Today's post is a first on Beaumiroir, but it's something I had been thinking about for a while: since I talk to you about French beauty all the time, I figured it would be interesting to hear someone else's point of view on the subject, someone who wasn't born as lucky as I am to be French (Joking. Or not. Dry French humor.). So let me introduce Zara Lewis, who's going to share her favorite beauty tips she learned from her French friend!
Zara Lewis is a designer and a regular contributor to highstylife.com , devoted to implementing healthy life habits in every aspect of life of her family and friends. She seeks for beauty in everything that surrounds her. Romantic soul and tech geek in one body. She enjoys hiking, cycling, yoga and cooking.
" French girls manage to leave an impression of nonchalant beauty. No one can really explain it: it’s something deeply rooted in their habits and lifestyle within the French culture. Just think about the breathtaking style icons, such as Brigitte Bardot, Carine Roitfeld, Anna Karina, and of course – Coco Chanel. All of these ladies have their own beauty standards and confidence plays a huge role in how they are perceived by others. Still, it isn’t without the effort and there’s always room for learning new beauty lessons. Here are the best ones my Parisian friend was kind enough to share.
Enjoying wine is healthy
When two French girls meet and discuss beauty habits, don’t be surprised to hear that wine is on the list! Health and beauty benefits of drinking small amounts of red wine on a daily basis are widely acknowledged. It’s full of antioxidants (especially resveratrol) that ensure your skin is protected from free radicals and has a healthy glow. Combine your own menu: for example, Mediterranean food goes really well with red wine and is proven to help with deferring the aging process. Needless to say, one glass of red wine per day is the optimal choice. Anything over that can cause a counter effect.
Be disciplined when it comes to your skin routine
You should give your skin what it needs every day: it’s not called pampering, but discipline. Cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing are the three simple and necessary steps every French girl follows in her routine. The choice of the products is up to the person, but here’s a little tip for you: treat your skin with nourishing face oils for that healthy glowing look. Removing your makeup before going to bed is mandatory: instead of using harsh wipes, try micellar water or some other gentle makeup removal products. Also, try applying a face mask: it is a great option for additional skin care, since the nourishing ingredients penetrate your skin deeply, leaving it wonderfully hydrated. Make sure your water intake is optimal so that you hydrate your skin from the inside, too.
Less is more, but lipstick is a must
People find French beauty really inspiring since ladies are elegant, chic and really moderate in their style and makeup. Very often, French girls enjoy their days makeup-free or they opt for the natural look, and they still look absolutely amazing! Just remember the unconventional beauty of Audrey Tautou in “Amelie Poulain”. It’s because of the well-cared skin. For a bolder look, French girls choose the timeless red lipstick. Psychology says it gives women more confidence (as if French women need any more)! When using a red lipstick, tone the rest of your makeup down: apply a simple lightweight foundation, curl your lashes, add a coat of mascara – and you’ll be left with a magnifique look that is nice and clean, but also a head-turner!
Aging is natural
Embracing your age is crucial for feeling and looking beautiful. This doesn’t mean you should boycott the anti-aging products: rather accept and be happy with your wrinkles since they are a part of who you are. There’s nothing to be ashamed about getting old: this attitude is what distinguishes French girls from others that are so desperate about their lines.
Don’t stress out your hair
With the French, it’s not always about the polished look on the point. It’s about taking good care of your hair, enjoying the scented shampoos and conditioners, and sticking with the natural look. The careless hair look goes well with their reputation of having untamed hearts. It’s all about the good cuts or hairstyles that can be done in just a couple of minutes.
These are some of the beauty lessons I’ve managed to learn and incorporate to my routine. With Parisian chic style comes the whole philosophy of inner beauty and strong confidence, but you can start with these simple steps.
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My reaction
It's always interesting for me to hear what people associate with the French approach to beauty, and I guess undone hair, light base and red lipstick are truly staples for girls in my home country.
The wine though... ah, the obsession with wine! Yes, there's a lot of great wine to be had in France, but the reality is that I don't know a single person in my generation or younger, male or female, who drinks wine every day. I love wine, I do, but every day? I couldn't do it, not even a glass with food. I'm busy, I need to be awake in the morning, and I try to do stuff in the evening too, like, you know, blogging. Generations past had this habit, my parents do have a glass of wine daily, all my grand-parents also did, but somehow the tradition came to an end. So if you're a wine lover, indulge regularly in moderation, but don't use the excuse that French women drink it daily to be pretty! If you want the benefits of grape antioxidants without the alcohol, you can try the skincare brand Caudalie instead!
If you would like to write a guest post about your personal experience with French beauty for Beaumiroir, whether it's your favorite brands, skincare tips or makeup styles, send me an email with your idea! You'll find my address in the Contact page.
I received no compensation to publish this post, which only reflects the personal opinion of the author. This post contains affiliate links.
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