This French Style Icon Reveals Her Favorite Drugstore Beauty Buys

The allure of French beauty doesn't seem like it's going to dwindle anytime soon. (At least not at Byrdie HQ, where we're never not obsessing over everything from niche French beauty brands, to pharmacy staples.) "How can you make my hair more...French?" is a common ask from any one of our team, come trim or colour touch-up time. More than one editor keeps a Pinterest board solely dedicated to Parisian women and their uniquely insouciant take on red lipstick, tousled fringes and pared back style.

So when a video From British Vogue promising to reveal the only French drugstore beauty brands worth buying popped up in my feed, I clicked. Fast. On discovering said video featuring Jeanne Damas (model, designer and my own personal beauty muse), I felt I was one watch away from discovering style secrets I've been coveting for years. Not to mention, Damas is magic to watch and does share ALL the French beauty advice, including a simple trick to nailing laid-back red lipstick. Spoiler: It's all about pushing color into your lips with a fingertip, then cleaning up any mess with a cotton swab soaked in micellar water. You're welcome.

Keen to learn the only 5 pharmacy brands this style star classifies as essential? Keep reading below to find out.

"Essential. I use it every morning and evening to take my makeup off. Even when I don’t have makeup on, it takes away any dirt, any pollution."

"I use the same brand as the makeup remover to moisturize my skin after showering. So I think this is essential for sensitive skin."

"I put this on my lips every night before bed. And in the mornings before my lipstick to moisturize them."

"I love this. Perhaps not all year round, or every day, but it’s great for the summer. I still use it, because when summer’s over, my hair gets very dry. It works against salt and chlorine, so it’s great for holidays."

"Also, for your hair, and I’ve been buying this for years, dry shampoo. I think Klorane’s the best brand. It’s a life saver, or an “evening saver” at any rate."

Want more French beauty inspo? Check out French skincare routines women swear by.