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Lily Collins’ Beauty Routine Uncovered

If you haven’t yet caught a glimpse of Netflix’s hit show, Emily In Paris, where have you been?!

We are obsessed with the French-girl beauty that storms our screens as Emily (British-American actress Lily Collins) settles into Parisian living. 

Actress Lily Collins steals the show with her low-key, simple yet chic beauty and fashion looks. There isn’t a scene where we’re not taking notes. Think fresh, clear skin, bold brows, voluminous lashes, and understated lips. 

Less is definitely more In France, and we’re loving it! 

But there’s one thing we want to know more about, and that’s Lily’s real-life beauty routine. 

How does she keep her skin looking so immaculate? What are her makeup must-haves? And how does she keep her beautiful brows in check?

Don’t worry, we’re bringing you Lily Collins’ beauty routine in full detail here, no filter. 

This is what Lily Collins’ everyday beauty routine looks like. 

Morning skincare

Woman with towel on her head washing face in the morning

What does Lily’s AM skincare routine look like?

Well, you’ll be surprised how low-key it is.

She begins with a splash of cold water on her face to wake herself up. 

To kick-start her skincare routine, she uses a facial wash, toner gel, and moisturizing cream. 

Next up?

Lily always applies a layer of sunscreen (her go-to is Kiehl’s), whether it’s summer or winter. We recommend at least an SPF 20 if possible. Look for a light-weight, non-greasy sunscreen that feels like a second skin. 

Lily has spoken out about embracing her natural, ivory skin, so you won’t find any tanning products in her house! 

She also loves rubbing some mint or spearmint oil on her temples and the back of her neck to wake herself up and feel invigorated inside and out. One of her favorites is Peppermint Halo by Saje, which comes in a handy roller ball.

And, did you know Lily is obsessed with hand cream?

Yes!

You’ll find her re-applying it throughout the day to keep her skin feeling soft and silky, just the way her Grandma used to do. 

Her favorite scent? Rose wins out every time—Crabtree & Evelyn have a rosewater one she is crushing on. 

The perfect base

Emily Collins smiling

Lily Collins is famous for channeling that French-girl beauty by keeping her makeup minimal and natural all the time, apart from on special occasions. 

When she’s at home, she wears very little; her motto being “the less there is on you, the less there is to go wrong!”

But what about when she is wearing makeup?

Lily loves to go for a foundation that is light enough to allow her natural freckles to shine through but just enough to give a nice base. 

She steers clear of heavy, coated products to avoid her pores getting clogged. 

For days when she wants something a little different, she mixes a small drop of light foundation with her favorite serum, then dabs it into her forehead, chin, and cheeks. To blend, she uses a sponge, then tops with a powder to set it, and a bit of blush for contouring. 

It’s all about the brows

Young model with beautiful eyebrows

The next step on Lily Collins’ beauty routine is tending to her bold and beautiful brows.

The question on all of our minds while watching Emily In Paris has been, what’s the secret to her brow game? 

Tell us all Lily!

When asked what her favorite part of her beauty regimen is, she aptly said “It’s all about the brows.”

She swipes a highlighter over her eyelid and under the brow to make her brows pop even more. She brushes her eyebrows up and over to slightly tame them. 

And that is IT.

Seriously.

On the odd occasion when they need a little more taming, she uses some mascara to lend a helping hand.

To draw extra attention to her eyes, she applies a few flicks of liquid liner at the outer edges.

She then adds a coat of volumizing mascara to bring fullness and life to her lush lashes. Nothing says French beauty quite like fluttery lashes does. If there’s one thing every French woman includes in her beauty routine, it’s a swoosh of black mascara.  

Lush lips

Beautiful red lips kiss isolated on white background

When it comes to her lips, Lily begins by gently exfoliating them with a delicious, tropical coconut scrub.

Once her lips are prepped, she coats them with lip balm–and you’ll find her reapplying it throughout the day to keep those lips looking lush.

For an everyday look, Lily tops her lip salve with a swipe of nude lipstick and her favorite gloss. 

But what about those red-carpet occasions?

Lily has perfected the shades that compliment her pale skin and dark hair and opts for softened red lipstick shades and deep plums. 

If you’re looking for some lipstick inspo, check out our long-lasting matte lipstick, which is available in four fabulous color combos. There’s guaranteed to be a shade that was made for you. 

Fabulous fragrance

Woman in trendy cardigan spraying fragrance on her wrist

When it comes to fragrance, there are a few favorites that Lily loves. 

Rose makes the cut once again, then bergamot and oud. She’s usually drawn to deeper scents rather than feminine ones. 

But if she had to pick a scent of choice? 

La Vie Est Belle.

That means “life is beautiful” in French.

The scent swoops her back to her Paris-days and has her longing to be reunited with the most romantic city in the world. We can’t wait for that either, Lily!

Messy hair, don’t care

French women are loved (and envied) worldwide for perfecting that I-just-woke-up-like-this hair. It’s chic, but it’s not perfect. Think wind-swept runway romance. 

How do they do it?! 

Well, Lily seems to have perfected that Paris-hair, and guess what her secret is?

She lets her hair do whatever it wants.

Really.

Her hair goes through a lot as an actress, constantly being colored and curled while on set. So when she’s off-duty, she keeps things super simple. 

She loves Kérastase for repairing her hair, and often goes for a volumizing hair gel when she desires some extra volume. 

She’s also a big fan of dry shampoo (could this woman be any cooler?). Oribe hair sprays are her favorite when she hasn’t washed her hair in a few days and needs a quick pick-me-up. 

Evening rituals

Bamboo sticks in bottle with scented oil next to lit candles

Lily’s evening beauty routine echoes her morning ritual. She’ll shower, get cozy on the sofa, and remove all her makeup using face wipes. Later, she rinses her face with the same gel she used in the morning and applies some face cream.

When her skin feels extra dry, she opts for a quick face mask and rubs natural coconut oil into her body.

Then it’s off to bed for some much-needed beauty sleep.

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Take a Break From Foundation
July 15, 2021
Take a Break From Foundation

We all have that one girlfriend who never wears foundation, and is blessed with immaculate, glowing skin. But we’re not all that lucky, right? Foundation is a key makeup must-have in most women’s toolkit.  Why? Because it creates a seamless base to then apply the rest of our makeup. Not to mention it covers a multitude of problem areas including spots and acne, uneven skin tone and hyper-pigmentation.  But what if we told you that the less cover-up you wear, the less you’ll need to cover up? It’s like a vicious cycle. If you keep on wearing foundation, you’ll need to keep wearing it... until you finally wean yourself off of it. And yes, flawless skin really is possible without foundation. But it’s easy to talk about ditching foundation for good, and a whole other ball game actually going through with it.  Whether you want to give foundation up for good, or just take a short break from it, there are some great alternatives to achieving the look you want without caking your face in makeup. So, if you’re ready to embrace that natural French beauty look and channel the less is more mentality, keep reading.   What are the benefits of no foundation makeup? Have you noticed your makeup looking fab in the morning, but by lunchtime it starts to look a little patchy, and by the afternoon it’s looking seriously greasy?  We’ve all been there.  This is because most foundations are high in pore-clogging ingredients like mineral oil or silicones. This is what gives them that great texture. But it’s not good news for your skin, unless congested pores, inflammation, and breakouts are what you’re looking for... We don’t think so! So, by using less foundation (or removing it from your makeup routine altogether) you’ll gift your skin a much-needed break. Even if you only do this once or twice a week, or every other day.  There’s no guarantee that your skin will look amazing all the time (there are so many other factors involved) but it will definitely help it look fresh and healthier. So, here are some alternatives to help you achieve flawless skin without so much makeup.  Up your skincare game Chances are, you wear foundation because it makes you feel more confident in your appearance, right? It covers your perceived imperfections. It’s probably not because you enjoy that oily/cakey texture that stops your skin from breathing and stains all your beautiful white clothes! So, if you didn’t have those “imperfections,” and had gorgeous glowing skin like a runway model, would you bother wearing foundation? Probably not. Well, a lot of your skincare qualms can usually be solved by upping your skincare game. Most women aren’t using the right products, or aren’t using them consistently to see an improvement. That means committing to removing your makeup each night, cleansing and moisturizing, which will let your skin breathe. And in the morning, cleansing, moisturizing, maybe applying some face oil, and definitely some SPF. Plus, exfoliating once or twice a week.  Doing this religiously every day or night should energize your skin, help it renew itself, and glow with or without makeup. What if I have uneven skin tone or hyper-pigmentation? Great point. Many women with darker skin suffer from hyper-pigmentation, and the struggle is real. Foundation is a miracle base to even things out. So, is there an alternative? Yes! There are many brightening and illuminating products out there specifically designed to target uneven skin tone, hyper-pigmentation, and even scarring. Plus, there are concealer-like products to target specific problem areas. Different tones of blemishes each have a corresponding product designed to target them. Take a look at what’s on the market right now. We guarantee there is a product designed specifically for your skin and area of concern.  The great thing about many of these brightening and illuminating products is they’re rich in vitamins and minerals which are brilliant for repairing cells and creating a protective barrier for your skin.   No base makeup is looking pretty achievable right now, isn’t it?  Use a tinted moisturizer instead We adore the natural look and would love nothing more than to see every woman covering up less and embracing their natural beauty more.  That being said, we understand it’s challenging and a little scary—especially at first!So, if the thought of replacing foundation with skincare is daunting, don’t worry. Take it in baby steps.  How about trying a tinted moisturizer like a BB cream instead? These are little tubes of magic, and particularly great for adding light coverage that won’t melt off your face on those warmer days. Not only will it smooth your skin tone and cover imperfections, but it will also help your skin breathe. Add a tiny bit of bronzer or highlighter on your cheekbones for some extra glow, and you’ll forget all about that thing called foundation.  Try a sheer concealer-powder Concealer makes a great substitute for foundation, and you’d be surprised how little of it you need. After you’ve completed your skincare routine, just dab a bit of concealer under your eyes and over any other small blemishes. A creamier texture is easier to blend than a powdered one, especially on this area of the face.  Next, apply a thin layer of concealer powder to even everything out.  You’re still wearing makeup, but a much lighter base. That means way less time in front of the mirror for you, plus healthier and happier skin. A winning combo! Embrace the natural look! It’s no secret that French women are all about minimal makeup. They manage to look both chic and effortless.  Their secret? Minimal foundation, if any.  Yes! French women steer clear of that cakey look opting for a little swoosh of concealer or powder, then bronzer or highlighter to contour with. Natural skin paired with a swipe of sexy eyeliner is très chic, don’t you think?  Don’t feel pressured to throw out your foundation right away. How about trying one of the suggestions above for just one day, and see how you look and feel? If you like it, try it for a few more days, and go from there.   If you’re extra self-conscious, try this out on the weekends or holidays when you know you won’t be running into too many people. Give yourself the time and space to adjust and feel comfortable in your skin again. 

Mascara That Replaces Lash Treatments
June 30, 2021
Mascara That Replaces Lash Treatments

What’s the first thing you notice about someone you meet for the first time?  It’s usually their eyes, right? Our eyes are the window to our soul. So it makes sense that we want our eyes to look beautiful and full of life and energy. And there’s no better way to give your eyes a pick-me-up than a swipe of your favorite mascara. It’s quick, simple, and fuss-free. Just one coat can frame your eyes and totally transform your face. It’s no wonder so many women swear by a simple coat of mascara before leaving the house. But with thousands of different mascaras to choose from, along with copious new lash treatments, how do you know which one to choose? Each of them promises to give us the curl, volume, length, and definition we’re after. But chances are, if you’re here, you’re still looking for that one amazing mascara or treatment that delivers everything it promises.    Why we prefer mascara over lash treatments Can mascara actually replace lash treatments? There’s no arguing that lash treatments are innovative, but are they really worth the time, money, and effort involved? Eyelash extensions, lifts, and tints might initially appear to be a better option than mascara, but it’s important to fully know what you’re signing up for.  For example, did you know a lot of the chemicals involved are not FDA-approved?  Just because lots of people get lash treatments, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re safe. It’s always important to do your own research and know what you’re putting near your eyes.  Plus, the actual lash treatment is just the beginning. You’ve then got the wonderful job of maintaining your lashes, which can be incredibly time-consuming.  You have to be sure to use an oil-free eye makeup remover and be extra gentle with your eyes. Chances are you’ll need touch-ups along the way, which can gradually push up the cost.  What about false lashes? Although they’re less invasive, there’s no getting around the fact that you’re putting glue near (and probably in) your eyes! And the process of gluing the strips to your lashes is so fiddly and awkward. Don’t get us started on the fact that they can often be found halfway down your face by the end of the night.  If you ask us, there’s still no better way to accentuate your gorgeous eyes than some trusty mascara.  There’s something so therapeutic about gently gliding the wand over your lashes and being totally present in the moment.  Like they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Meet the Vivienne Sabo Provocation instant volume mascara Have you met our Provocation mascara yet? This is the only mascara you need to replace all lash treatments. Say bonjour to length, thickness, and volume that last all day! This is a big secret to effortlessly chic French beauty. This amazing mascara is lightweight, clump-free, and smudge-proof, giving you naturally full, fluttery lashes that will transport you from day to night.  The best news? It’s incredibly easy to apply. The petite wand is easy to hold and meticulously coats every lash.  Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of sweeping this beautiful wand through your lashes. Dip your wand into the dispenser, and you’ll find it always comes out with the perfect amount of product—no need to wipe off any excess.  Watch as the glossy black pigment defines and elongates your lashes with just one coat. It’s the perfect consistency that allows you to add a couple of coats if desired without getting crunchy, but doesn’t take a lifetime to dry either.  When you’re done, sit back and admire your work and beauty. This is all you. Without a doubt, this is the best mascara for lash lift that has no limits. And at the end of the night, it’s just as easy to remove without damaging your lashes.  Plus, Vivienne Sabo mascara is 100% cruelty-free—our products are never tested on animals.  Try our Provocation mascara today and experience the magic of mascara again. Make life even simpler, and subscribe to get a new tube of this gold dust delivered every few months right to your door at a discounted price.  Our top tips for getting the absolute most out of your mascara There are a few insider secrets that will really help you add the next level of drama to your lashes. First, an eyelash curler is your best friend. Just a few seconds on each lash line can really lengthen and open up your eyes before you go near your mascara. Secondly, consider using a lash-plumping primer to coat your lashes before applying your favorite mascara. This helps to condition, strengthen and increase the length of the lashes. By the time you layer on your mascara, your lash game will skyrocket. Third, avoid pumping your wand. There’s no need to do this, and it’s probably one of the biggest mascara myths out there.   And finally, try and add more product to the root of your lashes, and less as you work your way out to the tips. This will add to that voluminous, feathery, full-lash look that looks incredible on every woman.  Ditch those lash treatments today and make way for more mascara! Maybe you haven’t been able to get your favorite lash treatment recently, or you can’t stand the idea of getting a lash treatment, but you’re searching for the same results!  Either way, Vivienne Sabo mascara is the best mascara for the lash lift, length, and volume you’re craving.  We’re just not ready to ditch our trusty mascara for complicated treatments that sap the fun out of makeup. If you’re not either, treat yourself to a tube of Vivienne Sabo Provocation mascara today, and enjoy the magic of mascara.

Eyelash Care - Tips for Healthy Lashes
June 15, 2021
Eyelash Care - Tips for Healthy Lashes

We spend as much time pampering our “canvas” (i.e., our face) as we do painting it with makeup—it’s one of the main rules of French beauty, after all! That means we never skip moisturizer, and we always have a lip balm nearby.  However, there’s one more feature that deserves some special attention: the lashes!  We love the dramatic effect that mascara can have, but it turns out so much better when we can start out with strong, healthy lashes. When the lashes are well taken care of, they’re not as prone to falling or breaking. The longer they stay intact on the lash line, the thicker and longer they’ll grow.  To learn how to maintain your lashes so they’ll always look swell, keep reading our guide! We’ll give some must-know natural lash care tips and even touch on what you should look for in an eyelash serum and how to grow eyelashes.  Choose a gentle mascara Waterproof mascara is incredibly useful when you know it’s going to rain or if you want to turn heads at the pool. For day-to-day, however, easily washable mascara is much more gentle on your lashes.  This mostly has to do with removal—the more tugging and rubbing you have to do to get the mascara off, the more damage you’ll do to your lashes! Stick to a regular formula most of the time, and save that waterproof mascara for special days when you want to look glam in the water.  Use a primer before mascara A mascara primer is a wonderful product that gives your lashes extra protection and nourishment under mascara. Before mascara, the lash primer coats the lashes with a seal that’s made of a blend of waxes and emollients that nourishes the lashes while also adding a barrier between them and the mascara. As a bonus, it also helps build that initial length and volume, which saves you from having to repeat your coats.   Remove eye makeup every night Sleeping with eye makeup on is the biggest no-no. It’s awful for the health of your eyes, but it can also damage the lashes. When we sleep with mascara on, it dries out and causes clumping and tangling, especially if you tend to sleep with your face in the pillow. As a result, the lashes get weakened, so you’re likely to lose a few more of them than usual once morning comes.   Keep removal gentle  When it’s time to remove your makeup, use a gentle, oil-based makeup remover and a firm, non-shedding cotton pad. Take your time, and instead of rubbing over and over again, let the makeup remover really saturate your mascara before you start wiping it away. This will allow the mascara to break down and disappear completely with minimal stress to your lashes.  Don’t rub your eyes  Another important habit to break when it comes to eyelash care is rubbing your eyes. When we’re sleepy, it’s a common habit to rub our eyes without even noticing. Unfortunately, that added friction contributes to eyelash loss (and it can irritate the eyes). It’s perfectly normal to lose 2-5 lashes a day, but if you rub your eyes, you may lose even more than that! If you rub your eyes because they get itchy or dry, consider applying moisturizing eye drops. Your eyes will be happier, and so will your lashes! Otherwise, if it’s just a bad habit, breaking it will require some mindfulness, as with other bad habits.  Give your lashes a makeup break As much as we love the effect that mascara can have, it’s still worth taking a break from it every few days. There can be a correlation between excessive mascara use and increased eyelash loss, especially if the removal was too aggressive.  That’s why you should take a break from mascara for a day or two a week, ideally. During those days, give your lashes time to rest and rejuvenate, perhaps with the help of eyelash serum.  Use an eyelash serum Eyelash serums are essential if you’d like to truly nurture your lashes. There are two main kinds of eyelash serums out there: ones that nourish and strengthen the lashes and ones that help to grow them.   Nourishing serums You can use nourishing serums as part of your basic eyelash care routine. Much like hair serums, these lash serums are usually made with oils and plant extracts. They help to condition the lashes and to moisturize the skin along the lash line. They’re useful for keeping the lashes healthy and in-tact, and they’re ideal for daily use.  Products for lash growth  If you’re mainly concerned with how to grow your eyelashes, you need to search for a product specifically made to improve eyelash growth. There are a ton of different options out there, both natural and man-made, that are said to help grow the lashes.  There are many eyelash serums out there made with ingredients that have potential for improving hair growth. Some of these ingredients include prostaglandin analogs that directly impact the lash follicle. On the more gentle and natural side of things, certain peptides are said to promote hair growth as well as extracts from plants like clover and mung bean.  Bat your lashes!  When you show your lashes love, they’ll return it tenfold. Proper eyelash care isn’t necessarily hard or complicated—it’s just a matter of taking the occasional makeup break, being diligent about removing your mascara at night, and adding the occasional, helpful touches of eyelash serum and mascara primer. Even adopting just a few of these eyelash care tips will help you bat longer, fuller lashes.