Top 6 French Beauty Secrets

Along my travels, abroad experiences and knowledge from people close to me, I learned that in each country there is an idea of what beauty is.

As I am not born a French girl, but only living on the French Coast, I was curious to understand more about the beauty secrets from ladies here. Not just for my job as a makeup artist, but for my simple curiosity. Why #FrenchStyle was constantly imitated and admired? What is so special about them?

A relevant explanation is the fact that French ladies have mastered the art of looking good without putting much effort for this. At least, this is how it looks from the outside – effortlessly beautiful! Natural hair and minimalist makeup are the main features of a respectable French lady. French culture teaches us to feel good in your own skin. They have learned to emphasize strengths and hide their small flaws.

If you’re asking a French woman the theory of beauty and style she will not be able to give you a precise answer. It’s a certain “je ne sais quoi” when it comes to their looks. French icons like Brigitte Bardot, Anna Karina, Françoise Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Catherine Deneuve, Laetitia Casta, Vanessa Paradis (and the list goes on) ..are naturally stunning! For them, beauty is a lifestyle rooted in pleasure. For French women don’t forget to relax, to take a few moments only for them selves, beauty treatments and a healthy diet.

Les dames, don’t usually use much makeup for casual looks, as they prefer the minimalist makeup look. The idea of French beauty seems to be defined by a poppy red lips, cat eye makeup or a messy smokey look.

Two months ago, I had to do a wedding makeup trial in Cannes for a French lady. It was a hard challenge for both of us because her future husband didn’t liked makeup at all. For him, makeup is like a mask and it doesn’t interest him. So, we had to go as natural as possible with highlight instead of contouring, nude lips and peachy cheeks.

In France, the Golden rule of makeup is “less is more”. Because, both men and women like to emphasize the eye look OR lips – never both at the same time. Obviously, red lipstick is the very expression of French’s chic!

A good lifestyle example to follow is: drink plenty of water! Hydration must come from the inside. This is a universal rule that is respected by the majority of French people. Hydration is the key to beautiful skin and healthy hair.

Don’t consume water only when you’re thirsty, but also to give the body the hydration it needs. Why do you think Evian mineral water became so famous among celebrities?

Even if French Riviera is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations, women know the harmful effects of the sun. The time has changed, and lately they prefer to use self-tanning and sunscreen, rather than one month bronzing in Saint Tropez.

Face masks are applied consciously at least once a week. Respectable French women appreciate beautiful skin as they think that a natural look is always better than too much makeup. If you will have the opportunity to visit France you will notice how many Beauty salons are open on every little street, not only in big cities but on villages as well. No matter how busy they are, French ladies take their time to relax.

The water is mostly hard here, so it’s preferable to use floral water or micellar water to clean impurities and makeup traces. (I recommend the micellar water products from Avéne, Biotherm, Caudalie or Bioderma)

Fresh skin is always chic!

It is not easy to be confident all the time, but when needed you can get inspired by others! Having contact with French ladies you can realize how calm they are. Try to get the best from yourself and to accept compliments as they are. It’s much easier and more relaxing to actually accept yourself and feel good in your skin, than wasting time in front of the mirror every time you leave the house.

In France, the culture of perfumes is very developed and famous from the oldest times. It’s a must when it comes to finishing a look, a perfume can be easily used as an accessory. Having a signature scent is big news for French girls and they adore sweet, feminine fragrances. Try Chanel Mademoiselle, Lancome La vie Est Belle, Dior or Guerlain’s La Robe Noir. As Coco Chanel said “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.” 

Do you know other french beauty tips? Or which is the ideal of beauty in your country?

I would love to find out more from you! Hope you have a great summer, ladies!