After visiting Paris a few years ago, I became obsessed with the French language, culture, and outlook on beauty! French women have perfected the effortless, just rolled out of bed look while maintaining a polished sex appeal. They aim for clear, perfect skin and daily moisturizer and SPF is never skipped. Monthly visits to aestheticians and use of products with active ingredients at home are also a must! However, with all of the emphasis on perfect skin, French women do not fear aging but instead fear looking overdone. Hair is rarely dried with an overly hot tool but rather tossed up into a messy bun right out of the shower and dried by the French air!
I get asked how to create the chic, French “no makeup look” often. For a day to day that look is perfectly French, follow the less is more rule. To start, focus on making your skin look flawless. I find that the Protective Liquid Foundation - Satin II offers the best coverage and its smooth finish makes your skin look natural and as if nothing is there. Your skin should look borderline dewy with just a bit of shine. Follow with a cream or gel blush such as our Sheer Tint for Lips and Cheeks (tip: apply it with a texture eye brush). Make sure whatever blush you choose doesn’t have any shimmer in it. It should be flat and give you a natural flush as if you just ran up some stairs.
The eyes are where it gets a little tricky. If you are not use to seeing yourself with little to no eye makeup, you may want to ease yourself into the Parisian way. Use a flesh tone base Eye Shadow color such as bamboo or banana and a medium flesh tone crease color in fawn, haze, or twig but keep it light. Press Eye Shadow in sable into your lash line using an Eyeliner Brush but the liner should be close to unnoticeable. Give your upper lashes two coats of mascara and fill in your brows with a color one shade lighter than your natural hair color. Then groom eyebrows with a Brow Gel in clear keeping in mind that the idea is to emphasize your eyes, not change or cover them. The chic aspect of French makeup application is in the lips. You can go natural by swiping on some Cherry Balm and call it a day, or you can go red with Lipstick in vixen mixed with cabaret. Personally, I go with red every time!
I think the best accessory that French women include in their beauty routine is their attitude and confidence (and their ability to walk briskly in heels…down cobblestone streets). Their motto is simple: confidence is your beauty mark. French women allow others to truly see them, not their makeup, or hair style or clothes. They wear things that highlight their personality but they keep it functional. Even a quick run to the store merits an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself. (Note: it should make YOU feel good about YOURSELF). So, I propose you emulate the French and emphasize your natural beauty. Take a look at Marion Cotillard and Audrey Tautou, their natural beauty is astounding. So do as the French do: wash your hair once a week (dry shampoo comes in handy), treat your skin like it is royalty, follow the less is more makeup philosophy and indulge a little without the guilt… chocolate croissant anyone?
Images: Instyle.com, Vogue.com, thesartorialist.com
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