What is it about French women? And why do so many of us covet that “casual cool” look that seems to be all about mussed-up hair and very little makeup?
When well known Paris-based editorial makeup artist Violette was asked this she summed it up beautifully “In each country, I think there is an idea of what beauty is, but for the French, it’s very particular: What we want is to be ourselves - not a better version of ourselves. We feel like it’s better to get used to something than to try to change it. So we think: What style can I have with this face, and with this hair? That mentality is 100 percent French.” Still, she admits, there are a few local secrets for how to look perfectly imperfect, without ever trying too hard.
French women do all they can to have amazing skin, and an amazing body, and amazing hair, so they don't have to do too much else! Their skin care routines are long and involved, a double cleanse followed by a toning lotion, serums, masks, and nourishing creams are just the beginning, they also massage their skin regularly to stimulate the cell rejuvenation and give it a natural glow. We love the Phytomer Rosee Soin for this, it’s a delicate rose extract oil that leaves the skin luminous and soft.
With beautiful skin, this is of course much easier to do! Rarely will you see a French woman wearing a foundation all over her face, and powder is used so sparingly or not at all! To even out the skin she will pinpoint conceal (using a very small brush) any imperfections and only apply foundation to areas that need balancing such as a red chin. She will use concealer beneath the eyes and then blend all of this carefully with a sponge to ensure a “second skin” result. A great tip from French Makeup Artist Violetta, “do not apply foundation on the nose, it creates an optical illusion that you are wearing no foundation at all”. So if you suffer redness in the nostril creases, apply a long-wear concealer there and not on the bridge of the nose. See our foundations to find your best choice.
French women understand the adage “you are what you eat” and in spite of their multi-step facial routines they know that if they eat organic as much as possible, and avoid sugar their skin will benefit. They are far less concerned about fat and generally prefer to eat smaller portions of delicious food rather than huge portions of low-fat alternatives.
A decade ago French women turned their pert noses up at any regimented exercise, now the workout trend is picking up a little, however, you’ll never see them get caught up in a hard-core programme. The general consensus is, if it’s not fun we’d rather stick pins up our nails than put our body through torture.
French women are all about amazing texture in their hair and more often than not go for a kind of “lived-in” look. They like to shampoo, condition and finger dry their locks with the certain knowledge that tomorrow, after a night on the pillow, it will look even better.
They do like hair to be very healthy and shiny, so when they wear it messy, it doesn’t look dry and damaged and resemble fairy floss. They are much more about getting a great (often expensive) haircut and treating the hair at night with oils, serums, and masks than spending a fortune on styling products!
It’s almost as cliché as the beret but French women are all about red lips and they know how to wear it. From true reds to crimsons to scarlets, the red lip is totally French. Red lipstick is a fashion accessory so very little other makeup is worn with it. Hair should be messy, skin perfect, throw on a pair of jeans and heels then all you’ll need is red lippie, because the lipstick makes the statement! Our favourite is ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in True Red, it seems to suit everyone!
Most French women have an inherent dislike of brownish shading powders or creams. For French women, contouring is too bold and it changes the shape of the face. Instead, they prefer highlighter to catch the light on the cheeks, the tip of the nose and the cupids bow to make the skin look fresh and dewy.
The other makeup that is really French is the smoky eye. But unlike the American version which is an artful gradiation of dark to light, the French version is a messy smoky eye that looks a bit “grungy”. Too perfect and too sparkly is the opposite of chic, as far as French women are concerned. They often use just one product, put it all over, and blend it with the finger. Then groom the brows, put on a bit of blush and concealer, and go. Our favourite “French girl” eye product is the ELES Superwear Gel Liner, it stays soft enough to blend out and then sets and stays all day. Just scribble it across the entire lid, “like a kid would,” and smear with an eyeshadow brush.
So despite a religious approach to beauty through health and all the effort it takes to look effortless, the French woman doesn’t seem as hard on herself as some of us can be. In France, they call it Je Ne Sais Quoi (which literally translates as ‘whatever!’) – The effortless chic, confidence and assurance allows them to be their best self.
Oh and…less is definitely so much more, et voilà!
When well known Paris-based editorial makeup artist Violette was asked this she summed it up beautifully “In each country, I think there is an idea of what beauty is, but for the French, it’s very particular: What we want is to be ourselves - not a better version of ourselves. We feel like it’s better to get used to something than to try to change it. So we think: What style can I have with this face, and with this hair? That mentality is 100 percent French.” Still, she admits, there are a few local secrets for how to look perfectly imperfect, without ever trying too hard.
A HEALTHY ADVANTAGE
French women do all they can to have amazing skin, and an amazing body, and amazing hair, so they don't have to do too much else! Their skin care routines are long and involved, a double cleanse followed by a toning lotion, serums, masks, and nourishing creams are just the beginning, they also massage their skin regularly to stimulate the cell rejuvenation and give it a natural glow. We love the Phytomer Rosee Soin for this, it’s a delicate rose extract oil that leaves the skin luminous and soft.
KEEP THE BASE LIGHT
With beautiful skin, this is of course much easier to do! Rarely will you see a French woman wearing a foundation all over her face, and powder is used so sparingly or not at all! To even out the skin she will pinpoint conceal (using a very small brush) any imperfections and only apply foundation to areas that need balancing such as a red chin. She will use concealer beneath the eyes and then blend all of this carefully with a sponge to ensure a “second skin” result. A great tip from French Makeup Artist Violetta, “do not apply foundation on the nose, it creates an optical illusion that you are wearing no foundation at all”. So if you suffer redness in the nostril creases, apply a long-wear concealer there and not on the bridge of the nose. See our foundations to find your best choice.
IT'S ALL ABOUT MODERATION
French women understand the adage “you are what you eat” and in spite of their multi-step facial routines they know that if they eat organic as much as possible, and avoid sugar their skin will benefit. They are far less concerned about fat and generally prefer to eat smaller portions of delicious food rather than huge portions of low-fat alternatives.
EXERCISE SHOULD BE FUN
A decade ago French women turned their pert noses up at any regimented exercise, now the workout trend is picking up a little, however, you’ll never see them get caught up in a hard-core programme. The general consensus is, if it’s not fun we’d rather stick pins up our nails than put our body through torture.
NO MORE HAIR DRYERS
French women are all about amazing texture in their hair and more often than not go for a kind of “lived-in” look. They like to shampoo, condition and finger dry their locks with the certain knowledge that tomorrow, after a night on the pillow, it will look even better.
GET A GREAT CUT
They do like hair to be very healthy and shiny, so when they wear it messy, it doesn’t look dry and damaged and resemble fairy floss. They are much more about getting a great (often expensive) haircut and treating the hair at night with oils, serums, and masks than spending a fortune on styling products!
A CLASSIC RED LIP
It’s almost as cliché as the beret but French women are all about red lips and they know how to wear it. From true reds to crimsons to scarlets, the red lip is totally French. Red lipstick is a fashion accessory so very little other makeup is worn with it. Hair should be messy, skin perfect, throw on a pair of jeans and heels then all you’ll need is red lippie, because the lipstick makes the statement! Our favourite is ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in True Red, it seems to suit everyone!
HIGHLIGHT, DON'T CONTOUR!
Most French women have an inherent dislike of brownish shading powders or creams. For French women, contouring is too bold and it changes the shape of the face. Instead, they prefer highlighter to catch the light on the cheeks, the tip of the nose and the cupids bow to make the skin look fresh and dewy.
MAKE YOUR SMOKEY EYE A BIT MESSY!
The other makeup that is really French is the smoky eye. But unlike the American version which is an artful gradiation of dark to light, the French version is a messy smoky eye that looks a bit “grungy”. Too perfect and too sparkly is the opposite of chic, as far as French women are concerned. They often use just one product, put it all over, and blend it with the finger. Then groom the brows, put on a bit of blush and concealer, and go. Our favourite “French girl” eye product is the ELES Superwear Gel Liner, it stays soft enough to blend out and then sets and stays all day. Just scribble it across the entire lid, “like a kid would,” and smear with an eyeshadow brush.
So despite a religious approach to beauty through health and all the effort it takes to look effortless, the French woman doesn’t seem as hard on herself as some of us can be. In France, they call it Je Ne Sais Quoi (which literally translates as ‘whatever!’) – The effortless chic, confidence and assurance allows them to be their best self.
Oh and…less is definitely so much more, et voilà!
