Most people's vacation itineraries include checking out a cool restaurant, perusing a local market, or spending a day museum-hopping. My personal favorite way to take in a country? Scoping out the best local beauty wares.
As good as we have it here in the U.S., there's a whole treasure trove of makeup and skin-care finds to score abroad. And some even come from our favorite brands. For example, Maybelline often launches products specific to a region's climate, says Trisha Ayyagari, SVP of Global Marketing at Maybelline New York. This can be anything from mattifying and oil-controlling products sold in countries like Thailand to humidity-resistant mascaras found in Japan.
These products are created based on global trends and consumer research, says Ayyagari. "Our objective is to launch as quickly as possible to be on time when the trend is hot," she adds. Beauty trends can vary from country to country, so it's important that brands stay on top of the emerging categories as they arrive.
But regardless of who they were made for, many of these buys have universal appeal — which makes it unfortunate that they're only available abroad. Check out the slides ahead to find the products you should add to your shopping list (and travel bucket list), ASAP.
What: Maybelline Dream Cushion Compact
Where: Throughout Asia
Unlike L'Oréal's True Match Lumi Cushion (which was the first cushion compact to hit U.S. drugstores), this one from Maybelline offers a slightly less dewy finish and is sold only in the Asian market. "The cushion phenomenon began more than five years ago from local brands [in Asia]," says Ayyagari. "So we had to accelerate and ensure we launched there first."
What: Maybelline Lashionista Mascara
Where: Japan
Maybelline's Lashionista Mascara is another example of a product launched exclusively abroad. This mascara is humidity-resistant, yet removes easily with warm water — two qualities that are essential for the Japanese consumer.
What: Chosungah 22 Tinted Ampoule
Where: South Korea
In the past few years, we've seen an influx in products that claim to marry makeup and skin-care benefits. Chosungah 22 's tinted ampoule provides sheer coverage and a radiant finish; the fermented lotus flower and damask-rose pollen in its formula protect and hydrate the skin.
What: Chosungah 22 Bounce Up Pact Prime
Where: South Korea
This cream-to-powder foundation offers slightly more coverage than the ampoule, but never looks cakey on the skin. We've got our fingers crossed that this hits U.S. shores soon.
What: L'Oréal Infallible Matte Max
Where: U.K. and France
Given our love of super-matte lips, we flipped when we got our hands on these unique powder-to-cream lippies from L'Oréal. They start off as a powdery pigment, but transform into a chalky, retro-matte cream when they touch your lips. Unfortunately, these are only available in France and the U.K., but this should tide you over until your next Euro trip.
What : Too Cool for School Art Class by Rodin
Where: Throughout Asia and in Paris
This brownish-gray contour powder by Too Cool for School is perfect for subtly carving out cheekbones. Plus, you can use the light, mid-tone, and dark hues as a neutral eyeshadow palette. Win, win, win!
What: Too Cool for School Max In Pocket
Where : Throughout Asia and in Paris
First of all, just look at these little guys. (Squee!) But packaging aside, we're just as obsessed with the glossy creams inside. Luckily for all of us, Too Cool for School will be launching these babies for $12 in U.S. Sephora stores later this year. The exact launch date hasn't been determined, but we will be sure to update this post when we find out.
What: Nuxe Bio Beauté Vitamin-Rich Detox Mask
Where: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Canada, Croatia, Slovenia, Denmark, Réunion Island, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland
Our beauty director swears by this vitamin-rich mask, which brightens, hydrates, and soothes tired skin on contact. It's part of Nuxe 's Bio Beauté line — sadly not available stateside. Until it launches here, the brand's cooling mask is a welcome alternative.
What: Lano 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
Where: Australia
If you're heading to Australia anytime soon, snag a tube of Lano's deliciously scented strawberry balm, which contains lanolin, a waxy substance with moisturizing properties (it is also somewhat controversial). Not about to make a trip Down Under? Fret not, the brand is launching this very tube at Ulta Beauty on August 1.
What: DHC Revitalizing Booster Serum
Where: Japan
DHC, a Japanese skin-care and makeup brand known for its best-selling cleansing oil, offers a plethora of products — in Japan. Its Revitalizing Booster Serum is one of our favorites because it's packed full of hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
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