Beauty

French-Girl Beauty Lessons from the Experts in Paris

Written by: Brianna Peters

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Published on: July 16, 2024

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Photo courtesy of Violette_FR

You can easily spot the French women in the crowd on the Boulevard Saint-Germain or on the streets of Manhattan: luminous skin, a touch of makeup, confidently tousled hair, and a simple, effortless chic. For some detailed instruction on how to get the look, I started with a trip to Paris on the sleek French airline La Compagnie, where they serve French skin care (Caudalie) along with croissants and champagne. Once I landed, I went straight to the source, canvassing favorite French women all over Paris for their best beauty secrets.

EXPERT 1: SOPHIE CARBONARI

FACIALIST AT SOPHIE CARBONARI STUDIOS

Best French-beauty tips:

Do a light cleanse in the morning with a micellar cleanser and save the deep cleanse for nighttime. I love rose water for oily or blemish-prone skin and use orange blossom water for sensitive skin. Use a clay mask every two weeks to clarify and detoxify, and always, always keep a fix-all skin salve in your beauty kit.

Where to go in Paris:

I love being in the Palais Royal area, where my studio is. I grab a coffee at Partisan or have dinner at Verjus.

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EXPERT 2: MATHILDE THOMAS

COFOUNDER OF CAUDALIE

Best French-beauty tips:

I never leave home without face mist—it refreshes, tones, and gives my skin an instant boost of radiance. When I travel, I drink water and apply a super moisturizing mask instead of moisturizer (and no makeup) before I get on the plane to keep my skin fresh and moisturized. Later in the flight, I layer a drop of a powerful serum, a spritz of face mist, and this rich one-and-done moisturizer (our Premier Cru) to protect and nourish my skin barrier before I fall asleep.

Where to go in Paris:

Musée Rodin. The enchanting outdoor sculpture garden and stunning 18th-century mansion with large windows make it the perfect place for a peaceful walk. I live next door, so I go there to relax and unwind.

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EXPERT 3: VIOLETTE SERRAT

MAKEUP ARTIST AND FOUNDER OF VIOLETTE_FR

Best French-beauty tips:

Makeup should be fun and effortless and accentuate your personal style and individuality—instead of trying to hide or fix anything. How you apply it matters: For lipstick, dab it with your fingers or a tissue to diffuse the color and make it look more natural. I like it to be softly blurred, matte, and a little outside your lip line, like you’ve just been kissed. For cheeks, I like a bit of transparency and layering—a sheer tinted cream gives a healthy glow look that looks like naturally flushed skin.

Any makeup, no matter your skin type, looks better when your skin is moisturized and nourished. My C’est La Cream moisturizer leaves skin beautifully soft, supple, and hydrated—apply a dime-size amount and massage in gentle, upward motions before any makeup. And if you have any irritation or blemishes, Invisible Bandage is amazing. Apply a thin layer to the affected area and it acts as a protective barrier that primes and protects skin.

Where to go in Paris:

Les Puces, a famous flea market at Saint-Ouen. I’m very inspired by interior design, and this place has such cool artists and vintage pieces. I have my own “cabinet of curiosities” in my office that I cherish—it inspires every product I make.

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EXPERT 4: LESLIE KOUHANA

PRESIDENT OF MAISONS PARIENTE HOTEL GROUP

Best French-beauty tips:

I massage my face for five minutes morning and night every day while I apply my face cream. It helps my skin look healthy and beautifully lifted. I also love rose hip oil, which is in Tata Harper’s retinoic face oil—it’s so conditioning and nourishing.

Where to go in Paris:

There is nothing like the Tata Harper facial at the Oh My Cream concept store—it’s the best beauty store in Paris. My sister and I also both love going to La Sultane de Saba for a very low-key but amazing Moroccan-style body scrub. (Note: It’s a bit rough, so be prepared for a full scrub-down.)

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EXPERT 5: SOPHIE GAONAC’H

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT SO/PARIS HOTEL

Best French-beauty tips:

Using powerful active ingredients in my skin-care serums and creams makes the biggest difference in my skin’s hydration and radiance. My family loves to use organic nigella oil for skin and hair, too—it’s like a magic secret weapon. And I religiously use mineral sunscreen year-round, but I do love when my skin has that end-of-summer sun-kissed caramel glow.

Where to go in Paris:

I love the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont for a walk, picnic, or apéro—it’s so beautiful. I also love the Fondation Louis Vuitton to check out crazy-cool exhibitions (there are masterpieces from Basquiat to Matisse) or La Maroquinerie concert hall to hear some indie alternative artists.

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EXPERT 6: NATACHA BONJOUT

FRENCH PHARMACIST AND FOUNDER OF BONJOUT BEAUTY

Best French-beauty tips:

I come from a long line of skin-care-obsessed women (my great-grandmother owned a pharmacy), and they instilled in me the importance of hydration and sun protection. Your routine can be very simple if you’re consistent and use effective, clinically tested products. I made Le Balm—which nourishes, soothes, moisturizes, and enhances skin’s natural radiance—to fit right into my routine. I swear by a gentle cleanser, hydrating creams and serums, sun protection, and the occasional retinol at night. I also love to apply a touch of perfume before I get into bed—it helps me reconnect with myself at the end of the day.

Where to go in Paris:

My favorite spot is the Fontaine Médicis in the Jardin du Luxembourg. It’s a hidden gem, with a romantic backdrop of lush greenery. I cherish moments there where I can take a break from the hecticness of the city. Another exceptional place is the Square du Vert-Galant on L’Île de la Cité. It’s surrounded by water, so sitting there feels like being on a boat, viewing all of Paris.

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EXPERT 7: FLORE DES ROBERT

COFOUNDER OF LA BONNE BROSSE 

Best French-beauty tips:

Spend less than 20 minutes getting ready in the morning and use 10 products or fewer: a good moisturizing cream, sunscreen, a touch of mascara, blush, a dab of perfume, and, most importantly, a really good hairbrush. I learned the importance of always brushing your hair from my mom. It’s the easiest thing you can do to feel pulled-together, and it keeps your hair fresh, shiny, and healthy-looking.

Where to go in Paris:

Loulou Paris—it’s a classic restaurant with a Riviera twist, where you can eat the most delicious French fries with breathtaking views of the Tuileries Garden.

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EXPERT 8: CHARLÈNE CADERBY

DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE DINING AND EVENTS AT LOULOU GROUPE

Best French-beauty tips:

Moisturize right after every shower, take care of your hands (it’s the first thing people look at), and always wear SPF. Also, a little tinted SPF and swipe of mascara goes a long way.

Where to go in Paris:

Almost every wine bar in Batignolles: L’Ébéniste du Vin has a great wine list and a chic cellar that’s brilliant for a birthday or a special occasion. The team at Les P’tits Potes helps you find a delicious wine based on your taste and price range preferences, and Les Paresseux has delicious tapas to share.

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EXPERT 9: KIMBERLEY BLANCHOT

COFOUNDER OF AUGUST TWENTY EIGHT PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY

Best French-beauty tips:

I don’t love wearing a ton of makeup, but I swear by lip balm—I probably have a dozen different ones scattered throughout my apartment, in purses, etc. If I’m going out, I’ll wear a lightly tinted lip balm, and before bed, I put lip balm on in layers—it’s such a small thing but gives beauty sleep a whole new meaning.

Where to go in Paris:

I’m at Stéréo pretty much every weekend. The staff is always introducing us to new wines they’re excited about, which keeps it fun and interesting. And the food is fresh and delicious no matter the season. (I especially love the Saint-Nectaire croque monsieur and burrata.) I also love Hôtel Rochechouart in the foothills of Montmartre. They’re a client of mine, but I’d go there even if they weren’t—best vibes. They have an amazing oyster bar, Citrons et Huîtres; a great restaurant, Maggie; and a basement nightclub, Le Mikado, which just feels like the coolest place to be on a Saturday night.

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