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| When I moved to Paris, my beauty routine changed dramatically. Amanda Rollins |
Six years ago, I moved from Boston to Paris, and with that leap came not only a change of culture and lifestyle but also a dramatic shift in how I approach beauty. What started as a curiosity about the fabled French aesthetic soon evolved into a complete overhaul of my daily routine. In America, I had a more product-heavy, perfection-oriented approach. But in Paris, I found freedom in simplicity permission to strip it all back and rediscover my natural features. Today, my makeup bag is lighter, my skincare shelf is more intentional, and my relationship with beauty feels more authentic than ever.
Foundation Is No Longer My Go-To
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| I don't wear foundation now that I live in Paris. Amanda Rollins |
Before France, I rarely left home without at least some form of base coverage BB cream, if not full foundation. It was an unspoken rule in Boston that going out, especially for an evening, required a polished face. In contrast, Parisian women exude a quiet confidence, rarely masking their skin with thick layers of product. On a typical Friday night out, I’d see women with little more than a swipe of mascara and a bare face, and that visual cue gave me the confidence to let go of foundation altogether. It sounds simple, but for me, embracing my skin as it is pores, freckles, and all felt surprisingly liberating.
I Stopped Trying to Draw On a New Face Including My Eyebrows
In the US, I constantly filled in my thin, blonde eyebrows in an effort to match the defined, bold brow trend that was everywhere. It never quite felt like me, but I thought it was necessary to “fit in.” Here in Paris, that pressure simply doesn't exist. Most women I meet emphasize grooming over drawing. Now, I reach for a clear brow gel Benefit’s works wonders and style my brows into a soft laminated look. It’s subtle, polished, and more aligned with my features.
Bright Lips Took a Backseat to Sheer Gloss
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| I don't go through as much lipstick anymore. VasilySmirnov/Getty Images |
I arrived in Paris with the idea that red lipstick was the staple of the French woman’s makeup bag. But I quickly discovered that the classic crimson pout is more myth than daily practice. While you’ll certainly see a bold lip here and there, especially during the holidays, most women lean toward bare or naturally tinted lips. I swapped out lipsticks and long-wear stains for nourishing lip oils that add hydration and just a hint of sheen. The result? A look that’s effortless and chic, not overdone.
Highlighter? Rarely. Glow? Absolutely.
Back in Boston, a touch of shimmer on the cheekbones was part of my regular evening look especially if I was heading out. But in Paris, the emphasis is less on “blinding” highlighters and more on natural luminosity. I’ve replaced highlighter powders with multipurpose balms and shimmering face oils, like those from NUXE, which deliver a radiant glow while also treating the skin. It’s skincare meets subtle glam, and I honestly don’t miss the sparkle overload.
A Minimal Eye, With Maximum Impact
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| Eyeshadow is no longer a part of my everyday routine. Iuliia Pilipeichenko/Getty Images |
Where American beauty often celebrates a dramatic eye with smoky shadows, bold liners, and lash extensions Parisian women keep it minimal. Here, mascara is often the only eye product in play. It elongates the lashes, opens the eyes, and finishes the look without veering into overly done territory. I’ve embraced this minimalist approach wholeheartedly. I no longer fuss with eyeliner or eyeshadow palettes, which has drastically cut down my getting-ready time and makes removing makeup a breeze.
Skincare Is My New Obsession
If French beauty has a religion, it’s skincare. While makeup may be minimal, skincare routines are thoughtful, consistent, and often luxurious. In the US, I picked up serums and sheet masks from discount stores without much thought. But living in Paris, I’ve learned to treat skincare as a ritual. I now use carefully curated products from French pharmacy staples like La Roche-Posay and indie brands like Typology. My skin feels healthier, more hydrated, and brighter than ever. Prioritizing skin health has become central to how I define beauty.
Preventive Treatments Are Normalized and Subtle
Over the past few years, I’ve started exploring preventive beauty treatments. Whether it’s age, environment, or influence, I’ve gradually incorporated small enhancements into my routine: Botox on my forehead twice a year, lip filler every other year, Hydrafacials every few months, and brow laminations on a regular basis. In France, these treatments are considered personal maintenance nothing extreme or transformative, just subtle refinements. The results are barely noticeable to most, but they help me feel more confident and refreshed.
False Lashes Are (Almost) a Thing of the Past
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| False lashes aren't part of my going-out makeup routine anymore. vladans/Getty Images |
When I lived in the US, false lashes were a regular Friday night staple. I always had a stash on hand for parties or dinners. But in Paris, the standard of beauty leans heavily toward the natural. Dramatic lashes look out of place here, and over time, they’ve fallen out of my routine. In six years, I’ve worn falsies fewer than five times. Instead, I rely on a good mascara to do the job and frankly, I love the simplicity.
Hair Styling? Not Required
One of the biggest surprises since relocating has been how much less time I spend doing my hair. In Boston, I’d often spend hours curling, straightening, or otherwise perfecting my look. But French beauty culture leans into the undone. Think: tousled waves, a low-maintenance bun, or simply air-dried texture. These days, I either let my hair dry naturally or add soft waves with the Shark FlexStyle and brush them out with my fingers. The look is easy, breezy, and totally Parisian and it saves me so much time.
Living in Paris has not only reshaped my beauty routine it’s redefined how I see myself. French women don’t just look different; they think differently about beauty. There’s less pressure to perfect and more permission to embrace. I've swapped layers of makeup for layers of moisturizer, drama for ease, and conformity for authenticity. The result? A routine that feels sustainable, stylish, and true to me.
