I Lost My Luggage... And Discovered 5 Beauty Gems In The Process

It’s one of those things you think is never going to happen - lost luggage. But then it does.

I found myself in Corsica for a three-day shoot. I was excited for the job, with every outfit planned out - and a meticulously packed travel beauty kit… then Air Corsica go and leave my suitcase behind in Nice.

I was given €100 to replace my beauty essentials while I waited for my luggage (I’m still waiting for the refund thanks to endless admin!). However it turned into a happy accident, introducing me to some brilliant French pharmacy products I probably wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.

This was probably the first thing I picked up, and a product that quickly became the hero of my emergency French pharmacy haul. It’s not exactly the most glamorous product but it is one that you end up reaching for constantly - especially after a day of travelling, when you’ve had enough of airports and aeroplanes.

What I love about this, is that it’s thick without feeling impossibly heavy. Whether it’s dry lips, cracked or tight skin or minor injuries - you really can use this for anything. It became my go-to for any areas that needed a little extra care.

Something I didn’t realise until after purchasing was that it’s actually suitable for cancer patients, whose skin can often become dry due to the treatment they’re receiving.

Shop La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume

I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting to get particularly excited about an eye make-up remover. But when you’ve spent three days shooting, taking your make-up off at the end of the day suddenly becomes a very serious business.

This one is wonderfully gentle, which was exactly what I needed after long days and even longer nights. It gets rid of everything without that horrible rubbing and scrubbing around your eyes - and avoids the awkward stage of looking like a Panda and wondering to yourself “Did I really need to wear waterproof mascara today?”.

And yes ladies and gents, this product removes waterproof mascara without an issue and has therefore firmly earned a place in my travel beauty bag ever since. Two products in and I was quietly thanking Air Corsica for the lost baggage… this haul was off to a flying start.

Shop Avène Eye Make-Up Remover

There is something about discovering a really good serum when you’re travelling that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even when your suitcase is somewhere else entirely.

Vichy Minéral 89 was my unexpected find. It’s lightweight, easy to layer and gives your skin that much-needed dose of hydration, especially after flying. In all honesty, I was always sceptical about a serum and thinking “what do they actually do”, but different to a moisturiser, the Vichy Minéral 89 leaves you with an incredible glow that stays throughout the day.

I originally bought it because I needed something quickly; I ended up adding it as a regular to my skincare rotation.

Shop Vichy Serum

This was another slightly panicked pharmacy purchase that turned out to be a very good decision. SVR Sun Secure Eau Solaire is an SPF50 designed for sensitive skin, but unlike some of the heavier sunscreens I’ve used, this has a much lighter, more fluid feel.

This was exactly what I needed for long days in the Corsican sun - easy to apply, comfortable on the skin and without feeling like I’d covered myself in a layer of sunscreen. It’s perfect as you don’t get that white cast like you get from other, heavier SPF’s.

This one might be hard to source in the UK but instead you could try the Caudalie SPF50 Glow Oil which has a very similar texture or the Eucerin Sensitive Protect Transparent Dry Touch SPF50 Spray - which again is great for darker skin tones, leaving no white cast on the skin.

Shop SVR SPF50

And finally, another ‘not so glamorous purchase’, but arguably one of the most necessary. When your suitcase is sitting somewhere in Nice and you’ve got three days ahead of you, deodorant suddenly becomes a beauty essential.

I must admit, this get’s a mention because of the armpit-saving impact it had on the trip, but there are definitely some better deodorants on the market.

I particularly love Wild or Make Waves Refillable Deodorants. Both products work incredibly, smell delicious and have a positive impact on the planet, which of course I love.

Shop La Roche-Posay Deodorant

This is not a new discovery to me, but one that definitely deserves an honourable mention.

Homeoplasmine is one of those cult French pharmacy products that seems to have a devoted following for good reason. A rich, protective balm that can be used on areas of dry or irritated skin, it quickly became one of those things I found myself reaching for without really thinking about it.

It’s not particularly fancy, the packaging isn’t trying to seduce you, and yet somehow it feels like the sort of product that French women have known about forever and the rest of us are only just catching on to.

Shop Homeoplasmine Balm

Biafine was another discovery that will always get a repurchase from me, when visiting a French pharmacy. It’s a soothing, moisturising emulsion that has something of a cult status in French pharmacies, and I can see why.

The texture is light enough to use comfortably while still feeling properly nourishing, making it a lovely addition to an emergency beauty kit.

Shop Biafine Emulsion

A trip to France is very rarely complete without a visit to a French pharmacy. So my final recommendation is City Pharma - a beauty editors dream. Research what you want before going to limit the overwhelm - then grab a basket and discover aisle after aisle of beauty products at such affordable prices.

Hazel