Tanning has got a bad rap in recent years, but in France—as most of Europe—bronzed limbs are still de rigeur come the warmer months. Blame it on Coco Chanel: The story goes that the inimitable designer was photographed on the French Riviera sporting darker-than-usual skin in 1923. Her picture was circulated in the society pages of Parisian newspapers, the trend caught on, and le soleil has remained a Gallic obsession ever since. Of course, best-practice sun protection has come a long way since the roaring ‘20s—and women all over the country have adapted their tan-routines accordingly. Here, CR breaks down how to get the French girl glow à la 2018.
Prepare
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.
Protect
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.
Enhance
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.
Cover-Up
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.
Relax
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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