From effortlessly tousled hair to that just-right red lip, French women have long mastered the art of looking chic without trying too hard – even while living out of a suitcase. Speaking to the French women who also happen to be beauty industry insiders, we uncover the secrets of their beauty rituals, their must-follow packing tricks, and low-key essentials that keep them glowing from Paris to Provence. Think multi-tasking skincare, getting that barely there makeup look and the one perfume that makes every outfit feel like an ensemble. Whether you're jetting off to the Riviera or staying closer to home, here's how to channel that elusive French girl vibe with ease.
Violette Serrat
Makeup artist, founder of Violette_FR
What’s the one beauty secret French women all follow?
“Always cleansing your skin after wearing makeup. There's no way on earth I would ever go to bed without having clean skin. We’re taught to always cleanse before bed.”
How do you get that classic French girl look?
“We have all these tricks to not look too ‘done.’ If we have a wedding or event, we’ll get a blow dry the day before and then sleep in it a bit. We do our makeup earlier in the day, so by night, it looks more lived in and cooler. My secret actually is to put my eye makeup on and then close my eyes, and rub it in with my fingers. Then I just remove any smudges and tidy it up a little with concealer, then you look ‘done undone’ – which is the French girl look. There’s always balance, too; if I wear red lipstick, I keep the rest of my face simple, or if I am dressed up, I put my hair in a messy bun.”
You live in New York now. What differences have you noticed in the way people approach beauty in both cities?
“The approach to ageing is very different. Two days ago, I was at the theatre in Paris, and there was a woman who had white hair, and she looked like the coolest woman in the world. She had an amazing outfit, a little bandana and amazing luxurious rings with no makeup but she looked so sexy. That's what I'm inspired by, and in France, there’s a culture where ageing is cool and normal. It’s not even a subject; we don't even talk about it, which is really freeing. In places like New York, it’s very different – the opposite. People scrutinise every line and wrinkle here.”
What are your ultimate travel hacks?
“I travel a lot, and have very little time to recover from it, so I have to be very good at travel health. I stay super hydrated with water and lemon. I pick a good quality matcha if I have caffeine and try to sleep as much as possible – I take melatonin gummies from A System, which help with that. My biggest hack is that as soon as I’m on the plane, I immediately adjust my routine to the time zone of my destination. I eat when they eat, and I stay awake or sleep when they do. So when I arrive, I’m aligned with where I am. It really works.”
Therese M'Boungoubaya
Founder of KOBA Skincare
Is there one French pharmacy product you always repurchase?
“Until recently, my go-to was the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Serum – it delivered visible results and was a staple in my routine. Sadly, it's now discontinued. If I had to choose a current favourite, I'd say the Caudalie Beauty Elixir takes the lead. It's perfect for an instant radiance boost, refreshing the skin with a spa-like mist that instantly wakes up your complexion.”
Do you wear makeup every day? If so, what’s your signature look?
“No, I don’t wear makeup every day - I like to let my skin breathe. As a French woman, I believe in caring for your skin so well that it needs very little to look its best. On days when I have meetings, I’ll apply my trusted Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - it’s my go-to for evening out my skin tone since I don’t wear foundation. If I’m heading out in the evening, I’ll add a touch of mascara, a bit of blush, and finish with my signature brown lip - a simple brown pencil topped with a clear gloss.”
What beauty habits have you inherited from your family?
“I grew up watching my mother, who is a chemist, transform our kitchen into a sanctuary of natural beauty rituals. With aloe vera, green clay, turmeric, lemon, cucumber, or olive oil, she would whip up face masks, hair masks, or soothing balms for irritated skin. I was mesmerised by her potions. That early fascination never left me. It became the seed for KOBA skincare, where I honour that legacy by crafting formulas rooted in simplicity and powered by nature. Our hero ingredient, safou oil, embodies this philosophy- rich in nutrients, gentle yet effective, and deeply tied to ancestral knowledge.”
What parts of French beauty culture do you dislike?
“Growing up in the ’90s, diversity in the media was almost nonexistent. The dominant narrative painted French beauty as light-skinned, slim, and straight-haired – an image that excluded so many women of colour like me. I rarely saw myself reflected in that ideal. Thankfully, that narrow definition is finally being challenged. Social media has played a powerful role in broadening the conversation, allowing new faces and textures to take up space and redefine what French beauty truly looks like today.”
Kartika Luyet
Model, television personality, and co-founder of nail care brand Kure Bazaar
What’s your signature French beauty look?
“I always wear our Rouge Flore Tinted Lip Balm and match it with red nails in the same shade with our Rouge Flore Nail Polish. I love this classic matching red combo; it’s super chic and very Parisian. Having a signature scent is also very French. I've worn Vamp à N.Y by Honore des Pre, an organic Tuberose scent, for 18 years – it’s so special and very feminine. People always ask me what I’m wearing when I have it on.”
French women are known for doing less, but better – what beauty steps would you never skip?
“We never skip the most important step for beautiful skin: cleansing every morning and evening with a good cleanser like Regenerating Cleanser from Tata Harper. Also, drinking a big glass of water with organic lemon.”
Is there one French pharmacy product you always repurchase?
“Oh yes, always Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum Éclat. for instant brightening and protection against dark spots. The texture is fantastic and the results are amazing, so I always stock up on that.”
Terry de Gunzburg
Beauty innovator and the founder of beauty brand BY TERRY
Why does French beauty always look so effortless?
“French women don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. We are not easily swayed by trends and marketing. We want to keep our appearance looking nice, but it’s also not the most important thing to us. The ‘healthy’ look is more important than the ‘perfect’ look, so French women often use makeup for corrections, such as a dab of concealer where they need it, rather than a full face of foundation coverage. The French attitude is to wear makeup but to also pretend you’re not wearing it at all.”
What’s your go-to travel skincare routine?
“I start each day with my Baume de Rose Cleansing Oil, Micellar Water and Toner. I then move on to a hydrating skincare routine, with a hyaluronic acid serum, moisturiser, eye cream and finish with an SPF50 that I use all year round. I think people underestimate the importance of hydration and all year long UV protection for mature skin.”
What are your top travel beauty hacks?
“Use a rich lip balm as soon as you take off, and top up on SPF during the flight. A good hydrating mist, with lots of Hyaluronic Acid, is also great for keeping that ‘tight’ skin feeling at bay.”
What’s your French beauty shopping must-buy?
“I like the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse body oils a lot – they have a beautiful glide to them and look incredible on the skin. Plus, they smell fantastic.”
Veronique Gabai
Renowned beauty industry expert and founder of her eponymous fragrance brand
What are your daily beauty rituals?
“I drink a big glass of water before I do anything else. Then after my shower, I prioritise moisturising; I use Revitalizing Supreme by Estee Lauder on my face and Revive Neck Renewal Cream that does miracles for the fragile skin in that area. I always moisturise my body with my scented body lotion, La Creme. It’s absorbed quickly, provides immediate glow, eight hours of moisturisation and has a fabulous scent that I can layer with my chosen perfume. What I pick changes by season; this summer, it’s Eau d’Azur and Ready For Rosé. They are both fun, fresh and bold.”
What French pharmacy products do you always repurchase?
“The Vichy roll-on deodorant is the best. The minute I arrive in Paris, I run to the pharmacy to buy a couple of packs. I also love Bioderma micellar cleansing water, and I love the small sizes too – I take them everywhere when I travel. French pharmacies also sell the best-tasting toothpaste; Marvis and Lebon have the most delicious flavours. The latter has one called ‘A pool in Antibes’. How can I resist?”
What’s the French attitude toward getting older?
“Accept it! Do what you can to prevent the damage of ageing – good skin takes work, a youthful silhouette takes good eating habits and a bit of exercise. But you will not always look like you’re 20, and this is OK. As we grow older, it’s about the energy, the confidence, the style, the warmth you exude. It is less about how you look and more about who you are. It is about the way you enter a room, and own it. I like my older self. I like the life, the career, and the relationships that I have built. Did everything go as I wanted? No, but as a woman, I feel good, I feel grateful, I am aligned within my core values, and I have so much more love, energy, and projects to share. Life is a remarkable journey – and one to be enjoyed with intention.”
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Fanny Bourdette-Donon
Global Communications Director at Augustinus Bader
Is there one French pharmacy product you always repurchase?
“Biafine, without a doubt. My dad always had it in our family pharmacy cabinet growing up and that stuck with me. Originally made for burns, but I use it for everything really, from dry patches to post-sun skin. There’s always a tube in my suitcase. And I stock up on my signature fragrance, Dior Homme Intense. It’s sensual, elegant, and unexpected; I’ve worn it for years.”
Is the “French woman” really as effortless as it seems?
“I think the French look is more about intention than effortlessness, I would say. French women don't aim to change themselves but rather amplify their natural beauty through rituals and self-awareness. It’s a subtle art of enhancement, not transformation; a celebration of what’s already there. That’s why when I wear makeup, it’s very minimal and a form of respect for myself and the day ahead. Always a touch of concealer, a bit of blush, and I’m ready!”
Who is your beauty icon?
“My mother. Graceful, radiant, kind-hearted, with the biggest smile and an agile mind. I’ve always admired how she instantly commands respect in every room she enters. She taught me about the importance of caring for your body as much as your face. Body care is often overlooked, but it’s a true act of self-care.”
What does wellness mean to you - and how do you practise it daily?
“Well-being, to me, begins with the mind. We’ve been lucky to collaborate with Dr Deepak Chopra as part of our Augustinus Bader Chopra Epigenetics launch [a new collaborative wellness platform, which has shown me how mental clarity is the cornerstone of a balanced life. That’s why I make space for silence and solitude every day, as it helps me reset and stay present. I also try to integrate movement."
Flore des Robert and Pauline Laurent
Founders of Paris-based beauty brand La Bonne Brosse.
Is there one French pharmacy product you always repurchase?
Pauline: “Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is amazing. Think of it like the white t-shirt of skincare: effortlessly simple, endlessly versatile, and reliably flattering no matter the occasion. It's rich but sinks in quickly and gives hydration without heaviness – it never lets you down.”
What’s the signature French beauty look?
Flore: “Cleansing day and night is a crucial part of the French beauty regime. The skin can’t glow if it’s holding on to yesterday, so looking after your skin is a must-do. Then wearing a little make-up daily is very French, even if it’s just a little blush. My favourite is a good coral blush, like Peachy by Jones Road Beauty. I wear it every day, even at breakfast.”
Pauline: “A good skincare regime is crucial in France, and I credit my glowing skin to Augustinus Bader. Brushed brows and mascara are both French beauty staples because they enhance subtly. The French look is not effortless – it’s more effort-hidden. It’s precision masquerading as spontaneity.”
What wellness habits make you feel good?
Flore: “In France, we follow the joy principle. Eat well, eat real foods, share meals with friends and family, drink lots of water and enjoy the bread.”
Flore: “Everyone walks fast in Paris, which helps to keep you fit, that and dancing or any way you can move your body. If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself to use sunscreen, invest in silk pillowcases, and trust my instincts.”
What are your top travel beauty hacks?
Flore: “Using mini refillable Cair bottles to take your hair care routine with you, using a silk scrunchie to protect the hair and reduce friction and brushing pre-boarding and post-landing. Hair first, jet lag second is my motto.”
Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz
Founder of vegan French nail-care brand Manucurist
Is there one French pharmacy product you always repurchase?
“I always have a bottle of Eau Thermale Avène spray in my bag. It’s gentle, refreshing and perfect for calming sensitive skin. And of course, Homeoplasmine, a classic multitasker I use on lips, cuticles, and even cheekbones for a natural dewy finish.”
What’s one nail care step you’d never skip?
“Cuticle oil! It’s the secret to beautiful nails. I apply it every night. My go-to is Huile Verte from Manucurist, packed with coconut, almond and baobab oils, it deeply nourishes and gives a glossy finish that makes everything look polished and healthy.”
What’s the secret to that nonchalant French girl look?
“It looks effortless, but there’s care behind the scenes. We focus on skin health, on nails that are clean and neat, on a glow that feels natural. I recently fell in love with Doré Gel to Milk Cleanser and Mimétique Skin Restore Cream. The goal is never perfection, but feeling good in your own skin, literally. If I wear makeup, I like to keep it natural: Chanel foundation, a rosy blush, curled lashes and a tinted lip balm. I love the Westman Atelier sticks, they’re so easy to use and give that effortless glow.”
