Darlings, you don't need to be French to celebrate
Bastille Day on July 14. This annual commemoration of French independence is the perfect time to drink a glass of bubbly, put on your favorite little black dress, and incorporate some French beauty secrets into your regimen. Go ahead and liberate yourself from ineffective beauty products!
Last night I was invited to a lovely Bastille Day themed soiree at one of my favorite places,
Phyto Universe , a natural beauty oasis in the heart of Manhattan. While sipping on wine and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres, we learned some of the secrets that French women use to look so effortlessly beautiful and chic. What is the difference between American and French women when it comes to beauty?
- Americans spend more on makeup but French women spend more on skin care. Many young women in France begin receiving facials as young as 14 because monthly facials are not considered a luxury but an essential part of an effective skin care regimen. The equation is simple - better skin = less makeup. If you are in New York City, you can visit Phyto Universe for a facial treatment. At home, you can pamper your skin with their gentle
Lierac cleansers and treatments that replicate more intensive procedures that many Americans turn to their plastic surgeons and dermatologists for. Instead of a harsh chemical peel, try
Lierac Comfort Peel ($52). I can vouch that this alpha hydroxy rich moisturizer gently yet dramatically smooths lines and evens skin tone while moisturizing. It also helps reduce breakouts.
- Sacre bleu, 98% of all women have cellulite! So whether you are French or American, most women have some jiggly bits. The difference is in how we treat these pesky areas.
Give your exercise and healthy diet a helping hand the French way with a targeted body creme. Lierac Morpho-Slim (2 for $82.50) uses caffeine and glaucine complex to reduce the look of dimpled skin.
- Don't let your hair age you. Dull and flat hair can make any woman look years older. Botanical based Phyto products nourish the hair and give it a natural shine. Best of all, Phyto has products for every
hair texture from silky to coarse. Two of my favorites are the
Phyto Specific Moisturizing Styling Balm ($24) for a daily moisture boost and
Phtyojoba Intense Hydrating Mask ($38) for a deep conditioning treatment.
Tip: Wet your hair before swimming and coat it with conditioner to protect it from chlorine and salt. This will keep your hair healthy and help to preserve the color.
There you have it
cherie, a few French beauty secrets. Remember, keep it simple, keep it chic!
PS. In honor of Bastille Day, I am giving
away a full size of Phytojoba
Intense Hydrating Mask for hair (retail value
$38). To enter, just leave a comment below. Your comment
can be as simple as "Bonjour"or you can share a beauty secret of your
own! Comments must be received by Friday, July 23 at 5:00 pm (EST) and
the winner will be announced the following week.
