The Experts Have Spoken—These 8 Autumn-Ready Beauty Trends Are Already Taking Over Paris

Despite writing about beauty trends year-round, I make no secret of the fact that autumn/winter is the season that truly has my heart. Sure, I can dust on a bronzer and slick on some gradual tan to fake some warmth for summer, but it’s the flushed cheeks and chocolate-coloured hair of autumn really gets me weak at the knees. And while the streets of London really come alive at this time of year, there’s one place that I always look to first for autumn beauty inspiration and that’s France.


Paris in particular shares similarly fluctuating autumn weather to the UK, which means that French women often step out in chic seasonal outfits that translate seamlessly to British soil. And the same goes for their beauty looks. Whether it’s softly glowing skin, a hint of smudged-out eyeliner, or a tousled bob, there’s one thing that unites the best French girl autumn beauty trends—a feeling of effortlessness.

French woman Julie Sergent Ferreri wearing white shirt with bright red lipstick and gold jewellery

(Image credit: @julesfi)

“French beauty has that beautiful balance of being perfected, but also slightly undone,” explains Melanie Barresse, Global Trainer for By Terry. “It just looks effortless. Skin is perfected naturally and there’s usually a focus on one element, whether it’s a pop of colour on the lips or a soft smudged eyeliners. You will not see a Parisian with a full-beat makeup look—it’s just not their style.”

So, if you want to take a more pared-back approach to the season ahead, and embrace a chic simplicity when it comes to hair, makeup, skin and nails then look no further. Ahead, I caught up with top experts across the industry to break down the biggest French girl autumn beauty trends that we’ll all be taking inspiration from in the coming months.

1. BLURRED BASE

Franny demonstrating French girl autumn beauty trends with short tousled bob and glowing diffused skin.

(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Forget the gleaming glass skin of summer and the modern matte formulations that we’ve seen emerging in 2024, this autumn French women will be embracing an “effortless blurred complexion” according to Dior Makeup International Pro Artist Jamie Coombes. And he’s not alone—nearly every expert I spoke to referred to a focus on soft, diffused skin as one of the biggest French girl autumn beauty trends. “Skin will be radiant, but not overly dewy or matte, and perfected with a little more coverage and some soft contour,” explains Barresse.

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2. SUNSET TONES

Aida Badji wearing French girl autumn beauty trends with color pop makeup and grey beret

(Image credit: @aidabadji)

French beauty trends are often known for their monochromatic minimalism, but autumn will see the streets of France come alive with a warmer colour palette. “I think red, warm pinks and terracotta shades will be big,” predicts Barresse. “Pops of colour against a neutral skin, so playful eyeliners with colour or lips that are bold or with a soft stain.”

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3. GRUNGY EYES

Salome Mory wearing black suit and a French autumn beauty trend of smokey eye and mascara

(Image credit: @salome.mory)

“The classic ‘French girl’ beauty look involves a no-makeup makeup with minimal eye makeup, but for autumn worn-in smudgy eyeliner with a little or a lot of mascara will be big,” says Coombes. “It’s going to be an all or nothing approach—grungy chicness!”

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4. CRANBERRY LIPS

Lena Farl wearing the French autumn beauty trend of a bold cranberry lipstick with a layered outfit

(Image credit: @lenafarl)

While a red lip is a classically French beauty look, autumn’s interpretation of this trademark trend is to take the colour palette into the land of burgundy and merlot rather than tomato or pillarbox. Plus, it’s all about the texture. “A soft balm with a glossy finish gives a softer, easy to apply lip that looks slightly bitten and flushed with colour,” says Barresse.

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5. SOFT GLOW SKIN

Anne-Victoire Lefevre with fresh, dewy skin wearing a white long-sleeve top

(Image credit: @vikilefevre)

In terms of skincare, French women use autumn to focus on perfecting their “flawless but natural complexions” explains Juliette Lévy-Cohen, founder of French concept store Oh My Cream. During the colder months ahead, Lévy-Cohen tends to see customers experimenting more with resurfacing products that will improve radiance and even tone. “Things like peels and serums with vitamin c that will boost glow and unify their complexion after the sun exposure of the holidays.”

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6. WELLBEING RITUALS

Pia mbd wearing bath robe and taking selfie with damp hair and clean skin

(Image credit: @pia_mbd)

Trends aren’t just about what’s happening on the outside, but what’s going on inside too. “Autumn and winter have proven to be months when French women take the time to indulge and we see our customers spending money on products to boost their wellness routine,” says Lévy-Cohen. “Think skincare tools and supplements that will act on their mood and on their skin.”

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7. SHAGGY LOB

Julie Sergent Ferreri wearing French girl autumn beauty trend hairstyle the shaggy lob

(Image credit: @julesfi)

If there’s one thing that embodies the French approach to hairstyles it’s effortless. “This autumn,we’re seeing a return to low-maintenance chic styles that embody that quintessential French girl vibe,” says hair stylist Sam Burnett, Owner and Creative Director at Hare & Bone. “The shaggy lob will be really popular this season—it’s a longer bob with soft, tousled layers that add volume and movement while keeping a relaxed, undone vibe.”

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8. CURTAIN FRINGE

Sabina Socol wearing French girl autumn beauty trend curtain bangs with an olive green trench coat

(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

Fringes have been a huge hair trend this year, but French women are embracing a very specific style for autumn 2024—the curtain fringe. “Paired with a mid-length cut, it’s going to be a big trend,” says Burnette. “It gives that quintessentially French look that’s low-maintenance yet incredibly stylish.”

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9. GLOSSY BRUNETTES

Tamara Mory with long centre-parted brown hair wearing waistcoat and jeans for autumn

(Image credit: @tamaramory)

Hair colour doesn’t tend to be associated with French girl style as it’s understandably high-maintenance. However, autumn 2024 is set to be all about expensive-looking brunette shades using colouring techniques that don’t require regular visits to the salon. “Balayage will continue to be a fantastic low-maintenance option as it grows out beautifully and gives that lived-in, sun-kissed effect well into the cooler months,” explains Burnett. “Rich, warm tones that require minimal upkeep, like deep, glossy brunettes and warm chestnut shades, are perfect for those looking to stay chic while keeping things simple.”

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10. BURNISHED RED NAILS

French girl autumn beauty trends red nails

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

In line with the warmer colour palettes that will be inspiring French makeup looks and hair colours, autumn nails are getting a little fiery too. While a glossy dark red manicure is a favourite in French nail salons, this season pays homage to the changing seasons—think burnt reds and warm brick oranges. The team at Bio Sculpture predict that their shade Rosie Red—“a warm and inviting burnt red”—will be one of the colours of the season.

11. FLOATING FRENCH MANI

French girl autumn beauty trends double French manicure

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

A French manicure is always a classic nail look and it’s been on the fingertips of absolutely everyone this summer. For autumn, though, Julia Diogo, one of Bio Sculpture’s Top Techs, predicts that it’s the floating French manicure that is going to be on the fingertips of all stylish women. “The floating French manicure is a more playful take on a traditional French and allows you to experiment with different colours,” Diogo explains. “It features a line positioned about one-third of the way down the nail, extending horizontally, which is the perfect modern twist to a timeless look.”

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Mica Ricketts