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Unlike in other beauty cultures, where full-coverage or sculpted looks might dominate, the French approach to makeup is principally a minimal affair. Having been raised to prioritize skincare, when French women do decide to use makeup, they opt for products that allow the skin to breathe and create a luminous, healthy glow.
This discerning eye is particularly true when picking a foundation. Preferring high-quality formulas that are barely detectable and which offer just enough coverage to even out the complexion, French foundations are typically lightweight, nourishing, and designed to work with the skin, not against it. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, botanical extracts and sun protection are common in these products, as French beauty is as much about care and prevention as it is about aesthetics.
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Below, we delve into seven standout French foundations that encapsulate this ethos of subtle, radiant beauty.
Chantecaille: Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation
For a naturally radiant complexion
$103.50
A true testament to the French love for barely-there makeup, this foundation boasts a lightweight, gel texture that provides a natural, luminous finish. Its buildable coverage allows you to control how much or little you wish to apply, a bonus for skin that’s feeling a little dull. The formula is also rich in hydrating ingredients, including aloe leaf and camellia extract, and light-reflecting pigments for natural-looking luminosity.
Caudalie: Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Lotion
For even and protected skin
$39
Loved for their ease of application and skincare benefits, French women often turn to tinted sunscreens instead of traditional foundations. Creating a “your skin but better” effect, this release from Caudalie offers both broad sprectrum sun protection and brightening benefits through the addition of Niacinamide and their signature antioxidant Viniferine. Simply apply as the final step in your skincare routine for an effortlessly natural look that works to enhance your complexion over time.
Chanel: Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
For a fresh-faced look
$70
When you think of French beauty, Chanel immediately comes to mind. This truly innovative foundation has a gel texture with suspended micro-droplets of pigment, which melt into the skin, leaving behind a subtle, healthy glow. Merging the lightness of a tint with the hydrating power of a serum, it offers sheer coverage, enhancing the skinโs natural glow while providing a wash of hydration โ perfect for that effortless “no-makeup” look French women master so well.
Dior Forever Skin Correct Perfect Stick
For buildable coverage on the go
$52
Convenience meets luxury with Diorโs Forever Skin Correct Stick. This creamy foundation stick provides buildable medium-to-full coverage that blends easily for an understated, radiant finish. Its compact package also makes on-the-go touch-ups easy. Further enriched with floral extracts โ helping to nuture your complexion โ it makes a great choice for mature skin types .
Dior: Forever Fluid Skin Glow Foundation
For a glowly finish
$57
For those who crave a more luminous complexion, Diorโs Forever Skin Glow foundation is a top choice. It delivers a medium coverage with a glowing finish, perfectly encapsulating the fresh, dewy look French women adore. With added skincare benefits, including hydration and protection against environmental stressors, this long-lasting formula is ideal for women who want a light touch but need staying power throughout the day.
Typology: Tinted Serum with Vitamin C, Squalane & Aloe Vera
For healthy skin
$42.90
The ultimate fusion of skincare and makeup, Typology’s tinted serum provides sheer coverage, and is designed to even out the complexion while increasing skin health over time. Enriched with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients like Vitamin C, Squalane and Aloe Vera, it plumps, brightens and soothes the skin. With its lightweight feel, this foundation is perfect for everyday wear, especially for those who prefer a barely-there look that lets their natural skin shine through.
Yves Saint Laurent: All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation
For full-coverage
$54.60
If you crave full coverage but still want a skin-like look and feel, Yves Saint Laurentโs All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation is the perfect match. Boasting a formula made with 77% skincare ingredients, this foundation delivers up to 24 hours of coverage while maintaining a natural, luminous matte finish. Its feather-light texture ensures imperfections are seamlessly concealed without sacrificing on hydration or a second-skin effect.
Read next: How to Perfect the french Makeup Look
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