A Parisian Guide To Transitioning Your Beauty Routine Into Fall

Three in-between seasons beauty looks inspired by Parisiennes.

In Paris, everyone gets excited about the back-to-school season, regardless of age. Known as la rentrée, fall is when French life picks up its pace after a long, lazy August, filling Parisians with a newfound verve—or what the French might call ‘élan'. For many a Parisienne in particular, the burst of positive energy can translate into a desire to inject some excitement into her beauty and skincare regimen (especially after going barefaced all summer to deal with the heat). Below, a morning, afternoon, and evening beauty routine inspired by a week in the life of a Parisienne à la rentrée.

01 - Welcome Home
The Look: Sunny, Post-Vacation Glow

The Scenario: Montmatre, Sunday, 8:16am. You wake up and switch on the espresso maker. A few weeks of swimming in the sea, reading by the pool, and sipping ice-cold rosé in the South of France have your complexion glowing—and you want to keep it that way.

The Routine: You start your morning routine with a lushly-textured, five-minute Rose Cryo Sorbet Mask to give your skin a brighter, smoother appearance and tighten your pores. (Its cooling sorbet consistency is perfect for transitioning out of these last weeks of summer heat). After rinsing it off, you massage a few drops of Advanced Génifique Serum into your skin to keep it looking hydrated and healthy. Finally, you swipe La Base Rosy onto your lips to keep them soft, while just slightly turning up their natural color. Coffee’s ready.

02 - Long Lunch
The Look: Low-Key Elegance

The Scenario: Tuileries, Monday, 1:12pm. You’ve snagged a prime seat in the sun at your favorite outdoor lunch spot. Your bonne mine (i.e. glowing complexion) is lighting up the terrace (and seems to have your waiter thoroughly charmed).

The Routine: To give your sun-kissed skin the hydration it needs, you’ve opted for Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra Cream, whose lightweight texture (and anti-aging benefits) make it an ideal makeup base. Rather than applying full foundation, you’ve simply gone ahead and dabbed Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer onto imperfections and under your eyes. A dusting of Blush Subtil is enhancing your natural glow, while you’ve used the pink and taupe shades in the Hypnôse Palette 01, followed by Monsieur Big mascara on your upper and lower lashes to highlight your eyes. The final touch: L’Absolu Rouge Drama Ink in French Touch, applied with your finger for sultry, soft-focus lip color. Garçon!

03 - Summer Apéritif Hour
The Look: Confident Joie de Vivre

03 - Summer Aperitif Hour - The Look: Confident Joie de Vivre

The Scenario: Pont des arts, Friday, 8:30pm. It’s the first Friday cocktail outing since everyone got back from vacation. Surrounded by friends (and with your work crush set to join later on), you’re in a bright, confident mood—and you’ve got a beauty look to match.

The Routine: Your skin? Parfaite, thanks to some expertly-applied and blended Teint Idole Ultra Wear. Your cheekbones? Defined by a dusting of Blush Subtil along your cheekbones. Your eyes? Hypnotic, lined top and bottom with the drama denim blue shade in Hypnôse Palette 16, your go-to evening eyeshadow palette. A few swipes of Hypnôse L’Absolu de Noir Mascara add intensity, which in true Parisian fashion, you’ve balanced out with a low-key, nude lip color. Bon weekend.