Trend cycles are relentless these days. Thanks to social media, there’s a new buzzy skincare ingredient or trendy must-have shade almost daily, and just as quickly, they fade into the abyss, never to be heard of again. 

However, one beauty trend that has stood the test of time is French-girl beauty. You know the look: there’s a casualness that looks like they’ve just gotten out of bed but still looks fashionably put together at the same time. It’s effortless but also somehow unattainable to those outside the French borders. French people just do beauty differently. 

However, we may have just cracked the code on Parisian beauty, thanks to some intel from a native. Spoiler: it’s all about the small, often unnoticed things. 

“Sometimes you’ll see a lacy bra strap or one beautiful piece of jewellery, maybe hidden under your hair. It’s the same kind of approach for make-up,” says French make-up artist and beauty founder Violette Serrat. 

It’s not about layers of make-up that are clearly visible. “[We have] very natural skin. Even if we have breakouts, it’s just the way it is. We’re not gonna overdo it,” adds the Violette_FR founder.

Considering it’s a look we all aspire to, the appeal is in its simplicity and rawness. Violette offers an example: “I have very dark circles and it’s not very French for me to hide them completely. We think dark circles are cool.”

Despite how the look revolves around appearing au natural, this doesn’t mean you can’t have pops of colour or an eye-catching bright eyeshadow – a red lip is their signature, after all.

“The way we choose to wear colour is similar to fashion; when we wear clothes, the way they’re cut is key. It needs to be a perfectly fitted outfit, even if it’s just a pair of jeans or a shirt – for lipstick or eyeshadow, it’s the same,” she explains.

This means finding your signature colour palette is key, and not just following the latest It shades. “The colours have to be right because we think of it as a statement, it doesn’t have to be super natural-looking. We can go for bold reds or berries and look at it as almost a beauty accessory,” says Violette. Essentially, don’t overthink it. 

Is anyone else grabbing their red lipstick?

Images: Getty