La Beauté: What Do French Women Have That We Don’t?
November 7, 2011
Michel Nguyen
Every time I go to Paris, I’m inspired anew. I look at the women with their ruby red lips, their studiously disheveled hair, their outfits that—really, aren’t that exceptional and yet still scream “cool” because of the way they hang on their petite frames or just because of the attitude with which they’re worn—and I think: I can do that!
You see, French women make beauty look so easy. They’re not all made up, hair sprayed and complexion painted to perfection. Their nails don’t match their lips. Their shoes don’t match their bags. They’re not highlighted, bronzed, veneered, acrylic tipped, implanted, injected or perfected. And yet they’re beautiful.
So what do they have that we don’t (okay, at least I don’t)?
Making Magique
It all starts with attitude
My friends who date French women assure me the pretty young things are actually racked with insecurities. But you’d never know it looking at them. French women ooze sex appeal. It’s in the way they walk, the way they talk, and the way they hold their wine glasses. They think, “I’m beautiful,” and it radiates outwards, causing others to look at and admire them which, in turn, makes them feel beautiful—a brilliant cycle if there ever was one.
They celebrate their femininity
You’d never catch a French woman trying to emulate a man the way we do in the States. Here, we’re always putting on tough girl acts. We’re competitive and try to be uber independent. We even wear power suits and poker faces. Showing that we’re equal to men is a great byproduct of the women’s rights movement. But it’s not so sexy. French women embrace what makes them uniquely feminine—softness, caregiving, short skirts—instead of trying to prove they’re just like men.
Making Magique
They’re good with props
French women are famous devotees of lacy lingerie and potent perfume. But they’ve got other props up their sleeves, too. Things like cigarettes and compacts and lap dogs—accoutrements that draw attention to themselves and invite others to look at them. And when people are looking at them, you better believe they make sure they look good.
They know how to dress
As Coco Chanel said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” Clothing matters just as much as hair and makeup when it comes to beauty, and French women know this—and not just what they wear, but how they wear it. If they wear tight jeans, they offset them with loose, billowy blouses. If they wear short skirts, they won’t also give away a lot of cleavage. It’s all about subtlety; French women know there’s nothing sexier than the power of suggestion.
Wildfleur
They like to flirt
The image of a this adorable French woman winking at my friend in a crowded bar is forever etched in my mind. If I had done it, it would have been so cheesy. I would have looked spastic and desperate. But the way she delivered that wink—with a blush, a smile, a quick look down and then back up… French women can flirt like no one’s business. And that gives a power that makes them irresistible.
They don’t strive for perfection
Freckles, scars, chipped teeth, wild hair—all the things we American girls try to tame and combat are celebrated by French women. They know how to make a freckle or scar sexy (call attention to it! make it a conversation piece!); they don’t let imperfect teeth stop them from smiling; and messy hair looks sexy when it’s tossed up or adorned with sparkly barrettes. American women try too hard to be perfect instead of just reveling in ourselves, our beauty, and what we have to offer.
Wildfleur
- Parisien Salon profiles Les Grands Magasins, the temples of French beauty
- For some fab French beauty inspiration, check out Wildfleur and Making Magique
- Garance Doré is also one of our favorite chroniclers of general French chic-ness
Written by Amy Thomas for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Written by God I Love Paris
Amy Thomas is a sweets-obssessed writer based between New York and Paris. She penned the Sweet Freak column for Metro newspaper and has written about Paris' best chocolatiers (New York Times), desserts for two (Time Out New York), chocolate for guys (Rachel Ray) and the best hot chocolate in the city (Metro). Check for updates from Amy on her blog, God I Love Paris.
Website: http://godiloveparis.blogspot.com/
Tags: Amy Thomas, Beauty Tips, French beauty, paris beauty products
Posted in Parisian Living | 33 Comments »
I think that dismissing women who feel that they are on par with any man as being unfeminine is truly offensive and awful. You can wear a power suit and be strong while also being sexy and beautiful. Strength and pursuit of equality does not somehow make someone less of a female. I really enjoy this blog and it’s been an incredible resource for me, but how about we celebrate the qualities of one group without putting down another?
Touché, Jameela! I don’t disagree that the “French fashionista” stereotype isn’t always true and I certainly don’t mean to put down American women. In fact, one of my old colleagues in Paris, who had lived and worked in New York, thought American woman totally “won” over the French. But there’s something undeniably seductive and intriguing and forever inspiring about the way French women approach beauty.
Though I love the French fashion, culture, and France in general. I have to say that I’ve been to France, different parts in fact including Paris, and I have also studied the culture. I think the idea that all French women are fashionistas is kind of a stereotype that we’ve given them. I know many French women also, and not every French woman has an attitude or are concerned with being fashionble. There are beautiful French women and there are average looking French women.
They’re normal people just like everyone else.
I liked this post, but I have to say that putting down the way American women act and dress is kind of unfair. Everyone has something to offer. I respect American women for having the courage and strength to fight and show that they are just as strong as any man. I happen to think that is sexy. Plus, there are a lot of stylish Americans that I have seen, I’ve seen more fashionable American women than fashionable French women.
@ Chloe:
Amen to that…. I think we all agree but you’re missing part of Amy’s message. If nobody hadn’t anything to say to the Parisian’s style etc, about 10 zillions of blogs about anything Parisian wouldn’t have a place
I love France, I like much Paris has to offer but you don’t have to love Parisians, nor their style, nor their way of living. You stay who you are and are happy with it – so am I – and we will never be French for that (thank Goodness).
Have a good week.
I never quite understand what all the fuzz is about? I love Paris, mostly because it’s so beautiful, their food is delicious and yes they have fabulous fashion. That being said, I don’t understand why an american would try so hard to be fabulously french? It doesn’t make any sense at all to me. While I agree that fanny packs, atheltic shoes and t shirts shouldn’t be part of anyone’s wardrobe, it’s not because I want to mimic another culture, its because it’s common sense to me. Also, I don’t find smoking nor chipped teeth appealing. I think a woman has to find happiness and security in who she is. Not who she wants to be. I am not interested whatsoever in acheiving a tre chic parisian look. I am not interested in living their life. I am interested in traveling the world, learning about other cultures but I want to be ME. I love fashion, I can’t think of anything more beautiful than a timeless chanel jacket or a woman with a strong sense of who she is. Do we have to be french to acheive this? I think not.
Their eyes, lips and hair! Like say…Audrey Tautou, and also Irene Jacob.
Fantastique ! I was born in America with a French soul. Glad to find your site.
A fun read. As a woman with freckles though, I don’t try to “hide” them (never met someone who does) and wouldn’t class them with scars or chipped teeth.
Absolutely love this article, its just so true! Still have to master their stylish elegance.
Best regards
Nadia
-The French Life
Fantastic! Loved reading your article
great article
and so so please some of my pics are included here! I am *blushing* now! XOXOXO
Nice post, I wish all french girls were like that.
signed : a french woman not living in Paris
Everything you said is so true. Congrats !
To those who are interested in scarves, I have a created a group in Facebook called “Scarf Addicted”. Any of you who want to join are welcome…..
All the best ! Your blog rocks !
No matter how perfectly I wrap my scarf or dress, I will never be able to muster the outer je ne sais quoi of the Parisian woman.
Bonjour. I am sorry but I do not know where the scarf comes from. Pretty!!
Me again… I loved this so much I put it on My Daily Click…..xv
What is the scarf in the picture with the tiny stars-I just love it!
They are just gorgeous… xv
Hello,
This is an inspired piece. Having lived in Paris 18 months now I do have to agree with Hazels observations; the FOIAF philosophy really does give that je ne sais quoi glamorous attitude. And smoking still remains fashionable not an unfashionable habit as it has become elsewhere…Piff.
However, I also think that Parisian’s have such a strong aesthetic for beauty (it comes with the territory) being well turned out in Paris is to play to your advantage. I find that I am treated to according to my degree of groomed sophistication…superficial non? And so exhausting?
Although, you gotta learn from them : I love the simple look paired with one fabulous luxury item!
Beautifully written!
Now I really want that cigarette:)
Tracy
I’m a little bit obsessed with France – Paris especially – since I took my first ever abroad there in 1998. I remember walking through Luxembourg Gardens thinking, “This is IT. THIS is the style and look and way of life that no one else in my hometown gets.”
I wore a scarf. Lots of black. A tousled chignon. Little make-up. I did NOT smoke. But I will never forget how irresistible and courageous I felt strolling thru the streets of Paris. As if I were French. As if I were living the life I always dreamt I would have.
@ Lindsey; yep…. isn’t it amazing? I’ve never ever seen anywhere so many women smoking…
I think the thing about French women is that they roll up to work or to a party looking perfectly disheveled and you can’t help but think it’s innate. But the truth is, their gorgeous state of chaos is highly calculated. And that’s ok! They’re allowed to care, just like Anglosaxon women care, but even in caring, the final product generally looks more natural. And yes, despite smoking like chimneys they DO place an emphasis of self-preservation
while living in Paris, I have also noticed these fineness of French women. their style looks a bit ‘i took the first thing from my wardrobe’ and ‘just out of the bed hair’ and it looks so good. They are not courageous in bright colours and crazy styles but they know exactly what works.
And still, i have seen relationship between men and women in Paris, and sometimes its really her in control. but this would ask for an article about Parisian men:)
I was delighted to find that the women here ( and men) are much the same as in Paris or Italy.
The majority dress well, even if it is old and a bit worn, they are clean, tucked in, and their clothes fit !
We won’t discuss how every single person seems to have the greatest hairdresser in the world..
I agree with Dianes statement that French ( and the women here) are “women all their lives” ..
Yes, lessons I need to be reminded of…celebrate your beauty & be confident! Merci
Loved this little read!
A French lady once pointed out an interesting fact about French girls and their hair … like an unspoken rule, if you’re a French girl you wear a side part… always! That shabby, effortless, messy yet somehow miraculously amazing hair, is casually flipped to the side, you’ll never (or rarely) see a french girl with a dead centre part. Anyone else notice this? Is it true? …as i subtly flip my hair over and pray i dont look like a spastic peacock 
x
What makes us different is the way french men treat us, they are not afraid to show that they like women, not afraid like american men!!! having lived in Us for many years I am always amazed in the differences.
Amy,
great article! So many fine points….
You’re so right with most things you mention here – but what really triggered me to write to you NOW (it’s nearly 1am on Tuesday in France!!) is the subtle and yet totally convincing combination of prose and photos – good choices!
About ‘celebrating their feminity’ – one word of advice: Don’t kid yourself. It’s true, French women LOOK and SEEM feminin, but they are tough as steel and what a French woman really wants, she gets…. (I’m talking business here just to be clear) They do come across all silky, the true person is as competitive as any American – but they are doing SUBTLE… I think THAT’s the one thing American women must learn
What you girls do MUCH BETTER, is
– And that’s VI(P) – I think fondly of that other article on this blog….
Good night, kisses
Kiki (neither French nor American)
Although I love men, I could spend days in Paris mesmerized by the simplicity and chic that French women seem to own.
And it’s not just about pretty young things, French women are women their whole entire lives. I love seeing ‘femme d’un certain age’ who dress with feminine touches instead of dressing to be invisible (like in NA).
I think France is an ideal country for women to grow old in…
Italian girls fight with luxury clothes, hair and make up just to look perfect but most of them look fake!!
I love the natural and simple look of French women!!
I like to think of this as the F*** Off, I’m Fabulous philosophy. It works.
Very interesting blog you got here. I am relocating to Paris next year and already bookmarked a lot of stuff. If only it weren’t so female-centric. Any cool links for boys?
Stay classy