The French do a lot of things better than us – bread, cheese, wine, even snails. But where we really need to hand it to them is at ‘the pharmacy.’
The beauty brands from this side of Europe are made up of skin and hair care dreams. You’ll notice that the French woman is usually a little undone in a way that’s almost poetic, and that there is no french word for ‘contouring’, because the French woman trusts in her natural beauty, enhanced mostly through really good skincare. And the hair? Effortless. Beautified by a reliable haircare brand.
Allow yourself to have a touch of Parisian beauty, and explore our 10 favorite French brands below.
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$34.99 Buy now with Skinstore US La Roche Posay
Buy now with free deliveryEvery skin wardrobe needs TLC from La Roche-Posay at one time or another. Originally formulated for stressed out skin, this brand is a go-to for French pharmacists as a quick fix to skin that’s suddenly become dry, offended or imperfect.
Try the Anthelios Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 for an easy way to stay protected from the sun’s harmful rays.
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$38.50 Buy now with Skinstore US Vichy
Buy now with free deliveryWhen a brand’s mantra is “health is beautiful”, you can trust your complexion with it.
In 1931Â French doctor Prosper Haller discovered the therapeutic virtues of thermal water from the hot springs found in Vichy, France. Haller infused cosmetic formulations with this very water to help you rediscover your skin’s most youthful and healthy capacity – what they like to call “your ideal skin”.
If you’re unsure where to start, try Vichy’s Neovadial Magistral Elixir. The Neovadol range was specially created to counteract the effects of menopause on mature skin, promoting a healthy, youthful glow with continued use.
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$49.00 Buy now with Skinstore US Caudalie
Buy now with free deliveryCaudalie is inspired by founder Mathilde Thomas’s experience at her family’s vineyard in Bordeaux France, where she discovered a treasure with the help of world-renowned Polyphenols specialist, Professor Joseph Vercauteren. The vine and grapes being harvested on the vineyard carried extreme benefits for the skin. These properties form the foundation of the natural French brand we know today.
To get to know Caudalie, you simply must try the cult favorite Beauty Elixir. While you still can, grab a limited edition bottle designed by fashion designer Jason Wu.
This premium toning mist is backstage at all the runway shows, used on models to set make-up and ‘wake up’ their skin. Jason Wu’s version has that little extra sass and style.
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$18.00 Buy now with Skinstore US Avène
Buy now with free deliveryAvène is something of an apothecary brand, prescribed to patients suffering from skin disorders such as eczema.
The Avène story is rooted in local natural springs,  found to contain minerals that can soothe and even cure problems such as psoriasis. These are the sensitive skin experts.
Reach for Avène’s Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover for the kindest but most effective way to clean your skin.
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$29.00 Buy now with Skinstore US Phyto
Buy now with free deliveryAround half a century ago Parisian hair stylist Patrick Ales fused his passion for hair with horticulture, introducing the beauty space to botanicals long before these ingredients became regulars in the products we use today.
Phyto 7 is one of the original, unchanged formulas that will tame your hair into a sleek mane.
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$12.50 Buy now with Skinstore US L'Occitane
Buy now with free deliveryL’Occitane founder Olivier Baussan originally sold rosemary essential oil on the local markets of Provence before embarking on global travels to source high quality, natural ingredients and learn traditional techniques.
He came to know about women in Burkina Faso, Africa who produce nourishing shea butter. He placed a large order before returning to Provence, and you can still find it in the brand’s Shea Butter hand cream today – the handbag essential.
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$20.00 Buy now with Skinstore US Klorane
Buy now with free deliveryLaunched in the ’80s, Klorane’s dry shampoo with oat milk is one that beauty mavens would purchase in bulk to extend the wear of their blow-drys. The gentle blend of oatmilk, rice and corn starch at the base makes this formula great for sensitive scalps and means that your hair is not left feeling like straw, instead it falls with body and bounce.
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$36.00 Buy now with Skinstore US NUXE
Buy now with free deliveryNUXE is the name of a small formulation lab in Paris, which entrepreneur Aliza Jabès made her second home in the 90s. There, she brought to life an ultra-feminine skincare line based on pharmaceutical approach: nature, innovation, evaluation, accessibility and a sensory experience.
The Golden Shimmer Multi-usage Dry Oil delivers a golden shimmer to your hair, face and body in just one step. Loved by the world over, this oil will provide a soft halo whatever the season.
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$29.75 Buy now with Skinstore US Phytomer
Buy now with free deliveryBiomarine is Phytomer’s ace. 40 years of research inform this brand, which has harnessed the power of the sea to create exceptional products that will transform your skin.
Phytomer is one of the few cosmetic companies in the world to master marine biotechnology and produce completely new and natural ingredients using high-tech and environmentally friendly methods.
Choose the Doucuer Marine Soothine Cocoon Mask to sample the efficacy.
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$13.00 Buy now with Skinstore US Talika
Buy now with free deliveryLongstanding French brand Talika is known worldwide for innovative lash and brow formulas. In the mid-twentieth century, young eye specialist Danielle Roches was treating war wounds around the eye area and discovered plant extracts that not only heal, but significantly boost eyelash and eyebrow hair growth.
Talika’s star rose and Danielle soon branched into skin care and this stuff’s just as good. Try Talika’s Bio Enzymes Anti-ageing mask to know what I’m talking about.
