I Found 5 French-Girl Techniques for Applying Eye Makeup This Summer, and It's All Because of This Single Product.

      It is often said that the eyes are a window to the soul, and I would also suggest that eye makeup reflects one's style. Whether you lean towards a more maximalist or minimalist approach to makeup, people can see your creative essence through the vibrant colors on your eyelids or the subtle smoky eyeliner tracing your eyes. Your eyes convey more than just warmth, approachability, or a desire for solitude; they also reveal your familiarity with color theory—perhaps you know that deep burgundy eyeshadow enhances your brown eyes or that you chose to skip mascara to allow your lipstick to shine. Constantly seeking to refresh my eye makeup, I often look to French influences for inspiration, captivated by their enigmatic charm, diverse fashion, and effortless allure. While Parisian women are renowned for their bold red lips, French makeup artist Violette Serrat claims her new Violette_Fr Plume Eye Shadow is a true reflection of her lifestyle.

      "In a sense, Plume Eyeshadow might be the most authentically French formula we've developed so far," states Serrat, the artist and founder of the brand. ("After Bisou Balm," she notes.) "I have always been fascinated by the eyes in classic French films—nothing overly polished or 'done,'" she explains, emphasizing a soft, naturally sensual look that enhances your true self while retaining an element of intrigue. Although there are numerous cream eyeshadow sticks, liquid shadows, and powder formulas available, Serrat struggled to find something sheer, user-friendly, and truly French-friendly—something you could simply swipe on and go. "I realized there was nothing on the market that provided that effortless, instinctive application," she tells Who What Wear. To address this gap, her team developed a cream-to-powder formula that offers the seamless blending she desired along with the smoky, transparent finish she wanted. "It has an incredible melt-to-matte effect that merges with the skin, creating a soft veil of color rather than a harsh or flat appearance," she elaborates. Essentially, these shadows are foolproof. According to Serrat, the resulting dreamy shadows with a hint of blue are akin to a play of light rather than a conventional makeup product, allowing you to "build, smudge, and wear them intuitively." It evokes the essence of a French daydream.

      The "French Girl" Approach

      Serrat describes the "French girl" approach as one characterized by restraint. While sheer color washes and diffuse hues may seem effortless, they are usually the outcome of multiple finely layered applications skillfully blended by a trained makeup artist. "I aimed to create a formula that you could effortlessly swipe on with your finger in just two seconds. If you find yourself spending an hour perfecting your eyeshadow in front of a mirror, you've already lost that natural vibe," she adds. Effortless beauty should indeed be just that, right?

      5 Ways to Wear the Plume Eye Shadows

      I devoted an entire paragraph to the French beauty philosophy, which rests on a surprisingly simple premise—messy, hurried, and essentially technique-free. Yet, as an American interpreting French beauty, I naturally complicate matters slightly. Continue reading to discover five ways I’m experimenting with this shadow this summer.

      Watercolour Wash

      The first and most authentic French technique is the smudge-and-go method. Thanks to these soft, sheer shadows, you can simply rub the pad of your finger against the cream powder and apply it to your eyelids for a delicate wash of color. "One trick I enjoy is applying the shadow onto the volume of the eye," says Serrat, referring to the central part of the lid. "I apply it to the center of the eyelid, then add depth to the crease and along the lash line, blending it slightly toward the outer corner of the eye," she explains. "This creates a lively, smoky appearance that feels cinematic and sensual without appearing overly polished." Color Used: Pluie Violette

      VIOLETTE_FR Plume Eyeshadow in Pluie Violette

      Hazy Liner

      One of my favorite eye makeup techniques involves accentuating the lash line with a soft sweep of eyeshadow instead of traditional eyeliner. It offers a softer look that’s perfect for daytime yet can be intensified for an evening look. "I love using a small brush to press it along the upper and lower lash lines, almost like a gentle liner, and then slightly winging it out," says Serrat. "This approach gives your eyes definition and depth without the heaviness of a classic eyeliner." Color Used: Charbon Fumé

      VIOLETTE_FR Plume Eyeshadow in Charbon Fumé

      Soft Smoke

      While I enjoy creating a clean wing with these soft shadows, the formula envelops the eyes in a seductive haze when smudged along the lash line. "I use a combination of fingers and a brush to apply color across the eyelid, concentrating more saturation in the outer corner and along