Bonjour mes amis!
Fall is finally here, and we are ecstatically awaiting our “Sothys Affair to Remember” this November 5th. Our Sothys makeup Experts will be here, there will be fantastic hors d’oeuvres, and the essence of French beauty will be in the air.
With that in mind, we thought we’d share a bit about the French approach to makeup (as well as some of our favorite exemplars of French beauty).
Rule #1 of French makeup: A Flawless Canvas
This is one reason that French women are able to pull off their “undone” look so marvelously. They have incredible skincare rituals, and are careful to not disrupt their routine. In fact, many French lines of makeup (like Sothys!), have active ingredients. This means that while the makeup gives a flawless, finished look, it has the added benefit of containing many of the ingredients of your favorite skin-care products. Putting on foundation can have the added benefit of complementing your skin-care routine. While French women are willing to take time for their skin, they also want it all (and, let’s face it, who doesn’t?)
Rule #2: A Healthy Glow
The French remember what sometimes we American women forget–the goal of makeup is to enhance beauty, not cover it. What is beautiful? A healthy, natural looking glow. Whether this means a touch of light blush or bronzer, the idea here is that the makeup looks natural. For an example, look no further than the beautiful Juliette Binoche. You can scarcely tell that she is wearing blush–it is a light, natural, and effortless look. For this reason, most French makeup lines eschew sparkles, etc. These are not “natural”, and draw unnecessary attention.
Rule #3: Balance, Balance, Balance
In French makeup, there is a strict rule of balance. A heavily colored lip is balanced by neutral eyes. Darker eyeshadow is matched by a more nude shade of lip. Everything must be in proportion, otherwise the makeup can begin to look overdone and overpower the face (which is perhaps the greatest sin of all in French beauty). Never let it be said that French women try to cover themselves up. To do so would be a major faux pas.
Rule #4: Mix up your Makeup
Maintaining a variety of looks is key in French beauty. Keeping to the same makeup routine eventually becomes stale and boring. This is not to say that makeup must drastically change. Changes in look can be subtle, but still give an entirely different effect. The French are especially fond of varying their makeup by season. Each season can have its own look, as the lovely Sophie Marceau illustrates. Winter can combine metallic, lined eyes and nude lips for a sultry evening, while Spring may inspire pink blush and lipstick for a fresh, light, everyday look. Changing looks is a fun, exciting way to embrace the seasons and draw admiring looks all year long. As every fashion aficianado knows, makeup is an essential way to complete any outfit.
In conclusion, French makeup is not complicated, or daunting. In fact, it is beautifully minimalist. The key is to maintain the health of your skin, and to make sure that your makeup reflects your skin’s health. Makeup should never be overpowering, nor should a look be allowed to grow stale. The height of sophisticated makeup is to keep your looks balanced, and to vary them. Luckily, there are a wealth of ways to vary looks by season.
If you’d like a little assistance in creating your own, unique, Parisian look, be sure to attend our Sothys Affair to Remember! Our Sothys experts would be more than happy to assist you in celebrating the season with a fresh new look. A reservation fee of $25 is redeemable toward product that day!
Reserve by Saturday to receive a surprise Sothys Makeup gift!
Give us a call to reserve at (805) 785-0340
Bisous!
Adrienne
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