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Emily in Paris make-up artist shares exact products used for Sylvie’s chic looks

The show’s lead make-up artist shares the character’s beauty blueprint

Lucy Smith
Beauty writer
Friday 16 August 2024 09:00 BST
The character of Sylvie is renowned for her Parisian style
The character of Sylvie is renowned for her Parisian style (Netflix/The Independent)

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Sylvie Grateau, Emily in Paris’ resident Parisian style icon, is the epitome of French sophistication and, alongside her fashion, the character’s elevated make-up plays a key role in how she is perceived.

After speaking to the show’s lead make-up artist, Aurelie Payen, we’ve discovered the exact products that were used on set to turn actress Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu into her marketing director persona.

In an interview with IndyBest, Payen, who doesn’t do Leroy-Beaulieu’s make-up personally, but fulfills the beauty keys for the whole Emily in Paris cast, told us: “The brief for for Sylvie's character was to be the this very sensual, 40+ Parisian woman who's going to work and has lots of beautiful clothes and a very elevated vibe.”

Payen revealed ‘Sylvie’s’ signature cheek, lip and eye products
Payen revealed ‘Sylvie’s’ signature cheek, lip and eye products (© 2024 Netflix, Inc.)

She added: “The make-up for that kind of woman is not bold make-up. It's less is more, very, ‘I put on some make-up, but you won't see it,’ and, ‘I just woke up like that.’ It's a natural kind of beauty vibe.”

Victoria Beckham satin kajal eyeliner, cocoa: £30, Selfridges.com

(Victoria Beckham)

Getting granular with the flat plan for Sylvie’s make-up in Emily in Paris, Payen explained how the eyes were a big focus. “It would be a shadow for the lips and maybe a shadow also for the eyes,” she explained. “A lot of eyelashes – like lots of eyelashes, lots of mascara – to have the eyes looking very done, but not done at the same time.”

The make-up artist went on to reveal that one of the most-used products to achieve this look was Victoria Beckham’s satin kajal eyeliner in the shade ‘cocoa’. Payen said: “Then she has a pencil, a brown shade on top of the eyelid and the eyes are done. But it's not like a big, big thing, you know?”

Read more: Lily Collins used this £4 product on the set of Emily in Paris

Payen added that the liner can be used as a multifunctional product, attesting to its pliable consistency and describing it as “creamy but it stays, so you can play with it”.

“If you want to do a shadow, you can do a shadow. If you want to do a straight line, you can do a straight line, too,” she said, “It’s amazing. You can play and mix in every product with it.”

Chanel No1 de Chanel lip and cheek balm: £32, Boots.com

(Chanel)

Another product beloved by the beauty team behind Sylvie’s look is the Chanel No1 de Chanel lip and cheek balm.

“It's something that [Leroy-Beaulieu’s make-up artist] used a lot to get [Leroy-Beaulieu’s] cheekbones done,” Payen revealed.

Just like the Victoria Beckham satin kajal eyeliner, the Chanel balm is also a multipurpose product. Payen added: “You can match it with the lips as well and, if you want, you can put a little bit more in the in the eyelid too, so you have a full make-up.”

Looking for more beauty tips? Sofia Richie Grainge’s manicurist reveals the key to bridal nails

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