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Emily in Paris is Full of French Beauty Secrets

Netflix's Emily in Paris is filled with strong female friendships, coffee and croissants, twinkling romance, dreams come true, and of course, some incredible French makeup tips and beauty secrets.

Without giving any spoilers away, Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) is a twenty-something Chicago woman who scores herself a dream job as a social media strategist in Paris.

She is dropped into a new world where she has to navigate the local language, prove herself at work, and master French girl beauty; after her first friend in Paris, Mindy Chen (Ashley Park), tells her she “looks American.”

The show is brimming with effortless French makeup styles and beauty essentials; we had to keep hitting pause frame by frame to take it all in. 

As each day goes by in Paris, Emily's feminine sense of style evolves and is met by the sophistication and intensity that French women are renowned for. 

Here are some French beauty secrets from Emily in Paris that we just can't stop talking about!

1. Take care of your skin

two women at a restaurant two women at a restaurant


“Keeping Lily’s skin perfect was my goal during those four months filming in Paris... As a makeup artist for almost 20 years, I know that skin care is the most important everyday ritual before makeup,” says Aurélie Payen, one of the Parisian makeup artists for Emily in Paris

And we all have the power to take care of our skin. Simple things like drinking more water each day, eating clean, and getting enough sleep can make a huge difference.

Once you've taken care of everything you can on the inside, it's time to work on prepping your skin on the outside. 

Get the look

Begin with a few drops of facial oil, apply some sunscreen (even during the winter months), and then top with a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. 

Prep your lips by scrubbing away dry skin gently with a lip scrub or toothbrush, and apply some nourishing lip balm

2. Keep it au naturel

Emily in Paris starsEmily in Paris stars

Emily instantly becomes friends with French beauty Camille (Camille Razat) after meeting at a flower stand.

Camille is a typical French woman who rocks a barely-there look, keeping her beauty routine minimal and effortless. 

She reminds us that less can be more, and makeup is a terrific tool to highlight your natural beauty instead of hiding it. 

Get the look

To get Camille's effortless look, focus on highlighting your best features and accentuating what you’ve been blessed with.

Gently wave your hair to create a natural, I-woke-up-like-this look. Swipe on a coat of mascara, a little bit of brow gel, a pinch of blusher and tinted lip balm, and you're Paris ready. 

The Cabaret Première Classic French Mascara is absolutely perfect for attaining a soft, everyday look. It's clump-free, lightweight, and long-lasting.

3. The pretty in pink lip

woman with pink lipstickwoman with pink lipstick

As the series progresses, Emily's everyday go-to look becomes a pretty, pinkish pout. It gives off a feminine, put together, but didn't try too hard vibe. 

The nude, muted tone works perfectly against a pale complexion, and creates a youthful, healthy glow. Plus, an understated lip allows the rest of your features to shine — your eyes, brows, and cheekbones. 

Get the look

Begin by using our Gel Lip Pencil to outline the lips, starting from the center outward to the corners.

Next, you can use this Matte Constance Duo Pack Long-Lasting Matte Lipstick, and choose from shades Pale Pink Nude or Marsala. It's super simple to apply, has a gorgeous matte velvet color, and will stay put all day.

4. Beautiful bold brows

girl in pink hatgirl in pink hat

Emily in Paris is bursting with makeup tips and tricks, but Emily's statement brows become a French beauty staple throughout the Netflix series.

They're big, bold, and they're beautiful; and they left us all with major brow-envy.

Allowing your eyebrows to grow and working with their natural shape is key for this look. But there are some products you can use to amp up the volume for the wow factor. 

Get the look

Begin by combing your brows with a spoolie brush—the Brow Arcade Automatic Eyebrow Pencil is ideal for this.

Next, use a clear eyebrow gel to keep them in place all day long. You can use the same eyebrow pencil to lightly fill in any gaps or use a colored brow gel or powder that matches your brows.

5. Blush over bronze

woman in beret woman in beret

Put the bronzer away, because the blush is here to stay. A hint of pink blusher becomes part of Emily's everyday beauty routine, so simple yet so swoon-worthy. This subtle pop of color creates a fresh and feminine look without being too girly. 

Get the look

The key to making makeup work for you is to use the right colors and shades that suit your skin tone. Women with warmer undertones can go for warmer pinks, with tinges of orange in them, while women with cooler undertones are best suited for cooler pinks with hints of blue in them. 

We love mixing things up by using makeup in inventive ways. So if you don't have any pink blusher on hand, but you want to create this look, use a pink colored lipstick instead!

Gently smudge it onto the apple of your cheeks and blend it in a circular motion, following the natural line of your cheekbones. 

Voilà!

6. Laidback chic

two women talkingtwo women talking

In case you haven't seen the show, Emily's boss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) is kind of like a French version of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. 

She's intimidating, she's frosty, and she's undeniably sexy. She wears hardly any makeup (we're beginning to see a glaringly obvious trend amongst fabulous French women), yet she looks immaculate in every scene. 

How does she do it?

Get the look

The golden rule when it comes to French makeup styles is to keep things relaxed. 

Instead of perfect liquid eyeliner, try smudging some kohl pencil on your lash line.

Don't strive for perfection when styling your hair, and keep things a little tousled—use some product to add more texture if needed.  

Go for classic colors, instead of anything too in-your-face — dewy, matte textures over shiny ones. 

7. Flirty, fluttery lashes

two women chattingtwo women chatting

Mindy and Emily instantly become besties on the show after meeting each other in a park. She's lived all over the world, is full of energy, and is a self-taught pro at Parisian living. 

Her trademark beauty look is full, fluttery eyelashes, topped with a perfect wing of eyeliner. But how does she get those voluminous lashes?  

Get the look

The Provocation Instant Volume Mascara is a French beauty staple and promises volume and definition all in one swoosh. It won't flake or transfer and will give you that long-lasting length and thickness you've been searching for.

Plus, it's as easy to apply as it is to take off and won't damage your lashes. 

8. Dare to be dramatic at night

Woman in ball gownWoman in ball gown

When it comes to Paris, French beauty essentials are minimal and relaxed by day, only to get a boost of sophistication and glamour at night!

But the “less is more” mantra still reigns true here. You either want to highlight your lips or your eyes, but never both at the same time – that would be a beauty faux pas

In Episode 6, Ringarde, Emily goes to the ballet and channels Audrey Hepburn with her classic little black dress and chic up-do. She swaps her pretty pink pout for power red, and we are crazy about it. 

Get the look

Use the Long-Lasting Matte Lipstick in Classic Red to get this statement look. Don't forget to gently exfoliate your lips first, and use a lip patch or apply a hydrating balm to create a smooth foundation.

Use a lip liner to create a frame, then fill it in with color, starting from the center and working outwards. And don't worry if your hands are a little shaky. Simply remove any unwanted smudges with a cotton bud, and you're red carpet ready. 

 

And that is how to get perfect Emily in Paris makeup and create a beauty routine any French woman would be proud of.  

 

 

All images obtained from Netflix

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The Marie Kondo Method Meets French Beauty
April 15, 2021
The Marie Kondo Method Meets French Beauty

If you love beauty as much as we do, it can be easy to get into a mindset that “more is more.” But after a while, we find ourselves overwhelmed by a large, disorganized makeup collection, with more items than we can ever dream of using!  For French beauty enthusiasts, having too much stuff just isn’t helpful, since the French approach to makeup is simplified and precise.  It turns out that by organizing your makeup collection according to the tips of Japanese tidying guru Marie Kondo, it’s much easier to achieve an effortless French beauty routine!  Follow our guide to learn about the KonMari organizing method and how to apply it to your makeup storage.  The basic elements of KonMari organizing In her book, The Art of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo outlines both her philosophy and methodology for tidying homes. The basic principles of KonMari are fascinating and incredibly helpful.  Tidying is a special event As Marie Kondo explains, tidying is a special event and you should only do it once in your lifetime (or, at least the very least, extremely infrequently), as a total reset. She views it as a life-changing and joyful experience with a spiritual element.  Before beginning the process, she also recommends taking a moment to visualize your ideal life in as much detail as possible. This will help direct and guide you through the process of organizing and decluttering your life.  Working in categories KonMari organizing is done in categories of items, not room by room or drawer by drawer. The categories are precise, but within them, there are more loose subcategories. It’s important to go through them in the order she outlines:  1) Clothes: Tops, bottoms, items that hang, socks, etc.  2) Books: Pleasure reads, practical books, etc.  3) Papers: Documents, receipts, bills, etc.  4) Komono or miscellaneous items: Electronics, office supplies, skincare, makeup, and more. 5) Sentimental items: Photos, keepsakes, love letters, etc.  Discard what doesn’t spark joy Now the tidying really begins! Working in categories (starting with clothes), make a large pile of all of the items within that category that are in your house (as well as in your bag, car, or garage).  One-by-one, take each item, examine it briefly, and see if it “sparks joy.” That’s the only criterion by which you decide whether to keep or discard something. This way, at the end of the process, you’ll feel calm knowing that you only own objects that bring you joy. If you decide to discard something, take a moment to thank it for its service.  Afterward, as a separate process, you can sort through the discarded items to see what you’ll toss, what you’ll recycle, and what you’ll donate.   A place for each item Once you’re left only with objects that spark joy, you need to decide where to store them. While Marie Kondo isn’t a fan of fancy storage solutions, she does emphasize that each object should have its place, usually in a drawer or even an open shoebox.  Knowing where each item belongs simplifies life in two ways: You’ll always know where to find an object, and you’ll always know where to put it once you’re done with it. This is the simple beauty of KonMari organizing  Another one of Marie Kondo’s tips is to store all related items together, like-with-like. Shirts in one drawer, socks in another, pens together, etc. When it comes specifically to clothes, the KonMari folding method is its own organizing marvel.     She doesn’t recommend “flow planning” methods of organization, primarily because they make returning things to the place where they belong a little harder.  Organizing your makeup collection Now that you understand the basics of KonMari organizing, let’s apply it to the task of organizing your makeup collection. Makeup is part of the ‘komono’ category, which includes miscellaneous items you can collect over your lifetime. While you can apply Marie Kondo’s tips just to your makeup bag, it’s better to do the entire process at once.  Visualizing your beauty routine Visualization is especially helpful when it comes to makeup. Before you start gathering everything, take a moment to consider what your ideal makeup routine looks like and how you want to look. This will help you through the whole process. Decluttering your makeup Collect all of the makeup you own (including the lipstick that hides in your car and the pressed powder that lives in your purse), and put it on the floor or counter, to sort through and figure out what sparks joy.  When you do this, also consider how long you’ve owned each product and whether it might be expired. Put all the makeup products that don’t spark joy in a bag or bin, to either discard or donate.  Makeup storage and vanity organization  Finally, make sure to store the items in a way that makes sense, so that products with similar functions are all in the same location. Never pile products one on top of the other. Instead, store them in such a way so that you can see everything at once and quickly find whatever you want to use.  Vertical storage (much like books on a bookcase) is ideal for palettes, foundation bottles can stand upright, while lipsticks and eyeliners can be stored either upside down (so you can see the colors at a glance), or lying down flat.    Keep them all in one vanity or bathroom cabinet. If you don’t have dedicated makeup storage, a transparent drawer set can be incredibly helpful.  Marie Kondo your makeup bag After you’ve whittled down your collection to only include makeup that sparks joy, you can decide which products will go in your makeup bag.  According to KonMari, your purse shouldn’t be another storage space. Instead, she recommends that every morning (or at least every few mornings), you should repack your handbag. We think that should also apply to your makeup bag.  Every morning, after you finish doing your makeup, consider which items you’d like to bring with you, and put them in a dedicated makeup pouch. Once the day ends, take them out and put them back where they belong in your organized makeup vanity.  Goodbye, makeup clutter! KonMari isn’t necessarily a minimalist or anti-consumerist philosophy. It’s not about getting rid of all of your earthly possessions — instead, it’s about ensuring that you truly love everything you own. By organizing your makeup according to Marie Kondo’s tips, you guarantee that your beauty routine will always spark joy. 

The Best Makeup Gifts to Give to a Friend
April 09, 2021
The Best Makeup Gifts to Give to a Friend

If you have a friend or loved one who loves makeup, it only makes sense to buy them a makeup gift. The best gift is one that’ll be used, after all.  When buying gifts for makeup lovers, you still have to put a bit of thought into your purchase. Some products, like foundations and concealers, require very precise color matching, so they can’t be bought on a whim. That’s why we’ve put together this gift guide with the best makeup products to give as gifts, whether for small occasions or for bigger celebrations.  We’ve put together a range of beauty gift ideas, including simple crowd-pleasers and thoughtful bundles. With the help of our list, we know that your friend will love what you give her!  Vivienne Sabó Mascara Mascara is a universal makeup gift that’s always appreciated. It’s an unskippable part of every makeup routine, but it’s also one of those products that have to be replaced frequently, so you know that your gift will serve its purpose. There is zero chance that it will sit in the makeup drawer unused!  When choosing the best mascara for your friend, consider her tastes. Is she the kind of person who leads an active life and needs waterproof mascara? Maybe she likes a dramatic look, in which case our Provocation mascara will give her lashes instant volume. On the other hand, if she keeps things subtle but defined, the Cabaret Première is a classic choice that keeps the lashes full yet separated.  You can even give her a mascara gift set with a few different options, so she can customize her look based on her needs for any specific day.  Matte Constance Lipstick Lipstick is the kind of beauty gift that requires a bit more consideration, but it also means that it can be very thoughtful. If you just pick a color at random, chances are your gift may not land too well. However, if you make sure to select a lipstick that will suit your friend’s personality and aesthetic, nothing could make her happier. If she has a more natural, polished style, then a nude lipstick will work best, while if she’s a classic beauty with a fiery side, opt for a red.  If you’re still not sure, check out our guide to the meaning behind different lipstick colors, which will surely point you in the right direction.  Feutre Fin Eyeliner   Like mascara, eyeliner is another staple that gets used up with some regularity and needs replacing fairly often. Whether liquid liner is one of your friend’s staple looks or it’s something she’s still working to perfect, the Vivienne Sabó Feutre Fin eyeliner is a wonderful makeup gift. It offers the precision that makeup lovers crave but it’s easy to use so even those new to makeup will quickly get the hang of it.  Brow Arcade Eyebrow Pencil Eyebrow pencils might not be as glamorous as mascara or lipstick, but they’re still an important part of the makeup routine. For that very reason, the Brow Arcade certainly deserves a spot on our list of makeup gifts for her.  We think it works best as a gift for a friend that is very pragmatic and doesn’t care about sentimentality as much. It’s a good makeup gift that she’ll be sure to use. Just make sure to select a shade that’s a touch lighter than her hair color but with the same undertone.  Le Grand Volume Lip Gloss   Lip gloss is perfect for days out with its fun and playful look, making it an excellent summertime gift! And if you have a younger friend or family member with a playful style or who’s a little newer to makeup, lip gloss makes for the best makeup gift. It doesn’t have the intensity or maturity of lipstick. Instead, it gives the lips a youthful sheen without much color, so it’s the kind of makeup product that parents will also approve of easily.  Cabaret Première Mascara Primer  What do you give to makeup lovers that seem to own everything already? We think the Cabaret Première primer is a great choice, especially for lash enthusiasts. A lash primer helps to build a base layer of length and volume, so the lashes look extra dramatic. Most importantly, it’s the one product your friend probably doesn’t have in her arsenal yet!  Makeup gift bundle   Individual items work well as “just because” gifts for makeup lovers. However, when there’s a special occasion and you need to impress, a large, customized makeup gift set can be a wonderful gift. The key to creating a gorgeous beauty bundle is to pair products that make sense together.  For an eye-focus, put together a set of eyeliner, mascara, mascara primer, and maybe even an eyebrow pencil.   For a lip set, give your dear friend lipstick, gloss, and lip liner.  You can also customize a French beauty set with beloved staples, like red lipstick, a liquid eyeliner, and volumizing mascara.  Make sure to package everything nicely, and even consider putting it all in a makeup bag, which will become another part of the gift.  Makeup subscription A makeup subscription is one of the best makeup gifts we can think of, which is why we’ve saved it for last. It’s particularly useful if you’d like to give something to a friend who lives far away and that you don’t get to see often.  Pick a product that you know is a staple for them, like mascara, eyeliner, or brow pencil. Then, set up a subscription where they can receive a new package every few months, depending on how often they go through the specific item.  A subscription beauty gift will remind them of you periodically and cheer them up if they’re going through a hard time. That’s one of the reasons why we have this option available for all Vivienne Sabó products. L'art de faire un cadeau  In France, l'art de faire un cadeau  (the art of giving a gift) is cherished. The best gifts are personal and thoughtful. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give something meaningful—you just need to consider the person to whom you’re giving a gift.  For that friend who loves makeup, a thoughtful beauty gift is an easy choice that will show them that you know and love them.    

Using Mascara on Lash Extensions
March 30, 2021
Using Mascara on Lash Extensions

Maybe you’ve got your very first set of lash extensions, or perhaps you’re thinking about getting some. But you’re wondering, “can you put mascara on lash extensions?” Great question. And if you’re going to invest money in lash extensions (along with sitting still for that long), you want to make sure you’re taking care of them the right way.  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll be answering all your burning questions. By the end of it, you’ll be a lash extension and mascara pro.  Can you put mascara on lash extensions? So, should you wear mascara with eyelash extensions? Or is it a total no-go? You can wear mascara on lash extensions. When your lashes are fresh, you won’t have a huge need for mascara, but towards the end, you may want to reach for it! That being said, if you prefer to wear mascara with your lash extensions from the start, you can definitely do so! Estheticians recommend to avoid applying it to the base, as this can create a clumpy look. So keep it to the tips, and you’ll be golden. It’s worth pointing out that if you’re opting for volume lashes (the 2D, 3D, or custom-made fans), you probably won’t need mascara. Adding it will likely cause the fans to close and ruin the effect. Why wear mascara with lash extensions? Mascara will help darken and add volume to both the upper and lower lashes.  Synthetic lashes are thicker than your natural eyelashes, whereas silk extensions taper out at the ends. Mascara helps give you that extra impact all the way to the tips — perfect for a more dramatic look.     Many women also choose lash extensions that match their natural lash color. Adding a darker shade of mascara allows you to deepen the color as you like.  And like we mentioned above, when your fake lashes are on their last legs and begin to shed, you can fill in the gaps with mascara. They’ll look as good as new! Which type of mascara should I avoid? Be careful; if you use the wrong kind of mascara, you’ll ruin your lash extensions.  Here’s what to avoid:   Waterproof mascara Waterproof mascara is designed to stay put through extreme conditions. You know, like thunderstorms and balling your eyes out on your wedding day. It’s great when you need it, but it’s a no-go when it comes to lash extensions.  It can make your lashes brittle, and it’s extra tough to remove. You need an oil-based makeup remover, which can pull off flares, sometimes your lashes, and the glue holding your extensions in place.   Tube mascara Although tube mascara can be removed with water, it’s not suitable for lash extensions. Why? Because it will stick to them like glue, and water will not be sufficient to get them off once that happens. Fiber mascara Like waterproof and tube mascara, fiber mascara is also difficult to remove. Plus, the purpose of fiber mascara is to add length to your natural lashes. If you’ve got extensions already, you probably don’t need it.    Mascara you can use with extensions Oil-free mascara is best for lash extensions. That means the best mascara for lash extensions is a water-based formula. This is the only safe choice and will keep your lashes in tip-top condition. And it’s perfect for all types of falsies.  If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, opting for an oil-free mascara is always the best choice. This will prevent unwanted irritation.     What you want is a mascara that glides flawlessly across your lashes and comes off with minimal effort at the end of the day.  When it comes to consistency, you want a mascara that is not too thick or too dry. A thick mascara can cause tension on the lashes, tangling, and clumping.    Choose your brush wisely, and make sure it doesn’t grip your lashes too tightly.  How to safely remove your makeup when wearing lash extensions Choosing the right mascara isn’t the only thing to consider. If you choose the wrong makeup remover, you can still end up damaging your lashes. There are many makeup removers and cleansers that contain oil, which you don’t want. A water-based product is what you’re after here again. The best way to remove your makeup while wearing eyelash extensions is to use a water-based wipe or lash shampoo with a charcoal brush. Avoid cotton pads or balls because they may get lint on your lashes!     Remember, when you take care of your lash extensions and keep them clean, they’ll last longer and look better. So it’s in your best interests to pick the right products and treat your lashes with the love they deserve.