I'm off to the US tomorrow. What should I raid the drugstores for?

[CountBapula]

I know there was a thread on this ages ago but I can't find it. Anyway, I'm going to Chicago for work and will have a bit of spare shopping time. So what are your US must-haves? I've got Crest whitestrips and Butter London nail polish on my list so far but that's it.

Also any recommendations for good clothes shops and kids' clothes shops gratefully received.

By some viagra.. or the other one that is exactly the same you never know when you might need to drug a lover! Also get some US cough mixture with pseudo-ephadrine, it is ace and very .. moreish.. you might not get it through customs.. but you might! :)

You can get Butter London over here!

Bliss stuff is cheaper in the US I think. I love Bath & Body Works, though it's really just a sweeter smelling version of the Body Shop. Victoria's Secret for flannel pyjamas.

If you have sleep problems get some melatonin - available over the counter there but not so here,

Crest whitening strips
Bliss products are much cheaper if you like them, ditto Aveeno.
I really rate Walgreens gentle skin cleanser for sensitive skin - about 4 dollars
If you have curly hair, the Shea Moisture range is good.
Bare Foot foot scrub is about 3 dollars and lovely.
Raid the cheapo make up in Walgreens or Duane Reades - I always find something decent!

at heroine

Good call on Bliss - I love that. And will def pop into Victoria's Secret if I can.

I know you can get Butter London here but I've only ever bought it online - I want to raid the counter and try loads of colours on!

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming...

Melatonin

Ok I went to NY a couple of weeks ago and got

• Tweezerman tweezers (£12)
• A Pretika (Clarisonic Mia knock off, fab!) (£25)
• Estée Lauder Double Wear (£22 in duty free)
• Coverse All Stars for a friend (£28)
• Teddy Grahams (Can't get them over here without paying £££ and they're yum!)
• Make up. Lots and lots of make up. From Sephora.

Oh, and my DB got a Nexus Galaxy tablet pretty cheap if you're after anything like that! And the Apple products are a lot cheaper.

Ooh yes, Sephora! Thanks!

Sephora! Their own brand stuff is really good. Current fave- their tinted moisturiser. SPF15 and totally brilliant :)

If you have a tendency to get spots anywhere below your face, this Neutrogena shower gel is amazing and smells lovely.

More ideas/temptation here: Allure Best of Beauty 2012 - check out the "cheap thrills" section!

Really not what you're asking for but oh my god Butterfingers
are the best chocolate bars in the world. And yet all other American chocolate is so shit. Astounding. Sorry, I'm sure relevance will be restored by the next poster....

Ohhhhhh Butterfingers! Since I have got a brace they stick in my teeth but GOD they are good!

I love Sephora eyeliner.

When I head to the US I always buy loads of tampons. Much cheaper over there and they don't go bad/ Plus you can take them out of the box to fit in your suitcase better and they are really light.

I fell in love with Maybelline Babylips lip balm, and now have to have my US cousins import it for me! "Cherry Me" is my favourite. It's a slightly tinted, sheer lip balm, SPF15, softens and protects and a lovely rosey colour, and mildly cherry flavoured!

Ditto bath nd body works, and many brands are cheaper. I love carters for kids clothes, but they are for young kids only. Otherwise, old navy, black house white house, j crew and Levi's are regular stops for me.

An iPad

American Eagle boy briefs

Jolly Ranchers

Dial shower gel

Salon hair goodies in sample sizes/ promo packs etc

Tylenol PM

J Crew stuff

Oh just everything. You lucky, lucky girl!

Bath and Body Works candles! Beautiful and unavailable here.

Also NYX products are very good.

Walgreens is fab - this week they have $10 off their fragrances. Take a look at their flyer when you go in the store and make sure they give you the discount at the register (you need a 'club card' but they should have one they can swipe so you get the discounts).

Walgreens is also good for toenail clippers ($2 and fab for nails), essie nail varnish, aveeno stuff, dental piks and eucerin.

Sephora is great for cosmetics. Ultra or supercuts is great for Paul Mitchell (the gift sets where the huge shampoo and conditoner are both $32 are the best). I would look online for vouchers and print them off before you go shopping.

Tylenol cold and flu is amazing stuff.

Just bucket loads of cheap ibuprofen - Target sells it in bottles of 500! And Neosporin antibiotic cream, can't seem to get that here.

Loft for clothes. And J Crew as already mentioned.

Jeans.
Laura Mercier make up. I just ordered some on Amazon uk, after I'd clicked send, I noticed the delivery date of around 3rd January. It's coming from the US - that's why it was the cheapest, even with postage!

LorealL everpure shampoos and conditioners..TreeHut brown sugar body scrub..TreeHut body butter..the almond and honey is delicious..love Maybelline baby lips...grape me is an odd looking colour, but settles to a sheer berry on lips...

Not too exciting but "rid" for nits is loads more effective than hedrin etc !!

I am jealous as I love a bit of Walgreens!

Essie nail varnish is cheaper there and crest whitening strips are a must. I buy loads of Advil & Tylenol too.

My dh buys loads of Vaseline cocoa butter body lotion which he reckons you can't get here. Last time, we actually had to pay for excess baggage because of his frigging body lotion!