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.,

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 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,

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 Paint Sun-Kissed Balayage Highlights at Home

Kirbie Johnson — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:01:00 PDT

Balayage is a beautiful, natural looking take on highlights (thanks to the French), but better yet, the technique is easy to try at home. Check out the steps necessary for channeling your inner colorist, and impress your friends with your DIY efforts. Sun-kissed, buttery-blond strands await you.

Fab Recap - Every Chic Cannes Look, Our Ultimate LWD Guide, and More!

Marisa Tom — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:00:48 PDT

The Cannes Film Festival is in full swing, and we've got every impossibly chic look in one place. It was a myriad of seriously beautiful red-carpet and photocall appearances, from Diane Kruger's cool head-to-toe Balmain ensemble to Naomi Watts's ethereal Marchesa creation. And when our eyes weren't on the French Riviera fashionistas, we gave you a sneak peek of Madewell's and Club Monaco's Fall '12 collections, showed you Gap's supercute swim line, crafted the ultimate LWD guide, and shared our old prom photos from yesteryear. Before Monday hits, we suggest you click through and catch up on the week's most stylish happenings now.

Marion Cotillard Talks Rust and Bone and Loving Her Baby Son Marcel

Allie Merriam — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:08:36 PDT

Marion Cotillard is at Cannes this week chatting up her latest movie Rust and Bone. She wore Dior last night for the red carpet premiere of the film, and posed alongside costars Matthias Schoenaerts, young actor Armand Verdure, and director Jacques Audiard. The picture is ready for audiences after Marion and Matthias worked on it together last Fall in the South of France. Marion plays Stéphanie in the film, a killer-whale trainer whose life is changed after a tragic accident. So far, the Rust and Bone reviews are positive.

We caught up with the actress today at a press event this morning. Marion chatted about getting into the mindset to play Stéphanie, as well as about her career. She also touched on how life is different now that she's a mom to 1-year-old Marcel, and whether or not she consults with her husband, director and actor Guillaume Canet, before making a big career decision. Marion also gushed about her Inception and Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. She said:

On motherhood changing her approach to work: "When I am in the character, it's completely the character. But usually when I work, I create this environment - especially that most of the time I am out of Paris and France - so I can create a new apartment in a new house or a hotel room. I can create a special environment that I need. I will entirely go back to myself when the movie is finished . . . [but during production] someone is sharing my body and is there most of the time. With my son it's impossible to take someone else home . . . There is this human being that I love more than anything, and who needs me."
On consulting with Guillaume before accepting a role: "It's usually all for myself. If I need advice, I will obviously ask the people I love and the people I trust. Usually, I create my own little world and deal with it."
On it being easier to act in French: "To play in French is definitely less demanding than playing in English with Polish accent or Italian or even French accent. Simply because I don't have to think about how I say the words. I don't have to think about, 'Does it sound French?' Because it will obviously sound French! But I love working in English. It's very, very interesting."
On being tough like her character, Stéphanie: "I definitely have strength . . . it would be a long conversation on how strength is manifested in yourself, but there's very few things that - actually I don't think there's one thing I could think about that could put me down."
On working with Christopher Nolan: "I really love this guy. He's so, so smart. He is such an amazing director and author. It's very rare to work with a director in Hollywood, especially on big, big movies like Batman, who not only directs the movie but writes the script. It's very, very unusual . . . It's massive, but it's also very, very intimate. I love this about him. He loves real things, real connections, real feelings."
On using her celebrity to spread awareness about the environment: "If you manage to spread what you think - because you think what you think is right - it's a beautiful thing to meet people who are not aware. Because there are still people who are not aware of what we are going through and what the world is going through. It's a good thing to share, and to change, step by step."

Over 30 Snaps of Diane Kruger's Impeccably Cool Cannes Film Fest Style - See It Here

Marisa Tom — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:01:22 PDT

This year, Diane Kruger will act as a member of the jury for the main Cannes film competition, which officially kicks off tomorrow. The gorgeous German actress is no stranger to the Cannes Film Festival, having mastered the art of impeccable photocall, world premiere, and swanky French Riviera yacht party style. To date, Diane has used this glamorous film festival to show off her flair for quirky monochromatic takes on daytime dressing and ultraopulent evening couture. Wearing the likes of Chanel, Calvin Klein, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Jason Wu, you can always expect the starlet to don jaw-dropping creations that never skimp on beautiful details. While we still have a day before the stylish fest fashion commences, let's take a look back on Diane's most stunning Cannes moments yet.

A Different Dinner Roll For the Table

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:05:09 PDT

If you've never had a pain d'epi, this pull-apart baguette is intended to mimic the appearance of the flower of the wheat stalk, or "epi" in French. Each little ear of wheat can be easily pulled apart, which makes this bread shape ideal to pass around the table at dinner parties or picnics.

If you don't have time to create a sourdough bread starter, this overnight dough is the next best thing. Complete the first step of the recipe the night before, allowing the bread to ferment overnight. This imparts a slightly sour yet floral aroma and taste.

Creating the baguette shape may seem daunting at first, but the process becomes more natural by the second or third try. To spread the dough into a rectangle shape with an even thickness, press your fingers in the center of the dough and then slowly knead it outward.

To cut even epi pieces, maintain the same 45-degree angle and spacing between each cut, then use your fingers to alternate the side that each "wheat petal" rests.

The bread will rise when it cooks, so space each loaf several inches apart. To learn how to make these beautiful pain d'epi loaves, keep reading

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Are Loved Up For an NYC Lunch

Allie Merriam — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:18:18 PDT

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes held hands after lunch in NYC yesterday. The couple are together in the US after Ryan spent a few months in Thailand earlier this year shooting Only God Forgives with his Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. This weekend, though, it's Eva's turn to focus on film. She has Girl in Progress finally hitting theaters. The Girl in Progress reviews are not universally positive, but The New York Times praised Eva's performance, writing that she "seems so confident, so comfortable in her beauty, that it can be easy to underestimate her emotional range and her comic instincts." Eva will have another movie debuting later this month at Cannes. Her Holy Rollers is among the many movies debuting at the French film festival.

Christine Taylor on Organic Beauty, Her Must Haves, and Nighttime Hair Routine

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

Actress Christine Taylor has signed on to be the spokeswoman for organic skin care line Nourish, and as a vegan and mother, her partnership with the brand seems like kismet. "A lot of times products will say 100 percent natural, but this one actually works," Christine explains. "Every person in my family has different favorites, and it's in every bathroom."

Not only does she love the idea of USDA-certified organic beauty (the fresh fig body butter is her top product in the line), but Christine also has plenty of tricks for getting the best results. "You can use the body butter during the day, but you can also load it on at night and wake up with really smooth skin," she explains. Look for Nourish at Whole Foods, and get more of Christine's beauty tips and advice when you read more.

See Olivia Palermo's Beauty Favorites From Cleansers to Compacts

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:51:00 PDT

Olivia Palermo shares some of her favorite beauty products - Olivia Palermo
Whip up these DIY lotion bars as a Mother's Day surprise - Stylelist
Mix and match with some clever lipstick and sunglass pairings - Refinery 29
Get beauty advice from experts like Pati Dubroff at OpenSky.com - Racked
Learn to get the perfect blowout at home - Real Simple
Five must-have products for the glamourous jet-setter - The Fashion Spot
French First Lady Carla Bruni has gone ombré and cute - HuffPost Style
See the next generation of runway stars from the Parsons Fashion Show - Styleite
Ke$ha puts a patriotic spin on makeup for the cover of V - The Cut
Try one of these Cinco de Mayo-inspired manicures - Beauty High