What’s the famous line about not knowing what you’ve got until it’s gone? Well, as an expat living abroad in London, you don’t realize all of the random things you love until they’re no longer available for purchase in your country. For example, when your favorite eye cream is not for sale in the UK and the prospect of buying it comes with a $30 shipping fee. Or, when UK/EU laws for skincare mean they cannot sell a specific formulation of a coveted serum – but they will in the U.S.!? Or, how about that cheap but oh-so-lovely eye pencil that you just cannot find a replacement for in the UK? I could go on – and I’m sure every expat can relate, whether it’s makeup, skincare, food or others.
Inspired by what I cannot have in the UK, here are four of my U.S. favorites for skincare and makeup that I just cannot live without and had to purchase while stateside for the Christmas holiday.
