Paris in a Day - The YSE Way

The torch is lit – and the 2024 Olympics are in motion.  Maybe we aren’t the ones handing off the baton this year – not that we’ve ever been – but with the summer games currently commencing in Paris, we’re in our French feels.  Perhaps it’s because our founder spent a few of her early modeling years as a Paris local, or maybe it just has us thinking about the fries at L’Avenue.  Either way, as the YSE team is mentally strolling along the Seine, we invite you to stroll with us.

And in the spirit of festivity, it was only fitting to deliver a gift: YSE Beauty’s Guide to the Perfect Day in Paris – designed by Molly, vetted by many.  This itinerary is the dawn to dusk day you’ve fantasized about since your first time watching Before Sunset.  We can’t promise Ethan Hawke, but we can promise you a quintessentially fulfilling day in the city of love. 

Earmark this page for next summer’s travels, or let impulse win and book the flight.  Either way, bon voyage.

Wakeup Call

Bonjour ma chérie!  Swing open your double doors and bask in that euro breeze.  The day is yours, and it begins with a clean face. Start fresh with Take It Off to cleanse and revitalize with a gel-oil formula that keeps travel skin on your good side. Follow up with your Morning Cocktail Vitamin C Serum to brighten your complexion and even its tone. And of course, your daily SPF 30 – because we have a big day ahead of us. 

The outfit of choice is an ever-so-chic sundress.  Paired with a perfectly packable sun hat and your go-to city steppers, comfort is no thief of style in this look.  The final additions? Structured sunglasses with your natural hair texture, and you’re out the door in minutes. The Parisian mindset of ‘elegant, yet effortless’ is a time saver, so we’re channeling that.

Sip & Shop

To start the morning, you’re popping into Pierre Hermé in the 6th arrondissement. Adorned with artisanal coffee and pastries of artistic precision, this is your poster board Parisian Pâtisserie. The order is a cappuccino and your macaron of choice (to keep in your purse for when you start to fight jet lag later).  Speaking of, we have somewhere to be – so get a move on, s’il vous plaît. 

Expect greatness, as we’ve ended up in Le Bon Marche. It’s not a department store, it’s the department store. Every head-turning fashion label (Hermes to Jil Sander, Marni to Khaite) has a home here.  And truth be told, they make it hard to leave empty handed, due to its phenomenal beauty counter experience and renowned brand displays.  If you’re a mom – aka you need me-time to call a spree successful – the third floor hosts an art workshop for kids three days a week. Yes, your littles can be enlightened by the beauty of Paris through the lens of hands-on activities while you, well, do the same. Sub construction paper for clothing hangers. Wink.

Lunch on Me

Once you’ve made your final selects, it’s time to grab a bite. Make your way across the river to Chez Janou for a classic bistrot lunch. There’s nothing that says Paris like original poster pieces, a red leather booth, and that iconic striped awning – and though this spot is no secret, it’s kept a strong reputation amongst the locals. A glass of rosé is an obligatory start as you decide between the Salad Janou or the classic french onion soup. Note: no bill is paid before ordering their iconic chocolate mousse – and after your plate is licked clean, it’s time for that afternoon touch up. 

A quick swipe of an Ex Pad leaves your skin renewed, especially after that record speed change you performed in the dressing room. To follow, a fresh layer of Skin Glow SPF Primer will bring back that summer warmth and protect from the European sun – and of course, a little Highlighter completes the chic à la parisienne you’re already after. 

And if we weren’t face forward already, we’re taking this time to stroll into the first French Pharmacy we see. Here, you’ll find a collection of grab-and-go dermatologist-grade cosmetics and purely formulated product lines for the skin. Molly never leaves town without a restock – her faves include the Avene face mist or her tried-and-true Embryolisse creams. And a more recent find, the Biotherm deodorant, somehow makes antiperspirant feel like an accessory. You might as well stock up while you can, because these products don’t make it to American shelves. 

Pay Mona Your Respects

Hop in a taxi or walk your way towards the Louvre, because we’re checking the culture box.  With the combination of art, tradition, and undeniable romance, as well as kid compatibility, the Louvre is a friendly outing for families with little ones of any age. Many people don’t know they offer guided treasure hunts for kids up to the age of 12, making your museum trip all the while for everyone – and honestly, a children’s version of the museum tour might be more our pace anyways.

Bon Appétit, Babe

The dinner res is creeping up quickly, and it's time to run back to the hotel to freshen up. Keep it simple with an LBD and let a statement bag do the talking – and on that note, throw on a good red lip. Nothing says Paris like flawless skin with a scarlet finish. 

The night begins with a drink at Hemingway Bar, the Ritz Carlton’s charming corner spot with an antiquated, yet contemporary, night scene. We recommend a martini to accompany their well-curated bar snacks consisting of olives, almonds, and salty chips. The conversations will flow and so will the drinks – but keep your eye on the time, because dinner seats at 7:30pm. 

Walk your way over to Gigi, the cool kids’ table of Paris. This is where the best of the best come to dine, so keep your eye out for a good celeb sighting (and on your waiter, because your bellini is only a pour away). If you’re a fan of caviar and a good seafood pasta, you’ve made it to the right place. And please, don’t panic if your glass runs dry when the bill comes – because the night doesn’t have to be over. If you’re kid-free, book a Crazy Horse show to see the nude cabaret that’s been a Paris staple since the 50s. And if you’ve got the whole fam, hunt down a crêpe stand on the journey home, which we’d say is just as fun. 

Bonsoir to All

Once you make your way back to your vanity, it’s time for the final act – the PM routine. Cleanse the latter half of your day away with Take it Off Cleanser. Next, treat your squeaky clean skin to Last Call – because the YSE ones stay on their retinol routine abroad, too. Spot treat with the Problem Solver, or apply to full face, to brighten and tone the skin's texture. And, to lock it all in, a sweep of Xtremely Rich™ Moisturizer for a buttery soft layer of hydration.  With clean skin and a silk PJ situation, the chic evening doesn’t stop as you wrap yourself under those soft bed linens.

And with that, our Perfect Day in Paris concludes. Started with a foamy cappuccino… ended with a nightcap martini.  All in Molly Sims fashion.