French women, I’m told, are queens of the standing appointment, never missing a manicure, facial, massage or steam. Even if their colour isn’t overly dyed or their hair blow dried into submission, the health of their skin is always on-pointe.
Still, this kind of dedication is beyond most of us. Despite making new year’s resolutions to be more high maintenance, or at the very least moderately routine about self-care, the reality is it’s not in our genes. We Brits not only want to appear effortlessly chic, we want it to be practically so.
Which is why it is refreshing to learn that French make-up artist Aurelie Payen has a ten minute solution to achieving French-girl skin.
She told Harpers Bazaar: “French girls love a natural and glowy complexion, which all starts with taking care of your skin. The CurrentBody LED Face Mask is the easiest to achieve a perfect complexion; after just 10 minutes of use, your skin will look radiant and be ready for your skincare,” she reveals.
And skincare? “It is important to start with the right serum and moisturizer that will boost the natural tone of your skin. I recommend Lancôme Advanced Genefique Serum.” We also favour French Pharmacy favourite Embryolisse Multi-purpose moisturiser.
Payen also dropped her favourite mascara, which she used on the set of Emily in Paris. “ The perfect French-girl look also includes either a very soft eye shadow or a pop of color. And, of course, to complete the look you need to enhance your lashes to add seduction and to bring more attention to the eyes. Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Mascara adds volume and length with perfection.”
Don’t forget to balm the skin on your lips too. By Terry’s Baume de Rose Lip Care is a French classic.
All in all, if doing the above gives us skin as glowing as Emily in Paris’s antagonist Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, 58, then I’m all in.
