The new French girl makeup is cooler than you think Simply darker, more maximalist and edgier

Forget everything you know about the French girl makeup. The era of thin eyeliner and classic red lipstick (elegant but, let’s be honest, kind of predictable) is over. It’s time for its darker, edgier, and more maximalist evolution: a look that keeps the effortless Parisian charm but adds mystery, intensity, and a touch of decadence. In short: less minimalist chic, more "rebel without a cause".

The new French girl makeup

The new French girl makeup takes everything we love about Parisian beauty and drags it into a messier, more sensual, more real territory. The base remains natural but not too perfect: skin should look luminous, while blush turns to mauve and rosy tones to keep that typically French bonne mine effect. For a more dramatic allure, eyeliner loses its cat-eye precision and becomes more messy, deliberately smudged or slightly undone, or skipped altogether. Eyeshadows lean into brown shades to create that “tired eyes” effect, as if after a long night out, with a touch of shimmer on the lid to brighten the gaze without dulling its depth. Lips stay red, but no longer perfectly outlined: the color is smudged, blurred, and dabbed on with fingertips. The result is a look that keeps the Parisian nonchalance but with a darker, moodier edge.

How to recreate the new French girl makeup

As you’ve probably guessed, the three key elements of the new French girl make-up are: glowing, healthy skin, lived-in eyes, and an imperfect red lip. Skin prep is essential, as always, achieving a radiant base starts with a good hydrating skincare routine. Just don’t overdo it: too many layers can leave your face looking heavy. Once your skin is ready, choose a light, luminous foundation with medium-to-low coverage, just enough to even out the complexion without masking it. Warm up your cheeks with a rosy-toned blush. For the eyes, use a brown or black pencil: draw an imperfect line and blend it out with a brush (or, even better, your fingers) for that slightly tired look. Then, add a touch of brown eyeshadow to define the lid, and drag the same brush, still slightly smudged, along the lower lash line. Finish with a hint of highlighter on the usual spots: inner corner, brow bone, and the center of the lid. Finally, dab your favorite red lipstick onto your lips without worrying too much about the edges, and you’re done.