Best French Beauty Products to Buy in Paris – Skincare edition Part 1
My name is Joleen and I am a makeup artist. I was professionally trained in Paris and have been working here and around the world for over 15 years. Today, I’m here to tell you what French women, and makeup artists, are consistently buying – the tried and true OG French beauty products that stand the test of time.
When I was a young Makeup Artist, working backstage on a hit French show, back in 2010, there were three products my boss, the head makeup artist for the show, ordered for us to always have on hand and they’ve never left my kit since.
The first one was a French makeup artist staple – Bioderma micellar water. Created in 1995, French makeup artists have been using this product for 30 years. It started becoming famous abroad in the past 10 years, and now you can find it in America but it’s still cheaper here in France. Also, Bioderma has a vast range of other products, besides their micellar water, that you can only find in France. They’re affordable and and they’re all pretty good. Another blog post on that to come soon!
What is micellar water? Bioderma was the first brand to launch this product. A micellar water is a no-rinse cleanser that removes makeup (even waterproof), dirt and oil withOUT stripping the skin. Unlike some other removers, Bioderma doesn’t sting your eyes or leave your skin feeling tight.
As a pro makeup artist, I use it to prep the skin before moisturizing and to correct any tiny mistakes along the makeup journey. It’s great for cleaning up liquid eyeliner, for example.
How you would use it, like a makeup artist:
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Soak a cotton pad
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Gently press onto skin, no need to scrub too hard
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Swipe away makeup
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Repeat until pad is clean
Pro tip: for waterproof or long lasting makeup, leave the pad on the eyes/lips for a few seconds before wiping and your makeup will melt right off.
Product number two was Avene’s Thermal Water. After cleaning the skin with the micellar water, we would follow up by spraying the skin with this hydrating spray. It is a natural spring water from Avène, France that has been 
used for its soothing properties since the 1700’s. It soothes irritation and redness and also moisturizes the skin. It became a commercialized beauty product in France back in 1975.
French women and makeup artists love it for the simplicity and versatility.
How to use it, like a makeup artist:
1. After cleansing to remove residue and prep skin
2. Before skincare to help serums or creams absorb better
3. During the day to refresh, hydrate, bring life back to the face
4. For any skin irritation like sunburn, redness or post-shaving. It’s great to use after an intense facial treatment.
Pro tip: Apply on top of makeup to help melt powder into skin. This will give the makeup a more natural ‘Parisian’ finish.
The third product we always had on hand, and that has never left my kit since, is Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. Embryolisse is another versatile favorite. It is a moisturizer, primer, and face mask all in one. It’s simple, gentle, hydrating, and works for all skin types. I use it as a primer on every single one of my clients.
It’s a cream that helps you achieve French girl skin – fresh, hydrated, and slightly dewy, without being heavy.
Embryolisse was founded in 1950 in Paris, France and the lait concentré was their very first product. Makeup artists and dermatologists alike have been using it and recommending it every since. It such an amazing product, no wonder it’s become a staple of every artist’s kit worldwide. It’s a product that embodies the French philosophy ‘Enhance natural beauty, don’t mask it’.
Embryolisse is easier to find now and they’ve expanded their collection quite a bit. But I remember the days where you had to ask for it at the counter at French pharmacies.
How I use it as a makeup artist:
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Prepping skin – Apply a thin layer before foundation for smooth application, and take your time massaging it into the skin.
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Boosting hydration – Can be used under or over makeup for dry areas
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Face mask – Apply thickly for 5–10 minutes once a week then rinse off or sleep in it.
Pro tip: If you have dry patches popping up after you’ve applied your foundation, apply a bit of Embryolisse on a spoolie and gently exfoliate the area. You can reapply some foundation afterwards.
If you’d like to use these three products together before your makeup application, here is the correct order:
- Bioderma Micellar water to prep and cleanse cleanse
- Avène Thermal Spray to calm redness and prep skin for skincare
- Embryolisse to hydrate and prime the face for makeup
These products are so versatile and will work for most any skin type.
If you’re unable to travel to Paris in the near future, don’t worry, you can find them online!
If you’re traveling to Paris soon and would like me to take you shopping for all these amazing products, feel free to
reach out here! You can see more about my shopping trips and services here.
Happy shopping!