Make Up in a School Setting: Faut-on ou Faux Pas?

So we've seen a little slice of what some French people like to keep on hand for their everyday beauty needs in my recent bathroom spy posts, but can we see any of these products in use out in the everyday world? Are there certain situations where makeup is more appropriate? Less appropriate?

I guess I'll start by talking about what I have seen in my work place - two different middle schools. From what I experienced as a student in the US, I expected teachers in France to be dressed more or less business casual, with maybe the rare exception to the rule in the gym teacher or the long-time prof. What I found, however, was much more casual. Teachers, basically, can wear whatever they want within the limits of reason. Jeans are an everyday kind of thing for teachers in my French middle schools, which I never saw any of my teachers wearing as a kid unless there was a fundraiser going on for Casual Friday.

Mirroring the more casual trend in dress, my female French colleagues don't seem to wear a lot of make-up to school on a daily basis. Whether or not the majority wear a tinted moisturizer or BB cream to even out imperfections I don't know, but I do note that the overall look is generally bare faced. (Most of the French people I've met have FABULOUS skin, so they can rock this look pretty well.) I will come across the occasional beauty regular, but their choice of colors and application always steers towards a more natural look rather than a bold one. I love a red lip or a dramatic cat eye at all times of the day, so my makeup choices really stand out and have actually been a topic of conversation with some of my students.

What do you guys think? Do you expect something different from what is rumored to be the most fashionable country in the world? Have you seen similar things in your experience in French schools? Let me know in the comments below!

Demographic No. 3: Seaside Family of Femmes

The last place that we stayed was a big beauty surprise! Because this family had two girls between the ages of 25 living in the house, they had a myriad of products stocked in the bathroom that the girls were more than happy to talk about. Hope you enjoy the peak into their routine as much as I did!

• Avène Eau Micellaire
• Nuxe Gelée Exfoliante - Rose Pétales
• Le Petit Marseillaise Lait Douche
• Carrefour Orange Hand Soap
• Signal Whitening Toothpaste
• DeMakeup Makeup Wipes
• SUN Ultimate Bronze Minute, Satin Self-Tanning Spray
• Klorane Leave-In Cream with Mango Butter
• Revlon Professional UNIQ One
• Cils Démask - Démaquillant yeux
• Ducray Diaseptyl Spray for Fatigued Skin
• Hema Hand - Crème Mains Superhydratante
• Mixa Soin Mains Réparatrice Intensive Peaux Sèches
• L'Oréal Professional Absolute Repair Lipidium, Instant Resurfacing Shampoo
• Clarins Intense Bronze Self-Tanning Tint
• Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanner
• SOBIOetic Huile Universelle Plaisirs d'Argan
• Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Body Lotion
• La Roche Posay Physiane Emulsion Protective
• La Roche Posay Anthelios 20SPF Spray
• La Roche Posay Anthelios 50SPF Face
• Bébé Cadum Lait de Toilette Hydratante
• Biafine Emulsion pour les Cuticles
• Makeup Forever HD Primer
• Sephora Iridescent Cream Shadow
• Maria Galland Hydrating Makeup Remover
• Syoss Kératine Perfection, Shampooing Perfecteur
• Mixa Douche - Soin Antidéssèchement
• Sanex Zero% Gel Douche
• Garnier Beauté Gommage Beauté Absolue
• Hydralin Apaisa Protection Quotidien Soin d'Hygène Intime
• Steripan Crème Très Exfoliante Hema Nail Polish Remover
• Nuxellence Jeunesse 

Demographic No. 2: Young Twenty-Something Heterosexual Couple

My second Couchsurfing experience came with some awesome roommates in tow! Our Couchsurfing host had signed on four surfers, me and my friend Tatiana and a young couple moving from Paris and needing a place to stay while looking for something permanent to rent. Salina and Kenzo* were a really nice alternative pair, fond of hitchhiking (which apparently is still done in France?!) and taking life as it comes. Their toiletries weren't particularly abundant, probably because of the move, but they served as a great sample of young, normal French people on a budget. Find what they used down below!

• L'Oréal Absolute Douceur Lait Démaquillant Confort Suprème
• L'Oréal Absolute Douceur Tonique Caresse Confort Suprème
• Garnier Skin Naturals Crème Bienfaisante
• Rexona Women Maximum Protection Clean Scent
• Narta Homme Nord Extrème
• Denivit Anti-Taches Dentifrice
• Le Petit Marseillais Shampooing Douceur et Réparatrice aux Amandes Douces
• Monoprix Lait Douche Amande/Karité
• Le Petit Marseillais Après-Shampooing aux Extraits d'Argile Blanche et de Lait de Jasmin
• Crème Laitante Hydratante Parfum Douceur de Lait
• Aquafresh Toothpaste

Demographic No. 1: Twenty-Something Bachelor

Did anyone ever tell you that boys are kind of dirty, that they don't really care about hygiene, and that these two facts are reflected in their bathrooms? While the stereotype doesn't hold water across the board, I do have to report that the French male population isn't immune to its application. Guy* wholeheartedly welcomed me and a friend into his home via couchsurfing, questionably stocked bathroom and all. He did stock the absolute essentials: toothpaste, a toothbrush, shower gel/hand soap/shampoo and of course some French cologne. Other than that, though, he did not have much to offer my beauty discovery - although my stay with him felt totally safe and friendly! For more info about brands and specifics, read on to the inventory of what this bachelor kept in his pad.

• Sensodyne Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
• Le Petit Marseillais Lait Douche, Douche Extra Doux
• Chanel Pour Homme Eau de Toilette

*Name has been changed.