There are so many French makeup brands out there —and not to mention so many new products launching daily! So, to make the search somewhat easier for you, I rounded up la crème de la crème of French makeup brands. You know, the ones I go back to time and time again and the ones I know will deliver on their promises every single time. Whether you want to refresh your makeup bag or you’re in the market to treat yourself, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s article, and being French, I’ve rounded up the best French makeup brands I rely on, use daily, and trust implicitly.
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1. Hermès
Founded in 1837, Hermès is constantly reinventing itself. In 1951, the French luxury brand made its first steps into beauty with the launch of its perfume line. In 2014, Hermès added a bath product line featuring shower gels, body creams, and face care products with scents of its perfumes. And it was in 2020 that the Parisian label launched its first-ever makeup line with lipsticks called Rouge Hermès, followed by blushes and nail colors. The brand has now expanded with the introduction of the Plein Air range, which includes balms and matte powders.
2. Chanel
Founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris, the brand specializes in women’s ready-to-wear, luxury goods, and accessories. Chanel is well known for its iconic Chanel N°5 fragrance. Chanel’s first cosmetics line dates back to 1924. Its first makeup collection was comprised of face powders and lipsticks. Nowadays, the brand offers a full range of makeup for the face, eyes, and lips and the perfect nail polish color. Chanel is one of my favorite French makeup brands, with its chic packaging and lightweight, easy-to-use formulas! I love their powders, eye makeup palettes, and blushes in limited editions.
3. Dior
The Maison Dior, founded in 1946, changed the face of ladies’ style forever when its New Look was unveiled in the halls of 30 Avenue Montaigne on February 12, 1947. Shortly after, Monsieur Dior launched its first and now iconic perfume: Miss Dior. Then, Dior Beauty quickly expanded to include luxury makeup and skincare. They first started with lipstick and mascara, two essential products of the 1950s. Iconic stars like Marlène Dietrich, Joséphine Baker, and Grace Kelly were known to be big fans of the Maison.
4. Guerlain
It all began with Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain in 1828. A perfumer, chemist, inventor, and researcher, the House’s founder set up his first boutique in the heart of Paris at 42 rue de Rivoli. The House’s reputation at the courts of Europe peaked in 1853, when, for the marriage of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, Pierre-François-Pascal created his Eau de Cologne Impériale, which he gave to the young bride as a wedding present. Guerlain was the first to create scientifically based skincare, kohl eyeliner, and mascara. In 1840, it introduced the very first lipsticks. Nowadays, some of its classic products (like the iconic Guerlain Terracotta) have proved timeless over the years.
5. Sisley Paris
In 1976, Hubert d’Ornano launched Sisley-Paris with his wife Isabelle. The Parisian label develops luxury skincare, haircare, and makeup products based on active plant ingredients (the “phyto-cosmetology”) for different skin types and uses. Sisley’s research aims to explore the world of plants for unique molecules and then extract their pith and marrow. All Sisley-Paris care products are designed, developed, and manufactured in France.
6. Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier is a world-renowned French makeup artist and the pioneer of the “Flawless Face,” the “no makeup,” healthy, radiant glow —or “bonne mine” in French. During her career as a celebrity makeup artist, Laura began to observe that several products —particularly in the face category— were missing from the traditional cosmetics marketplace. In 1996, she launched her eponymous makeup brand. As an innovator, Laura changed the makeup industry forever by introducing the first foundation primer, which created the perfect canvas for makeup application. Many Laura Mercier products are lauded throughout the industry and have won numerous awards.
7. By Terry
By Terry is an international luxury makeup brand founded in 2000 by Terry de Gunzburg in Paris. Before creating her eponymous brand, de Gunzburg was an in-demand studio makeup artist working across runways and editorials with some of the biggest names in fashion. But her collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent would leave an indelible mark on beauty history. Indeed, as the International Makeup Designer of YSL Beauté for 15 years, Terry invented countless products and formulas, including the iconic Touche Éclat Pen in 1992 (By Terry Brightening CC Luminizer is its equivalent). In 1998, she decided to launch her own collection of products and open its first flagship store in the heart of Paris, Galerie Véro-Dodat.
8. Yves Saint Laurent Beauté
Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent, also known as Yves Saint-Laurent or YSL, was a French fashion designer who, in 1962, founded his eponymous fashion label with his partner Pierre Bergé. YSL is known for its modern and iconic pieces, such as its tuxedo jackets for women and for popularizing women’s trousers for all occasions. YSL has also made a name for itself in the world of luxury beauty, especially with iconic makeup products like the Touche Éclat Pen, created in 1992 by Terry de Gunzburg. The designer thought women looked best under the runway’s gold lights, and the company said it was inspired by this.
9. Chantecaille
Chantecaille, the preeminent botanical beauty brand known for natural, luxurious skincare, fragrance, and beautifying cosmetics, was founded in 1997 by French-born beauty pioneer Sylvie Chantecaille. The line stands out for the uniquely high concentration of naturals and botanicals found in each groundbreaking formula and is also distinguished by the exceptional purity of its ingredients.
10. Lancôme
Originally a fragrance house, Lancôme was founded by the French Armand Petitjean back in 1935. His five perfumes were an immediate success, and he soon moved on to skincare. The first product, Nutrix, an all-purpose repair cream, was launched in 1936 and is still available today. Two years later, he expanded into cosmetics with a pinky-red lipstick scented with roses that remained a bestseller for the following 30 years. L’Oréal acquired Lancôme in 1964, and it is now known as one of the largest luxury skincare companies in the world.
11. Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy’s storied ascent to the famed couturier began in 1952 when he opened the doors to his eponymous Parisian couture house. Born of aristocratic roots, Givenchy had an appreciation of tradition and a tendency for irreverence. In 1953, when Givenchy met Audrey Hepburn, he fell for her irresistible charm and youthful spirit. And she inspired him to create his first fragrance: L’Interdit. The fragrance was released to the public in 1957. In 1989, the luxury brand debuted both skincare and makeup lines. The makeup line was launched with Prisme Libre Finishing & Setting Powder, a revolutionary four-in-one face powder that gave women full sculpting freedom.
12. La Bouche Rouge
The French makeup brand La Bouche Rouge was created by L’Oréal veteran Nicolas Gerlier in 2017 with the ambition to marry luxury and sustainability. The biggest feature of the brand is sustainable manufacturing. Indeed, La Bouche Rouge creates sophisticated and 100% microplastic-free formulas housed in refillable cases that use almost no plastic. The lip body is refilled in a leather case, which also uses scraps from the production process of luxury bags. Très chic!
I’m still upset with Guerlain for discontinue my favorite lipstick color of all time-Kiss Kiss Pushy Pink.
I love Clarins, although I also use YSL, Dior and Lancôme.