Take Note—These Are the 6 Makeup Rules French Women Swear By

We’ll say it: No one nails the art of effortless beauty like French women. Call it a stereotype if you’d like, but the French always seem to have the most beautiful makeup looks. Since France is home to some of beauty’s biggest names (think L’Oréal, Guerlain, and Clarins), it only makes sense that the French way of life is laced with nods to the country’s roots in beauty. 

It only takes a couple of minutes roaming the streets in Paris to spot that French women know how to apply their makeup. Their skin is plump, smooth, and glowing; their brows appear effortlessly preened; and their cheeks radiate a flush so healthy it leaves you wondering what their secret is. Wonder no more because we've reached out to French makeup artist Ewa Ciezkowska to uncover the six makeup tips French women swear by.

1. Skincare Is Makeup

This rule comes out on top, as it is something that French women worldwide echo. That plump, radiant glow? It’s all down to their skin prep rather than their makeup. "The most important thing is to really take care of your skin. You should massage it, mask it frequently, and have good treatments. Before you apply a beautiful makeup look, you need a good skincare routine,” says Ciezkowska.

2. Red Lipstick Is a Staple

What is a French makeup routine without red lipstick? "Since the pandemic, many people’s makeup preferences have changed. People spend more time on their complexion and have swapped their lipsticks for a balm. But we all know that a red lip that you can’t take your eyes off is probably the most iconic French makeup look,” says Ciezkowska.

3. Use Mascara Wisely

French makeup never looks particularly "done.” Yes, the look is typically neat, polished, and radiant, but the secret to a really great look is to disguise the makeup altogether—which French women know how to do. Ciezkowska says, "It’s all about keeping your complexion looking fresh and bright and making sure your eyes reflect that too, with just a dashing of mascara. You want to feel fresh and well in your skin.”

4. Foundation Isn't Important

Covering up all of the hard work your skincare does to boost glow and deliver radiance will only leave your skin looking dull and unnatural. Instead, French girls like to opt for lightweight bases. "Start with a good face cream, and then use a brightening CC serum to give a radiant glow. By Terry Brightening CC Serum is a hero product in my makeup bag,” says Ciezkowska.

Available in four colour-correcting shades, from apricot to rosy pink, it can be applied on its own, under a tinted moisturiser or used as a light-reflecting highlight. "It really freshens up the skin and evens out your skin tone, no matter what you’ve been through the day before. It’s particularly good in the morning if you’ve had a late night,” she adds.

5. Use Lipstick for Everything

A great French makeup routine shouldn’t take much time or effort. "Use your lipstick for almost everything. You can use it on your lips, on your cheeks as a blush, and even on your eyes. You end up with a makeup look that ties in really nicely that is really quick to do,” says Ciezkowska. For a versatile lipstick, look for a wearable nude or blush pink that will work well for a monochromatic look.

6. Liquid Formulas Reign Supreme

Matte formulas like powders and full-coverage putties are out of the question when it comes to trying to nail that iconic French-girl glow. "Liquid products hydrate the skin much better and achieve a glowing look quicker than matte products. They deliver the perfect natural-looking base,” advises Ciezkowska. And the best bit is they can be applied easily with fingers or a multi-use blending brush for super-quick application.

Next up, Everyone in Paris Smells So Good, and This $26 Scent on Amazon Is Responsible

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