Here’s How 2 French Women Care For Their Skin
When it comes to beauty, the French culture’s pared-back approach to skincare and emphasis on high-quality products is key to achieving that effortless, understated look we all covet. We asked two of the beauty industry’s top skin experts (and incredibly chic Parisians) to share how they achieve their own radiant complexions…
Sophie Carbonari
An aesthetician based in Paris, Carbonari counts Naomi Campbell amongst her A-list clientele
“I never compromise on my skincare. I find it empowering to feel my skin glowing – it makes me feel confident and ready to face the world each day.
“I adapt my skincare routine to my daily lifestyle, but it always includes a lot of massage. It’s really underestimated how much facial massage and lymphatic drainage can change the look of your skin.
“Typically, after a long day of work in Paris performing treatments, I walk home to the 11th arrondissement and start my evening skincare routine. I like to double cleanse, starting with Tata Harper’s Nourishing Oil Cleanser, massaging it in while it’s on my skin to thoroughly remove pollutants and makeup, and to activate my skin tissue at the deepest level. After two minutes of massage, I use a microfiber cotton pad and one pump of Susanne Kaufmann’s Purifying Cleansing Gel to do the same active massaging technique. I then apply a few drops of Charlotte Tilbury’s Glow Toner for a gentle exfoliation.
“Once my skin is dry, I use four drops of my Sophie Carbonari S Serum, applying it all over, using a gentle pinching motion to stimulate my jawline and contour my face. I follow this with Goop Goopgenes All-In-One Super Nutrient Face Oil, massaging it into my face and neck for six to eight minutes.
“In the morning, I also cleanse using a microfiber cotton pad, followed again by the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner and my S Serum, and then I apply U Beauty’s The Super Smart Hydrator, finished with Ultra Violette’s Clean Screen Skinscreen SPF30 on top.
“My makeup really complements my low-key skincare routine, too. I use my S Serum on the high points of my face, including my cheekbones, brow bone and on my third eye – the middle of the forehead, above the brows – as it contains subtle light-reflecting pigments. I’ll then use a hit of blush (I love Pat McGrath Labs’ formulas), and a lip gloss from Charlotte Tilbury.”
Dr. Anne Mendelovici
An aesthetic and anti-ageing expert known for her natural approach to beauty, Dr. Mendelovici has clinics in both Paris and London, and an extensive celebrity client roster
“I believe the key to glowing skin is hydration; dehydrated skin will look dull and wrinkled. I use La Rosée’s Plumping Face Serum [a pharmacy-grade French skincare brand] during the summer, both morning and evening. The smell is divine, and it is not too greasy or thick – it’s truly one of my favorites. In winter, I mix it with a moisturizing cream so it’s even more hydrating for my skin; winter is the time of year when your skin needs more moisture to help protect it from the cold and the wind.
“As a cosmetic doctor, I am very interested in skin treatments and how people look after their complexion. I believe that your skin is a reflection of your health, and it’s important to have a good routine, from your teenage years throughout your life. It only needs to be three simple steps: cleanse, moisturize, protect.
“From my years of practice in France, I have learnt that French women – myself included – care deeply about staying ‘natural’. They want very light, subtle work on their face; nothing overdone that could change their natural features. It’s about enhancing and refreshing their features, not changing their faces. They really have a less-is-more approach to aesthetic treatments.
“When it comes to my own skincare routine, I would never go to bed with makeup on. Even if I am tired and dying to go to bed, it’s so important to let the skin breathe. I always apply a moisturizer on cleansed skin, and wearing SPF is another daily skincare step I’d never skip. UV rays are terribly damaging and, even though you might not see the consequences when you’re young, you do see the aftermath when you’re older, in the form of pigmentation, dullness and wrinkles. I think people tend to apply moisturizer and put makeup on, forgetting about SPF protection. Even if your makeup has some SPF protection in it, I always recommend applying a standalone sunscreen so you’re properly covered.”
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