A Makeup Artist’s Guide to Shopping at Monoprix: What to Buy (and What to Skip)
If you’re visiting Paris, you’ve probably heard people rave about French pharmacies. While they’re absolutely worth exploring, there’s another beauty destination that many tourists overlook: Monoprix.
Part department store, part supermarket, part beauty haven, Monoprix is one of my favourite places to browse for affordable French beauty products. As a professional makeup artist living in Paris, I often stop in to replenish my kit, discover new launches or pick up products I recommend to clients during my beauty shopping tours.
The best part? You don’t need to spend hundreds of euros to bring home incredible French beauty products.
Here’s exactly what I recommend shopping for at Monoprix.
Why Shop at Monoprix?
Think of Monoprix as the French equivalent of Target – your one stop shop for everything you need!
You’ll find:
- French makeup brands you may not see at home
- Affordable skincare
- Haircare loved by Parisians
- Chic accessories
- Seasonal beauty launches
- French pharmacy favourites in selected locations
Unlike many tourist shops, the products are priced for locals, making Monoprix one of the best places to find authentic French beauty without paying inflated prices.
The Makeup Brands Worth Looking For
Bourjois
One of France’s most iconic makeup brands, Bourjois has been creating cosmetics since the 19th century and remains a favourite for effortless, everyday beauty.One of the oldest makeup brands in the world, born in Parisian theatre, Bourgeois is now known for affordable, fun cosmetics with a distinctly French style.
I especially recommend looking for:
- Their range of ‘Rouge Velvet’ lipsticks
-
TWIST’MATIC KAJAL Eyeliner
- Little Round Pot Blushes – it’s what made them famous!
- Twist Up Mascara
The formulas are easy to wear, beautifully blendable and perfect for achieving that effortless French makeup look.
L’Oréal Paris
While L’Oréal is available around the world, you’ll often find products, colours and new releases in France before they arrive elsewhere.
If you’re already a fan, Monoprix is a great place to stock up while you’re in Paris.
Rouge Baiser
This heritage French brand isn’t available in every Monoprix, but it’s always exciting when I spot it.
Rouge Baiser is a historic French makeup brand best known for pioneering one of the first truly long-lasting lipsticks. Created in 1927, it’s name means ‘red kiss’ in French.
It’s totally worth picking up a lipstick to try!
Other non French Makeup Brands that are worth your time
Now, these aren’t French brands, but you still aren’t very likely of finding them back home:
- Korres – greek brand with great skincare, perfumes and makeup
- Deborah Milano – a cute Italian brand
Don’t Skip the Haircare Aisle
French women often favour healthy, natural-looking hair over elaborate styling, and Monoprix carries some fantastic products.
Look out for:
- Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
- Garnier Ultra Doux hair masks
- Dessange Paris haircare
- René Furterer products (available in larger stores)
Many of these products cost significantly less in France than they do abroad.
My Favourite Affordable Skincare Finds
One thing I love about Monoprix is that you can build an excellent skincare routine without spending a fortune. The bigger Monoprix usually have a ‘Parapharmacie’ section and carry your favorite French skincare brands.
Keep an eye out for:
- Embryolisse moisturisers
- Nuxe lip care
- La Rosée skincare
- La Provençale Bio
- Cattier clay masks
- Bioderma micellar water (some locations)
- Wide range of sunscreens
Always keep an eye out for cute gift or travel sets. They make great gifts!
Beauty Accessories Worth Buying
Many visitors focus only on skincare and makeup, but I always encourage my clients to browse the accessories.
Some hidden gems include:
- French hair clips and claw clips
- Cosmetic bags
- Makeup brushes
- Tweezers
- Chic toiletry cases
They’re practical, stylish and often much more affordable than similar products in other countries.
What I Usually Skip
Not everything deserves a place in your suitcase.
Unless you’re specifically looking for them, I’d usually skip:
- Trend-driven novelty products
- Large shampoo bottles (they’re heavy to travel with)
- Anything you can buy for the same price back home – Nyx, Maybelline, etc.
- Tourist souvenir beauty sets that don’t offer good value
Instead, save your luggage space for products that are genuinely harder to find outside France.
Shopping Tips From a Makeup Artist
Here are a few tricks I share with clients during my guided shopping tours:
- Visit a larger Monoprix if you can, the beauty selection is usually much better. My favorites are the Champs Elysees and Gare Montparnasse stations (hot tip, the Montparnasse location won’t be nearly as busy)
- Check the end displays for limited edition collections and seasonal launches.
- Compare prices with the pharmacy next door; some products are cheaper in one location than the other.
- Don’t overlook the travel-size section it’s perfect for trying new products without committing to a full-size bottle.
- If you see something you love, don’t assume another Monoprix will stock it. Product ranges can vary from one neighbourhood to the next.
Want to Shop Like a Local?
One of the biggest challenges visitors face isn’t finding beauty products, it’s knowing which ones are actually worth buying.
That’s exactly why I created my Paris Beauty Shopping Tours.
As a professional makeup artist, I’ll help you discover the products I genuinely recommend, explain what makes French beauty so unique, and help you avoid spending money on products that don’t live up to the hype.
Whether you’re looking for skincare, makeup, haircare or hidden beauty boutiques, I’ll help you shop with confidence and leave Paris with products you’ll actually use.
If you’d like to experience Paris through the lens of a beauty professional, I’d love to show you my favourite beauty destinations, including some wonderful Monoprix locations and many other hidden gems that most visitors never discover.
If you’d like to shop for more natural based cosmetics, and learn some fascinating history, then check out my Guided Marie Antoinette Shopping Tour. Find pricing here and a more detailed description here.