For French women, beauty begins at your “base”--which is to say, with your natural features: skin, body and hair. Have you ever noticed how these natural beauties seem to just radiate that youthful glow? It all starts with healthy, hydrated skin. Since the makeup trend for these women has long been “less is more,” they see skin care as a critical component of their beauty routine. The way they see it, the more beautiful your natural base, the less you need to do.
Mireille Guiliano, author of bestselling book French Women Don’t Get Fat, puts skin hydration at the top of her list of beauty secrets. She recommends drinking a full glass of water before bed and again immediately after waking up. Not only is this your skin's best weapon of defense, but it also works wonders for your diet, as we will often reach for empty calories when we mistake our body’s thirst for hunger. (Read more.)
And the importance of cleansing from Well and Good. To quote:
Hanifin always uses an old-fashioned roll of cotton sprayed with distilled water to wash her face—never a towel. “Your towels have been through the rinse cycle mixed with detergent,” she says. “So when you put it on your face, you’re patting on detergent. And if you use fabric softener, it’s like putting your clothes in perfume—it’s too strong and irritating for the skin.” With her signature method, however, Hanifin says she’s helped her clients clear their rosacea and acne. “It calms the skin right down,” she says. When I meet with Hanifin, I see firsthand how effective these simple tools can be. Hanifin applies some of her milk cleanser to my face, then wipes it off with a cotton square. I’ll admit, I’m impressed when I looked in the mirror: My complexion is even and hydrated. Bonus: Using the cloud-like cotton feels amazing. (Read more.)