I Asked 3 French Women What Beauty Products They Toss in Their Beach Bags—23 Chic Essentials
Our take
The enduring allure of French beauty lies in its perceived simplicity—an effortless chic that transcends fleeting trends. This recent piece, detailing the beach bag essentials favored by three French women, reinforces this narrative, but it also offers a deeper insight into a philosophy of mindful consumption and prioritized well-being. Rather than overflowing kits, these women champion a curated selection of high-performing products, a principle we’ve consistently advocated for, as exemplified by our recent exploration of Reimagined Intrecciato Silhouettes to Treasure Forever: The 5 Timeless Bottega Veneta Bags to Know Now. The emphasis isn't on maximalism, but on investing in a few exceptional pieces that serve multiple purposes, a distinction that resonates with the modern luxury mindset. It’s a rejection of the constant churn of the beauty industry in favor of considered choices and lasting quality.
The article’s focus on streamlined routines—swapping red lipstick for tinted balm, forgoing makeup altogether—speaks directly to a growing desire for authenticity and a move away from heavily constructed aesthetics. This isn't about abandoning beauty entirely; it's about redefining it on one's own terms, prioritizing skin health and natural radiance. The inclusion of face mists and lightweight sunscreens highlights the importance of protection and hydration, vital components of a truly effective and elegant beauty regimen. It echoes the understated elegance we celebrated in our recent coverage of Parisian footwear trends, Spotted in Paris—the Surprising Shoe Trend That Looks Chic with Shorts and Knee-Length Skirts, where functionality and timeless style are paramount. The list leans into essentials, avoiding unnecessary frills and prioritizing products that genuinely enhance, rather than mask, natural beauty.
This shift in focus has broader implications for the beauty industry, signaling a potential move away from the relentless pursuit of the “perfect” face and towards a celebration of individuality and self-care. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking brands that align with their values and offer tangible results, not just aspirational marketing. The French approach, with its emphasis on quality ingredients and minimalist routines, provides a compelling alternative to the often-overwhelming world of beauty trends. The rise of affordable alternatives to luxury staples, as seen with Zara’s iteration of The Row flats If You Love Kendall and Elsa's The Row Flats, Zara's $40 Version Is Almost Impossible to Tell Apart, further underscores the accessibility of this elevated aesthetic, democratizing the pursuit of effortless chic.
Ultimately, the French beach bag reveals more than just a list of products; it embodies a philosophy. It’s a testament to the power of intentionality, the beauty of simplicity, and the enduring appeal of a well-curated life. As consumers continue to prioritize conscious consumption and self-care, will we see a wider adoption of this minimalist, yet undeniably chic, approach to beauty and beyond? The shift towards prioritizing efficacy and natural radiance suggests a future where less truly is more—a sentiment that aligns perfectly with our own ethos of timeless elegance and curated experiences.
French women are synonymous with effortless, low-key beauty, but when the temperatures soar above 85°F, their routines become even more streamlined. Swipes of red lipstick make way for taps of tinted lip balm. Some individuals even forgo makeup altogether, and only essential skincare heroes (serum-like sunscreen, facial mist) make it into their carry-ons. Though you may find some surprising staples, such as a cooling jelly sheet mask, peeking out of their straw totes.
Basically, if you're ever looking for "work smarter, not harder" summer beauty recommendations, you should ask a French woman for a glimpse inside her beach bag. If that sounds rather unrealistic and perhaps a little extra, the next best thing you can do is scroll ahead. I tasked three of the chicest French women I know with sharing their ride-or-die vacation items for every getaway imaginable. Your Euro summer awaits!
Franny Fyne, Content Creator
I shouldn't be surprised that Paris-based content creator Franny Fyne, with her wispy French-girl fringe and collection of minimalist-chic outfits, has her vacation beauty regimen down to a science. "On holiday, my routine takes all of five minutes," she tells me, noting l'Ampolla—a small village in Catalonia—as her favorite getaway spot. "Several beaches, a little house a few kilometers away surrounded by olive trees, a timeless atmosphere… It's my anchor, my annual reset for the past few years." While she hasn't booked concrete plans this year, "l'Ampolla doesn't ask for much, and that's exactly what makes it [her] little corner of paradise."
If and when she does book the trip, she'll pack just the essentials: sunscreen, a gel face mask she chills in the freezer the night before ("I take it out when the heat becomes truly intense—guaranteed surprise from everyone around me and immediate soothing relief," she quips), and a few "no-makeup makeup" heroes for a lightweight, dewy visage. "Letting the skin breathe while giving it that little radiance that makes all the difference," she adds.
All these staples—along with a book, a pareo skirt, and sun oil—pile up in her wicker basket, which she deems the ultimate Euro summer accessory. "It embodies that quiet nonchalance that nothing else can quite imitate," she says. "It sets the tone before you've even set foot on the sand. Ultimately, [it's] the most French thing there is."
Shop Fyne's Beach Bag
Fyne's wicker bag of choice is COS's handwoven straw tote in a rich chocolate brown.
"On holiday, my skincare routine simplifies without sacrificing anything. Sun protection is obviously the absolute nonnegotiable," she says. Her favorites, including this Elemis number, have three criteria in common. "They're fluid, leave no white cast, and work on all skin types," she adds. "I apply them alone or as the last step of my routine once all my other products have been absorbed."
"When I want a glowy finish, I add the Merit Great Skin Instant Radiance Serum just before [sunscreen]," she explains. "One extra step, one extra-luminous result."
"My morning ritual comes down to a water rinse, the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray to soothe, a glass of warm lemon water—inner care, outer care—then my [skincare] routine, then sun protection," Fyne shares.
"Merit found its place in my bag naturally. I love their philosophy as much as their products: a cohesive line designed to simplify. The Minimalist stick I take absolutely everywhere in two shades, depending on my tan: Taurillon and Cacao. [I also use] the Flush Balm on cheeks and lips for a touch of color that melts into the skin," she says.
Fyne is also quick to praise the Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm, which she describes as a "real gem, light as a second skin."
"For fragrance, Matière Première Vanilla Powder. The notes are exceptional, and whenever I wear it, I'm consistently stopped and asked for a reference," she says.
Sophie Carbonari, Celebrity Aesthetician
"I don't make summer plans. I've decided that spontaneity is the ultimate luxury I can afford myself at this point. I simply close my studio when I want to leave and go," Paris-based celebrity aesthetician Sophie Carbonari says. That sentence officially cements her as the chicest Parisian I know—as if I didn't already consider her iconic. Typically, however, her summer starts in Arles for a weeklong getaway, commencing with the Rencontres d'Arles photography festival.
"Breakfast at Mazette, lunch at Nord-Pinus (where I work from my laptop), afternoons browsing at L'Arlatan, shopping at Moustique, flamenco nights, and dinner at Inari. From there, I visit friends in Marseille, then head to the Amalfi Coast—Naples and the surrounding area. I get everything I love: art, sea, food, and sun," she muses. "But honestly, who knows where I'll go this year?" It seems like a solid plan to me!
Given she's one of Paris's most sought-after facialists, you better believe she has her on-the-go skincare routine down pat. "I try to be minimal but intentional," she says, encouraging refreshing mist, smoothing serum, and post-sun recovery formulas, all of which you'll discover below. "People think skincare is optional on vacation, but it's actually when it matters most," she adds. "Sun damage, salt water, chlorine, dehydration—your skin is under siege. You either support it or spend the next month recovering."
Shop Carbonari's Beach Bag
"I bring the IS Clinical Cleansing Complex for removing makeup and sunscreen," Carbonari notes. It just so happens to be my all-time favorite cleanser for summer too!
With three patented plant cell extracts, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and centella asiatica, Carbonari's S Serum is essentially a one-stop shop for glowing vacation skin. Even Carbonari herself calls it a "traveling skin saver."
When it comes to makeup, Carbonari keeps it simple and skin focused. "I'm not a heavy-makeup person, but what I bring is specific: a liquid highlighter for cheekbones, eyelids, and brow bones; Eve Cloud [Paint] Blush; and L'Huile Prodigieuse for my body. I want to look like myself—just lit from within. Not made up. Just present," she says.
This is a beloved French pharmacy hero. I'm not surprised Carbonari considers it an essential.
"I bring Pattern's travel kit for my hair," Carbonari adds. "I'm particular about hydration and curl definition in salt air."
As for the most surprising item? Arnica shower gel, specifically this rich formula from Weleda. "After sun exposure and salt water, your skin needs anti-inflammatory support and repair. Most people reach for the wrong things—harsh soaps, heavy oils. Arnica is the answer," she declares.
French women, including Carbonari, love their facial mists! "It's completely unnecessary and completely essential—a spray bottle of water. It's the most French thing possible," she says. It also makes perfect sense for a scorching beach day, I must add.
Violette Serrat, Makeup Artist
Violette Serrat certainly knows a thing or two about low-maintenance makeup. "The only way to look effortless is to be effortless. That's really the secret. It's five minutes in the bathroom, not 50," the iconic makeup artist and Violette_FR founder once told me about her best French beauty tips. Of course, her vacation beauty regimen subscribes to a similar philosophy, whether she's headed to the South of France ("truly one of my favorite places in the world," she tells me) or, like this summer, recharging at her home in picturesque Connecticut. Case in point? When headed to the beach, this makeup artist actually eschews makeup.
"I never wear makeup to the beach, just a little Balm Amour for healthy shine, a bandana—which French women always seem to have—and a book that I seem to never have time to read," she shares. "For me, French beauty is about enjoying the moment, not worrying about how you look." With that, find her pre- and post-sun essentials ahead.
Shop Serrat's Beach Bag
"When I travel anywhere warm or humid, I always bring Boum-Boum Milk," she says. "It's the foundation of my skincare routine. It's lightweight, so it never feels sticky in the heat, and it helps protect my skin so it can better handle travel, changes in sleep, and long days outdoors."
"For summer trips, I always pack an SPF. Right now, I'm using Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 along with my UV Damage Rescue Serum."
Here, we have said UV Damage Rescue Serum, which calls upon centella asiatica, hexapeptides, and a natural form of polyglutamic acid to reduce inflammation, fade sunspots, and deeply hydrate. "I love applying it after a day in the sun because it helps calm and hydrate my skin when it needs a little extra support," Serrat says.
You won't find any makeup in Serrat's beach bag aside from this buttery tinted lip balm in either Noisette or Dahlia Noir. "It's the perfect touch of color and [supplies] healthy shine," she shares.
"Avec Amour is always with me. It's my signature scent and melds beautifully with salty skin after a day by the water. Somehow, it feels even more sensual on vacation," she says.
"I also love layering [Avec Amour] on top of Kiehl's Musk Body Lotion. The two scents work so well together," she continues.
"I never travel without a sheet mask," she explains. "Lately, I've been obsessed with the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask. After a long flight, it's such a nice reset for my skin."
"I also stopped using conditioner altogether and just use Rōz hair milk. It leaves my hair soft without weighing it down," she adds.
As discussed, Serrat rarely wears makeup on vacation, but when she does, she'll opt for a featherlight skin tint. "Right now, I've been loving Ciele's tinted serum with SPF mixed with a little Boum-Boum Milk," she says. "It gives me enough coverage while still looking like skin, so I can save makeup for dinner or the evening."
Opening image: @frannfyne
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