BellaSugar

Celebrate Bastille Day With French Beauty Secrets!

BellaSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:40:42 -0700

Bonjour, mes amies! Since today is Bastille Day-the French national holiday-I thought it would be appropriate to talk about how les femmes françaises look the way they do. Think about some contemporary French beauties-Catherine Deneuve, Audrey Tautou, Juliette Binoche, Noémie Lenoir-and I think you'll agree that they are belle indeed.

Compared to the average American woman, our Gallic counterparts view investing in their appearance as an absolute necessity, not an optional luxury. They're more inclined to pamper themselves. Their biggest focus is on developing a beautiful, glowing complexion. French women of all economic means take pride in their skin, whether that means getting regular facials or buying the best moisturizer their budget allows. On a day-to-day basis, I've found that French women moisturize like you wouldn't believe. It's not as though you'll walk along the Seine and see women applying lotion in broad daylight, of course, but I've never met a French woman who didn't apply a cream every single night.

To find out the French approach to makeup, and to discover which products sell better in France than they do in the U.S., read more

During my visits to Paris, I've noticed that fighting cellulite is a big deal for French women-much moreso than for Americans. Any Parisian drugstore is stocked with various creams, lotions and other products meant to minimize jiggle and orange-peel skin. Whether they work is beyond me, but sales are skyrocketing!

As far as makeup is concerned, the typical Parisienne favors a look that never tries too hard. The French are known for preferring a natural face over a "done" one. (Of course, there are exceptions, but even these are classy, not over-the-top.) While French women do wear makeup, they do so in a way that isn't necessarily obvious. So while you might start with foundation (again, to give a flawless-skin finish), you'd go easy on the blush, dab on some mascara and a light lip gloss. At night, you might favor a smoky eye or a bold red mouth, but never both together. Moins c'est plus: Less is more.

And finally, as my wonderful French professor once told our class, "Of course French women shave their underarms!" If you've been clinging to the "hairy Frenchie" stereotype, let that one go! Tell me: Have you been to France? Have you picked up any French beauty secrets?

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Bella Donna: Catherine Deneuve

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:00:08 -0700

It's time for this week's installment of Bella Donna, in which I profile beauty icons throughout the ages. This week, we're looking at French actress Catherine Deneuve, who's been called one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Over a career spanning decades, Deneuve has become the leading lady of French film. She leapt to stardom in the excellent musical Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, and her fame only increased with her following film choices. Belle de Jour and Repulsion cemented Deneuve's on-screen reputation as an ice queen to be reckoned with. Offscreen, Deneuve was chosen to represent Marianne, a national symbol of France. For more on Catherine Deneuve's approach to beauty as well as a photo gallery, read more

Obviously, Deneuve was genetically gifted to be as jolie as she is. But her approach to beauty is quintessentially French: She favors subdued eye makeup, a simple lip and perfectly touched-up blonde hair (if she's ever had roots, they haven't been photographed). She's also an icon in the fashion and beauty worlds. Deneuve is a friend of and muse to Yves Saint Laurent, who outfitted her for Belle de Jour and countless parties and events in real life. During the 1970s, she was the face of Chanel No. 5, and in the 1980s she had her own eponymous perfume. Now in her sixties, Deneuve continues to be a beauty icon: in the last five years, she's represented L'Oreal and has been the face of an eponymous cosmetics line for MAC.

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Learn How to Polish Like a Pro With This DVD

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:00:16 -0800

The other day, I told you about the Bring It Home Beauty DVDs, which were produced by a professionally licensed mother-and-daughter team. The premise? To help you save money by teaching you how to do beauty services at home, with the help of their instructional videos, of course.

Much like the Hair Edition Volume 1 DVD ($24.95), the Natural Nail Care DVD ($24.95), has a low-budget feel. However, the hour-long video is quite comprehensive, covering everything from basic (and spa) manicures/pedicures, a men's manicure, a French manicure, polishing, and repairing broken nails.

Is it glamorous? Uh, no. Super close-ups on toes and heel shavings might make you squeamish, but who said beauty is always easy on the eyes, anyway? For me, I suppose the drier nature of the material is somewhat like watching paint dry - literally. While I prefer their hair video much for its content and better overall value, I'd recommend this natural nail care DVD for anyone who really enjoys doing manicures and pedicures on yourself or others, or for anyone who wants a basic grasp on nail care.

Wedding Nails: The Quintessential French Manicure

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:12:22 -0700

The French manicure has a regal connotation to it that represents class, elegance and a sense of high quality grooming. Having said that, plenty of people today feel that the French manicure is out of style and would even consider it cheesy. Whichever way you decide to go, I still think the French manicure is the quintessential way to paint your nails for your wedding day. It's soft, understated and shows that you pay attention to detail.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the French manicure, I have pictured it here for you. A white stripe is painted to the tops of the nails (I prefer a soft, square cut nail with a thin stripe) and then a sheer, pale pink or beige toned polish is applied on top. Here are a few French manicure kits to choose from.

Bourjois French Manicure Kit, $20, is a three piece French manicure kit. It includes a curved brush designed especially to create the most perfect and even white nail tips, a light pink polish which is so sheer that you can apply one or two coats depending on your taste, and a clear topcoat to ensure shine and protection to your manicure. In no time you'll look like you just waltzed right off the Parisian runways!

For two more D.I.Y. French manicure kits, read more

Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit, $6, includes a really cool feature. Inside are a set of stickers for you to apply to your nails so that you can create professional looking, no mess white tips. Once you apply the tips, peel off the stickers and then apply the soft colored nail polish on top. The kit also includes a topcoat and super clear and easy instructions.

Orly French Manicure Kit, $6, will give you a very natural looking manicure! This kit includes a polish, a base coat, white tips (you can choose from two different styles; straight or half moon) and a quick drying topcoat. Available in four different sheer shades.

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Fancy French Fragrance, or Classic French Film?

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:00:42 -0700

The luxury of a beautifully concocted French fragrance and the magic of a magnificent French film are both pleasures not to be missed, but are you enough of a sophisticate to be able to tell the difference? Take my quiz and find out if you know your Houbigants from your Gainsbourgs.

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Doing Drugstore: Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:00:28 -0700

I've loved this stuff since it first came out, and if there's a drugstore product that deserves a post, it's this one. Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Polish ($5) has, on many an occasion, saved me from losing my mind waiting for polish to dry and ruining an entire manicure out of sheer frustration.

When I looked in my drawer this morning, I had seven bottles of the stuff, ranging from bright, sunny yellow to teal to perfect French-tip cream. I'm not saying they have the most gorgeous colors, because they're not all that special, but for five bucks and only two minutes for fully dry hands, this stuff absolutely can't be beat. This is my day-to-day nail polish. Sure, I might throw on something luxe, beautifully hued, and boring as all get-out to wait on when a new episode of True Blood is on and I'm going to be glued to the couch anyway, but Insta-Dry is what keeps me a happy and productive member of society. Thanks, Sally.

What Women Are Buying at Sephora France

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:01:31 -0700

How do you make a beauty product seem fancier than it is? Put a little French on its packaging - an elle suffix, a superfluous é - and some people automatically think it's a little better. Whether that's true is up for discussion, but the psychology often works.

As it turns out, the opposite is also true. While browsing a Sephora in Paris last month, I spotted a few differences from American Sephora. The stores look alike, but French Sephora has a few brands not carried in its American counterparts: Chanel, Sampar, Leonor Greyl, and so forth. What was more surprising, though, is that makeup from L'Oréal and Maybelline was also stocked, and they cost nearly twice as much as they do in the States. I spotted French women lingering over those eye shadows longer than they did while looking at offerings from French beauty brands - which just goes to show you, the allure of foreign beauty goods is universal.

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Love It or Hate It? Marion Cotillard's Sleek Pompadour

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:11:28 -0700

Over the past few years, I've been known to sing the praises of Marion Cotillard's oh-so French makeup and hairstyles. Whether it's some severe smoky eyes, a berry-stained lip, or an Oscar-worthy dark lipstick, her beauty looks are inspiring - not to mention just plain cool. But, has this award-winning French actress delivered the gotta-have-it-factor once again? At the Public Enemies premiere in London earlier today, Marion accentuated her red satin strapless Vivienne Westwood dress with a blunt-bottomed, slicked-back pompadour hairstyle. Does her coiffure have you singing her praises, or does it miss its mark?

Crazylibellule & the Poppies Steps Back into the Roaring '20s

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:00:23 -0700

It's been a while since I've written about Crazylibellule & the Poppies CrazySticks, which are so French, so travel-friendly. The line of delicately crafted solid perfumes was created in 2005 by one of the cofounders of Sephora. Each of its ultrafeminine scents, which are free of alcohol, parabens, and artificial colors, provides 269 swipes per stick. Not too bad, eh? And next week, the brand is about to release its fourth collection, Les Garçonnes (about $17 each), aux États-Unis.
The seven new scents pay tribute to the Roaring '20s, and each stick is named in honor of an independent woman - famous or not - who changed her time, including Josephine, Gabrielle, Louise, Tamara, Jeanne, Rose, and Pompon. My favorites are the sweet, powdery smelling Rose à Saïgon, with notes of rose, patchouli, mango, and vetiver; and the crisp, clean Hommage à Gabrielle, with notes of peony, cedar, vanilla, jasmine, and leather. Look for the talisman-like scents to make their debut on BeautyHabit.com and B-Glowing.com early next week. Let the good times roll.

When in Paris . . .

BellaSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:00:15 -0700

Paris is my favorite place in the world. Delicious food, wonderful cafes, dreamy Frenchmen, and an inimitable sense of style make it the city I return to as often as finances permit. Thanks to a super-cheap round-trip ticket, I had a nice sojourn there last week. And because I am an unrepentant Francophile, I try to look as French as possible while gallivanting around the Marais.

Most French women wear very little makeup each day, and the makeup they do wear tends to look effortless and natural. (Think Charlotte Gainsbourg.) And since I like to travel light, I'd already been planning a low-maintenance look: a bit of concealer, lip balm, and maybe lipstick. This time around, I found the right shade of lipstick to provide that not-trying-too-hard-yet-still-polished look. Of course, it's French: Chanel's Rouge Allure lipstick ($30) in Naive. It has just a hint of shine, wears beautifully, and feels suitably Continental - especially when you're making goofy faces at the Louvre.