Pharmacy Finds
In recent years, our pharmacies have transformed into veritable Aladdin's caves of beauty treasure. From chic French pharmacy offerings to iconic makeup buys, these are the best your chemist has to offer.
Gentle Wash
Whether you’re seeking out a gentle, fragrance- and soap-free body wash for sensitive skin, or are just keen to find an affordable product that does the job, QV is a fail-safe buy. It leaves skin feeling hydrated post-shower while also being non-comedogenic (i.e. it’ll never block pores or make you breakout). Simple and effective.
Lip Balm
This beauty has been hydrating parched lips worldwide for over 80 years: beeswax and cocoa seed butter keep lips in top condition, while its signature (and addictive) tingle is thanks to camphor and menthol. It’s a handbag staple for good reason.
Eye Shade and Blend Brushes
We’re big fans of Real Techniques’ range – their brushes are long-lasting and professional quality, but with a very attractive price point. Case in point: this eyeshadow duo, which is the perfect pair for applying eyeshadow quickly but seamlessly. A must-have addition to every makeup brush collection.
Natural Milk Shampoo
Good hair starts with a healthy scalp, which is why we’re obsessed with this scalp-soothing shampoo. Free from the usual scalp-irritating culprits (SLS and phthalates), it also boasts milk proteins to leave strands hydrated and protected. Expect a healthier, happier scalp – which in turn will give you gorgeous locks.
ColorStay Foundation
It’s Australia’s best-selling foundation (one is sold every minute) and frankly, we’re not surprised. It’s a regular fixture in the kits of the makeup artists we work with, thanks to its long-lasting, no smudge formula – you can put it on early in the morning and be confident your skin still looks gorgeous for post-work drinks.
Anthelios Xl Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+
We spent years stocking up our suitcases with the stuff on trips to Paris, but now this cult French sunscreen is easily available on Australian shores (thank goodness). Offering exceptional SPF protection but without the usual stickiness or chalky white cast, it’s all our sunscreen dreams come true. It works beautifully under makeup, while also being an easy, non-greasy pick for days at the beach.
Great Lash Mascara
New mascaras hit our shelves every day, but few ever reach the iconic status of Maybelline Great Lash. First debuting almost 50 years ago, it’s been a mainstay in the bathrooms of models, makeup artists and beauty lovers worldwide ever since. Jennifer Hawkins, Genevieve Smart, and Canna Campbell all shared their love of this mascara with us.
Elvive Extraordinary Hair Oil
Hair oils are our secret weapon when it comes to hydrated, healthy strands, and L’Oréal’s iconic Elvive oil works a treat on every hair type – from the finest of locks to damaged, dry manes. Our tip? We like to run a few pumps through wet strands post-shower as a leave-in treatment, but it’s also fab as a mask pre-shampoo, or to protect hair before blowdrying.
Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream
Another Gallic favourite, Avène’s cult and ultra-nourishing Cicalfate cream is a bathroom cabinet staple. Containing the brand’s signature thermal water and micronized sucralfate, it’s designed to help restore a healthy skin barrier on dry or compromised skins. Sigourney swears by it for treating all sorts of ills, from burns and flaky skin to nappy rash.
Gentle Skin Cleanser
A product routinely recommended by dermatologists that you can nab for less than $20? Yes, it exists. This cleanser leaves skins looking clear and glowing without stripping or irritating in the least. Scores of our WHO profiles cite it as a perennial favourite (including Rae Morris, Jessica Sepel, and Samantha Harris, to name a few).