The Departure Lounge: Products Abroad

 

The Departure Lounge: Products Abroad

When I think about my upcoming move to Italy, I’m not going to lie, a couple of things unnerve me. One of those things is where on earth I’ll get the products I use every day and like. I'm not Mary Poppins and I don't have a magical bag with an unlimited supply of everything I'll ever need. Wouldn't that be nice? When I move abroad I'll have verrrry limited space to pack everything I'll need for six months. Or at least everything I'll need to get me started, and functioning, long enough to find replacements when I run out.

In my case, the products I’ll be looking for abroad are toiletries and maybe some over-the-counter (in the US) medications. Yes, I know, toiletries. Oh-so-very-girly of me. But if you know me at all you know that my makeup and skincare products are probably the girliest thing about me, they are my concession and my extravagance. Also, I’ve done enough traveling abroad to know that it can be a real inconvenience to try and find things like lotion and sunblock if you don’t speak the language. Not only is the written language different, but also the very type of packaging is different abroad. Shapes, sizes, colors – it all looks different. It’s confusing.

Lets face it, if you’re a woman, you’ve probably spent a great deal of time and money on finding the “right” skincare, makeup, lotions and other products. You’ve probably got a stash of half-used shampoos and lotions under your sink, stuff you bought and didn’t like and will never finish using, but you don’t want to throw it out either. Well, I don't have room for all of that stuff in my backpack, and I won't have money to blow on things I don't actually use, so it's important that I only carry around the essentials. Living out of a backpack also means that I won't have room to tote around a six-month supply of every product I use. And if you know anything about the Italian postal service, you know you can’t really rely on it to deliver, well, just about anything, so shipping stuff from the US is not really a feasible option for getting my favorite products to me.

Let's get personal...

I'm going to tell you what I'm worried about being able to find while abroad. This is down-and-dirty personal stuff, so be prepared to get to know me a little bit better than I ever thought I'd let you... ;)

 These products are what I'll probably run out of while traveling and need to replenish:

-Skincare: I love Philosophy’s eye creams, face creams, hand creams… well, just about every kind of cream they make. I’ve been uber-impressed with their products, which work better and cost less (sometimes by as much as 1/3) than some of the other department store brands I’ve tried. These products aren’t something I buy frequently, maybe every six to eight months, so odds are that I won’t have to replenish my stock while on this trip if I take full jars when I leave. But what if my bag is stolen or a jar breaks? After a little online research, I found that the nearest place to buy Philosphy products to Italy is all the way over in the UK, at Boots stores. Quasi-inconvenient, yes, but I’ve got friends over there I’d love to visit, so if I’m running low I can make sure to visit a Boots store while visiting those friends. (No, I'm not going to fly to London solely to buy eye cream.)

-Facial Cleanser: Proactiv. Yes, I use Proactiv. I had acne (horrible acne) as a teen and even into my early twenties. I use the stuff to this day because it works. Or maybe it worked and I don’t need it anymore. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll cut ties and see… maybe not. But if I don’t, is it available in Europe? I need new bottles of it every 2.5 months and the bottles are too bulky to think about carrying around a 6-month supply.

-Makeup: This doesn’t worry me too much. All of the brands I use (Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Lancome – told you I splurge on my makeup.) can be purchased at most Duty Free shops abroad (many airports in Europe are like luxury shopping malls). I plan on making a ton of side trips from Italy to... lots of places, so replacing my makeup when needed can be easily done in airports. This isn't often.

-Feminine Products: Men, skip this one, obviously. I’m fiercely loyal to my feminine products, mostly because the brands I use haven’t ever let me down. That's why I still use them. Logical, n'est-ce pas? Girls, you know what I’m talking about. Sure, women all around the world suffer from the monthly plague, but are Tampax and Kotex available in Italy? I don’t know. These products are sooooo bulky that I'm going to have no choice but to rely on what is available in Italia. Oyvey.

-Midol: Another bit guys might want to skip... Actually, do I really need to explain this one? Didn't think so. All I will say is that Midol Complete is a miracle of modern science.

-Excedrin and Ibuprofen: I’m not big on taking painkillers, really. I know you don’t believe me after listing Midol just above, but I’d rather suffer through most things (other than cramps) than take painkillers. That said, time and place for everything. I was dang glad I had ibuprofen with me when I dislocated my thumb last year. One thing to be aware of while abroad is that Ibuprofen is not Ibuprofen outside of the US. It's got a different name. In Italy, it's known as Moment. In the UK it's Anadin, Galoprofen, Ibugel, Oribefen, Rimafen or Anthrofen. Lots of times, things that are available over the counter in the US are only available with a prescription abroad. I don't want to have to go and see a doctor because I'm a klutz and want some normal-strength painkillers. (No, I'm not a drug specialist or a pharmacist, I looked all of those names for Ibuprofen up online.)

Lets see what our resident Expat Expert, Mary, of My Life in Scotland, has to say about where to find your favorite products while abroad. Perhaps she even knows where I can find a few on my list…

Part of the excitement of living abroad is putting all that I know behind me and heading into the unknown. It is a chance to learn, try something new and step out of my comfort zone. It isn't easy, but it is fun. When I moved here I took just what the airline would allow--two checked bags and a carry-on. Not much. What did I feel was important enough to bring with me and what wasn't? It took a lot of thought. I had very limited room.  Once I got here to Scotland I had some trouble finding my favorite American products. Because, well...I'M NOT IN AMERICA ANYMORE!! This is the point of my post. Sort of. No, Scotland doesn't have most of my favorite American products or foods. That's OK. I moved to try new things. I moved to open my horizon's not hang on to the past. Even if it is in a package of laundry soap. I actually know people who had food/products shipped to them {in obscene amounts} because they didn't want to be without their favorites. As if Scotland didn't have food or something. This is fine, but are you really living the life of an expat if you are afraid to eat like the locals? Or are you hanging on to your previous life? Not to mention the cost of shipping!! Scotland is a civilized country. Even if they don't have Mexican food at the ready. They have a plethora of products  available. I wasn't really too worried if I would find what I needed here. I use a different shampoo, face wash, and eat differently than I did in America but this isn't a bad thing. I see it as embracing my new culture.    Trying to actually remember what products I used before I lived here was a bit hard for me to remember. Isn't that funny?! I do remember that I kind of freaked out when I couldn't find Tampax Pearl. I hadn't used a cardboard applicator since high school! Then about a year ago I saw *NEW* staring back at me on the shelf. My beloved Tampax Pearl! I'm pretty sure I sang the Hallelujah chorus right there in the supermarket. Here are some of the products I use now in Scotland.

  

01. {Simple Refreshing Face Wash}  Keeps my skin looking fresh!

02. {Simple Replenishing Moisturizer} It's so light and gets the job done.

03. {Galaxy Chocolate} Best. Chocolate. Ever. 

04. {Tampax Pearl} I'm so glad we now have these in Scotland! 

05. {Dr. Pepper} This is my 3pm snack when I'm about ready to jump off a cliff from the tough day. 

06. {Debenhams Sheer LipGloss} I don't always have time to wear make-up now that I'm a Mom but I can easily swipe some of my new favorite lip gloss on and feel a little bit more put together.

07. {Body Shop Olive Body Butter} My skin has never felt so soft! I also used this on my belly while I was pregnant. Kept the stretch marks away. I really love Body Shop products.

08. {Comfort Fabric Softner} I couldn't make it here without fabric softner. Using the dryer takes 90 min not to mention the cost in electric is extortion. It's easier to hang clothes to dry. I'm obsessed with a new Tropical scent they have!

Would you find it hard to be without your favorite products? What couldn't you live without? Are you willing to try something new? 

Here are my tips for Christy's favorite American products:

• When I come to visit you Christy I will bring whatever you want from Boots! 
• I've never seen Midol over here in Scotland, so I'm not sure they'll have it in Italy. Stock up girl. 
• They will have Ibuprofen but probably not Excedrin. 
• Your favorite femine products will be a toss up. Good luck with that!
• I'll find out about ProActiv for you! 

Have any questions for Christy or Mary? Leave us a comment!