If you’re going to Europe, DON’T skip dm. 🇪🇺✨
One of the things I miss most after spending 5 weeks in Croatia is shopping at dm. 😭 I went almost every single day. If you’ve never been, imagine a mix of Target, Ulta, and CVS—but cleaner, organized, affordable, and packed with amazing European beauty brands.
I was honestly shocked by the quality. Most of these products were only a few euros, but they perform like products that cost 3-5x more in the U.S. Many even remind me of popular American brands, but without the high price tag.
Here’s what I picked up:
💙 Balea Hydrogel Eye Patches – Cooling, hydrating, and perfect before makeup. They leave my under-eyes looking less puffy.
💗 Balea Lip Mask – Super moisturizing and smells amazing. Great overnight or before lipstick.
🌸 Balea Hydrogel Eye Patches (Pink) – Brightening and refreshing. I love keeping these in the fridge.
🌈 Balea Hydrogel Eye Patches (Blue) – My favorite for tired eyes after traveling.
💧 Balea Aqua Eye Roll-On – Instantly cools under the eyes and helps wake me up in the mornings.
🧼 Balea Charcoal Peel-Off Mask – Leaves my skin feeling extra clean without being too harsh.
🌿 Alverde Sensitive Face Wash – Gentle, fragrance-free, and perfect if your skin gets irritated easily.
🩷 Balea Cleansing Wipes – Soft, doesn’t dry out my skin, and remove makeup surprisingly well.
🍓 Balea Volume Powder – Gives my hair extra lift without making it feel sticky.
💄 Lip balm (Melem)– Easy to throw in my purse and keeps my lips hydrated.
🤎 Trending Brooks Bronzing Drops – Excited to try these! They looked like a great affordable alternative to viral bronzing drops.
✨ Aura “Night” Eyeshadow Quad – Such pretty neutral shades with a gorgeous shimmer.
Overall, Balea has officially become one of my favorite drugstore beauty brands. Affordable, effective, and honestly so underrated. I already can’t wait to go back and stock up again. 🇩🇪🤍🇭🇷
⭐️ Overall rating: 10/10
#europe #travelbeautyessentials #europeansummer #croatia #germany Croatia
During my trips across Europe, I found dm stores to be a true haven for beauty lovers like me, especially when traveling on a budget. Unlike typical drugstores, dm offers a carefully curated selection of European brands such as Balea and Alverde, which combine affordability with surprisingly high performance. I vividly recall stocking up on the Balea Hydrogel Eye Patches and the Charcoal Peel-Off Mask, products that left my skin feeling refreshed even after long travel days. One aspect I particularly appreciated was the absence of harsh ingredients in many dm products—like the fragrance-free Alverde Sensitive Face Wash, which was gentle on my skin, especially after exposure to different climates. The variety within Balea’s offerings, from lip masks to volume powder, showed how versatile and well-formulated these budget-friendly options are. If you're visiting countries like Germany or Croatia, schedule time to explore dm stores. Their organization and cleanliness immediately set a pleasant shopping mood, quite different from the sometimes cluttered drugstores back home. Another perk was the multiple hydrating and brightening eye patch options that I chilled in the fridge, granting an instant spa-like feeling. For fellow travelers, these small self-care rituals can really boost morale during jetlag or sightseeing fatigue. Lastly, dm’s prices are surprisingly low compared to U.S. brands with similar efficacy — making it perfect not only for personal use but also for gifting unique European skincare treats. My travel experience confirmed that dm is not just a store; it’s a beauty discovery spot that every Europe-bound traveler should include on their itinerary.
