French girl style has long been a look that the rest of us mere mortal femmes have tried to emulate – but what about when it comes to our maquillage? Like the louche, effortless yet polished fashion vibe, French girl make-up is playful, youthful yet lived-in, swapping full-coverage formulas and contoured features for dewy textures and skin that is enhanced, not smothered. If you’re looking for tips on how to achieve the look, plus the products you need in your kit, we have a run down to get you started and have you pouting like Brigitte Bardot or Lea Seydoux in seconds.

5 Tips To Get The French Girl Make Up Look





Lit From Within Skin

A focus on healthy skin that doesn’t need covering up is the key to the French girl look. Do invest time and money in a daily skincare routine that brightens, hydrates and keeps skin looking radiant so it doesn’t need masking with heavy bases. That said, primers, BB and CC creams are a French Girl’s best friend – blurring, correcting and giving a perky hint of colour, whilst letting skin shine through.



Natural, Not Sculpted?

Contouring is out if you want an authentic French girl make-up look; natural skin-enhancing bases are then followed by sun-kissed highlighters and just a ‘flush of blush’. Think a week in St Tropez, rather than a face-sculpting tan.



Imperfectly Perfect

‘Bouche mordue’, or bitten lip, is the idea of make-up that doesn’t look too try hard or manicured. Think a rock and roll eye that’s been slept in, or a lipstick that’s been kissed off. Make-up should look worn, not like it’s wearing you. ?



Focus On One Feature?

Ninety per cent of French girl make-up is minimal, from polished, healthy skin to groomed but not overly sculpted eyebrows. When it comes to eyes and lips, pick one but never both. ?This pared-back approach will ensure you never look too ‘done’. A bold red lip is a Parisienne woman’s staple, worn pressed into lips with a slick of mascara but an otherwise bare face. If you’re looking to up the ante for evening, keep face and lips nude and play with metallic eyes, or an imperfect kohl liner, smudged into the lash line.



Quick, Multi-Use Products?

Textures are key when trying to achieve the French girl make-up vibe. Creams, water tints and balms that melt undetected into skin and give a fresh, dewy finish in sheer, buildable shades are the perfect kit to go for. Read on below to discover five great buys to get the look.

7 French Beauty Products To Get The Look



Caudalie

Beauty Elixir, £32
Caudalie

A refreshing facial mist with botanical extracts to give skin a dewy finish and boost hydration. Buy it.


Violette_FR

Bisou Balm, £24
Violette_FR

The perfect sheer matte lipstick for that ‘bitten lip’ look, with just enough pigment to give lips a flush of colour without feeling too ‘done’. Buy it.


By Terry

Brightening CC Serum, £62
By Terry

If you want to go foundation free, this cc serum has complexion-boosting pearl pigments to even skin tone and blur imperfections to give you skin confidence, French girl style. Buy it.


Nars

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, £34
Nars

Hydrates, brightens and delivers a shot of Vitamin C to skin, with protecting SPF30. The perfect healthy skin glow without the heavy feel of foundation. Buy it.


Yves Saint Laurent

Touche Eclat, £27
Yves Saint Laurent

The iconic French illuminating pen from Yves Saint Laurent gives sheer, buildable coverage. Often mistaken for a concealer, it delivers a light, luminous finish to combat fatigue and dark circles for bright, natural, rested skin. Buy it.


L’Oreal

Le Khol, £3.99
L’Oreal

A great kohl pencil that doesn’t drag across the skin but delivers creamy, blendable colour in a great range of shades. Buy it.


Dior

Black Out Mascara, £29
Dior

A super inky black charcoal effect mascara to perfect the rock and roll smoky eye with dramatic volume effect. Buy it.


By Lydia Mansi
April 2022

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