year), and dry shampoo can be problematic, especially if you get caught in the daily afternoon downpour.

That’s why I’m intrigued by Aveda’s Rinseless Refresh… Basically a micellar water spray made for slightly wavy and curlier hair, it eliminates all signs of a sweaty scalp due to a workout or swampy summer weather while reviving your day-2 (and beyond) style. Featuring Aveda’s signature scent along with weightless texture-enhancing and frizz-fighting polymers that help buy you more time between washes, this might be the secret weapon for good hair for the rest of the summer.