STYLE

In case you are experiencing Emily in Paris withdrawal (us, too), we can at least spend fall sporting the French beauty staples that give Parisian girls their je ne sais quoi—red lips, fresh skin and air-dried waves. Classic and effortlessly chic, you’re about to want every single one of them. 

Just a Touch of Makeup

@allanface | @camillecharriere | @jeannedamas

Good news for the low-maintenance girlies: the goal of French makeup is basically to look like you’re not wearing much at all. “What characterizes French beauty is its effortlessness,” says Garance Doré, photographer and founder of the skincare brand, Doré. “A French girl never wants to look like she’s tried too hard.” 

Take, for instance, when a French girl wears a red lip. “The rest of her face will be almost bare—like if the lip was a glorious afterthought,” she reveals.  

Get it: Pass full-coverage foundations in favor of tinted serums that have skincare benefits, too. Then use a lip scrub to banish any flakes before applying the perfect matte red. Bisous!

Try: L.A. Colors Matte Lip Color in Red Tango ($2, lacolors.com), Typology Tinted Serum ($43, us.typology.com), e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Exfoliator ($5, ulta.com) 

Skin is In

@camillerazat | @fingermonkey | @lilyjcollins

As anyone who has spent time on travel or beauty Tok knows, French pharmacies are the best in tout le monde. So it’s not surprising that French beauty “is all about having great, well taken care of skin,” says Meghan Donovan, founder of En Route to Rêverie, who feels a consistent skincare regimen is the key to achieving that fashion girl glow. 

Get it: In general, the French are very smart about caring for their skin—no over-cleansing or using too many actives at once. Case in point: micellar waters got their start in France and are used as a gentle alternative to harsh cleansers. And to keep skin plump and healthy, a good moisturizer is key.

Try: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 ($24, ulta.com), Doré La Micellaire ($24, dore.com), Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré ($17, amazon.com) 

Embrace Effortless Hair

@lenamahfouf | @emmanuellek_ | @carodaur

Rather than fighting hair’s natural texture, Donovan says that the French welcome it and don’t use heat styling tools as often. “They lean into more of an undone, textured-yet-effortless look when it comes to hair,” she explains. Whether your hair is pin straight, curly or fabulously frizzy—the trick is to rock it with confidence. 

Get it: Donovan says that air-dried waves and sleek low buns are two of the most popular hairstyles in today’s French aesthetic. Enter the texture trio for achieving these looks: mousse, texture spray and a pomade. For a loose wave, finger-comb mousse through damp, clean hair and give it a scrunch.  

Want a volume-boost? A bit of texture spray spritzed on your roots (apply with your head upside down for extra oomph!). And a slicked bun looks best with a pomade holding flyaways in place. Bonus points if there’s a bang involved.

Try: Aussie Miracle Waves Mousse ($5.50, target.com), Kristin Ess The One Signature Hair Water ($11, ulta.com), Bed Head Manipulator ($12, ulta.com) 

Need more fall beauty inspo? Follow us on IG @girlslifemag! 

Check out our other beauty guides, right this way...
💄 We asked a pro MUA exactly how to use bronzer
💄 A step-by-step tutorial for styling wavy hair
💄 Here's how to (very carefully) trim your own bangs

Top and slider image: @selenagomez

by Lisa DeSantis | 10/2/2024