Here is how French women do their makeup for date night. Whether it’s a first date, a date with your lifelong lover, or just a fancy solo dinner, date night is the perfect time to break out of your usual routine. And creating a makeup look for this occasion is always a fun way to feel your best.
If you’re feeling less than inspired for the big night, don’t worry! To crank up the romance —and just in time for Valentine’s Day— here is a step-by-step guide to creating the most beautiful and effortless French girl makeup for a date night, plus the best makeup essentials to recreate this look.
The French date-night makeup is all about the less-is-more approach. Indeed, for a date night, French women would generally opt for a comfortable yet polished makeup look that’s also long-wearing. Colors are kept simple, skin is radiant, cheekbones are softly sculpted, and lip and eye colors are subtle.
Step 1: Le Teint
Foundation
For an everyday makeup look, the foundation is generally a step French women skip, but for a date night, they’ll make an exception. For this look, I reach for the in shade B20: a light-to-medium coverage fluid foundation that features a weightless texture and radiant finish for a natural, healthy-looking glow. I use a tiny bit of this foundation that I apply with the from the center of my face outward.
Concealer
Then, I apply the tiniest amount of concealer sparingly to problem areas: under the eyes, but also anywhere else to cover blemishes or pigmentations. I use in shade B20 and I blend with fingertips.
Blush
I add a little bit of blush exactly where I would naturally flush: to the apples of my cheeks, up onto the temples, and right on the bridge of my nose. For this date-night makeup look, I’m using the new in shade pêche rosée from Chanel Spring-summer 2022 collection. I use the included brush to add a subtle radiant color to cheeks, I do love the color! This blush lumière can also be used to illuminate shoulders and décolleté.
Illuminator
Finally, I just apply a little bit of highlighter above my cheeks to give that definition as if I’ve sculpted out my cheeks. For a date night, I like to use a subtle highlighter in powder with gold/copper shades. For this look, I’m using the in shade Ivory Gold.
Step 2: Les Yeux
Eyeshadow & Mascara
When it comes to the eyes, I like to keep my eye makeup pretty simple. For this look, I’m using two shades —a shimmering beige and bronze chocolate— from the makeup palette (in limited edition). I just apply the lightest shade all over my eyelid and then, I intensify and enhance the lash line with the darkest shade.
Then, I curl my lashes and apply some black mascara is an absolute must. It brightens my eyes and gives my lashes the perfect natural curl, so I can make a statement with just a couple of coats.
Eyebrows
When it comes to brows, the bigger the better. French women generally like them generous and not too over defined. Basically, fluffy eyebrows are the go-to look and the is the perfect brow gel for that.
Step 3: La Bouche
For the lips, I reach for something luminous and hydrating like the in the shade Michele. In terms of colors, for a date night, I prefer to wear a nude pink or apricot lipstick shade as it’s more comfortable to wear —especially if I’m planning to eat and drink during the date. It’s just about going a flush of color on my lips, but still keeps things subtle.
If I’m feeling extra ambitious, I can wear bright red lips and my go-to red lipsticks are the in shade Carmen or the in shade Tentation.
Et voilà! I hope this step-by-step guide to chic French date-night makeup will give you all the inspiration you need for your date night! If you have any questions please let me know in the comment below.
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Bonjour! I’m Léonce, the founder of Léonce Chenal, a blog dedicated to French fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. I’m French, and I'm originally from a small town near Annecy. I launched Léonce Chenal in 2018 while working as a data analyst in London to share my love of effortless French style. After living in Paris, London, and Amsterdam, I’ve now settled in the beautiful city of Bordeaux. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me baking pâtisseries, exploring hidden museums, or searching for the perfect perfume. I hope this space brings a touch of beauté to your everyday life!
❤️ I am surprised you didn’t mention bronzer, guelerain specifically. I recently abandoned foundation and I love it. thank you for this piece.