Foundation of Macron's presidency? $42,000 on a personal makeup artist

France's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, right, and France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, welcomes Libya's Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , right. Photo / AP

Emmanuel Macron spent 26,000 ($42,450) on makeup during his first three months as President of France, it has emerged.

In potentially damaging news for the 39-year old centrist leader, whose popularity is waning, Le Point reported that his personal makeup artist, named only as Natacha M, put in two bills, one for 10,000 and another for 16,000.

The Elysee Palace defended the fee, saying: "We called in a contractor as a matter of urgency." The same makeup artist applied foundation to Macron during his presidential campaign.

It may seem like a stratospheric sum for a President who has described his style as "Jupiterian" - lofty in the spirit of the God of Roman gods.

The gross figure is higher than the 6000 salary his predecessor Francois Hollande paid his staff makeup artist, but it is less when social charges are added.

Le Point put the overall figure for Hollande's makeup at 30,000 per quarter.

Nicolas Sarkozy, meanwhile, paid a whopping 8000 per month for his, according to Vanity Fair.

All these sums pale into comparison with the 9895 a month Hollande paid his personal barber. The amount sparked accusations of "shampoo socialism".

The disclosure caused particular shock because Hollande came to power on a left-wing platform, promising to be a "normal president" who would break with the "extravagance" of his conservative predecessor, Sarkozy, and his model wife, Carla Bruni.

The hairdresser, Olivier Benhamou, was hired to work at the Elysee Palace in 2012 for the duration of Hollande's five-year term. He also reportedly enjoyed a housing allowance and family benefits.

Le Point made no mention of Macron's spending on his hair.

Aides said the President's spending on makeup would be "significantly reduced".