23 French Girl–Inspired Summer Beauty Products Our Editors Are Buying This Month
The endlessly enigmatic French-girl beauty aesthetic is something we aspire to year-around at Who What Wear. As Sophie Strobel, a French skincare expert with Paris-born cosmetics brand Talika, once told me, "The main difference between the French and American beauty routines is cultural. … [Americans] take a long, long time in the bathroom, and they have a precise routine." As Strobel says, "French women's beauty routine is less controlled, more natural, and instinctive. … We don't like pressure, and we tend to criticize the rules." What comes from all that rule breaking? Skincare, makeup, and haircare routines that involve as little fuss as possible and wind up producing an effortlessly fresh, chic result.
That pared-down Parisian approach to beauty is what we're all about this summer. In pursuit of that, we editors rounded up a list of products that are simple to use, maybe even multitasking, and will wind up giving us glowy skin and tousled hair without it looking like we spent any more time than it takes to butter a croissant. Below, shop 23 low-maintenance summer beauty products our editors are adding to cart this month.
"I was obsessed with this lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer last summer and promptly ran out. The cruelty-free formula is infused with non-toxic, good-for-you ingredients like rosewater, essential oils, and polyphenols. Now that sweaty weather is rolling around again, I'm gonna need a new tube of this STAT."
"I just ran out of this French-made repairing hair oil, so looks likes it's time to make the splurge once again. It's totally worth it. I apply this ultra-hydrating, musky-smelling treatment to dirty hair, slick it back into a low chignon and leave it like that all day before shampooing at night. The formula protects my hair against UV damage and even pool water, which is especially important in the summer."
"I've seen this freaky French foaming sheet mask on Instagram and think I finally need to try it. The mask bubbles up on your face as it works to unclog your pores thanks to red clay and bamboo charcoal."
"The French-girl beauty is all about multitasking products that give you an all-over glow without it looking like you tried too hard. This new face-and-body gloss from Kevyn Aucoin does exactly that, and as someone obsessed with glowy skin, I need it for summer 2019."
"It's about time I stop stealing spritzes of this face mist from my roommate's bottle and just buy my own."
"One whiff is all you need to know to see why this shampoo has earned a cult following."
"The fashion girls I follow with the glowiest skin swear by this serum, so I think I need it now, too."
"My dry, frizzy hair is in need of some serious TLC, and I'm excited to try this highly touted Elixir hair oil."
"I have no shame—I'm buying it for the gimmicky name. But I'm genuinely hoping I will feel spoiled."
"Will this be my savior to fix tired new-mom under-eye bags? Fingers crossed!"
"I aspire to be one of those people who always has chic hand soap in their bathroom."
"I've recently been upgrading from drugstore face washes and have heard great things about this new one from one of my favorite skincare brands."
"Joanna Vargas calls this serum 'green juice for your skin.' I'd part with $85 for that."
"There's a reason I never travel without Bioderma's micellar water. It's the best makeup remover I've ever used and allows me to cleanse my skin without water. I used to stock up on it in Paris but love that now it's just a click away."
"Yes, another Bioderma pick because I love its whole line of affordable products. This body wash smells heavenly."
"I'm obsessed with By Terry's mascara and always re-order even before I've even finished my current one for fear of ever getting stuck without it. I've been using it for years and have yet to find anything I like better."
"I am rarely satisfied with eye creams but I have heard that this one provides noticeable results, so I am desperate to test it out."
"This product claims to do it all as far as anti-aging is concerned, so I'm dying to give it a go. It brightens, firms, and protects—sounds like the holy trinity of beauty if you ask me."
"This sunscreen has absurdly good reviews and is supposed to be great for acne-prone skin, so I'm excited to try it."
"I deal with constant breakouts and I heard these wipes can be life-savers thanks to a mix of salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids."
"I am a huge Baby Feet fan because it delivers exactly what it promises: a fun weeknight activity plus shedding your foot skin like a snake. That was a fun sentence to write. Actually, though, it's the best way to get your feet in shape for sandal season. Yes, your feet will look crazy for a week or so and you will leave foot skin debris around your house, but trust me, it's way worth it."
"These acne patches are the acne patches backed by every beauty person I've ever encountered. I can attest that they do, in fact, stop a pimple in its tracks. Catch spots on the early side for the best results. Plus the dots pretty much disappear on my skin. Because of this, I have been known to wear them to work on days without important meetings."
"Huda Kattan said this exact product made the lines on her neck disappear. As someone who noticed her necklines for the first time recently, this product just rose to the top of my wish list, especially because it's unlikely that I'll stop my habit of looking down at my phone and wrinkling my neck for hours a day. It comes with a steep price tag, but Skin 111 has so many celeb fans including, Victoria Beckham and Martha Hunt, that I'm convinced it's worth it."
Next: 18 Items From Nordstrom's Beauty Department That Will Give You Flawless Skin
Tie among Linda Rodin, Hari Nef, and David Bowie.
Who are your 5 favorite people to follow on Instagram?@petracollins @katiejanehughes @alwaysjudging @bonnyrebecca @hotdudesreading
What's the beauty essential you can’t live without?If I have some brow gel and Sisley's Phyto-Lip Twist, I'm good to go forever.
What's your desert island album?Death Cab for Cutie's Transatlanticism
What's your favorite Byrdie.com story?Game of Thrones's Nathalie Emmanuel looks so achingly beautiful in our feature with her that I think it's gonna have to be that!
-
My Friend Asked What to Buy From Amazon—I Sent 31 Chic Fashion, Beauty, and Décor Picks on Prime Day
Stylish yet affordable picks right this way.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
This TikTok-Viral Serum Gave My Ultra-Round Face Cheekbones for Days
It works wonders.
By Maya Thomas
-
This Blush-and-Lipstick Combo Creates Peak French-Girl Makeup, and I'm Obsessed
It's the epitome of effortlessness.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
Everything to Know About Bust Cream, French Women's Best-Kept Beauty Secret
Skincare… for where?
By Katie Berohn
-
Ultimate French Girl Jeanne Damas Has a Beauty Brand You'll Love
Say bonjour to your new favorites.
By Maya Thomas
-
This English Fragrance House Has Been Making Artisanal Perfumes for 260 Years
Luxury has a name.
By Maya Thomas
-
I Asked, They Answered—French Girls Spill Their Best Winter Skincare Advice
The guide to skincare à la Française.
By Maya Thomas
-
Whenever I Go to Paris, I Stock Up on This Product—9 Dupes Available in the U.S.
French girls' best-kept secret.
By Katie Berohn