French beauty is timeless, effortlessly chic, and always elegant. The iconic French makeup look is all about subtlety, embracing natural beauty with a touch of refinement. Whether you’re in Paris, New York, or anywhere in the world, French beauty has a universal appeal that never goes out of style.
I’m going to walk you through the essential French makeup products that will help you create the perfect French-inspired look—effortless, polished, and oh-so-chic. Get ready to discover the products that every French beauty enthusiast swears by and learn how to incorporate them into your daily routine.
1. Flawless Skin: Start with the Perfect Base
In French beauty, achieving a natural-looking, radiant complexion is key. The French emphasize glowing, healthy skin over heavy foundation or full coverage. Their approach is all about enhancing your natural skin texture and letting your beauty shine through.
1.1 Foundation: Less is More
French women often opt for lightweight foundations or tinted moisturizers that provide coverage without masking the skin’s natural beauty. The goal is to even out the skin tone, conceal imperfections, and let the skin breathe.
One popular product is Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation. This foundation offers buildable coverage with a luminous finish, perfect for achieving that French glow. Another great option is Dior’s Skin Glow Foundation, which gives a fresh, dewy finish while maintaining a natural, skin-like texture.
1.2 Concealer: Target Imperfections
A good French makeup look involves minimizing imperfections with the help of a creamy concealer. A lightweight formula with buildable coverage is ideal for under-eye circles, redness, or blemishes.
I recommend Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer, which has a full but natural coverage, perfect for brightening the under-eye area and concealing imperfections while still looking natural.
1.3 Highlighter: Subtle Radiance
French makeup embraces the glow, but it’s all about subtlety. A soft highlighter can be applied to the high points of the face—cheekbones, nose bridge, and cupid’s bow—for a soft, luminous finish.
For a natural French glow, I love Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter. It gives a smooth, natural radiance that looks like it’s coming from within, not from a heavy product.
2. The Eyes: Soft and Subtle Definition
When it comes to the eyes, French makeup is all about simplicity and definition without being too dramatic. The goal is to highlight the eyes in a way that looks effortless and chic.
2.1 Brows: Defined but Natural
A French makeup look includes well-groomed brows, but they’re never overdone. The brows should look natural, with a slight lift to enhance the face’s features.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a great product for creating natural, defined brows. It’s easy to use and allows you to create realistic brow hairs for a refined yet natural look.
2.2 Eyeshadow: Soft, Neutral Tones
French makeup focuses on soft, neutral eyeshadows, often in shades of taupe, beige, and soft browns. The key is blending to create a natural, slightly sculpted eye shape.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Quad is perfect for achieving the French eye look. The four versatile shades create a soft, romantic eye that’s perfect for day-to-night wear.
2.3 Mascara: Lush but Effortless
Mascara is a French girl’s secret weapon, but it’s all about subtlety. Forget about clumpy, heavy lashes. French mascara emphasizes natural volume and length without overloading the lashes.
Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Mascara gives you thick, voluminous lashes with a natural finish. It’s great for creating that lash look without clumping or heaviness.
3. The Lips: Effortless, Plump, and Kissable
The French are known for their iconic lipstick looks, which range from soft nude shades to bold red lips. The secret? It’s all about effortless beauty, with a focus on comfort and kissable lips.
3.1 Lipstick: Nude or Bold?
Whether you’re wearing a soft nude or a striking red, French lipstick is all about simplicity. For a nude lip, opt for shades that are close to your natural lip color. Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in shades like “Le Nu” or “Le Rouge” is perfect for a chic, timeless lip.
For something bolder, a French red lip is always in style. Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick offers long-lasting color with a satin-matte finish, making it the perfect choice for a sophisticated red lip.
3.2 Lip Gloss: For That French Touch
French women often embrace the natural shine of their lips, opting for soft, hydrating glosses rather than matte formulas. Lip glosses give a sensual, fresh finish to the lips without feeling heavy.
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss is a great option for a plumping, hydrating gloss that adds just the right amount of shine to your lips.
4. Setting: Maintain That Effortless Look
Once your French makeup is complete, you want to ensure that it stays in place without looking heavy or caked on. The key to French makeup is to keep the look fresh and light, which is why setting sprays are essential.
4.1 Setting Spray: Fresh and Dewy
A light, hydrating setting spray will lock your makeup in place while maintaining the fresh, dewy finish that French makeup is known for.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is a great option for ensuring your makeup lasts all day, while still keeping your skin looking fresh and hydrated.
5. Embrace Effortless French Beauty
The beauty of French makeup is its timeless, effortless style. By focusing on natural skin, subtle eye makeup, and bold or nude lips, you can easily recreate this iconic look. The key is to use the right products that enhance your natural beauty without covering it up.
From lightweight foundations to perfect red lipsticks, French beauty is all about embracing yourself while adding just a touch of sophistication. Whether you’re attending a Parisian soirée or a casual lunch with friends, the French makeup look will always leave you feeling chic and confident.
So, next time you’re getting ready to create that “French girl” makeup look, remember: less is more, and elegance lies in simplicity. Choose products that bring out the best in your natural features, and you’ll be ready to turn heads, just like the French do.
Recommended Products:
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
- Dior Skin Glow Foundation
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Quad
- Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
- Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick
- Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss
- Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray