7 Beauty Habits French Girls Get Right

Some beauty habits are practically universal. Everyone relies on concealer to cover up imperfections like dark circles, we all coat our complexions with broad-spectrum sunscreen, etc., etc. But, you might find yourself surprised by which habits differ depending on where you live. French girls, who are known for their style and chicness, have myriad beauty habits that likely aren’t the same as your own. Take a look at the makeup, hair care, or skin care routine of a French girl, and chances are you’ll find a unique habit or two (or seven) that you’ll want to add to your own regimen.

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #1: DON’T WAIT FOR HAIR TO DRY

Think of all the time you dedicate to blasting your hair with a blow-dryer or waiting for it to dry on its own. Time that could be better spent practicing your French or developing a Parisian sense of style. French girls don’t waste a large chunk of their day drying their mane. In fact, they have no qualms about leaving the house with damp hair. Not only does it save time, but it allows them to embrace their natural texture. To try it for yourself, gently towel dry your hair after showering. Before heading out the door, spray your hair with a texture spray and scrunch to style.

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #2: HAVE BEDHEAD (ON PURPOSE)

If you assume bedhead isn’t a desired look, you aren’t entirely wrong. For most beauty aficionados, it’s true that bedhead isn’t something you strive for. Rather, it’s what you end up with when you hit snooze one too many times in the morning. For French girls, however, bedhead is often the goal. Lived-in hairstyles look effortless and chic, making them perfectly suited for a French girl’s beauty vibe. If your hair isn’t messy enough to get the look after a good night’s sleep, turn to a pomade for help. Work a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty through your strands, then shake them out until appropriately mussed.

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #3: WASH WITHOUT WATER

Facial cleansers may be forever linked with water in your mind, but while obvious, the combo isn’t the only way to wash your face. It’s undeniable that suds-ing up and rinsing off is a tried and true method for getting clean, but French girls know you can cleanse your skin without a trip to the sink or even a drop of water. Micellar waters are a French-favorite not only because they’re convenient and effective, but they also allow French girls with a penchant for skin care to avoid washing with Paris’ notoriously hard water. Try this French skin care tip with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types, which intensely purifies. Saturate a cotton pad with the cleanser and sweep it over your skin; it’s that simple.

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #4: CUT DOWN ON STEPS

Complicated skin care routines may be on-trend in the States, but that certainly isn’t true when it comes to French skin care. Instead of bulking up their regimens with extra steps, French girls are paring down to the bare necessities. Rather than trying to address every single complexion concern with a different product, they opt to keep it simple. If your multi-step routine isn’t working out as well as you’d hoped, you can try adopting the French approach and cut back to just the basics. The fewer products you use, the easier it’ll be to pinpoint what works and what doesn’t.

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #5: SAY NO TO CONTOURING

Open up any social media platform, and you’re sure to be confronted by a plethora of contoured faces. Sculpted cheekbones and chiseled jawlines galore. Contouring is such a major makeup trend that you might assume the same is true all over the world, but that isn’t the case. In France, contouring has far from caught on. Instead of emphasizing their best features with contour powders or creams, which can be overly harsh, French girls prefer a natural, lit from within look. You can achieve this French makeup look with highlighter and bronzer. Start by sweeping the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Bronze It Bronzer onto your cheekbones, forehead, and chin. Then, dab the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer onto the highpoints of your face.

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #6: SPORT SMOKY EYELINER

If you’ve ever struggled to wield a liquid eyeliner or failed at creating the perfect flick, you’ll be pleased to hear that French girls aren’t as obsessed with cat eyes. French makeup tends to take a softer, sultrier approach to eyeliner that also happens to be about a million times easier. So, if you’ve been doomed by unsteady hands, maybe you were just meant to be French. Thankfully, even if you aren’t French, their go-to smoky eyeliner can be pulled off by anyone. Line along your top and bottom lash lines with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner, and before it sets, smudge it out with a small makeup brush or cotton swab. See? Easy!

FRENCH GIRL BEAUTY HABIT #7: PUT PERFUME ON EVERYDAY

Girls in other major cities may love to spritz their skin with perfume before a big event, but it can’t compare to the way Parisian girls use fragrance. Not only do they wear perfume every day, but they’re sure to have a signature scent. It’s about more than just smelling good—although that’s important, too—the fragrance has to match their personality, mood, and style.

Next up: Pretty and Parisian: How to Adopt a French Girl Beauty Routine.