Call it an interest or an obsession, but like so many other Americans, I'm fixated on French beauty. I'm intrigued by how French women approach their beauty routines and the products they use to achieve that "less is more" effortlessness. I already know all the classics. I'm talking about the French pharmacy products that have cult followings like La Roche-Posay, Nuxe, and Bioderma, but I continue to search for newer, lesser-known French products.
Recently, I started seeing a French beauty brand all over TikTok. People were raving about it, including some French women I follow. My interest was instantly piqued. As any good beauty editor would do, I immediately got to work, seeking out the products to test them for myself. After a few weeks, I was sure I'd found something special. Keep scrolling to learn all about it.
The Brand
I was introduced to Typology via TikTok. (Thanks, social media!) I saw countless videos of content creators applying the brand's skincare and makeup products—both of which come in chic, minimalistic packaging. The overwhelming consensus? The formulas are effective, easy to use, and unfussy. Because I wanted to see for myself, I put some of the brand's best-selling products to the test.
Typology Skincare Products
Vegan, 99% naturally derived, and made in France, this cleansing oil has become a staple in my skincare routine. In fact, it's what I've been using to double-cleanse for weeks now. It's fragrance-free and dermatologically tested, so it's safe for even the most sensitive skin types. That goes for my skin too. It never irritates my picky complexion or exacerbates redness. It just melts off makeup, sunscreen, and debris like a dream with only seven ingredients—sweet almond oil, sunflower-seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, isopropyl isostearate, vitamin E, and sunflower-seed hybrid oil. I mean it when I say I'm truly obsessed.
This quickly became one of my favorite Typology products. I have dehydrated skin that's prone to redness, so finding a cleanser that removes makeup, oil, and sunscreen without stripping my skin is essential. This one does just that. Thanks to hyaluronic acid, chamomile extract, and coconut oil, it hydrates and protects my skin while offering anti-inflammatory benefits.
As for the texture, it's lightweight and milky, so don't expect it to lather up like a foaming cleanser. Instead, it melts makeup, sunscreen, and debris off the skin in a gentle, foam-free way. It might take some getting used to, but if you do, it's worth it.
Note: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, I recommend the brand's Purifying Cleansing Gel With 2% Zinc PCA + Bamboo Extract ($33). The zinc calms inflammation and limits acne-causing bacteria. The bamboo extract regulates oil production. The eucalyptus oil provides an antibacterial effect.
I love chemical exfoliants for smooth, even, and bright skin, so I wanted to try this product, but I had reservations. I was scared the 8% glycolic acid formula would be too strong for my sensitive skin and cause excess redness. I was wrong. It didn't irritate my skin or cause redness. Instead, it helped minimize the appearance of the blackheads around my nose, and I swear it lightened up some dark spots from sun damage on my cheekbones.
To be clear, I didn't use this every day. I used it twice a week after cleansing and before applying serum and moisturizer. I would pour a nickel-sized amount into my palm, press my hands together, and then gently press my hands to my skin.
If I had to name one Typology skincare product that is my all-time favorite, it would be this 100% organic, skin-brightening mask. It's so lovely. Where do I even start? The glow-boosting ingredients—turmeric, yellow clay, mango butter, and lemon verbena water—banish dullness in an instant. Seriously, after I use this, my complexion looks five times more luminous than it did before. Other customers agree. Here's one of my favorite reviews: "This product gives me the glow. My skin looks like glass skin. I'm so happy."
This is a basic, no-frills vitamin C serum. While I admittedly still prefer my other favorite formulas (BeautyStat's Universal C Skin Refiner, $85, and Allies of Skin's 20% Vitamin C Serum, $101), I would happily use this in the spirit of brighter, more even skin. I haven't seen any significant, visible changes yet, but it didn't irritate my skin or exacerbate my redness. That's a win for me.
The award for the shortest ingredient list goes to… Typology's 9-Ingredient Face Moisturizer. True to the name, it only contains nine (yep, count 'em!) ingredients—hyaluronic acid, organic coconut oil, purified water, vegetable glycerin, coconut cetyl alcohol, coconut cetyl phosphate, sodium hydroxide, sugarcane pentylene glycol, and o-cymen-5-ol. That's it.
The texture strikes a fine balance. It's not so rich that it clog my pores, but it's not so light that it leave my skin feeling dry and tight. Did I mention there's no irritating fragrance whatsoever? This is a moisturizer I'll keep around for a long, long time.
This multitasking lash-and-brow serum is made from a simple combination of active ingredients—castor oil and pea peptides. Over time, it boosts hair growth. I'm still waiting to see the results, but I've only been using it for a short time. Instead of a personal account of its efficacy, I'll leave you with this customer review: "Absolutely incredible! I started out without much hope of seeing results. In 2 weeks, my lashes are really longer and denser. It's amazing! At first, you can't really tell if you've used enough product or not, as it's transparent, but one application, like mascara, is enough. Requires very little product. I think the bottle will last quite a long time. PS: I have very sensitive eyes, and this product didn't give me any reaction." Enough said.
The final skincare product I tested was this exfoliating lip product. It works like a lip scrub but uses chemical exfoliation with mandelic acid and pomegranate enzyme to remove dry, dead skin.
I'll cut right to the chase and say I'm obsessed with this product. It made my lips feel smooth and comfortable, removing dry, rough skin so my lip balm could penetrate deeper. It also made my lip lines look less aggressive. I loved that it didn't have an offensive smell, irritate my skin, or make my lips parched or sticky. This is yet another product I'll be keeping on my vanity from here on out.
Typology Makeup Products
Unlike other color correctors I've used to disguise redness and rosacea, this one isn't a beast to blend out. It melts into the skin, subtly toning down redness without looking obvious or unnatural. It feels featherlight on the skin, it's nonirritating, and it plays well under other makeup products. As if that's not enough, it actually reduces redness over time thanks to niacinamide and green seaweed extract. It's—dare I say—perfect.
I'll cut right to the chase. This skin tint is just that, a skin tint. It offers light coverage with a dewy finish. If you're used to wearing full-coverage or matte makeup products, this probably won't be for you. However, if you prefer light, glowing, French girl esque coverage, you might love it like I do.
It feels soft and breathable on my face, and it gives my skin a bright and healthy effect—think my skin but better. My only complaint is that the shade range leaves much to be desired. There are only six shades in total, so while I loved the texture and finish of the product, its shade range left me wanting more.
To be honest, I didn't think I'd like this concealer. I thought it would read too yellow on my cool-toned skin, and I wished it came with a doe-foot applicator. While it's not my favorite concealer ever, I've come to appreciate it. The formula is creamy and easily blendable with just my fingers, but it also looks great when blended with a sponge. The tiny tube was more convenient than I thought it would be. I've tossed it in my bag more times than I can count for on-the-go touch-ups. However, I have to mention the shade range. Again, there only six shades, and I wish there were more.
My skin can look a little oily after a few hours of sitting underneath makeup, so when I work with a dewy skin tint or foundation, I like to reduce shine in my T-zone with translucent powder. This one does the job just fine. It tones down shine without looking cakey. I like that it comes with a little powder puff for easy touch-ups. I just wish the basic formula was amped up with a brightening or blurring effect for my problem area—my under-eyes.
Even though I tend to get oily in my T-zone, I still like to have a healthy glow on the bridge of my nose, across my cheekbones, and on my Cupid's bow. For that, I use this liquid highlighter infused with skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin C and aloe vera. You can mix it with a foundation or moisturizer for a natural luminous finish or use it as a traditional highlighter, which was my preference. The finish is beautiful. It's smooth and silky, and the finely milled shimmer particles give my skin an effortless "I'm a little dewy from walking around Paris" look. I want to hoard as many bottles of these Glow Drops as possible so I never run out.
I use the Typology Tinted Lip Oil daily. I tend to go between this French-girl red and the clear Natural Shine. Recently, the brand launched Black Cherry, which looks divine, so I can't wait to try that one soon.
No matter which shade you choose, you can rest assured that the formula isn't thick or goopy. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It feels like a cool, lightweight liquid on the lips. It dries down to impart a wash of blurred color and has a comfortable, moisturizing finish. I'm in love.
Remember that lash-and-brow serum I mentioned before? Well, this is basically the mascara version of it. It contains castor oil, pea peptides, and plant fibers, so it strengthens and lengthens lashes while giving them a naturally defined look.
I'll end with my favorite Typology makeup product (aside from the Tinted Lip Oil that I already waxed poetic about). This brow gel offers short- and long-term benefits just like the aforementioned mascara. Over time, it strengthens the brows and stimulates new growth thanks to a high concentration of peptides. Instantly, it adds definition, density, and shape to the brows. If you love Glossier's Boy Brow ($22), you'll love this.
