By Helen Grant
Compelling, sophisticated, elegant – let the French inspire you.
There’s something chic about the French. With their voluminous hair and flushed cheeks, it’s hard to take your eyes off their wholesome gorgeousness. They have a distinct style, passed down through generations, that’s hard to beat.
Bardot and Chanel had it. Carla Bruni has it. There are many French stars that have captured public attention, but it’s the natural girl on the street that fascinates most. Confident with their age and their bodies, the French radiate glamour – whether strutting down Paris avenues, relaxing on the Riviera, or reading a book in their garden.
So how do they do it – and, more importantly, how can you do it?
ATTITUDE
From an early age, French girls are taught to feel good in their skin. It’s this confidence that makes them radiate poise and beauty, whatever their shape or size. What makes our European neighbours alluring is their determination, feminine charm, self-confidence and strength. They have style and chic but they also have grit.
So make an effort to look and smell divine, but remember that true appeal has more to do with attitude than looks!
TOUSLED TRESSES
French hair is kept in tip-top condition. It can be short or long but always what nature intended. That means, if you’re a natural blonde, don’t try to be a brunette and vice versa. Instead, aim to have the best blonde hair – shiny and healthy.
To avoid stripping hair of natural oils, limit shampooing to no more than twice a week. Use conditioner after every shampoo and re-moisturize with a deep conditioner once a month. If you suffer from tangles, use a wide-toothed comb in the shower, working your way from tips to roots.
When styling, most French women favour the tousled I’ve just rolled out of bed look. With a little imagination, this can be achieved with any hair type. If your locks are naturally curly, ditch the straighteners and boost your curls with products.
After conditioning, rinse and apply mousse or serum to damp hair. Twist sections around your fingers then leave to dry naturally, blasting with a diffuser. If nature gave you poker straight hair, lucky you! It will probably have fantastic shine because flat cuticles are light reflective.
For true continental glamour you can’t go wrong with an up do. Try twisting a section of hair around the base of a ponytail or use pins to create a bun, letting a few strands tumble onto your shoulders. For a casual look, use your fingers instead of a brush, or try plaits.
STYLE
Think quality, not quantity, and pay attention to detail. One pair of made-to-measure, beautifully crafted leather shoes is better than ten pairs from the high street. The little black dress, classic white shirt, jeans, leather handbag and winter coat are timeless items.
The look is smart and sophisticated – pencil skirts, chunky jewellery, figure hugging trousers, lots of black and neutral colours, like grey, brown, navy, beige and khaki. Keep accessories to a minimum. Dress the look up or down with a scarf, hat, ornate brooch or string of beads, but keep things matching.
French women have scarves that match their gloves that match their umbrellas that match their handbags, but don’t overdo it. A striking pair of earrings and matching necklace will add sparkle to a plain dress but throw in a sequined bag and patterned tights and you’ll look more drag than style queen.
GLOWING SKIN
Skin care in France is a priority, with the emphasis being on a clean, moisturized face. The usual common-sense rules apply – never wash your face with too hot or cold water, never go to bed with your make-up on and avoid exposing skin to harsh sunlight. French women often wear sunglasses to protect the skin around their eyes.
Use a good cleansing programme that includes a toner and moisturizer. Make an effort to discover your skin type then get advice on suitable products. Most beauty counters offer this service for free. The French use brands like Caudalie religiously.
Skin care might be higher in the pecking order but that doesn’t mean make-up is taboo. Two things the French can’t get enough of are lips and eyes. If you’ve got fantastic lips, apply liner just outside your lip-line and fill with a natural shade for a bee-stung look. If your eyes are your asset, recreate the Bambi look with lashings of black mascara and liner.
Keep brows groomed and nails short. If you’re using the correct skin care products, you shouldn’t need foundation and blusher, but if you can’t go without, use a tinted moisturizer and rose-coloured blush.
DIET
Everyone knows that a healthy lifestyle leads to better looks. Stress, smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet will wreak havoc. Take a good look at your lifestyle and make changes, if necessary. Aim to get enough sleep, eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
French women are famously slim because of their relaxed attitude towards food. The French is a nation which favours a rich diet full of diary products and pastries, with little emphasis on dieting. They steer clear of fast food and snacks, and make time for three meals a day, using natural ingredients when cooking.
Mealtimes are a social occasion and the results are worth it – obesity figures in France are less than half of the UK’s.
http://helengrant.co.uk/2008/11/13/5-french-chic-secrets/
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