How to Wear Red Lipstick Like a French Girl
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Red lipstick is a French beauty signature. Unlike in the U.S., where it’s often saved for a holiday party or romantic date, French women wear it with an air of nonchalance.
But how do they do it? It’s all about finding the right shade, applying it with ease, and pairing it with a natural face. If red often feels too bold for you, the French red lip makes it effortless to add some pigment to your pout.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to wearing red lipstick the French way, whether it’s for a festive glam moment or a classic French makeup look.
Prep Your Lips
Just like your skin, it’s important to do a little prep work first before rocking red. With the cold weather setting in, your lips may feel dry and flaky, so hydration and exfoliation are essential for an even, long-lasting finish.
For a quick at-home fix, apply a thick layer of lip balm, then gently roll a cotton ball over your lips to slough off any dry patches.
If you prefer a chemical exfoliant, the L38 Resurfacing Lip Peel from Typology Paris is formulated with actives like mandelic acid and pomegranate enzyme that remove dead skin for a soft, smooth base.
Follow up with a nourishing lip balm like the Nuxe Rêve de Miel Honey Lip Balm—a French pharmacy favorite that also happens to smell incredible. It also comes in stick form, which I personally love to toss in my bag when I’m on the go.
Find Your Best Color
Not all reds are the same. Finding the right shade for your features (and one that makes you feel your best) is the first step.
There are plenty of guides out there that recommend reds for your skin tone, but your perfect red lipstick also depends on your eye and hair color. That’s why knowing your color season is important if you’re serious about finding a red that truly enhances your natural beauty.
For a long time, I thought cool tones suited my fair skin. After getting professionally assessed as a True Spring (meaning that my complexion is warm and bright), I realized that it was actually the opposite. Now I reach for reds that lean more orange, and it’s made me even more confident in sporting a bold lip.
If you’re unsure about your color season, I highly recommend consulting a color analyst. Believe me when I say, it makes shopping for makeup (and clothes) so much easier! And once you find a red that flatters you, you can make it your signature shade (which is also très chic).
The Best French Red Lipsticks
If you’re after the best French lipstick, these are the ones worth owning.
Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in 99 Pirate (bluish red)
Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in 444 Gabrielle (intense red with subtle golden shimmer)
Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in 999 (iconic red)
Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in 510 Le Rouge Vibrant (bright red)
L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick in 300 Le Rouge Paris (bluish red)
Violette Petal Bouche Matte Lipstick in Amour Fou (true red)
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in R1 Le Rouge (ruby red)
Rouje Le Rouge Semi-Matte Lipstick in Nathalie (coral red)
La Bouche Rouge Lipstick in Pop Art Red (bluish red) and Le Rouge Anja (orangish red)
Apply Red Lipstick the French Way
After thorough prep, it's finally time to reach for your selected shade of red. There are two main approaches to the perfect Parisian pout: precise and polished or soft and blurred. Both are equally chic, but with different vibes. Here’s exactly how to pull off both with French savoir faire.
For a Bold, Classic Red Lip
Consider this the quintessential French red lip. It’s defined, daring, and fitting for days when you have a little extra time to dedicate to your makeup routine.
Start by using a lip liner that matches your lipstick to create a well-defined lip shape. Follow by filling them in for a budge-proof base that helps your lipstick glide on smoothly and stay put throughout the day.
Now you can twist up your chosen red lipstick and apply it to the lower lip, either straight from the tube or using a lip brush for extra precision.
Then, move to the upper lip, being careful not to go outside of the lip line you’ve created. Use a lip brush if needed to perfect finer details like the corners of the mouth.
To further define your pout, dab a bit of concealer onto a clean lip brush and apply it sparingly around the edges of the lips. The Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer is an excellent full-coverage option to clean up any lipstick that may have moved outside of the lip liner.
For a Casual, Lived-In Red
If you’ve ever wondered how French women like Jeanne Damas and Violette Serrat get that bouche mordue (bitten lips) look, you’re in luck. This softly blurred, just-kissed effect is easier to achieve than you think and totally wearable for daytime.
Begin by dabbing your lipstick of choice onto your lips with your fingertip. You don’t want to overdo it, so start with just a touch of color and layer it on lightly.
Gently blend the pigment (no brushes needed), adding more as you go until the color is diffused. You can even smudge a bit above the edges for fuller lips that have a more natural, flushed color.
If you’ve gone a little overboard with the lipstick, simply blot with a tissue to soften things up.
How to Wear Red Lipstick Casually
One reason that French women make red lipstick look so graceful is that they don’t exaggerate the rest of their face. Maybe a subtle cat eye now and then, but most of the time, their makeup stays minimal so that their lips are the focus.
Start with a Bare-Skin Base
For a casual red lip, skip the heavy, full-coverage foundation, and opt for a lightweight formula that allows you to add coverage where needed. Buff it in thin layers for a seamless finish that looks au naturel.
Mixing textures also keeps your overall look more balanced and believable. Try pairing a dewy foundation with a matte lip or a more matte base with a satin or glossy lip.
For dark spots, acne and other areas that require more coverage, pick up a small amount of concealer on a thin brush to precisely correct without overloading your skin with product.
Be Sparing with Blush
Blush can work beautifully with a bold lip, but you don’t want to overemphasize your cheeks. A light touch keeps your complexion fresh and harmonious without taking away from your red lip. We’re going for a faint flush without veering into tomato territory.
Highlight for a Natural Glow
With a statement lip, it’s best to pass on the heavy contouring. Instead, use a highlighter to sculpt your features in a fresher way. Apply it to the top of the cheekbones, apples of the cheeks, just above the eyebrows, along the bridge of the nose, and anywhere else you want to catch the light.
To get your glow, the Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick melts into the skin, delivering a silky sheen that looks so subtle and elegant.
Keep Eye Makeup Minimal
True to the French beauty philosophy, less is more, especially when it comes to eye makeup. When wearing a red lip like a French girl, the eyes don’t need much. In fact, keeping them understated is what makes the look feel fresh and facile.
That said, a little enhancement can go a long way. If you want to define your eyes while still keeping things simple, try a light coat of mascara, a thin trail of eyeliner or a sheer wash of neutral eyeshadow.
Brows should be the same approach. Brush them up for shape but don’t overfill. A tinted brow gel or clear wax will keep them in place without looking too sculpted.
Secrets to Long-Lasting Red Lips
Here are a few final tips to preserve your French red lip all day long.
To avoid getting lipstick on your teeth, form an "O" shape with your lips and place your index finger in your mouth. When you pull your finger out, any excess red lipstick that could possibly get on your teeth should be removed.
Lip products naturally move as you talk, eat, and make facial expressions. It’s always a good idea to check on your lipstick after a meal or when you go to the bathroom.
Keep your current lip lineup in your purse for easy touch-ups. If you use the same products day-to-day, you might consider buying extras just for your bag so you’re never without your signature shade.
Beauty trends come and go, but the red lip has remained a classic—especially when it comes to French beauty. Next time you dare to go bold with your lipstick, refer to this Parisian-inspired guide. Bisous !
What do you think of the French red lip? Which French lipsticks are your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
