15 Brands to Shop to Nail the French Girl Makeup Look

When you think of French makeup and skincare, chances are you thought of Chanel and Dior or any number of brands at the iconic pharmacie. Now, I’m here to tell you about Typology. After using their hero products (namely, the tinted serum, concealer and lip oil), I’m head-over-heels for their simple, effective formulations that use a minimum of 90 percent natural ingredients. The brand is headquartered in Paris with laboratories manufacturing products in the country. As a sustainability advocate, I love that they use eco-friendly packaging and are B-Corp certified. Comil agrees with me: "Typology is the trending French skincare brand that I absolutely love for its clean formulas and minimalist aesthetics. I’ve tried several of their products, including the eye serum and hyaluronic serum, and they offer impressive quality at a great price."

"Everything about Chanel is luxury, and what they truly excel at is color," says Comil. "My favorite nail polishes, blushes, and eyeshadows are all from Chanel. Currently, I’m obsessed with the Jeux de Lumières multi-use and eyeshadow palettes, as well as the Latte Frappé eyeshadow. Another must-have is the Coco Mademoiselle purse spray, which comes with the most exquisite pearl chain—effortlessly chic." And for the perfect red lip? There's a shade aptly named “Gabrielle,” for the designer herself. Add a swipe of mascara, dab of concealer and spritz of Chanel No. 5 and c’est parti!

Violette Serrat’s CV (that’s the French way of saying resume) reads like a who’s who in beauty: Dior, Sephora, Estée Lauder, Guerlain and now founder of her eponymous brand, Violette_FR. Her best-selling Bisou Balm brings the understated French girl red lip in six alluring shades (though the classic is obviously “Amour Fou”—Crazy Love”). And Comil is on board: "Nothing feels more French than Bonbon à la Rose Bisou Jelly—a delicate, subtly enhancing lip balm with an antioxidant-rich formula. It’s like a macaron for your lips. I also love Boum-Boum Milk, a perfect refresher during the day or after a late night to calm and revive the skin." The lineup also includes cream blush, highlighter, liquid lipstick and eyeshadow—the essentials for nailing the French girl makeup look—plus, additional skincare and hair care products.

"Dior Beauty has been a longtime favorite of mine. The products are made for both the runway and everyday life, with luxurious packaging, high-performance formulas, and a natural finish," says Comil. "Dior is always at the forefront of innovation with state-of-the-art formulations. I repurchase Dior Addict Lip Oil Glow, Capture Totale Hyalushot, Diorshow Mascara, Dior Forever Nude Bronze, and Dior Forever Skin Correct on repeat." And don't sleep on the brand’s viral lip oil for a glossy pout.

A staple at department store beauty counters, Clinique goes back to 1968 and dermatologist Norman Orentreich’s quest to create great skin. The brand’s skincare and makeup are all formulated with the guidance of dermatologists to be fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. The Black Honey Almost Lipstick is a surefire favorite for adding a subtle pop of color to the lips, enjoying a more recent wave of TikTok fame. For Comil, this brand has staying power: "Moisture Surge was my go-to moisturizer in my 20s, and I still use it in my 30s," she says. "When allergy season arrives, I also reach for Clinique High Impact Mascara—it’s gentle on my eyes yet keeps me looking fresh." Note: While the name sounds French, Clinique is actually an American company—but I’m including it here because my French friend swears that it’s the only cosmetic brand she’ll buy. And given the fact that she looks amazing every time I see her, I’m inclined to take her advice.

Founded in 1828, Guerlain is now a paragon of social and environmental sustainability with its In the Name of Beauty initiative. The brand prioritizes the preservation of biodiversity, protecting workers’ rights, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and prioritizing naturally-derived ingredients. And the brand maintains a certain je nais se quoi: "Guerlain holds a special place in my heart, both for its French heritage and its timeless beauty staples," Comil says. "I’ve used Terracotta and Météorites for years. The Youth Watery Oil Serum is another essential, especially in summer and fall when I want to illuminate my skin while keeping things lightweight. I also adore Guerlain’s vintage-inspired packaging—always elegant and unique." Unquestionably, the products are expensive, but I can attest that if you splurge, it’ll be worth it. I recently had a facial at the Guerlain Spa at The Plaza Hotel in NYC, where they exclusively use the Abeille Royal line—and it was one of the best facials I’ve had in the city. You will glow.

While Caudalie doesn’t offer a cosmetic line, skincare is the base of the French girl makeup aesthetic, and this Bordeaux-based company makes a great line of products, says Comil. It was founded in 1993 in the winemaking region of southwest France. Founder Mathilde Thomas’s parents owned a vineyard—Château Smith Haut Lafitte—which served as the inspiration for the skincare brand, whose hero products incorporated antioxidant-rich grape seed polyphenols. The vines continue to serve as inspiration for Caudalie’s products, including the anti-aging properties of resveratrol and dark spot fading Viniferine. "Caudalie is one of my go-to brands for effective, enjoyable, and reasonably priced skincare. I swear by their Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil, one of the few that’s gentle on my eyes, as well as the Moisturizing Toner with Rose Water and Gentle Cleansing Almond Oil," says Comil.

The Lancôme Hypnose mascara is said to be a favorite of Kate Middleton—proof that even the Brits can’t resist a little French allure—and iconic products that really perform. "After having my baby, my skin looked dull, and my previous serum just wasn’t cutting it. That’s when I discovered Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Recovery Serum, and it transformed my skin in no time, giving it a fresh, plump glow. It reminded me just how powerful a great serum can be," Comil says.The brand has been in the beauty space for over 85 years, collaborating with famous faces including Isabella Rossellini (the daughter of Ingrid Bergman), the one and only Zendaya and, most recently, Joy Sunday of Wednesday fame. "With a full lineup of skincare, makeup and fragrance, the French house makes it easy to get your skincare and makeup routine down to a simplified pat.

Sisley Paris is a luxury French beauty brand founded in 1976 by Isabelle and Hubert d’Ornano, and it remains a family business today. Their formulas are plant-based and the brand’s research, development and production all take place in France, with headquarters in Paris. Their award-winning lineup includes the Phyto-Lip Twist three-in-one balm, lipstick and gloss; Phyto-Teint Perfection foundation and So Intense Mascara.

An artist and American friend of mine spent five years in Paris, and now splits her time between California and Burgundy. She told me that Yves Rocher is one of her beauty bag staples, and she always sends her mother home with a stockpile of their products whenever she visits. While she’s a fan of the mascara and eyeliner—which are sadly discontinued—the brand stocks a full swath of hair products, skincare and cosmetics that are loved by many.

“Kérastase is my go-to haircare brand,” Comil says. “When I dyed my hair blonde, I needed extra care, and Kérastase Première came to the rescue. The mask and serum are staples in my routine, and when I need a full reset, I buy the entire line.” Like many Frenchwomen, Comil trusts Kérastase shampoo—all of their products, really. “Plus, I’ve been addicted to the scent since my teenage years,” the French style expert says.

“In France, nail salons aren’t as popular as in the US—we love natural nails. That’s why I was so excited to discover Manucurist,” Comil says. “Their products are as safe as they are high-performing, and they’ve revolutionized nail care for those of us who want clean formulas and low UV exposure. Plus, their polishes dry faster than traditional non-toxic options.”

“A true French pharmacy staple, La Roche-Posay is unbeatable for sensitive skin. Their Anthelios SPF range and Toleriane line are essentials,” says Comil. “I’m particularly addicted to the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser—I’ve never found a product that matches its quality and price.”

"The Almond Shower Oil is one of the most luxurious body washes I’ve ever used. I’ve been buying it religiously for 15 years, at least once every season," says Comil. "The scent and texture are simply addictive."