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This summer, the Olympics are delivering everything Parisian right into our living rooms, but French beauty culture already has a fiendish following here in the States. I am one of the “French girl beauty” devotees, continuously inspired by their minimalist approach (think perfectly imperfect strands, chic banged bobs, everyday effortless red lips and naturally radiant skin).
French pharmacies are legendary for their gold standard skin care, hair care, cosmetics and SPF, but since I live a cool 3,000 miles away from the French border, there’s only one retailer I know of where I can get a ton of French beauty products, fast: Amazon. Did you know Amazon is a gold mine of French beauty? Thank me later. First, check out over 20 iconic French names and product picks to add to your Amazon cart ASAP—no trip across the Atlantic necessary.
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If your hair is feeling extra dry, this life-saving pre-shampoo treatment oil will help turn strands velvety-soft. To use, apply oil on to dry hair for 10 to 15 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual. For a more intensive treatment, leave on overnight in a bun and wash out in the morning.
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One of the most noticeable things about “French girl beauty” is their emphasis on natural-looking skin that looks like it was just perfectly touched by the sun. The secret? A tiny amount of this airy, luminizing bronzer from Chantecaille.
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The shimmering counterpart of Nuxe’s original and iconic multi-use dry oil looks so beautiful on skin. With gold pearlescent particles added to its formula, every inch of skin has an enviable light-reflecting glow that’s never greasy (it settles into a satin finish).
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I could never pick just one French pharmacy product, but the first one I’d beeline for is Bioderma’s micellar water. It’s a true cult-classic; a soothing no-rinse cleanser, an ultra-effective makeup remover and overall skin refresher. Don’t skip this one.
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Whether scalp is flaky, dry, oily or has too much product buildup, this sea salt–infused scrub naturally exfoliates your scalp to help it feel squeaky clean and then soothes it with sweet almond oil.
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The NewBeauty Award Winner for Best Oil Body Wash goes to L’Occitane. Their best-selling almond formula “turns to milk upon touching water and delivers a deliciously scented, skin-softening lather that transports you to Paris mid-shower.”
Award Photo: Almond Shower Oil 7 / 21
I have tried countless mascaras, and I always come back to L’Oréal’s original Voluminous formula. It stays in place all day, never clumps and holds a curl on my straight lashes like no other. (Kyle Richards is also a mega fan!)
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Caudalie’s clean, effective and luxurious French skin care is legendary. This skin-perfecting serum uses natural salicylic acid, antioxidant polyphenols and niacinamide to minimize the look of pores and blackheads and visibly smooth the texture of acne-prone skin.
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We were SO excited when celebrity-loved French hair care brand Kérastase officially launched their Amazon storefront. Currently in my cart is their upgraded multi-use hair oil. Made with wild camellia and fragranced with a woodsy, floral scent, it can be used as a heat protectant, a pre-cleanse oil and a finishing oil.
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This vitamin B5 balm is so, so good. Use it anywhere, anytime to soothe and repair dry skin, calm inflamed acne bumps, heal wounds, or even after your nightly retinoid treatment as a hydrating full-face moisturizer.
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A slightly lesser-known French skin care brand is Talika, but once you try their Eye Therapy Patch you’ll be recommending them to everyone you know. With a blend of essential oils, ceramides, avocado oil and shea butter, these reusable eye patches help to reduce inflammation and puffiness along the delicate skin of your eyes in just 15 minutes.
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With 21 plant extracts and the perfect ratio of water and oil-soluble ingredients, Clarins Double Serum wins the gold in anti-aging serums (I had to get one Olympics reference in!). The worldwide best-seller softens wrinkles, increases radiance and firms skin, with noticeable improvement in one week, according to clinical studies.
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René Furterer’s Triphasic serum is known as one of the greatest hair-growth serums on the market, and from the same line their Strengthening Shampoo builds on that growth to promote visibly thicker, denser hair.
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An alcohol-free toner safe for dry and sensitive skin types, Yon-Ka’s lotion mist refreshes skin, boosts radiance, balances skin’s pH levels, preps skin for skin care and makeup and sets your look in place.
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Everyone I know who uses this concealer swears by it for its creamy formula that camouflages and smooths dark circles and imperfections without ever creasing or caking. Shoppers in their 50s also report it “does not accentuate” wrinkles. Sold.
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Speaking of eye wrinkles, doctor-founded brand Filorga’s best-selling eye cream utilizes hyaluronic acid and peptides to tackle five common eye issues: sagging eyelids, crow’s feet, “eleven” lines, under-eye wrinkles and dark circles.
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For a solid dry shampoo that won’t leave a white cast and is made with natural ingredients, you won’t do better than Klorane. It gives an instant boost to hair between washes, or whenever dull hair needs a little something extra.
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Makeup artists swear by this cult-classic moisturizer for good reason. The lightweight formula is ultra-hydrating, silky, feels amazing and underneath makeup, foundations, concealers, tints, etc. melt right into skin rather than sitting on top of it.
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For a serious dose of hydration, Vichy’s hyaluronic acid serum does the job exceptionally well. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and can be used on the eyes and lips.
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French women have exceptional hair. PHYTO’s Repair spray helps protect it from breakage during drying, smoothing and brushing.
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Dermatologist-favorite Avène makes a gentle retinol that’s especially great for beginners. Ypsilanti, MI plastic surgeon Daniel Sherick, MD once told us he recommends it to his patients because it “gently softens fine lines, evens out skin tone and texture and restores vibrancy to the skin without redness or irritation.”
