My Aesthetic Is "Moody Parisian"—the Luxe Makeup Brand I Use to Achieve It

As a beauty editor, it's tempting to associate different cities with their distinct (and admittedly stereotypical) beauty aesthetics. For example, after living in Los Angeles for four years, I feel like the beauty aesthetic is fresh and beachy (think of someone who's headed to a Pilates class followed by brunch), whereas it used to be full Hollywood glam (think black eyeliner and red lipstick). To me, New York is edgy and editorial. London is simple and sophisticated. Then, there's Paris.

There's not much I can say about Parisian beauty that hasn't already been said. All I have to do is drop two names to sum it up: Birkin and Bardot. Both icons excelled at the effortlessly undone beauty aesthetic that calls to so many people around the world, including me, an American beauty editor.

Whenever I feel like emulating the French beauty aesthetic, or more specifically, the Parisian beauty aesthetic, I turn to one specific brand: Yves Saint Laurent. While other design houses like Chanel, Dior, and Valentino get a lot of attention (and rightly so), I ask—nay, beg—that we give the same to YSL. After all, no brand does moody, edgy, and impossibly chic beauty better.

The Look

Beauty editor wearing YSL makeup products

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

The Products

5 More YSL Makeup Products I Love

Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.