One thing I found a little surprising when visiting New York were the amazing drug stores throughout the city. There is the ubiquitous and truly boring Duane Reade (don’t bother going there unless you forgot to bring some dental floss or want to buy cheap bottled water for your hotel room), but there are also loads of independent apothecaries that sell super high end beauty products from all over the world. I am telling you, these places are like big-girl candy stores. Never has going to the drug store been this much fun, that’s for sure!
Probably the most famous of these independent drug stores is 168 year old C.O. Bigelow in Greenwich Village. It’s the second oldest operating pharmacy in America, so it’s a real piece of history– you can tell your husband that when he reviews the credit card statement. Although it is still a working pharmacy, most people are there to shop for beauty products, as they should, because this place puts Sephora to shame. Over the years C.O. Bigelow has become such a cult beauty venue, that they started their own product line (which is now widely available at Bath and Body Works). These products are based on age-old prescriptions that their pharmacists would put together for clients. Their products are then packaged to resemble the original bottles and labels of those old prescription bottles. But when I go to Bigelow, I like to buy the more exotic stuff. Cause let’s face it, when it goes to Bath & Body Works, it just looses a bit of the “glam factor” (sorry Mom, owner of a rainbow of about 100 Bath & Body shower gels).
Stroll down the isles below Gothic chandeliers and ornate ceilings with fancy plaster work and buy some super over-priced toothpaste like Botot’s Dentrifice, claimed to be the “world’s first toothpaste” It was invented for King Louis XV of France. A steal at only $10.50. Yeah, why not, you only live once (truthfully, it’s no better than any tube of Colgate, nor does it have any miraculous qualities–I tried it… I had to… research, ya know?).
If you get a chance to visit this place, do! You’d be in good company. Since its opening in 1838, everyone from the Rosevelts to Mark Twain were known to frequent. Today it’s a haunt for celebrities, fashionistas, and delusional but gorgeous housewives (oui, c’est Moi). They have an online store as well, but do try to make it person, this place is really something to see (and Murray’s Bagels is only a few steps away).
p.s. Look out for Rx the cat. According to Wikipedia, he roams the store and “mingles” with customers. I didn’t see him. He was probably bruising his teeth with something exotic and clove scented.
So, do you have a beauty “candy store”? Time to share with the class.
The cat is cool…I have never been to C.O. Bigelow in NY, but they have the products at Bath and Body here…They make my absolute favorite lotion for dry skin, love it… My only favorite beauty toy store is Sumbody…they have all natural bath goodies. And I am a bubble bath queen with candles, wine, nature sounds…the works
What a lovely girly’s post!! hahahaha!
I think we are sorely lacking in the girl candy stores where I live, or maybe I just need to get out more. Maybe one day you’ll take me along with you.
I’ve never been to Co Bigelow, but I certainly have purchased their products via Bath and Bodyworks. I love these stores because there are always novel items to be found. The next time you’re in New York, please check out Kiehl’s, that also another fun apothecary store.
Love, love, love Bigelow’s. Their own line of soaps and moisturizers are fabulous!