Trend cycles are relentless these days. Thanks to social media, there’s a new buzzy skincare ingredient or trendy must-have shade almost daily, and just as quickly, they fade into the abyss, never to be heard of again.

However, one beauty trend that has stood the test of time is French-girl beauty. You know the look: there’s a casualness that looks like they’ve just gotten out of bed but still looks fashionably put together at the same time. It’s effortless but also somehow unattainable to those outside the French borders. French people just do beauty differently.

However, we may have just cracked the code on Parisian beauty, thanks to some intel from a native. Spoiler: it’s all about the small, often unnoticed things.

“Sometimes you’ll see a lacy bra strap or one beautiful piece of jewellery, maybe hidden under your hair. It’s the same kind of approach for make-up,” says French make-up artist and beauty founder Violette Serrat.

How to nail the effortless French-girl beauty look, according to a Parisian make-up artist