French skincare in general

[ohnonotshoppingagain]

I was thinking this afternoon how L'Oreal ditched Decleor in the EU as well as the USA which made me wonder what happened to all that stock? The other thing I thought was actually had I known the brand had previously been owned by Shiseido before being sold to L'Oreal I would not have used Decleor as Shiseido have never been cruelty free.

Gatineau was previously owned by Revlon then snapped up by The Skin Sanctary who owns it still. My first thought is you would assume L'Oreal would favour French beauty companies but not so.

I often wonder without doing our own research, how many of us assume when we are told a certain skin care company based and founded in .France is still French owned. I remember all the wonderful stories, origins for example, and video presentations and thinking it must be good if it's French.

 

[donna255]

If you go to escentual.com, they do loads of French drug store brands.
You see them in Boots, Vichy etc.

Have I ever thought French brands better than any other brand? No. Well, perfume, that would be a yes.

QVC was always about pushing the spa brands, hence Decleor.

 

[Grizelda]

Other myths about the French: The women dress better than in other countries and that they are better cooks. Untrue. BTW, have Gatineau on QVC ditched Madame Gatineau? They always used to show a grainy old photograph of her as the pioneer of the brand.

 

[donna255]

Madam Gatineau no doubt started the brand over a 100 year ago and the brand has changed so much they have packed her starting the brand in the vault. It was a Revlon brand back in the early 90s and even did makeup until Andrew bought it out.

 

[Choosi5050]

I was thinking this afternoon how L'Oreal ditched Decleor in the EU as well as the USA which made me wonder what happened to all that stock? The other thing I thought was actually had I known the brand had previously been owned by Shiseido before being sold to L'Oreal I would not have used Decleor as Shiseido have never been cruelty free.

Gatineau was previously owned by Revlon then snapped up by The Skin Sanctary who owns it still. My first thought is you would assume L'Oreal would favour French beauty companies but not so.

I often wonder without doing our own research, how many of us assume when we are told a certain skin care company based and founded in .France is still French owned. I remember all the wonderful stories, origins for example, and video presentations and thinking it must be good if it's French.

I always do this now. I can’t believe the misrepresentations that go on. Liz Earle - they never once mentioned that it had been sold and sold again (& again). Laura Geller a prime example - she sold out aeons ago which accounts for the fact that most it is is now manufactured in China and full of talc. And don’t get me started on Estée Lauder and all of their acquisitions!

 

[Sazza]

I always do this now. I can’t believe the misrepresentations that go on. Liz Earle - they never once mentioned that it had been sold and sold again (& again). Laura Geller a prime example - she sold out aeons ago which accounts for the fact that most it is is now manufactured in China and full of talc. And don’t get me started on Estée Lauder and all of their acquisitions!

To play devil's advocate..........You don't go to a skin or makeup counter in Boots, John Lewis etc.....and expect them to tell you who owns them so why should Q?

 

[ohnonotshoppingagain]

I research brands so I know when they are sold and who too. For me no one does perfume like the French I am a huge perfume person, never buy Eau de Toilette. I do actually think .french beauty brands are the best, just my personal opinion. I am also a huge fan of Gatineau.

 

[ohnonotshoppingagain]

Incidentally, French wonen dress in a stylish classy way, but I am probably bias because Italian women's' style is far better, stylish and classic overall, obviously depending on the budget.

 

[Grizelda]

In the town where I live (Northern Italy) the women mainly wear simple clothes - nothing special. A few are extremely well dressed. But all pay a lot of attention to their skin and hair. Even in this small place, there are several 'studios' for skin treatments and therapy.

 

[ohnonotshoppingagain]

In the town where I live (Northern Italy) the women mainly wear simple clothes - nothing special. A few are extremely well dressed. But all pay a lot of attention to their skin and hair. Even in this small place, there are several 'studios' for skin treatments and therapy.

yes I think on my many family visits to rural Italy it is exactly as you say, but they still take pride. My favourite place on the planet is Italy. In the big cities wealthy wonen don't keep buying clothes as we do over here, but they buy one new outfit and extras in a year, covered in their wardrobes with clothes protectors, but those new outfits will probably cost more than anything I have.

 

[Loveinamist]

Before my skin went sensitive haywire I could use French brand Nuxe I was introduced to and purchased off Q back in the day, a brand I enjoyed. Notice it’s sold in Boots now and M&S. I won’t risk trying it again, stick with a very simple routine. I’ve even jibbed off pro coll marine cream after many years, the only Elemis item I didn’t react to.

 

[Totally Loopy Lou]

Before my skin went sensitive haywire I could use French brand Nuxe I was introduced to and purchased off Q back in the day, a brand I enjoyed. Notice it’s sold in Boots now and M&S. I won’t risk trying it again, stick with a very simple routine. I’ve even jibbed off pro coll marine cream after many years, the only Elemis item I didn’t react to.

Not surprised you struggle with Nuxe.

I used to be gifted it by my God mum occasionally - they often have offers on their own website and as you say M&S has sold it for a few years and also reduces stock at times.

I like their “dry oils” a lot but now find them too scented on my face..

Wonder if it’s fragrance that is bothering your skin? I think PCMC is scented too?

Hope you’ve found something you can tolerate and suits you.

 

[candycane]

Incidentally, French wonen dress in a stylish classy way, but I am probably bias because Italian women's' style is far better, stylish and classic overall, obviously depending on the budget.

That might depend on what part of France you go to! We visit Nantes often and the French women there wear leggings/padded coats/hoodies and many other recognisable slobby clothes. They aren't tourists either but very nice French people buying cheap stuff like us Brits!

CC

 

[alter ego]

If you go to escentual.com, they do loads of French drug store brands.
You see them in Boots, Vichy etc.

Have I ever thought French brands better than any other brand? No. Well, perfume, that would be a yes.

QVC was always about pushing the spa brands, hence Decleor.

They regularly do a third off French pharmacy brands and 25% off everything else.

They're a good company to deal with, too.

 

[Loveinamist]

Not surprised you struggle with Nuxe.

I used to be gifted it by my God mum occasionally - they often have offers on their own website and as you say M&S has sold it for a few years and also reduces stock at times.

I like their “dry oils” a lot but now find them too scented on my face..

Wonder if it’s fragrance that is bothering your skin? I think PCMC is scented too?

Hope you’ve found something you can tolerate and suits you.

Thanks TLL. Perfumes, lanolin, all oils are a no no. I use Garnier rose and Lord knows what I’ll do if they discontinue. Some of the La Roche Posay is ok after an initial sensitivity but I’m loathe to contemplate anything until I have to. Taking an antihistamine every day has calmed my skin down dramatically, I have food allergies too and have to screen everything.

 

[miss molly]

Incidentally, French wonen dress in a stylish classy way, but I am probably bias because Italian women's' style is far better, stylish and classic overall, obviously depending on the budget.

When my son was a teenager he had a Rugby exchange trip with French kids. The Parents came over and stayed in a local hotel. Left their kids for us to look after and basically had a 5 day drinking bender and party.
The French mums/women nothing classy about them just normal woman. Think us Brits scrubbed up better.

 

[Grizelda]

When my son was a teenager he had a Rugby exchange trip with French kids. The Parents came over and stayed in a local hotel. Left their kids for us to look after and basically had a 5 day drinking bender and party.
The French mums/women nothing classy about them just normal woman. Think us Brits scrubbed up better.

Spanish women, Norwegian women, and so on, in most Western countries dress by the same standard. Sure, there are those who want to look classy with expensive outfits, but in the main we all dress in a similar way.

 

[C-Lion]

It’s nonsense to think the French are better cooks and way more sophisticated than us.

If anything I think the Italians are far ahead in terms of style. I adore Italian cuisine. My Mum and I used to say that we were Italians in a previous life.

The French do not ‘own’ the title of top food and cuisine. Just because it sounds French - even started in France - does not mark it out for being top notch!

The same goes for personal care, make up etc. I still rate of Eve Lom. It’s so flipping expensive though and I love Neals Yard.

 

[Grizelda]

It’s nonsense to think the French are better cooks and way more sophisticated than us.

If anything I think the Italians are far ahead in terms of style. I adore Italian cuisine. My Mum and I used to say that we were Italians in a previous life.

The French do not ‘own’ the title of top food and cuisine. Just because it sounds French - even started in France - does not mark it out for being top notch!

The same goes for personal care, make up etc. I still rate of Eve Lom. It’s so flipping expensive though and I love Neals Yard.

I've known some really lousy French cooks. However, I think top notch French cuisine surpasses Italian. So many Italian pasta dishes are like baby food - soft and squishy and tomatoes are included in almost everything. I find American/Italian food is better than Italian/Italian.

 

[C-Lion]

Yes I kind of agree. If you go outside of the main tourist areas and find a really good local Italian restaurant they really do things amazingly well. I am just not taken with French food. Italian coffee is superb.

I love Genaro - Jamie Oliver’s pal - he is so passionate about food in a way that even the French cannot touch.

Genaro did some amazing Anti Pasti dishes which I love. Sometimes the basic but done well tend to be the best.