A French Beauty Expert Shared 8 Skin Care and Makeup Finds Parisians Use

French beauty has always fascinated onlookers, and as an American, I, too, long for that Parisian girl je ne sais quoi. Instead of sharing my own version of what I think makes up Western Europe’s beauty cabinets, I decided to go right to the source—Violette Serrat, founder and CEO of French beauty brand Violette_FR and Guerlain’s creative director of makeup. 

“Parisian beauty revolves around self-acceptance and irreverence,” Serrat told InStyle, adding that it requires “freedom from insecurities” and focuses on minimalism and celebrating one’s natural self. “It’s a ‘take me or leave me’ mindset—either way is just fine,” she concluded. Better yet, Serrat shared the types of beauty products she relies on for such ethos, below.

8 French Girl Beauty Must-Haves

Hydrating Toner

According to Serrat, the French focus on a holistic approach to skin care (think proper sleep and hydration), with their products unadulterated. “We don’t want to overwhelm the skin,” Serrat explained. The solution? A hydrating toner that serves double duty as a serum and moisturizer. Serrat loves her brand’s Boum-Boum Milk, applying it to her face and hair twice a day. For alternative choices, consider the Paula’s Choice Nourishing Milky Toner or the Laneige Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer.

Lightweight Concealer 

When it comes to makeup, Serrat says “lightweight products that enhance rather than cover” are essential. She suggests using minimal concealer, like this Laura Mercier option, to “let the skin breathe,” remembering to “embrace imperfections.” So, yes, those dark spots and small pimples are more than okay. 

As someone who rarely wears foundation, this is right up my alley, as I frequently opt for the Ilia Serum Concealer or Haus Labs Hydrating and Depuffing Concealer. Each pick includes skin-loving benefits versus ingredients that simply cake up on the face.  

Matte Red Lipstick

A red lip is synonymous with French girl glam, and Serrat has a particular affinity for matte shades, like Mac Cosmetics’s iconic Ruby Woo. “The key is to let the lips stand out while keeping the rest of the look understated,” she shared. Her tip for nailing the perfect cherry red smile? Applying the lipstick “slightly above the lip line” and blurring out the edges to create “naturally luscious lips.” For other top-notch red lippies, consider the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lipstick in Paradoxale or my favorite Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Cinematic Red.

Luxurious Fragrance

“Fragrance is a deeply personal choice, and my preferences reflect a mix of luxury and practicality,” Serrat shared. Her first love was the Frédéric Malle Lipstick Rose Fragrance—which embodies grapefruit, violet rose, and warm white musk—but now uses her own oil-based Violette_FR Avec Amour Perfume, which infuses with your natural scent to bring something uniquely yours. Meanwhile, Coco Chanelle Mademoiselle Eau de Parfume Intense is a classic soft and feminine French scent you can never go wrong with. Though, the secret is finding something that plays off of your own style and personality, she said. 

Dry Shampoo

Much like Parisian skin care, hair care is “healthy and natural with minimal effort,” according to Serrat. Many of the French avoid hot tools, leaning on “lived-in” styles that are supported by products like dry shampoo. Serrat opts for the Violette_FR Dry Shampoo Brush to maintain her chic French-inspired bangs, while InStyle shoppers can’t get enough of René Furterer.

While the phrase “je ne sais quoi” is actually not commonly used in France, according to Serrat, it “represents the special touch that defines you;” so it really has nothing to do with the products you use. Her advice for capturing that spark? “Embrace and cultivate your individuality—it’s what makes you irreplaceable.”

Shop more French girl beauty picks, below, including cream blush, a gentle moisturizer, and nail decals, which echo the “playful and understated elegance of French beauty,” according to Serrat.

Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Face Cream

Le Mini Macaron Mini Nail Stickers