The Beauty Secrets of Parisian Women
By Katie Dickens
Lancôme ambassador Caroline de Maigret, one of the forces behind the new book How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are, shares her tips and tricks for attaining that elusive, effortless sort of beauty that comes naturally to Parisian women.
The ladies of Paris all seem to be blessed with the kind of effortless beauty that suggests they tumbled out of bed, put on whatever clothing was draped over their boudoir, ran a hand through their sleep-tousled strands, and slicked on some lip balm. The end result is always utterly flawless. That signature devil-may-care look is so enviable that multiple books have been written on the subject; the latest, called How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are, was written by an impossibly cool quartet of friends, including Lancôme ambassador Caroline de Maigret. Here, she shares her beauty essentials to help you look like a chic Parisian woman.
Less is more.
“The whole art is that people think you have nothing on and that you naturally look like that. Don’t use foundation, so your skin shows and you don’t look too made up. Choose a concealer instead, to apply under the eyes and around the nose and chin.”
YSL Touche Éclat ($41, yslbeautyus.com)
Always wear mascara.
“I always have mascara on. It gives a stylish and adventurous look. I like to use brown mascara, which is softer for the skin tone.”
Mascara: Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara in Brown ($27.50, lancome-usa.com)
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Pick natural colors for your face.
“On the cheeks, I choose pink, cherry, or peach colors because it is more natural; it looks like you just blushed. Put it on the apples of the cheeks under the eyeballs, rather than on the cheekbones.”
Nars Multiple in 413 BLKR ($39, narscosmetics.com)
Keep your lips simple—if you don’t go bold.
“Parisian women usually decide to put an accent on their eyes or on the mouth; both at the same time would be a bit too much. For fresh lips, use a gloss without glitter.”
Lancôme Balm Lip Love in Rose Ballet ($23, lancome-usa.com)
Keep your skin clear.
“I assume that 50 percent of my make-up is my skin, so you should really take care of it. Clean skin deeply no matter what—even if you didn’t put on make-up that day.”
Lancôme Galatée Confort Comforting Milky Creme Cleanser ($30 for 6.8 fl. oz., lancome-usa.com)
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Don’t forget sunblock.
“Protect your skin from the sun, even when you are in a city and you don’t see any sun. Mix it with your morning cream. I carry a sunscreen stick around in my bag.”
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50 Sunblock Stick ($39, bigelowchemists.com)
Don’t fuss with your hair too much.
“Don’t use conditioner, and let your hair air dry. Then apply a mask on the weekend.”
Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs de Jasmine ($62, net-a-porter.com)
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photo: Courtesy Caroline de Maigret; Courtesy Yves Saint-Laurent; Courtesy Lancôme; Courtesy Nars; Courtesy Lancôme (2), Courtesy La Roche-Posay; Courtesy Leonor
