I Inquired with 3 French Women About the Beauty Products They Pack in Their Beach Bags—23 Stylish Must-Haves

      French women are emblematic of effortless, understated beauty, but as temperatures exceed 85°F, their routines become even more simplified. Instead of bold red lipstick, they often reach for tinted lip balm. Some even skip makeup entirely, relying solely on essential skincare items like serum-like sunscreen and facial mist for their travel bags. You might even spot some unexpected items, like a cooling jelly sheet mask, tucked away in their straw totes. Essentially, if you're in search of summer beauty tips that emphasize "working smarter, not harder," a French woman's beach bag is the perfect place to look. If that feels a bit unrealistic or excessive, your best alternative is to keep reading. I asked three of the most stylish French women I know to share their must-have vacation items for any getaway. A European summer awaits!

      Franny Fyne, Content Creator

      It's no surprise that Paris-based content creator Franny Fyne, with her wispy French-girl bangs and array of minimalist outfits, has perfected her vacation beauty routine. "When I'm on holiday, my routine takes only five minutes," she tells me, mentioning l'Ampolla—a small village in Catalonia—as her favorite escape. "There are several beaches, a little house a few kilometers away surrounded by olive trees, and a timeless ambiance… It’s my anchor, my annual reset for the last few years." While she hasn't finalized her travel plans this year, "l'Ampolla requires little, which is exactly why it feels like [her] personal slice of paradise." Once she commits to the trip, she'll only bring the essentials: sunscreen, a gel face mask that she cools in the freezer the night before ("I take it out when the heat becomes intense—guaranteed to elicit surprised reactions and provide immediate soothing," she jokes), and a few "no-makeup makeup" essentials for a fresh, dewy look. "Letting the skin breathe while giving it a slight glow makes all the difference," she adds. All of these necessities—plus a book, a pareo skirt, and sun oil—fit in her wicker basket, which she considers the ultimate accessory for a European summer. "It represents that effortless chic that nothing else can replicate," she states. "It sets the mood before you even step onto the sand. Ultimately, it's the epitome of French style."

      Shop Fyne's Beach Bag

      COS

      Hand-Woven Market Tote

      Fyne opts for COS's handwoven straw tote in a rich chocolate shade.

      ELEMIS

      Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50

      "My skincare routine is simpler on holiday without compromising on essentials. Sun protection is absolutely non-negotiable," she notes. Her favorites, including this product from Elemis, share three characteristics. "They’re fluid, leave no white cast, and suit all skin types," she adds. "I apply them alone or as the final step after all my other products have been absorbed."

      "When I want a glowing finish, I apply the Merit Great Skin Instant Radiance Serum just before [the sunscreen]," she explains. "One added step provides an extra luminous result."

      Avène

      Thermal Spring Water

      "My morning routine consists of a water rinse, using Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray to soothe, followed by a glass of warm lemon water—inner care and outer care—before my [skincare] routine and then sun protection," Fyne shares.

      "Merit has naturally found its way into my bag. I love their philosophy as much as their products: a cohesive line designed for simplicity. The Minimalist stick I carry everywhere in two shades, depending on my tan: Taurillon and Cacao. I also use the Flush Balm on cheeks and lips for a hint of color that integrates seamlessly into the skin," she mentions.

      Laura Mercier

      Tinted Blur Balm Skin Tint

      Fyne is quick to highlight the Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm, which she calls a "true gem, light as a second skin."

      Matière Première

      Vanilla Powder Eau de Parfum

      "For fragrance, Matière Première Vanilla Powder is my choice. The scent notes are incredible, and I’m frequently asked for a reference whenever I wear it," 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 right now. I just close my studio when I feel like leaving," says Paris-based celebrity aesthetician Sophie Carbonari, solidifying her status as one of the chicest Parisians I know—though I always regarded her as iconic. Typically, her summer begins in Arles for a week-long trip, aligning with the Rencontres d'Arles photography festival. "Breakfast at Mazette, lunch at Nord-Pinus (where I work from my laptop), afternoons wandering at L'Arlatan, shopping at Moustique, flamenco nights, and dinner at Inari. Then I visit