Things to bring back from US?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

My partner’s in New York - what should I get him to bring back?

All I can think of is Smashbox primer which I have used for years but has come out of the UK market, and Glossier perfume. My skin’s wildly reactive so I tend to stick to tried and tested skincare and face makeup rather than try new things. He wouldn’t generally buy me clothes without very specific instructions (unless it was something like a scarf).

I’m wondering if there are any OTC medications we don’t get here that I need? What else? He’s actually great at jewellery but I am a costume jewellery person - think hoop earrings from Oliver Bonas and Arket, resin rings, chunky “gold” chains - not a Tiffany type.

We were there recently and the exchange rate meant that nothing was any cheaper than it would be here really.

I bought jewellery in Tiffany's as a souvenir, Levi's, RayBans and Sorrell boots. But think it was probably a similar price to here, whereas a few years ago we came back with a case full of bargains. I'd prefer a souvenir that I couldn't get from anywhere else - a tote bag from the New York Library or whatever your interests are.

@electriclight I thought that about the exchange rate, I just wondered if there was anything I can’t get here that I am missing out on! We both do wear Levi’s jeans actually, but I get an NUS discount so I don’t think they would be cheaper unless in an outlet store.

I’m here at the moment on a break. Have been in NYC and now elsewhere. It’s as expensive if not more so than the UK and there are few things I could think of that I really wanted (and I’m a shopper!).

I’ve stocked up on Crest Teeth Whitening strips (the strongest strength)and picked up a designer coat in the Macy’s sale but I had to hunt through rails myself to find it…and honestly, it’s just not great for shopping out here. Social media and internet shopping means there are very few things that you can’t get in the UK. Gone are the days I used to bring an empty suitcase to shop!

If you want a souvenir, the Met shop is quite nice. If I’d have had more time to browse I would’ve picked something up. Some nice Egyptian style costume jewellery and cute tote bags.

Melatonin for sleeping if you know anyone who uses it

@RaisinCain things like the teeth whitening strips and melatonin @ChimneyPot are what I’m after. I feel like I’m covered for the “present” part with the perfume. I’d quite like a big oversized hoody/sweatshirt for wfh/lounging about in, so maybe a touristy one would be a good shout.

Everything but the bagel seasoning for sure.

Haven't been for a few years but when I went last few times I would buy- bottles of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Can't remember the name but really good inset bite relief cream and a ear syringe (water holes all over to remove ear wax.

I love Jergens' cherry and almond body moisturizer - you can get it here but even now I think it's cheaper over there. It's not fancy at all, but it's really nice as a hand cream and to slap on scaly bits.

Is it Tylenol?

Tylenoli is the US name for paracetamol yes. Check the dosage though as they are stricter than the U.K. re dosage, so they may be 325mg tablets instead of 500mg. The big bottles are great though! I think you can get naproxen (anti-inflammatory) OTC there too?

Second melatonin - from health food shops if not the pharmacy. Some vitamins/supplements used to be cheaper too.

Freemans beauty products, if there’s an Ulta tell him to look for Hard candy makeup and just brands you might not see in UK. Any MAC new releases for autumn if they’re any good. Trying to think, most drugstores in Manhattan have good products you won’t get here (or harder to get here).

Tylenol is indeed good if you like a large bottle.

Twinkies if you like those.

Agreed with others with the exchange rate being dire don’t bother really. The days of getting super cheap uggs, Tiffany etc is long gone! If there’s Old Navy, banana republic etc they’re good for some items.

Lidocaine anti septic spray- brilliant for all sorts of cuts and stings

Secret deodorant. Amazing stuff.

Oh I forgot, if you’re a cystitis sufferer, the over the counter cystitis treatments from high street drug stores in the USA are brilliant. Random but true!

Over the counter medicines for sure. Ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, melatonin. Tell him to look for the off brand names. Exact same drugs but way cheaper and way bigger amounts than the brand names.

I forgot about the teeth whitening strips and vitamins. Again if he looks for the off brand versions, the exact same ingredients for way cheaper

Bath and Body works 3-wick candles.

Cashmere from J Crew or a merino tippi jumper from there.

I buy mine second hand on ebay but every 5yrs or so we go to America and I buy new JCrew. It lasts for years.

Do they still have Century 21?

Trader Joe's dupe of Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. It's really good and only around $8.

F

Some great suggestions here, thank you. I’m making a list!

Banana republic do Pearl (real) studs. The quality of mine was/is amazing.

Agreed on j Crew for merino. I can’t think offhand but yes Trader Joe’s is great. Even in Walmart one year they had cheap low top sneaker style Converse, if you liked that.

The thing about New York is you pay sales tax. So Levi’s you’d think would be cheaper aren’t, because of the sales tax.

My best friend lived in Philly (much less sales tax and on clothes) as she went to college there and now lives in Delaware which is boring as hell but 0% sales tax on everything including electrical goods which I’ve bought there before. It’s one of only 2 states with 0% sales tax.

I think Aveeno is cheaper there too. Basically brands which you’d pay more for here are cheaper in US. I’ve also found US gets certain items if you’re into them like Maybelline etc. and vice versa they don’t get some UK/European items.