French women are known for their effortless, classic, no-fuss elegance style… and love of vin (aka wine!)! Their makeup styles are no exception. The French girl chic makeup look is all about embracing natural beauty, enhancing features without going overboard, and exuding an air of nonchalant charm. In today’s blog post, I will break down the steps to achieve the coveted French girl look that exudes sophistication and confidence, with 5 Steps for Mastering French Girl Makeup.
The good news is, French women like their makeup routines simple + minimal, so that saves time! I’m also going to include some of my favorite French makeup brands in this post as well, so pay close attention to these Parisian chic products you can use too.
TL;DR
Jennifer shares tips and tricks for achieving a French Girl Makeup Look
Jennifer’s product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
5 Steps for Mastering French Girl Makeup
1. Focus on Flawless, But Not Overdone, Skin
The French girl chic makeup look begins with a flawless base. Embrace a radiant complexion by starting with a consistent skincare routine in the morning of toner + moisturizer.
I am a big fan of the Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic, $18, to use in the morning for well, a glowing complexion thanks to the 5% glycolic acid for exfoliation! Then I’ve talked about this $29 French moisturizer in a previous skincare post, but it truly is a winner for achieving hydrated and bouncy skin.
Then use a lightweight, luminous foundation or tinted moisturizer that allows your skin to breathe while providing a natural finish. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30, $53, has been a widely popular option for easy breezy looking skin for years. I’m wearing shade 2W1 here and love how I can use my fingers to rub this in and it disappears into my skin with a soft blurring effect.
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If you have any blemishes or dark circles, do add a concealer to even out your skin tone. I’m using the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer, $29, that I’m obsessed with! It’s become a hot favorite for more mature women due to its full coverage, yet hydrating finish that doesn’t cake up. I’m wearing shade 215 “Buff neutral” here.
Remember, French women typically prefer a dewy and fresh-faced look, so avoid heavy, cakey products.
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I make sure to keep my Chanel Ultrawear All Day Comfort Flawless Finish compact, $65, in my purse for needed touchups however. It can be used alone if you don’t like liquid foundations, but I like to add it in light layers to my finished tinted moisturizer for extra staying power and coverage.
2. Less is More with Eyes
The key to French girl chic eye makeup is simplicity. Opt for neutral and earthy tones like taupe, beige, or soft brown eyeshadows. Apply a light wash of color over your eyelids and blend it seamlessly to create a soft, natural look. I chose the Chanel Longwear liquid eyeshadow, $36, in shade “Rayon” which gives a wash of champagne shade.
Avoid a too-dramatic winged eyeliner or heavy eyeshadow application as it contradicts the effortless charm of French beauty. To finish off accentuating the eyes, I applied a line of Laura Mercier Caviar Tightliner eye pencil, $28, in “Cocoa” (such a good color by the way – a warm red-brown!) and quickly smudged it with my liner brush for softer edges.
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Then I applied a coat of L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise mascara, $7, onto my upper + lower lashes. Don’t forget to curl them first 😉
3. A Touch of Blush
Adding a touch of blush to your cheeks is essential for achieving the French girl chic look. Opt for a soft peachy or rosy blush shade that complements your skin tone. I find that a cream blush achieves the most natural look best.
Again, I’m using the French brand Laura Mercier, because her brand is the epitome of this look we are going for! I applied her tinted moisturizer blush in shade “Southbound,” $30, onto the apples of my cheeks and blended it gently up towards my temples. I prefer a brush to easily diffuse a cream blush (so it doesn’t get streaky), and this Rare Beauty one is the best tool to achieve that!
The goal is to achieve a subtle, healthy flush that mimics the natural glow you get after a brisk walk up to the Eiffel Tower.
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4. Perfectly Pouty Lips
French women are famous for their perfectly pouty but unfussy lips. Forgo the lip liners, and just opt for a rosy pink or red lipstick shade that enhances your natural lip color. One of the most famous French lip products would have to be the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm, $43. It’s been around a looong time.
I’m wearing a color that has been discontinued but is close to the “Rouge Studio” shade (pinkish red). These are exquisitely packaged (I mean, that tube is something else) and the formula is just as described – a shiny, balm feeling lipstick! One word for how it feels on the lips – glorious!
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5. Embrace the “Je ne sais quoi” Attitude
The French girl chic makeup look is not just about the products you use but also about the attitude you carry. Embrace the “je ne sais quoi” attitude, which means “I don’t know what” in French, implying a certain charming uncertainty.
They also keep their wardrobes + accessories streamlined and minimal. They rely on the chic classic basics like :
- a great white button up shirt,
- everyday blazer,
- good quality denim,
- and of course a big pair of sunglasses.
Confidence, self-assurance, and a simplistic approach to beauty are the real secrets to mastering the timeless allure of the French chic. I think we could all benefit from thinking this way no matter where we live, don’t you think??
Similar pearl headbands here I’m wearing. Also be sure to check out Beth’s post of what she wore on her trip to Paris!
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