If there's anything that the Who What Wear team is totally obsessed with, it's French beauty. Can you blame us? Whether it's French pharmacy skincare favourites, French skincare advice, or French fragrances, we want in on the tips and tricks from across the channel. And who wouldn't? The French fashion crowd's makeup looks just exude a certain effortlessness. They always look pulled together without looking overdone. Whether it's flawless skin paired with a bold matte lipstick, dewy skin with a subtle flush of blusher, or a perfectly executed cat-eye, there is so much we can learn from French women. Quite often, it's the simplest makeup looks that work the best.
France is home to some of the world's biggest beauty brands, including L'Oréal, Chanel, La Roche-Posay and more, so it's no wonder that the French have beauty honed down to a T. However, in recent years, smaller and more independent beauty brands have been popping up in France. Many of them are little-known to us in the UK but are loved amongst French fashion and beauty insiders.
Curious to know their winning formulas for looking so great, I reached out to some of WWW's favourite French women to get the scoop on the makeup products they love as well as the best French makeup tips and tricks to try. Bisous!
The Best French Makeup Tips
"Red lips are my signature makeup look! I have recently discovered the Petal Bouche from Violette_Fr, and I have to say that I am in love with it. It is a velvet-effect liquid lipstick that reproduces the texture of a rose petal. I'm obsessed."
"This palette always accompanies me throughout the day! I love the vintage style of the case—so chic! The shades can be mixed and applied with fingers on the lips but also on the cheekbones and eyes. A must-have for an effortless, natural makeup."
"I really love to use Ilia's beauty stick on my cheeks and eyes for a good-looking effect in seconds."
"There is nothing like eyeliner to enhance a look. This Rouje eyeliner is the best I have ever tried—it's so easy to apply."
"I just love this mascara! It's perfect for keeping my lashes looking natural while adding a little volume to them."
"I discovered this product thanks to a friend who's a makeup artist, and it is really my go-to product when I want a natural, flushed-from-within glow."
"I love this cream, which I have been using for one year now, and I have the whole range. It's perfect for my eyes when I'm tired. It helps me because it has reflective particles, which improve the appearance of dark circles and bags under the eyes."
"When I don't put on foundation or my tinted serums, this powder gives exactly the effect I want. I've been using it for a while now and will continue to use it for quite a while."
"When I don't apply anything else, this duo is awesome! The hydration is just perfect. These two products give very, very good results for all skin types."
"I don't wear a lot of foundation if any, but recently, I've been using these two tinted serums in shades 5 and 6, and they suit me very well because they don't cover much. That's exactly what I like."
"This sunscreen is exactly what I need. I just got back from vacation, and this was very protective. I love the fact that it doesn't leave white marks on Black skin."
"I like lipsticks with character that are quite discreet, natural and minimalistic. This and Merit's Shade Slick seduced me, and I used them during my holidays. I love them because they correspond exactly to what I was looking for. Besides, I'm never without them."
Merit products aren't available in the UK at the moment, but for something similar, try Glossier Generation G Lipstick (£14).
"I always make sure my lips are nice and hydrated before I begin any makeup. This one from Fresh has been a lifesaver."
"I don't wear foundation. I hate the feeling of having something thick on my skin. I think it's very uncomfortable. The only thing that I wear is this very lightweight primer from Charlotte Tilbury."
"I have purple circles under my eyes, so I always use concealer. This one has been my favourite for years, and I always make sure I restock when I come to London."
"I like to do messy contouring (i.e. I vaguely put some bronzer under my cheekbones, temples and jaw and call it a day). This Charlotte Tilbury one is my favourite."
"I am obsessed with this blush by Charlotte Tilbury because I think it smells like Kinder Eggs. Please tell me I'm not the only one!"
"In summer, I love to add a bit of creamy highlighter on my cheekbones, nose and corners of my eyes. This is my forever favourite."
"When it comes to mascara, this one is the only one that doesn't make me look like a panda by the end of the day."
"I have so many lipsticks! I think it's the thing I would bring on a desert island (along with an SPF). If I have to narrow it down to three, I would pick these."
"I love how easily it blends and the fact that it's really a long-wearing foundation. It's pretty soft. I don't even feel like I'm wearing makeup."
"I'm a huge fan of this one for setting my makeup. And under the eyes, it sets my concealer pretty well."
"I use this one almost every time I do my makeup. It's lit! It's a 30-colour eye-shadow palette, so the choice is huge for winter, summer, spring or whenever (and for all occasions). I also use some of the eye shadows to do my highlight, and I love the result. Also, it's a Black woman–owned brand from Paris."
"This palette can also be used for the face, but I use one of them in particular when I'm out at night to give a glimpse of glitter to my eyes. It's really nice!"
"l use Melayci Cosmetics a lot. Again, it's a Black woman–owned small business with high-quality products. First of all, the packaging is insane! Its lipsticks are so comfortable to wear as they are semi-matte, so they don't dry out your lips."
"For the day, I also use Fenty Cream glosses a lot. I have all of them, and I'm a huge fan for the 'no-makeup makeup' look."
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