“Parisians love jewelry. Because, you know, before you go out or whatever you do, you need to have a piece of jewelry to finish your look. It’s that, plus I like the idea that jewelry can be also something sentimental and emotional. Like if you see my objects, they’re full of emotional meanings, and I never take off any of those. I wear jewelry even when I sleep! [Laughs] But I think it really adds something when you look tired or you’re not in the mood to wear like a big outfit to go out, that’s when jewelry can make all the look. You know, if you look tired, you wear big earrings and already your eyes get distracted and you pop up. You can dress casual and look very, very put-together because you have jewelry.

So when I’m getting ready to go out at night, the jewelry [is my first step.] Oh, and I take a bath. And I put music in the bathroom, and I light a candle, and I put some Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Oil in the bath to relax. I’ve been using my own candles! We just launched a candle, and I love the smell. It’s orange blossom. Afterwards, I spray myself with my favorite perfume that I always go back to—Bonpoint. Fresh scents bring me up, make me feel good, and I believe that perfume has to do with mood and memories and things like that. But you know, sometimes I have to change, because when you used to wear it for so long, you don’t smell it anymore. So sometimes I have to do a break, and so I go for something else, and then I go back to Bonpoint.

The most important thing for me is to have a good cream on before doing my makeup. But again, I go through phases with products. Right now, I’m using Crème de Avene, the really rich one. It’s French pharmacy, but the packaging is very nice, and I also like that it’s hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. I like it when products are that simple.

My day makeup is very, very basic—but at night, I like to go a bit further, have a reference, things like that. I like to keep my skin fresh, so I will just cover when I have reddish places. I put a lot of Chanel Correcteur Concealer on under the eyes. But I don’t use foundation… I like the skin to glow, and when you use too much foundation, the skin doesn’t glow anymore. But what does help is Benetint, and it’s very easy for lips and cheeks. Then I brush the eyebrows with Benefit Gimme Brow. Then, depending on how I’m feeling, I might use kohl—it’s only something I can do when I don’t feel like I look too tired. I’ll use the Nars Kohliner on my waterline and then smudge it with a Q-tip. On the lid, I like to apply MAC Cream Color Base in Root with my fingers—it gives a nice glow and helps diminish redness. Then I curl my lashes and use Diorshow Iconic on the top. I like that one in particular because it makes the eyelashes really long and thick.

If I look tired, I will focus on my lips. I like a very fresh, cherry pink like Hot Rose from Lipstick Queen. And it should look messy to make it seem more natural. When it’s too perfect, I think I look older—it’s too sophisticated.

For hair, I like it to be big. I’ll use a curler, flip it upside down, and then brush it out. Then I finish with Carita, which is a very old-fashioned brand. Or I’ll take my brush, put it under water, and then brush my hair with it. The effect is a very undone, softer wave—really good texture. Or I just don’t brush my hair. That works too.”

—as told to ITG

Aurélie Bidermann photographed by Tom Newton at her home in Paris on March 8, 2016.

Explore more beauty rituals in the Top Shelf After Dark, like how Violet Grey Editor Fajer Fahad layers fragrance before an evening out, or how Jewelry Designer Annelise Michelson channels Janis Joplin-meets-Michelle Pfeiffer in her nighttime look.