Alice Vol. 2 No. 2

something the French admire about
American women — we can pull off a
face of makeup and look put-together.
However, we Americans tend to have
the “if there’s a flaw, fix it” attitude on
our face and body. If we have wrinkles,
we get Botox. If we get a pimple, we do
a Google search and buy the best-selling
“blemish diminish” product Sephora
offers. It’s amazing that it’s considered
hygienic to go to the dentist twice
a year to clean our teeth, but facials
are considered a luxury instead of a
necessary deep cleaning. This is all
overwhelming to the French, who take
to simple, medical or natural remedies
– which doesn’t mean their products
can’t be luxurious.
It’s amazing that it’s considered hygienic to
go to the dentist twice a year to clean our
teeth, but facials are considered a luxury
instead of a necessary deep cleaning.
They rock their freckles or tooth gaps.
As far as makeup goes, they are crazy
unique. No one does a signature
smoky eye with nude lips, messy hair
and bushy eyebrows like Françoise
Hardy or Jane Birkin. And there’s
nothing more feminine than minimal
makeup with pale skin and a
bold red lip.
When it comes to products, you
can find a mirage of beauty products
with French heritages. NARS makeup
makes one of the best blush tones
that makeup artists use on all types
of women. Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir
is a life-changing product I’ve been
using for a few years that refreshes,
tones and cools my skin mid-afternoon.
La Roche Posay
makes wonderful
sunscreens, which is
a priority to French
women. Sun care
is essential to preserve longevity and
protect your skin. Loccitane Sweet
Almond Oil is a hydrating, nourishing
formula, which is naturally great
for your skin. Of course, Chanel and
Lancôme are beauty giant brands that
will always be timeless in the world
of beauty — but isn’t that what the
French are so great at?
In an interview with Elle, actress
Clémence Poésy gives us the secret to
French style: “Uhh… being born in
France?” she said innocently. Perhaps
one of the greatest things about this
romance with French beauty is that
they are completely oblivious to what
makes them so beautiful. *
But don’t mistake low-maintenance
for negligence. The French definitely
invest in their skin creams and
formulas. French pharmacies are a
beauty lover’s dream. They are filled
with aisles of skin care and topical
medicines. French women are not gym
junkies. In fact, they rarely work out.
Instead, they believe in nature
walks or taking the stairs.
The only thing they’re lazy
at is their makeup routine.
They eat cleaner, not necessarily
vegan or healthy,
but definitely minimize the
processed food. This is huge
in skin care, and any dermatologist
will recommend you
change your diet before you
walk into the office freaking
out about that weird and rare
phenomenon on your chin called
“acne.” French women embrace
their weight and impurities and
tend to enjoy au natural lifestyles.
[6] Alice Spring 2017