French girls embody au naturel beauty and carry themselves with an enviable je ne sais quoi that’s an irresistible package of allure and self-confidence. And with over 80 years of history, luxury brand Lancôme embodies the quintessence of French beauty: an effortless chic that every woman desires to master. Always groomed but never overdone, Parisiennes make looking beautiful look so natural, but just how do they do it? Here, we let you in on the essential rules and cult beauty products you need to pull off French glamour.
1. Protect your skin
For French women, the emphasis is on maintaining an amazing “base”, and that means starting on taking immaculate care of their skin as early as possible. Parisiennes value the importance of comprehensive skincare, and proactively use sunscreen from a young age. We know that exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause premature skin ageing and wrinkles, but many of us don’t realise that blue light emitted from digital devices (such as computers, smartphones, tablets and television screens) can also damage skin and cause hyperpigmentation.
A powerful, multi-tasking tinted sunscreen like Lancôme’s UV Expert CC Cover XL-Shield with SPF 50/PA+++ can help to shield your skin from harmful UV rays and combat seven pigment-inducing factors (Visible Light, Blue Light, UVA, Long UVA, UVB, Air Pollution & Stress), which would otherwise cause premature ageing, fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and blotchiness. Available in 4 shades, this daily tinted skincare smoothens out visible imperfections and corrects irregular skin tone.
2. Make a statement with your lips
Parisian women usually accentuate only one facial feature, while keeping the rest of their makeup light. A classic red may be popular, but don’t be afraid to discover new colours!
Infused with moisture-boosting Pro-Xylane™, the luxurious range of L’Absolu Rouge lipsticks imparts high colour payoff yet leaves lips feeling moist, soft, and comfortable for up to eight hours. Enriched with antioxidant-rich vitamin E to help keep lips safe from environmental aggressors, this ultra-luxurious lip range comes in three finishes (sheer, cream, and matt), and 39 vibrant shades that won’t feather, flake or fade. Update your look with a glamorous raspberry shade like 378 Rose Lancôme if you’re fair-skinned, or try an orangey red like 132 Caprice if you’ve warm, honey skin with yellow undertones. Remember: the key to pulling off traffic-stopping lip colours is to keep the rest of your makeup neutral, for a très chic look that makes a big beauty statement.
3. Keep makeup minimal for maximum chic
In France, women use makeup to enhance their best features and look like a more polished version of their natural selves. They perfect the minimal makeup look with panache – and the key to carrying it with confidence lies in flawless-looking skin.
To recreate that flawless radiance often seen on French actresses like Eva Green and Juliette Binoche, try an oil-free, long-wearing liquid foundation like Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Cushion, which gives you buildable full coverage with a demi-matte finish. Packaged as a portable cushion compact, this innovative cushion foundation comes with a double-matrix cushion that keeps its formula fresh while delivering ultra-high coverage, and is perfect for touching up anytime of the day!
4. Hydrate skin from inside out
French women love the look of moisturised skin. Other than drinking tons of water, their approach to skincare is all about moisture. To keep your skin’s hydration levels high, try Énergie De Vie Liquid Care™, a liquid moisturiser which is ultra-hydrating and anti-fatigue.
Formulated with an efficacious blend of Goji Berry, French Melissa, and Gentian, this superfood for your skin functions like an all-in-one skin energiser to give you the combined benefits of a lotion, serum, and cream.
5. Wear a signature scent
In France, there’s a saying, “you’re never fully dressed without your signature fragrance”. In fact, your scent can be as much of a beauty statement as your winged-lined eyes or messy top-knot. Parisian women wear their fragrances discreetly, very much like little secrets. They also adore sweet, feminine fragrances, such as Lancôme’s Miracle.
Fresh and vibrant, it opens with the dewy notes of lychee and freesia, with a spicy heart echoing notes of magnolia, jasmine, ginger and pepper. To keep your signature scent subtle, spritz it upwards into the air and slowly walk under the mist. The fragrance will diffuse evenly across your body as it gently settles onto your skin and clothes.
Lancôme’s products are available at all Lancôme counters, the Lancôme boutique at Capitol Piazza, TANGS.com and Sephora.sg.
This article is brought to you by Lancome.
