It’s not just French skin care that’s amazing. In fact, French beauty brands are probably the best in the world. Whether it’s a French bob, minimalist skincare, or spectacularly chic makeup, they nail it to perfection.
French beauty brands with a rich history tend to put efficacy, hassle-free packaging and sustainability at the heart of their ethos, and it shows. Beauty trends come and go, but the best products last for generations. As a beauty editor who tests products for a living, there are many French brands that stand out when it comes to beauty, but these nine brands and 18 products stand out as the very best of the best.
Best hair brands in France
1. Chloran
Cloran was founded in 1965 by Pierre Fabre, a young pharmacist with a passion for plants and botanical ingredients. Since its first product, a shampoo formulated for blonde hair, the brand has built a habit of producing great products. Two perennial favorites are Dry Shampoo (which consistently takes the top spot among beauty editors as the best dry shampoo) and Peony Shampoo for sensitive scalps.
Chloran Oat Milk Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a favorite among beauty experts not only in the UK but also in France. We can’t seem to get enough of this shampoo.
Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Organic Peony for Sensitive Scalps
It does exactly what it says on the beautifully packaged bottle. Wash your hair while thoroughly soothing your sensitive scalp.
2. Christoph Robin
World-renowned colorist Christophe Robin launched his first consumer product in 1999, and it has been a household favorite ever since. Most of us know and love Christophe’s Robin’s Amazing Scalp His Scrub, but the brand has also established the formula for his Deep His Conditioning Mask and Shade His Variation Mask. This brand has mastered clever and unique textures and offers innovative and effective products to our hair care routine.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub
This beautiful clarifying scrub removes dirt and leftover hair care products from your scalp. This scrub contains large sea salt flakes that create a great lather and thoroughly cleanse your scalp.
Christophe Robin Regeneration Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
If your hair is dry and damaged and in need of some TLC, this mask does a great job of revitalizing your hair, leaving it incredibly soft and smelling great.
3. La Bonne Bros.
Of course, we also carry La Bonne Brosse’s beautifully crafted hairbrushes. This brand champions craftsmanship in the hair industry, and the results are stunning. Add some luxury to the mundane task of combing your hair, and you’ll definitely fall in love with this ritual.
N.04 Almond green miracle petite brush
This brush not only looks great, but thanks to its boar bristles, it’s also great at detangling delicate hair without tugging at it.
La Bonne Bros N.04 Creamy White Miracle Petit Brush
The Miracle Petite Brush is inspired by Japanese acupressure brushes, with soft nylon fibers that feel great on your scalp and easily detangle.
Best French skin care brands
4. La Roche Posay
If I could only use one skincare brand for the rest of my life, it would definitely be La Roche Posay. This brand knows how to create spectacular, hard-working products at affordable prices. Considering the brand’s origins date back to the 1400s, it’s no wonder the brand has reduced its formulas to works of art. However, this brand as we know it today was born in 1975. The formula endorses La Roche-Posay thermal water while remaining science-driven in a way that sets the standard for the entire skin care industry.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
This is a product that I would recommend to anyone and you will never be disappointed if you try it. Cicaplast acts as a highly soothing and restorative ointment, able to soothe even the driest and chapped skin.
La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
This is the sunscreen that ultimately caused many people to get into the habit of wearing SPF every day. It’s lightweight, invisible, and a really nice product. This is no mean feat.
5. Caudalie
Caudalie products are so much fun to use. It’s a brand that I enjoy using, and it’s even more fun to give as a gift. This brand harnesses the power of grape seed polyphenols He was born in Bordeaux in 1995 and has grown ever since. Fast forward to today, Caudalie has mastered face and body formulas that put sustainability at the forefront.
Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream
One of the most expensive products of the brand, but very luxurious. Premier Crusa Creme is a rich, buttery cream that aims to help he eight signs of aging. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked. It has a vegan formula and comes in a convenient refill bottle.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow Face Mist
This is where TikTok has had a huge impact on brands. This multitasking feature refreshes and soothes your skin while ensuring your makeup stays in place throughout the day and late into the night.
6. Nyx
Nuxe was born in 1990 as a small brand in Paris and achieved great success in a very short period of time. Known for its beautiful multi-purpose oils and amazing skin care products, it’s a firm favorite among many, and even more beloved thanks to the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Florale Multipurpose Dry Oil
Huile Prodigieuse Florale takes everything we know about love about the original oil and adds a delicate floral scent. Contains 7 types of plant oils to moisturize your skin and hair.
Nux Reve de Miel Honey Lip Balm
My favorite is honey lip balm. It’s incredibly thick, so I like to use it as a lip mask overnight so that my lips are soft and comfortable when I wake up in the morning. This is one of the few lip balms that I can confidently recommend for chapped lips. It’s almost magical.
Best French Makeup Brands
7. Chanel
Chanel needs no introduction, but it’s clear that it ranks first on the list as France’s favorite makeup brand (though it’s clearly not the only one). His makeup collection was first launched in 1924 and remains a luxury favorite 100 years later. Today, we’re big fans of Chanel’s foundations, mascaras, and skin enhancers that continue to impress us.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
One of the most amazing bronzers is Chanel’s Les Beiges Bronzing Cream. It blends beautifully into your skin, creating a natural, healthy glow. It’s like you’ve just returned from a glorious week in the sun.
Chanel Noir Allure Mascara
As a huge mascara fan, it takes a lot to impress me, so I was surprised at how much I liked the Chanel Noir Allure Mascara. It really works as expected for lengthening, curling, and contouring your eyelashes.
8. Dior
Dior first introduced makeup in 1953 with the lipstick Rouge Dior. Since then, this brand has created some of our most beloved makeup products. From elegant mascara formulas to innovative complexion products to iconic lipsticks, your day is always a joy while wearing Dior makeup.
Of course, I had to add Dior Lip Glow here. It became a sensation on TikTok and has become a must-have handbag for keeping your lips shiny and moisturized.
dior forever skin glow foundation
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation is a gorgeous, lightweight base that gives your skin a healthy, natural glow that won’t look cakey or settle into fine lines.
9. Laura Mercier
It’s important to note that makeup artist Laura Mercier is French, although she moved to New York in the ’80s before launching her eponymous brand stateside. She always had a passion for painting, but when she changed from art school to makeup school, she chose to switch her canvas from paper to faces. In 1996 she launched her brand starting with Secret Her Camouflage Her Concealer, which is still popular with many people. Since then, countless Laura Mercier products have become staples in the bags of artists, editors, and make-up professionals alike, thanks to their natural-looking and glow-enhancing formulas.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
There’s a good reason why it’s an iconic product and a staple in many people’s daily lives. This loose setting powder helps set makeup, blur imperfections, and control oil without looking cakey or feeling dry and uncomfortable.
laura mercier secret camouflage concealer
Interview makeup artists and it’s rare that secret camouflage doesn’t come up as a must-have. A great all-rounder for covering age spots, scars, pigmentation and hiding dark circles. The rich, refreshing formula provides full coverage and looks amazingly natural. However, the brand definitely needs more shades in its lineup.