Minimize Your Makeup Bag With High End French Finds You Can Afford

DISCLOSURE

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Have you ever gazed longingly at those chic, glossy, high-end makeup collections in stores or online and thought, “Ah, that is my dream makeup bag”?

Perhaps it’s the minimalist design or the intoxicating aura of expensive luxury that entices us. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the “made in France” label that sends us into raptures about iconic luxury makeup collections.

Well, darling, if you crave that high-end luxury feel for your makeup but don’t have $500 lying around for a complete makeup bag reboot, you simply must read this week’s post.

I’m going to reveal what makes high-end makeup so alluring and how you can recreate that luxurious vibe on a budget.

So, if you’re daydreaming about a sumptuous makeup collection, stop dreaming and start creating your perfect luxury makeup bag.

I see you, navigating motherhood with nothing but sheer willpower and an under-eye concealer that you haven’t seen the bottom of since your pre-child days. Allow me, your glamorous French confidante, to share that the secret to effortless beauty includes only five—yes, five—products in your makeup bag. Stick around and get in the know if you don’t have time or energy for a 20-step beauty routine because you’re just trying to survive until bedtime.

Simplicity is Chic

Ah, simplicity. One of the key elements in high-end makeup is simplicity—from the packaging to the product offerings and colors. It’s no wonder that many high-end makeup brands embrace a sleek, simple design; simplicity is, after all, the hallmark of French beauty ideals.

When designing a truly elegant makeup bag, it must be simple to exude that high-end vibe. What do I mean by “simple”? Darling, pare it down to no more than five products, tops. Using fewer products for a typical everyday face is très French and chic! It achieves that perfect no-makeup look.

Plus, when you do your makeup, you won’t have to rummage around for your favorite mascara at the bottom of your bag. Rummaging isn’t chic, and you won’t be caught dead doing it in public with a minimalist, chic makeup bag.

Now, if the thought of limiting your makeup bag to five products or fewer terrifies you, listen closely. You must be strategic about the products you include. With fewer products, each one must make an impact.

Trésor #1: The Base—Your New Best Friend

First, let’s talk about your face. You don’t really need any foundation, oh no! In fact, most French women despise foundation. Instead you should opt for the French favorite of tinted moisturizer instead. But what is the difference, you ask?

Tinted moisturizer is a cross between a foundation and a moisturizer. Think lighter and more moisturizing than foundation. This is the crème de la crème of face perfectors: after all, you want to look like you’ve been sipping espresso in a Parisian café instead of chugging lukewarm coffee from your kitchen, non? One pump, blend it with your fingers (because who has time for brushes?), and you’re transformed from “I’ve been awake all night” to “I woke up like this.” It’s like magic in a tube, darling.

For the closest second-skin match, I recommend this $42 tinted moisturizer made in France. It truly is skincare and makeup in one.

Le Trésor #2: Mascara—The Instant Energizer

Next, we have mascara. Because even if you’re bored out of your mind, your lashes should never be. Choose a mascara that promises volume, length, and resilience against the tears of your children and, let’s be real, your own. Apply sparingly the less coats, the better. When you bat those minimalist lashes, you will feel you’re living a life of intrigue and romance, and not one of back-to-back PTA meetings.

My favorite mascara is $28 and made in France: it gives volume and lift to lashes while using clean ingredients.

Le Trésor #3 — One Brow Wonder: Perfection Made Simple

Brows, darlings, are the unsung heroes of the face. A well-groomed brow can trick anyone into thinking you have your life together. Grab a bottle of eyebrow serum, you don’t even have to worry if it matches your hair color (or your ideal hair color, let’s be flexible here). Let’s forget about the 17-step brow kits—you need just one bottle of serum to apply nightly which will magically fill in your brows over time and then you can pretend they’re naturally perfect. If your brows end up looking like distant cousins rather than twins, just call it avant-garde. Suddenly you’ve gone from “frazzled mom” to “I run this circus with poise.” They won’t know how many times you’ve reheated your coffee this morning.

My favorite $35 eyebrow serum is made in France and is super simple since you don’t even have to use a brow pencil to get fuller and darker brows!

Trésor #4: Effortless Chic: The Glow That Does It All

Ah, illumination. The secret weapon in the battle against looking like you’ve given up and joined a cult of sweatpants enthusiasts. Opt for a liquid illuminator that you can easily mix into your moisturizer. A few strategic dabs on your cheeks, and suddenly you’re channeling a healthy glow that says, “I’ve been outdoors,” even if the closest you’ve come to nature is the potted plant in your living room. Plus, in a pinch, you can use it as an emergency finger-paint for your toddler’s impromptu masterpiece. Who said makeup couldn’t be versatile? I once used this smart mom hack when I was out and about but short on toddler art supplies. Liquid illuminator was a great substitute for toddler finger painting, and we avoided a not so chic meltdown. Bravo, Maman!

I recommend these $35 glow drops made in France for the perfect healthy glow. Its liquid formula makes it highly bendable even with just fingers so you can skip the brush, further simplifying your life and makeup bag!

Le Trésor #5: Lip Color—The Ultimate Mood Booster

Finally, the pièce de résistance: lip oil. Choose a shade that makes you feel alive, like you’ve just stepped out of a Vogue spread and not a minivan. A bold red for those moments when you need to channel your inner femme fatale. One swipe, and you’re no longer just a bored mom—you’re a bored mom with style. And trust me, that makes all the difference.

I recommend this $28 lip oil made in France in the color Ruby Red for a bold finish. This super moisturizing formula will keep your lips conditioned year around with fabulous color pay off as well!

Et voilà, my darlings, there you have it. Five products. Five powerhouses. Each one carefully chosen to ensure you look effortlessly chic with minimal fuss. Who needs an arsenal of beauty products when you can have just a handful of perfection?

So, next time you see someone lugging around a makeup bag the size of a small country, just smile knowingly. They may have quantity, but you, mon amie, have quality. By following my minimalist makeup bag formula, you can transform your makeup into a chic, made-in-France collection—all without breaking the bank. Who ever thought you could have a whole new bag of French makeup for under $200?

Yours Truly,

The Glamtorious Mrs.

4/1/22