During divorce, we spend much of our time dealing with difficult issues like legal, financial and co-parenting challenges. We feel drained yet we’re trying to heal.
That’s why now it’s time to focus on YOU. I’m talking about focusing on your beauty both inside and out. Since it’s too easy to neglect our own needs, let’s flip that around. Let’s start taking care of self. Let’s get a little selfish. Let’s feel beautiful…
‘Je ne sais quoi’ French term literally ‘I don’t know what’- definition- An intangible quality that makes something distinctive or attractive – let’s get you some of that!
image source; Pinterest Charlotte Gainsbourgh-epitome of French Goddess
How? By finding your Inner French Goddess. She’s in there waiting for you to bring her out and show the world. Since forever, we have admired the French woman and how she can pull it together without looking like she tried. What’s her secret and Who is my inner French Goddess? You ask. How do I know anything about French Goddesses? Is my mother French? No.
I read my French bible Parisian Chic A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange. I also was a fashion mistake, let my hair get shapeless and messy before booking my cut, and I’ve offended people with my perfume. All of the things French women would not be caught dead doing. You could say, I’ve learned from my own mistakes.
The French style bible
The essence of French Chic includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Simplicity in makeup and fashion
2. Regular spa and beauty treatments
3. Understanding the power of moderate scent
4. Embracing vintage
5. Less is more
6. Mixing it up
7. Self-confidence
French Makeup & Fashion
Rarely will you see a French woman wear a bold lipstick along with blushed cheeks and eyes shadowed/lined all at once. Non, non! Oui? Choose one to emphasize and go au naturel for the other. Skin care is important to the French Goddess and should be to us as well. You might be surprised to know that French women are among the most natural beauties in the world. In fact, the beauty sections of our fashion magazines are gauche compared to the reality of French rituals. You wouldn’t catch a French woman wearing blue eye shadow and violet mascara. NON
Very UNFrench makeup
A French woman’s hair is uncontrived with subtle color. It’s rarely a bleached blond, she rarely gets a pixie cut and rarely follows hair trends. Rather, the French Goddess boasts a brilliant cut and shape. You’ll see long or medium length, with or without bangs and subtle layers. Again, a regular trip to the salon keeps her with or without bangs and subtle layers. Again, a regular trip to the salon keeps her fresh.
The French Goddess has a pared down wardrobe in the most expensive fabrics she can afford. You’re not likely to see cheap clothes in her closet. Maybe that’s why we see them wearing a lot of black. They invest in their pieces and black goes with everything.
I love pattern and color myself but every once in a while I look to the French Goddess’ simple wardrobe for inspiration. She wears a bold colored Hermes scarf instead of a patterned blouse from WalMart, for example.
Think stripes, navy, tall, flat heeled boots, skinny jeans, blazers, pencil skirts, wool sweaters with some vintage thrown in. French women know the value of a vintage piece whether it came from their mother’s wardrobe or a secondhand store. They’re not afraid to mix it in with their standards.
Regular Spa and Beauty Treatments
The first rule of the French woman? Spa appointments are not a luxury. They are a necessity and a woman’s right. Regular grooming makes us feel beautiful inside. Make the time for your spa treatments by scheduling them ahead (I’m trying to get better at this and not leave them until I’m desperate). The most important thing is to find yourself a spa that you feel comfortable at. If you don’t feel comfortable there you won’t feel the desire to return. There’s nothing worse than not having a spa you can go to and feel at home. Ask around with your friends. Where do they go? Who do they see?
BTW, it is not true that French women have underarm hair. Non!
Treat yourself and book your appointment today. If you are on a budget there are lots of reasonably priced products at the Pharmacy for at home treatments, which can make you feel just as French and just as pretty.
She Understands The Power of Scent
The French woman also understands the power of scent without overdoing it. The power is in the moderate use of her scent. A little here and there does the trick. The whole world doesn’t smell a French woman’s perfume. She smells divine up close but doesn’t assault anyone with her choice. She finds one that suits her chemistry. How? She spends time trying various scents until she finds the one that is perfect for her on every note.
To instantly bring out your inner French Goddess try any of these French fashion house scents; Chanel (the Coco Chanel scents are more modern than No.5) Yves St. Laurent or Christian Dior. Get samples and try them for a few days to make sure the scent is to your liking. Actually make sure it’s to your ‘loving’ before you invest in a bottle. You should feel passionate about your scent.
Less is More
When you’re a French Goddess you understand that you don’t need every latest style. You understand that you can skip some of the latest trends and still be chic. You don’t need to wear all the make up in your bag. You can even go without makeup and still feel confident. You don’t need to clutter your closet every season (guilty). You can wear as many rings as you like and what the French women call ‘paste’ (fashion) jewelry is okay, too. That’s one area where the French woman ‘piles it on’ and it is oh so chic.
Self Confidence
French women pull off their individual beauty with their definite confidence. It exudes from their clean, unmade face and simple clothing. You will too, when you begin to take care of you the way you deserve. When you believe in yourself, you will present your authentic self to the world as opposed to some made up version of yourself.
You are beautiful and you know your own style. Adding a few French tips to your own personal style will simplify and beautify your life.
What are we waiting for? Let the healing begin. Starting today, focus on you…your beauty inside and out. The confidence will follow. The confidence will spread to all other areas allowing you to deal with your challenges.
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