This year, we’ve seen a resurgence in that timeless “French girl” approach to beauty: minimalist makeup, hair and clothing that hints at glamour without the glitz. It isn’t surprising. Home and fashion trends tend to follow each other arm-and-arm and the French girl beauty look is the equivalent of the “quiet luxury” trend in home décor, but for fashion. It seems the natural progression: Covid brought us a focus on all things cozy and comfortable, but as we have returned to normalcy, we crave a little more style without sacrificing the comfort part. Enter the classic look the French have perfected for a century: no-makeup makeup, dewy cheeks, a colorful lip, classic hair and chic but understated clothing that looks rich and curated yet effortless. If you’re wondering how, exactly, that is achieved, here’s how to hone your holiday look to reflect this classic and fashionable trend.
The Outfit
“French girl” style is all about effortless elegance,” says Janel Alexander of Greenwich, CT, a personal stylist who helps clients build their look to suit their lifestyle and taste. Her team can help digitize a client’s closet to strategically assist with editing, shopping and creating head-to-toe looks.
Focus on foundational pieces, advises Alexander, like cropped straight-leg jeans, simple tees or crewneck sweaters, and classic layering pieces like a scarf or trench. “Think well-fitting denim, feminine tops and understated shoes—pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a versatile yet signature style,” says Alexander. She recommends a ballet flat, low-heeled boot or neutral sneaker.
Keep color to a minimum, says Alexander, and focus on the subtle details: “A touch of skin at the wrist or ankle, achieved by rolling up your sleeves or opting for a cropped pant, adds a hint of allure.”
The Hair
The French are known for a look that feels natural and effortless. To achieve this, lean into a blonde or brunette hair color with subtle sun reflection achieved with a balayage technique. Aim for a structural shoulder-length cut with soft long layering and a balanced face frame, advises Alexandre Chouery, founder of Maison D’Alexandre in Greenwich, CT. “This look, we can achieve with the hair naturally air dried using our extra-long thermal brush to give a little twist for a done-undone or ‘coiffe-decoiffe’ look,” says Chouery.
“After the thermal brush, tilt the head back and pass a wide-toothed comb over the side sections to break up the style for natural movement. And voila!”
The Face
A healthy glow is a key element of French girl beauty, so select makeup that looks natural. “We use a sheer glowy cheek color and perfectly placed radiant highlighter to emphasize bone structure,” says Chouery. His studio has a line of brushes that are vegan and cruelty free, and allow you to effortlessly apply makeup sheerly for an overall glow.
A red lip finishes the look. Chouery recommends selecting a lipstick that is sheer and shiny. While a classic red never goes out of style, this fall, we’re seeing more subtle iterations in berry or merlot.
