Just as French women seem born with the innate ability to tie a neck scarf, bring up flawlessly mannered children, and arrange tomatoes perfectly on a plate, so too does the art of immaculate maquillage appear to come naturally to them.
Melanie Laurent
Today, it being Bastille Day – AKA France’s national day of celebration – we salute les françaises and their enviable makeup style. And get in on some of their best-kept beauty secrets.
So, slip on a stripy top, pop a bottle of bubbles (the real kind, of course) and pull up une chaise … Charly Barbier, makeup artist and trainer for By Terry – one of France’s most exquisite beauty brands – is here to spill open those chic cosmetics bags for us …
PRIMPED: How would you describe French women’s makeup style?
Charly Barbier: “What you have to know about French girls is that they are careful to choose quality over quanitity – for clothes and food as much as for makeup. They love their cosmetics to contain luxurious ingredients. And their style is very simple and classic: natural, radiant skin, softly shaped eyes, perfect lashes and beautiful lips.”
Constance Jablonski
P: What makeup items would you always find in those quilted handbags of theirs?
CB: “Definitely a concealer and maybe a lipstick, too.”
P: What would you never find?
CB: “Anything sparkly or shimmery. French girls like a little glow, but mostly they prefer a matte look.”
P: What tips do you have for finding the perfect concealer?
CB: “I tend to like a pen concealer – you can use it for redness, for pimples, to highlight. It’s easy to keep in your bag and for touch ups. Buy one with some luminosity to it as it will bring light and youthfulness to dark circles. For the eye area, however, you have to know your skin. If it’s dry, a liquid concealer like this will be fine. If it’s oily, you’ll need to buy a more matte concealer.”
By Terry Touch Expert Advanced, $68, Mecca Cosmetica
P: What else do French women look for in their base products?
CB: “French women love skincare so look for foundation that contains skincare-like ingredients. They like anything moisturising and that won’t cover their complexion too much.”
P: What’s the most French way to apply foundation?
CB: “Always with a brush – it gives a more polishes look. French women often also use brushes to apply their skincare, as this massages skin and oxygenates the cells.”
P: Bronzer vs blush … Which is more à la française?
CB: “French women might wear a little dusting of bronzer on their cheeks but only to make them look more naturally healthy. They mostly prefer blush, using a pink one to give a fresh effect and add a pretty pop to cheeks.”
Marion Cotillard
P: What’s the usual eye makeup look in France?
CB: “For daytime, a brown eye shadow with some liner and perfectly applied mascara.”
P: When you think of French makeup, you often think of smoky eyes à la Brigitte Bardot …
CB: “Yes, for nightime many girls do this look but they don’t go too heavy. It’s usually just a creamy eye shadow in a dark colour that they smudge on with their fingers. It’s very quick and easy.”
P: Alternatively, you think of red lips, especially when you picture the cliché Parisienne woman in her stripy top and chic little bob …
CB: “Red lipstick is definitely a classic in France but it’s more for evening time … and they’d only wear it if they had nothing heavy on the eyes … red lipstick goes with perfect, luminous skin and lightly defined eyes. It must also be applied well – over a base of red lip liner to help it stay in place.”
Laetitia Casta
P: French women sure do know how to give good pout … what are their other lip secrets?
CB: “They always use a very nourishing lip balm for a juicy look. They also always use a lip pencil to define lips, and then follow up with a moisturising lipstick. They don’t like matte lipstick as it’s drying and makes lips look smaller. French women are as careful about their lips as their skin.”
By Terry Baume de Rose, $84, Mecca Cosmetica
P: Do you have any final words of French makeup wisdom?
CB: “French women love fragrance, even in their makeup. For them, makeup is a well-being ritual, and using beautifully perfumed products enhances this.”
P: Merci beaucoup!
Kat x
Tell us, Primpers. what do you think of French makeup style?