15 French Beauty Brands You Should Know
Photo by Chris Karidis on Unsplash
Our international travel plans may be on hold for the time being, but we can still live vicariously through characters like Emily from the Netflix series “Emily in Paris.” The show created a buzz amongst fans and critics when it was released on Netflix. Some were hard on the show for its French cliches, fantasy version of Paris, and out-of-touch view of how millennials use social media. On the other hand, perhaps a light and romanticized vision of Paris is just what we all need right now—a little escape from reality to a beautiful dream destination. And for those who need more “Emily in Paris” in their lives, it’s been confirmed that the show will be back for a second season.
Whether you urged all your friends to check out “Emily in Paris” or secretly binged every episode as a guilty pleasure, there is one thing that the show did not exaggerate—what it’s like to attend an influencer beauty event. I have to admit, the portrayal was quite accurate! Although Durée, the beauty brand portrayed on the show may be fictional, there are many fantastic French brands that you should absolutely know about! These brands will bring aspirational “French girl beauty” secrets to you, even when you’re stuck at home.
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While we currently might not be able to visit the Eiffel Tower, wander the grounds of Versailles, or go wine tasting in Provence, there’s nothing stopping us from enjoying these French beauty brands. These brands make the perfect holiday gifts for others or an uplifting treat for yourself. Discover new brands and revisit classic favorites with this guide to French beauty brands and other luxury indulgences you should know about.
BY TERRY
BY TERRY is an award-winning French luxury beauty brand known for its premium skincare-infused makeup. The brand was founded by legendary makeup artist Terry de Gunzburg, whose approach to makeup has always been to nourish healthy and radiant skin. Gunzburg’s trademark beauty style is “imperceptible foundation, impeccable lips, and thick, separated lashes.”
Enjoy some of BY TERRY’s bestsellers with the Twinkle Glow Set which includes a selection of four of the brand’s top products. The set includes Lash Expert Twist Brush, Ombre Blackstar, Mini To Go Baume De Rose Liquid Lip Balm, and Mini To Go Hyaluronic Hydra Powder.
Carrière Frères
Carrière Frères, the luxury candlemaker and perfumer, is the sister brand to Trudon, which boasts the oldest wax-producing factory in the world. In 1884 the Carrière brothers wanted to create a modern candle brand with respect to heritage and traditions. Manufactured in the Cire Trudon factory, Carrière Frères embraces modernity while nodding to historical savoir-faire.
A unique marriage of scents, the Siberian Fir and Moroccan Dades Rose compose a woody and floral perfume where pine needles and rose petals come together.
Clarins
Founded in Paris in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins, Clarins is considered a pioneer in plant science and technology. The brand is committed to providing innovative products while respecting the environment and preserving biodiversity. Clarins also offers multiple spa locations throughout the US where guests can enjoy relaxation while addressing specific skincare needs.
This best-selling and award-winning anti-aging serum is an iconic serum in a double formula powered by 21 plant extracts that address visible signs of aging.
Durance
Durance’s products are inspired by the natural treasures of the richly scented and the colorful rural countryside of Provence. The brand offers products developed with fine organic ingredients.
This natural shower gel is made with lavender essential oil from Provence selected by Durance’s master perfumers.
Kadalys
This sustainable French brand is known for its organic, vegan products that are made with active ingredients from the banana tree.
This dry oil boosts the radiance of dull skin and hair without leaving a greasy finish.
Klorane
Klorane was launched in the Southwest of France by pharmacist Pierre Fabre, inspired by his passion for plants and his belief in their health and beauty benefits. The brand combines science and plant heritage to offer effective and innovative products with eco-conscious design.
Nourishing & Repairing 3-in-1 Mask with Organic Cupuacu Butter ($28)
This vegan 3-in-1 mask made from 96% natural ingredients, including organic cupuacu butter, is intensely nourishing and repairing.
Lancôme
Lancôme was created by Guillaume d'Ornano and Armand Petitjean in the mid-1930s and launched its first five fragrances at the World's Fair in Brussels in 1935. Lily Collins, star of “Emily in Paris,” is currently a Lancôme spokesperson and has shared that Advanced Genifique Face Serum, Hypnôse Drama, and Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Face Cream are some of her favorite product picks.
This famous Lancôme mascara will give your eyes a dramatic look without clumping or flaking.
La Roche-Posay
For 40 years, La Roche-Posay has been a trusted source for skincare worldwide. Rooted in a commitment to dermatology, La Roche-Posay remains the top European dermatological thermal center treating multiple skin conditions, and has been developing safe and efficient skincare products that adhere to dermatologist standards since 1975.
At the heart of the brand and in most of the products is the Thermal Spring Water, which dates back to the 14th century. In the French town of La Roche-Posay lies a unique thermal spring, enriched with minerals and antioxidants that proved to be soothing to the skin. The La Roche-Posay Dermatological Thermal Center opened in 1905 to take advantage of the spring’s long-standing healing properties. Since its inception, more than 400,000 adults and children have received treatment, making it the top European dermatological thermal center for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, burning wounds, and most recently, post-cancer treatments.
Leonor Greyl
Leonor Greyl launched in 1968, and today is a multi-generational family business. It all began with a romance between its haircare innovator founders Leonor and Jean-Marie Greyl. The brand has featured essential oils and natural, organic plant-based ingredients long before “green beauty” was a hot topic.
This restorative shampoo is the perfect way to give hair some TLC thanks to nourishing silk proteins and bamboo extracts.
OuiPlease
OuiPlease is the perfect way to discover “under the radar” French luxury brands. The bi-monthly subscription program delivers a monthly box of luxury goods to members’ doorsteps every other month with a curated selection of French full-sized products including jewelry, beauty, epicure, apparel, and accessories.
The brand was started by Paris native Jessica Barouche, who after arriving in the US soon learned that American women were always searching for ways to become ever so slightly more French. Women constantly asked her for tips on where to dress, what to eat, and how to attain that elusive French “je ne sais quoi.” Before giving away her recipe for quiche lorraine one more time, Jessica decided to curate a lifestyle brand of her own.
Bi-Monthly OuiPlease Membership ($150/auto-renewing)
Each box is valued at over $300 with 8+ full-sized luxury products from a curated selection of French brands.
Maison Margiela
French fashion house Maison Margiela, founded by Belgian designer Martin Margiela, offers a range of luxury products from fashion to fragrance. The Replica fragrance collection embodies Margiela’s affinity for vintage clothing and accessories with a unique concept meant to evoke positive emotions that reflect our personal memories and subconscious. Scents include Lazy Sunday Morning, Jazz Club, By the Fireplace, Beach Walk, Music Festival, Sailing Day, and more nostalgic fragrances.
Lazy Sunday Morning is a scent inspired by silky-smooth skin, crumpled linen sheets, and the reassuring scent of fresh laundry with notes of lily of the valley and patchouli.
Merci Handy
Merci Handy makes clean and colorful products for everyday life including hand sanitizers, hand creams, clean deodorants, and shower gel. The adorable themes include unicorns, rainbows, and sunshine.
This set includes two naturally derived, sweetly scented hand sanitizers and a cloud-soft hand cream packaged in a gift-ready, holographic case.
Talika
Talika’s story goes back to World War II. When faced with shortages affecting the pharmaceutical industry, Danielle Rouches, a nurse at the Opthalmic Department of the Hospitals of Paris, formulated a healing balm for victims with eye burns. The healing balm, made from plants, also had the effect of dramatically stimulating the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows. The brand launched in 1948 with an eyelash conditioning cream.
This non-greasy, rinse-free makeup removing gel is gentle and does a great job at removing eye makeup.
Trudon
Founded in 1643 at the beginning reign of Louis XIV, Trudon is the oldest candlemaker in the world still active today. Throughout the 17th century, the manufacturer became the Royal Wax Manufacturer and official supplier in the French court, then to Napoléon Bonaparte. Today, Trudon enlists well-known “noses” to create perfumes for the stories it wishes to tell. Each candle is still dropped and made by hand in its factory in Normandy.
Trudon introduces Gloria as a new exclusive for the holiday 2020 season. The candle warms the room with the scent of firewood and is composed of notes of Indonesian Patchouli, Haitian Vetiver and cedarwood. Wrapped around it are spicy notes of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, and a hint of citruses (Italian lemon and orange from Brazil).
Yon-Ka Paris
Yon-Ka Paris, a pioneer in phyto-aromatic skin care for over 60 years, is a French professional skincare brand that provides an alternative answer and complement to medical aesthetic techniques to provide visible, long-lasting results with non-aggressive treatments. Yon-Ka embraces the power of essential oils and plant extracts combined with “gold standard” actives such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, polyphenols, peptides and AHAs to target various skin issues.
This product offers a veil of freshness to balance and prepare the skin for its daily beauty routine. Yon-Ka Paris recommends spraying the lotion after cleansing the skin and before applying your serum or cream.
[Images courtesy of brands]
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy