How To Do French Makeup
Your guide to nailing the minimal yet sophisticated makeup look like one of those French girls.
Nyssa GreenMakeup Artist 
Nyssa Green is an Emmy award winning makeup artist and a trusted beauty and lifestyle expert with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes celebrities from all walks of life, like Alicia Keys, Bono, Jane Fonda, Vickie Winans, Jermaine Dupri, several US Presidents, authors, and politicians.
Read full bio of Nyssa Green
Experience: 3 yearsEsha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes that makeup is nothing less than art.
Read full bio of Esha Saxena
Experience: 4 yearsSubhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
Read full bio of Joyce Joyson
Image: Shutterstock
French makeup is a rage among beauty enthusiasts as it offers an effortlessly flawless and elegant look. The reason is Parisian women do not really seek a perfect transformative look. Their makeup is all about highlighting and enhancing their natural features. A French woman always goes for quick and minimal makeup yet looks absolutely stunning. They embrace their imperfections to ace the barely-there makeup look. Want to try this ‘less is more’ makeup approach?
You have certainly landed on the right page because, in this article, we have compiled some tips and tutorials to help you master this extremely popular look. We will also discuss the beauty secrets of Parisian women and list down some French products that you will love. Swipe up for the deets.
Keep In Mind- Foundation: Go for a lightweight, liquid product that matches your skin tone as it gives a natural-looking finish.
- Lipstick: After applying a bold lipstick, use the same product on your cheeks as a blush, and on your eyes for a subtle eyeshadow to get a monochromatic look.
- Blush: Apply a natural pink rosy blush on the high points of the face and under the chin to uplift the look.
- Micellar Water: it is not only used for removing makeup, but for cleansing the face and toning it as well.
In This Article
French Makeup Tutorial
When it comes to French makeup rules, it’s all about striking the right balance. A heavily-tinted lipstick is balanced by neutral eyes, while dark eyeshadow is paired with a neutral lip color. French women like to keep it classy, and their goal is to achieve a healthy, natural-looking glow. You’ll never find their makeup looking cakey or stale. Here’s what you need to nail their look.
What You Need
- Lip balm
- Eyelash curler
- Brown eyeliner pencil
- Mascara
- Concealer
- Highlighter
Step-By-Step Natural French Makeup Tutorial With Pictures
Step 1: It’s All In The Prep
Before you begin, cleanse your face and follow up with a toner. Apply a gentle moisturizer and a lip balm to make your face and pout look fresh and hydrated.
Step 2: Curl Your Lashes
Strong lashes look extremely flattering with natural makeup looks. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, and use a metallic brown eye pencil to enhance the spaces between your top and bottom lash lines. Apply some mascara to your top and bottom lashes.
Step 3: Groom Your Brows
Brush your eyebrows with some brow gel on a spoolie to give them a clean, groomed look. Remember, brows play a crucial role in any makeup look.
Step 4: Time For Concealer
Use a dewy concealer in a shade that matches your skin tone on areas that need coverage, like the under-eye area, spots, and redness. Blend it in thoroughly to achieve that natural, flawless coverage. French makeup is all about minimalism, so you don’t need to use brushes. Your fingers work just fine for this look.
Step 5: Get The Glow
Gently dab a balmy highlighter with minimal shimmer onto your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, Cupid’s bow, and the inner corners of your eyes to make your features really stand out. It also helps create an even, iridescent glow all over your face.
And voila! Here’s the final ‘French girl’ look.
Quick Tip
American and French styles of makeup are often pitted against each other because of their conflicting approaches to beauty. Check out the next section to find out how they are different.
American Vs. French Makeup Routine
While the American makeup routine is often about looking flawless, French makeup trends have a more relaxed approach. American women are also more interested in quick solutions as opposed to French women who regard beauty as an essential, long-term investment. They stress more on skin care from a very young age, and they definitely don’t seem to like spending hours before an event to get ready. They are also less flashy, and their style is more about quiet elegance.
Basically, the French like a less complicated, more pleasurable and natural approach to beauty. You will never hear a French woman talk about the hours she spent getting a blowout because she almost always wakes up with perfectly tousled hair.
Listed below are a few beauty tips that you can follow to get the perfect Parisian chic look.
Beauty Tips That French Women Swear By
- Skin Care Comes First
For the French, glowing, healthy skin is crucial to their beauty regimen – it’s just the French way of life. They make sure to focus on the prep before putting anything on their makeup. They are also strict about their nighttime cleansing routine and using an SPF.
All this starts from a very young age.
- It’s All About Simplicity
French women don’t spend a ton of money on too many products. They choose makeup and skin care that works for them – a few essentials, and that’s about it. You won’t find their vanity flooded with contour palettes and four different kinds of foundation.
- The Red Lip
A bold red lip is a fashion statement for French women, and usually when they sport a red lip, they don’t wear any other makeup with it.
Quick Tip- No To Contouring
Contouring is way too dramatic for the average French woman’s makeup routine. They like to let the natural contours of their face and skin show through, even if they have wrinkles and fine lines.
- Perfection Is Never The Goal
It’s the nonchalance of French women that makes them so attractive. They are not concerned about looking too put together. So, their hair is never perfectly set, and they love showing off their unique attributes, like their freckles.
Infographic: A Guide To Flawless French Makeup
French makeup is the key to an effortlessly flawless and elegant look. The idea is to highlight a person’s natural features with minimum makeup and look mesmerizing. Accentuating the eyes is the main focus of this style of makeup. See the following steps to learn how to achieve the perfect look with it. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
France has introduced some of the biggest names in fashion, cosmetics, fragrances, and beauty in the industry — L’Oréal Paris, Guerlain, Chanel, Garnier, etc. Not just that, some say it is as a country with the most naturally good-looking people in the world. The French seem to be aware of it and proudly own it. The most important element of French fashion is confidence in one’s natural appearance. They believe in a proper skincare routine to maintain healthy skin. When it comes to the makeup, they focus more on the prep, and the actual makeup itself is minimal — just enough to accentuate their features. You don’t even need to own too many products. We believe this article can help you learn the tricks of effortless, no-nonsense French makeup. Try it and share it with your friends today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the French beauty standard?
The French beauty standard is marked by effortless beauty that is imperfect and laid back. It focuses on playing with one’s natural features and optimizing them without resorting to too much makeup.
What foundation do French girls use?
French girls and women mostly use liquid-tinted foundations or anything that is lightweight. Alternatively, they may ditch the foundation altogether and use a concealer and a BB cream that provide light coverage.
What is the difference between French and American makeup?
French makeup tends to focus on a more natural, effortless look, while American makeup tends to be more bold and dramatic.
Do French girls wear lip gloss?
Some French girls do wear lip gloss, but the focus is often on creating a subtle, natural look rather than a glossy or shiny finish.
What is the history of French makeup and how has it evolved over time?
French makeup has a long history, dating back to the 18th century when women used a combination of natural ingredients and lead-based products to achieve a pale complexion. Over time, French makeup has evolved to become more focused on a natural, fresh-faced look, with an emphasis on skincare and subtle enhancements.
How do French women approach makeup applications compared to women in other countries?
French women tend to approach makeup with a less-is-more attitude, preferring to focus on skincare. They use makeup to enhance their natural features rather than covering them up. This approach differs from other countries where a more heavy-handed makeup application is often favored.
How does French makeup cater to different skin types and tones?
The use of high-quality ingredients and a focus on proper French skincare routine help them cater to various skin types and tones. French beauty brands often prioritize natural, organic, and plant-based ingredients to cater to sensitive skin types.
How has French makeup influenced the global beauty industry?
French makeup has had a significant influence on the global beauty industry, with French beauty brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent becoming household names around the world. The focus on natural, effortless beauty has also influenced trends and preferences in makeup and skincare around the world.
Key Takeaways
- French makeup is all about highlighting your natural features.
- It is a minimalistic yet chic makeup style that sets French women apart from the rest.
- You will need a lip balm, an eyelash curler, an eyeliner, mascara, concealer, and highlighter to achieve a French makeup look.
- Focusing on skin care is a must to achieve that flawless French makeup look.
Illustration: How To Do French Makeup
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Discover the secrets to achieving the perfect French makeup look with this easy-to-follow makeup tutorial video. Learn how to create a timeless, classic look effortlessly.
Read full bio of Nyssa Green
Read full bio of Esha Saxena
Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Read full bio of Joyce Joyson
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.