Beauty secrets from a Parisian girl


 

Known for their chic, effortless style, impeccable skin and of course, aging gracefully, Parisian women have been idolized for centuries. Icons like Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot and Caroline de Maigret have inspired international beauty trends for decades. Women all over the world have been on the quest to achieve the “Parisian look” for ages, but just what is the secret to Parisian beauty? Grab a glass of wine and your favorite French music, and read on for some of our best beauty secrets from a Parisian girl!

Wash your face with water

The first Parisian beauty secret is actually super simple! Taking care of your skin is very important, and simple skincare starts with washing your face. Since the tap water in Paris can contain harsh and drying chemicals, Parisians have adopted a gentler solution. In France, women have been washing their faces with micellar water for decades. Micellar water is just purified water with tiny oil particles added to it. This solution gently moisturizes while dissolving all the makeup and dirt on your skin . Gone are the days of multi-step cleansers and complicated routines, French women are all about simplicity (more on this later). You can find micellar water in any Parisian pharmacy, and in many supermarkets.

Less is more

One thing you don’t see in Paris is a lot of heavy makeup. This is because French women have a different mentality when it comes to makeup. Parisians have a reputation for being beautiful, and they truly are! But one of the best Parisian beauty secrets is that Parisians don’t actually wear much makeup!

In France, makeup is really used to emphasize your natural beauty, rather than cover your entire face like a mask. The classic “no makeup” look definitely originated on the streets of Paris. It’s a “less is more” attitude when it comes to what they put on their face, though any Parisian will tell you she never leaves the house without sunscreen. A sunscreen/moisturizer base, a touch of mascara and a swipe of lipstick is the go-to Parisian look.

Go to the pharmacy

Another Parisian beauty secret lies in your local pharmacy. You should know that in France, pharmacies are much more than drugstores. They often have a wide selection of over the counter items and some of the best beauty products you can find.  There are also a lot of great French cosmetic and skincare brands that are hard to find elsewhere. In Paris, there’s a pharmacy on nearly every street, so you have plenty of choices. The pharmacists are very knowledgeable and are usually happy to recommend products specifically for your skin type or advise about any particular concerns you may have. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation and ask for some advice, the local pharmacy is a Parisian woman’s go-to source for beauty products.

To find out everything you need to know about Parisian pharmacies, give this article a read.

Make skincare a priority

A stellar skincare routine is one of the most important Parisian beauty secrets. Parisian women are known for having impeccable skin and a seemingly effortless glow. But how do they achieve that polished look? The answer is simple: Parisian women make skincare a real priority. The pollution and weather in Paris have terrible effects on the skin, so Parisian women get in the habit of protecting their face from an early age. Parisians use sunscreen, balms, micellar waters, serums and even dry oil to help take care of their skin. Their philosophy is that if you take care of your skin, your complexion will look amazing even without makeup. French brands like Caudalie, La Roche-Posay and Vichy have excellent products, rendering them Parisian cult favorites.

Eat your greens

No, really! One simple Parisian beauty secret has to do with diet. French culture centers on fresh food, and fruits and vegetables are mainstays in everyday French cuisine. Parisian women in general eat pretty balanced diets, packed with fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. All of these foods are great sources of vitamins and minerals, which are not only good for your health but they also work wonders on your skin. If you’re wondering how to get that famous Parisian glow, try eating a few more servings of vitamin-rich veggies or fruits loaded with antioxidants, like blueberries. You’ll truly be amazed by how much better you look and feel!

Farmer’s markets are definitely the best place to find a variety of in-season produce. If you want to know the best markets in Paris, check out our favorite Paris Farmer’s Markets here.

Embrace your flaws

Whether it be freckles, a mole, a slightly crooked smile, embrace it! Parisian women make the most with what they’ve got. And what you perceive as a flaw is actually part of what makes you unique and beautiful, so own it! This is yet another simple Parisian beauty secret. Parisian women aren’t on the constant quest for perfection, as in some other Western cultures. Super straight teeth, ultra bright smiles and plastic surgery are very uncommon here. Many famous French women actually played up their so-called “flaws” and those unique traits actually helped set them apart. A trip to Paris is a good opportunity to embrace every aspect of your beauty, and you’ll even become a little bit more Parisian in the process.

Stay hydrated

This Parisian beauty secret is one of the easiest to incorporate into your daily routine. One of the key ingredients to a glowing complexion is adequate hydration. Drinking enough water is super important for your overall well-being, but also helps your skin look its best. Parisian women make sure to drink plenty of water and often carry a water bottle with them wherever they go. Try to drink at least 1.5 liters of fresh water per day to give your skin that amazing Parisian glow.

So now you know some of our favorite beauty secrets, straight from a Parisian girl! I hope you enjoyed this article, and that you’ll try out some of these tips yourself! As always, please don’t hesitate let us know if you have any questions or if you need any more information about anything.

See you soon in Paris!

 

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.