No one does effortless chic like French girls. Everything from their hair, to style, makeup has set the bar for women everywhere. If you are enthralled by French women’s makeup but can’t afford to go to Paris, I am here to tell you how to achieve that je ne sais quoi in 5 easy steps.
STEP #1: Focus on Skin Care!
French girls understood a long time ago that skincare is more important than makeup. Of course, there is a balance between skincare and makeup for me. However, with skincare playing a much more vital role than makeup. Great skincare creates a nice smooth surface for your foundation. French girls understand that a good skincare routine really supports makeup application. Personally, the key to a flawless base is hydrated smooth skin. So my skincare really focuses on eliminating texture and then feeding my skin plumping and moisturizing products.
STEP #2: Apply a Very Light Layer of Coverage:
Skip heavy foundation and contouring. French girls purposely use lighter coverage to achieve complexions that look as natural as they are flawless. If you can go bare skin, better, if not, use BB cream. BB creams allow extremely thin layers of product to be patted into the skin with an air puff, giving a flawless, airbrushed finish. They are usually infused with moisturizers keeping your skin glowing whilst doing the job. I personally prefer BB cream for my day to day and keep full coverage foundations special occasions.
STEP #3: ACCENTUATE YOUR FEATURES WITH HIGHLIGHTER: French girls are all about that natural glow and nothing gets your glow on like a good highlighter. I am certain we all know what and how to apply highlighters since there are a million videos on Youtube and Instagram. However, just in case we don’t…a highlighter is essentially a face makeup that attracts light, creating the illusion of brightness. Swiping on highlighter along the high points of your face give you a natural glow. Highlighter can make you look more youthful when it's applied in all the right places. I even go as far as to put a little highlighter on my collarbones whenever I am wearing anything low rise.
STEP #4: A TINY TOUCH OF BLUSH: For French girls, less is more. I am currently loving the Laura Mercier Blush Colour Infusion in Kir Royale. This blush provides 10 hours of buildable, natural-looking cheek color for all skin tones. I dot and swirl at apples of cheeks with a denser brush and then blend towards temples in quick tapering strokes and down into my bronzer with a fluffy brush. Then if it is a little harsh I buff a little more with my setting powder brush.
STEP #5: PUT ON YOUR RED LIP:
Last but not least!! RED LIPSTICK! The first makeup I ever applied to my face was red lipstick. I know, the audacity! French girls believe in red lipstick because it’s so vibrant, so chic, and so daring just like their personality! Red lipstick is my armor and nothing makes me feel more beautiful. A red lip can mean so many things, from a high gloss to a matte finish to sheer tints and stains. So, the choice is yours! My go-to for the past 2 years is the Too Faced Melted Matte in Lady balls. I mean what a name! Just make sure you exfoliate your lips often.
Hope you enjoyed this post. Grab your beret, your red lipstick and have a fabulous weekend.
Niké