BellaSugar

Celebrate Bastille Day With French Beauty Secrets!

BellaSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:40:42 PDT

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? Source

Bella Donna: Catherine Deneuve

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:00:08 PDT

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. Source

View 16 Photos ›

Snacking Good: Natchitoches Meat Pies

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:07:39 PST

We've always wanted to take a stab at rolling out a few Natchitoches meat pies. Thanks to an easy recipe from Food Orleans, this might be a dream realized sooner rather than later.

[Baked or fried? You decide.]

Natchitoches meat pies are one of those special little treats with a name as fun to say as they are to scarf down. Nackadish - that's how you say it - is a small town we drive through on our way north to visit Alexandria or Oklahoma, and it's where Steel Magnolias was filmed, and it's famous for these little pies. It's a beautiful little place, with a picturesque riverfront lined with shops and restaurants that have their own sort of French Quarter-ish wrought iron balconies (remember the Easter scene where Jackson slapped Ouiser? That's the riverfront!). But you don't have to go into the actual town to get yourself some meat pies; just stop at any gas station right off I-10. They all fry them up and they're all pretty wonderful.

For her recipe, continue reading.

Honor's Cool-Girl Look Is Incredibly Easy to Wear

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:21:12 PST

For her Fall 2012 collection, designer Giovanna Randall was inspired by the love story of a preppy boy and free-spirited Argentinean girl. But when it comes to beauty, the inspiration was decidedly Gallic. Borrowing from French singer and style icon Françoise Hardy, the just-slept-on hair and chalky eye makeup were uncomplicated and cool. See how the look came together, and you'll agree: this is one runway look that anybody can pull off.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand Reach a Divorce Settlement

Allie Merriam — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:50:30 PST

The Simply Surprising Reasons French Women Have Enviably Glowy Skin

Jaime Richards — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:02:00 PST

When Bertrand Thomas and his wife, Mathilde, (pictured above) launched Caudalie in 1995 with just three items on the roster, it was the first company to use the antiaging benefits of grape-seed polyphenols in skin care. Since then, the vinotheraphy-based brand has launched a full range of products, using practically all parts of the grape, from skin to stalk. In fact, its radiance-boosting Beauty Elixir ($16 to $46), which contains grape fruit extract, is so popular, even Victoria Beckham has been tweeting about it.

But what is it about French women that makes them seem so pleasantly content and perfectly complected? In the NYT best-seller, French Women Don't Get Fat, author Mireille Guiliano describes a lifestyle that is full of variety, where deprivation is replaced by savoring things to the fullest. And when it comes to beauty, Thomas explains it's a similar mindset: "Balance is the key word: French women balance food their food and balance their lifestyle." To see just what Thomas means on how French women get it right, keep reading.

Get the Look: Brooke Shields's Modern-Traditional Living Room Mix

Elka Karl — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:36 PST

The lovely Brooke Shields just granted Architectural Digest an exclusive look at her Manhattan town house, and I'm in love with each room that's featured. While a portion of the article is on the site, be sure to pick up a copy of the March issue of Architectural Digest to read the entire fascinating exclusive. Shields worked with decorator David Flint Wood on her four-story Greenwich Village town house, mixing modern art and accents with beautiful antique furniture. My favorite photo is from Shields's living room, seen here.

One of the major focal points of the living room is the pair of Louis XVI-style armchairs. A great resource for antiques like this is 1stDibs.com, and I found a near match in these 19th century French Louis XVI-style chairs ($5,900).
Newly upholstered in a neutral linen, they'd become the centerpiece of any room in which they were placed.

Perhaps my favorite element of this room - although it's definitely hard to choose just one piece - is the original Keith Haring painting that was a gift to Brooke from Haring himself. While we can't all be so lucky, we can buy a similar print from Art.com. Untitled ($150), a print featuring three of Keith Haring's works, comes framed and ready to hang.

For the rest of the look - including the French Empire commode, the Lucite-base coffee table, and gilded gold frames - check out the widget below.

Vintage Gilded Gold Frame No 2 by lakesidecottage on Etsy	1STDIBS.COM - Mecox - Vintage Geometric Lucite Base Coffee Table
artnet Galleries: A bout de souffle, Paris, 1959 by Raymond Cauchetier from Polka Galerie	Large vintage detailed gold frame wood by jollytimeone on Etsy
artnet Galleries: Gabriella, 1995 by Michael Gesinger from Photography West Gallery	Lenox "Tuscany Classics" Martini Shaker Set $54 - Macy's
Decorative Bust $149 - Pottery Barn	1STDIBS.COM - Urban Archaeology - Neo-Classical White Marble Mantel
Morten Table Lamp $149 - west elm	Ethan Allen Pink roses with berries $149 - Ethan Allen
Kilimanjaro jute rug $284 - Kohl's	Red and White Decorative Pillows Geometric by PillowThrowDecor
1STDIBS.COM - Olivier Fleury Inc. - French Empire Fruitwood Commode or Chest of Drawers	1STDIBS.COM - Robuck & Co. Antiques, LTD. - A Piemontese Louis XVI Period Carved Walnut M/T Console Table

Jessica Chastain Gets Her Good Oscar News Front Row at Armani With Cameron Diaz

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:55:13 PST

Jessica Chastain was in Paris this afternoon at the Giorgio Armani Prive runway show when the 2012 Oscar nominations were announced - but when the news that The Help star had earned a best supporting actress nod broke, the fashionable French crowd gave the actress a standing ovation!

Jessica may have been the woman of the hour at the Grand Palais, where the show was held, but she wasn't the only boldfaced name in attendance at the couture presentation. She was seated side-by-side with Cameron Diaz in a coveted front-row spot. The actresses both stopped to pose for pictures and chat with designer Giorgio Armani before taking their seats. Cameron had already made the scene at several major shows, including Chanel, Dior, and Versace, before putting in the appearance at Mr. Armani's show this morning. For all the highlights from the Paris runways, be sure to check out Fab's roundup of the 100 most beautiful couture week looks so far!

Minitrend to Watch: Macarons

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:01:00 PST

Macarons are the delightful little French cookies that took American patisseries by storm a few years back, and now it appears they're making a go with beauty brands as well. Parisian macaron masters Ladurée are coming out with their own makeup line in Japan, and over the past few months we've seen the debut of several products inspired by the sweet treats. Mor launched a macaron-themed lip balm ($10), Chantecaille introduced a macaron palette ($68), and Kate Spade's new fragrance, Twirl ($65), includes a macaron note. Now, even Etsy shops are getting in on the confection craze, with sweet offerings like these raspberry macaron bobby pins ($5). Bon appétit, beauty fans!

Tale as Old as Time: Beauty and the Beast's History

Tara Sharp — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:25:54 PST

This Friday we can take a trip back to our childhood with the re-release of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, this time in 3D. It's a magical blast from the past for us, but it's also a way for a new generation of tykes to enjoy the tale of a bookish peasant turned princess on the big screen. Beauty and the Beast has come a long way from its 18th-century French origins to three-dimensional animation. Let's look at the evolution of the fairy tale in pop culture, from classic books to an upcoming project involving a Harry Potter witch!