The Printemps Report

Wherein, I visit the French department-store-that-says-it's-not-a-department-store, so you don't have to.

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It’s finally beginning to feel like spring, and so what better time to plunge oneself into the concept-shop-esque, tricolor marble fantastia of the newly opened Printemps New York, a famed French department store that has landed in possibly the least French neighborhood imaginable at One Wall Street? I managed to get away to New York for a couple of days last week and headed down to FiDi on a particularly unpleasant rainy day to (hopefully) be revived by Printemps’ signature bright-green-anything, which I was, even if the algorithm immediately clocked me as cringe afterwards. Whatever.

I’m not going to get into recommendations of Jaquemus and Courrèges, because, Christ, in this economy? But what I was really taken by (aside from the beautiful interiors) was the corridor of beauty, a long, vaguely subterranean-feeling tunnel of potions and powders from buzzy French brands. So let’s start there: 5 Nice Things From Printemps’ Beauty Department Experience.

1) Obvious Parfum “Une Pistache” ($140)
Oh, another pistachio perfume, you’re thinking. If the recent déluge of pistachio-themed things has you conjuring the sticky-sweet sentimentality of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, I get it. But this is different. Obvious Parfum had a number of dreamy scents at Printemps that made me sit up and take notice (and, oh, dear lord, they also make hand soaps, which we all know is my weakness). But Pistache really set itself apart, because it’s somehow gourmand-but-not. It’s not dessert-y, per se—just milky, and rich, and indulgent. The listed notes are Neroli, Cardamom, Carrot, Milk, Heliotrope, Olibanum, Sandalwood, Cashmeran, Musk, if that helps you envision it at all, but all week, as I kept getting a renewed whiff of it every time I put my hands in my coat pocket (where I’d absent-mindedly stashed the scent-tester card), I kept thinking, this smells elevated. Not cutesy and cake-y, just…grown-up. Luxe. If you have a chance to snag a sample of this, or anything else by Obvious, please do yourself a favor and seize it.

2) Mimétique Skin Restore Face Cream ($85)
I wasn’t familiar with Mimétique before encountering their line at Printemps, but I became an instant convert after testing their face cream. This is one of those products that feels so essentially French to me, because it’s a sort of one-and-done, utility-but-make-it-seem-chic-and-effortless multitasking product. Sure, it’s $85, and you’ll spend a fair bit getting it shipped (stock up to mitigate the shipping price—that’s girl math, right?), but there’s something essentially unfussy about it. You can toss the tube in your bag and make believe for five minutes that you’re low maintenance. (Am I projecting? I’m projecting.)

What really got me here is the texture. This is the silkiest, most beautifully absorbing product I’ve tried in a while. Hyaluronic acid and squalene (nothing new) hydrate and plump the skin, while “skin-mimicking” (“mimétique”, get it?) complexes support barrier health. This was sold out, because the only thing New Yorkers love more than New Yorkers is the French, so I couldn’t bring a tube home. But even after sampling it, I’m convinced.

3) La Bonne Brosse ($168)
If you’re the type of person who thinks Mason-Pearson is a little cliché, I’ve got good news. Bonne Brosse’s natural boar-bristle brushes help distribute healthy oils and boost keratin, while stimulating the scalp—but if you’re a hair brush girlie, you know this already. The two distinguishing factors of Bonne Brosse are 1) their diagnostic quiz, which guides you to the right brush for you based on your hair type and needs, and 2) the very-of-the-moment colored laquer finish. Don’t lie. You know you want to take Instagram snaps of this brush, tossed elegantly askew, on your vanity.

4) Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner ($34)
This one is sort of a cheat. You don’t have to go anywhere particularly French to pick up Posh’s beauty products. The line is quickly becoming omnipresent at any number of mainstream beauty retailers, but this is just included to say: the hype is real. I hadn’t gotten to play with the lauded eye liners IRL prior to this trip, but I picked up some things at Printemps and I must admit that Victoria Beckham does indeed know what she’s doing. These are hella pigmented, and sooooo buttery smooth. Not French, but aspirational in spirit. 10/10.

5) Leonor Greyl Secret de Beauté Hair & Body Oil ($74)
I’ve written about Leonor Greyl’s multitasking hair and body oil before, many years ago when I was studying in Paris, but to be honest, I’d kind of forgotten about it until it popped up in front of me at Printemps. (As a hurried French Pharmacie/airport Duty-Free shopper, I’m a NUXE loyalist these days.) But just because Leonor Greyl is a classic, doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Their signature “Secret de Beauté” oil is loaded with skin- and hair-loving ingredients, like Vitamin-E rich Sweet Almond Oil and antioxidant-rich Pomegranate oil. It’s another top-shelf powerhouse for your routine, moisturizing and nourishing your body and your blowout alike. This plus the Bonne Brosse? Game-changer.

Okay! That’s it. If you enjoyed this—or, maybe especially, if you purchased anything from this list—let me know. I don’t have affiliate links because I’m not a Real Person yet, so you can feel confident my recommendations are genuine. See you next time—and meanwhile, if you're shopping for anything in particular without success, drop me a line and I'll do my best to offer recommendations that don't suck. Until then!