I’m a TikToking traveler from New York and I’m going to France… to buy cosmetics
It’s known for its fine wines, breathtaking architecture and classic delicacies, but for a rapidly growing number of TikTokers, the main reason to visit France is to shop in one of its pharmacies to pick up ‘magical’ beauty and wellness products that aren’t so common. are easily available. available elsewhere.
Underscoring how popular this activity is with beauty gurus and viewers, TikTok videos with the hashtag #frenchpharmacy have been viewed 137 million times.
Devoted TikToker Ava Lee lives in New York and told MailOnline Travel she immediately hopped off the plane to stock up on products from CityPharma – a Parisian pharmacy that has seen a surge in popularity, with eager tourists queuing to get their hands on the products items to be obtained.
Ava, a Korean digital creator who posts on TikTok as “glowwithava,” has become something of a one-woman sales industry for French beauty products, sharing online buying tips with 1.7 million followers.
Speaking to MailOnline, Ava said she buys at least ten products when she visits a pharmacy, and on one occasion even takes an entire suitcase with her to fill with cosmetics.
Devoted TikToker Ava Lee (above) lives in New York and told MailOnline Travel she stepped straight off the plane to stock up on products at a Parisian pharmacy. TikTok videos with the hashtag #frenchpharmacy have been viewed 137 million times
Explaining her interest, she said, “I love French beauty products. Some of the biggest beauty brands come from France, so I’ve gotten some interest there and it’s fascinating every time. I love it.’
The 32-year-old said she’s flying there CityPharma at least twice a year and plan another trip in November.
Her TikTok videos take her followers on a journey and have become so popular that people are starting to recognize her in stores.
“The last time I was at CityPharma, there were people walking around with screenshots of my face,” she said.
The content creator explained that she had seen her followers holding up her videos in a desperate search for the featured products in the store.
In a TikTok video, Ava revealed a range of must-have products from the pharmacy. She said, ‘I’m back in Paris and you know the trick. First stop was the pharmacy and here’s everything I have.’
Ava Lee said she visits CityPharma, Paris, at least twice a year and is planning another trip to France in November. She described sunscreen as an essential skincare product (left) and picked up a tube of Embryolisse moisturizer (right)
Ava said she always has Biafine in stock
Ava said she ran to the Caudalie department to get sunscreen, claiming they are not available in the US.
The TikToker then showed her followers Biafine’s skin emulsion product, a moisturizer meant to treat and prevent dry skin.
Ava said: “Biafine is one I always have in stock. I enjoy receiving it and I always enjoy giving it to my friends. It’s super cheap and I like to use it for my mosquito bites too, not just for skin care.’
In the TikTok video, Ava then grabbed a tub of Embryolisse cream, which she described as “every makeup artist’s favorite moisturizer before applying makeup.”
Ava walked to the perfume aisle and grabbed a bottle of Nuxe Pink. She said: ‘I got the pink version last year, which I liked so much more than the original, so I bought another one.’
During a previous visit to her favorite pharmacy, Ava said she regretted not purchasing Eucerin’s hyaluronic filler.
According to the product websiteit is intended to counteract the aging process by boosting the production of hyaluronic acid in your skin by up to 256 percent.
Ava’s video received a total of 1.8 million views and the comments section was flooded by hundreds of followers, many of whom were eager to try out her recommendations.
One user commented: ‘I started using Embryolisse under my makeup and my foundation has never looked better.’
Others added: “I need to move to another country” and “take notes for Paris.”
While some users pointed out that the products are available for purchase in the US, Ava compared prices in a follow-up video and said it is “criminal” not to buy the products in France, where they are significantly cheaper.
Speaking to MailOnline, she said some of her favorite French products are often worth double or even triple in the US.
While looking at the receipt in the video, Ava gave the example of her beloved Biafine product, which costs just $3.89 (£3.20) per tube in France, compared to an eye-watering $42 (£34) in the USA
Ava added her thoughts in the comments, saying, “I might as well just buy another suitcase and buy more while I’m here.”