1Prepare
Instagram Pots of pre-sun pills fly off the shelves of French pharmacies in the months leading up to summer. The most popular brand is Oenobiol, which comes loaded with carotenoids, vitamin E, and selenium, all of which are reported to speed up the skin’s production of melanocyte—the stuff that makes complexions gleam. Biologique Recherche’s topical U.V. preparation cream is a good alternative for State-side sun devotees.
2Protect
Avene Religious SPF application is a necessity year-round, particularly when baking limbs in a bikini. French pharmacy brands win again here: You’ll find tubes of Avene and La-Roche Posay stuffed in every Jane Birkin basket from Calais to Nice.
3Enhance
Clarins Fair-skinned French girls striving for a sun-kissed glow turn to the bottle to get their fix. Gradually building formulas that don’t require a mitt, like Clarins’ Radiance-Plus Body Golden Glow Booster, are ideal for beginners. Just add a few drops into your favorite oil or lotion and watch a natural-looking color grow over the period of a week.
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4Cover-Up
Instagram To avoid burning and pesky tan lines, savvy French-girl tanners limit their sun exposure while at the beach. Luckily, there are plenty of chic options to cover-up with: Consider investing in an extremely wide-brimmed hat from Jacquemus or a sleek, printed kaftan like Carine.
5Relax
Instagram France unofficially closes for the month of August. During that time, you’ll find Parisians working on their tans religiously. To this day, pool loungers around the French Riviera remain the place to be and be seen. To snag a Chanel-worthy experience, book a room at the mega-exclusive Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, book online
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