In The French Beauty Solution Mathilde Thomas, co-founder of cult French beauty brand Caudelie, gives away everything that makes the French so … French when it comes to beauty and skin care. Sure, they make it look easy and natural, but here are nine “secrets” French women use to keep them looking—and feeling—beautiful, straight from a French woman. Delicious, sure, but wine also has remarkable health and anti-aging benefits. Full of the antioxidant resveratrol and polyphenols, red wine is anti-inflammatory, can slow the growth of bacteria that causes acne, fights free radicals and helps with heart health, meaning your circulation (and subsequent glow) is improved. According to Thomas, the best beauty secret she ever learned came from her great grandmother: “Drink one glass of red wine every day, and have at least one 30-minute walk.” For them, beauty is an “art de vivre” and should give you pleasure, not pain. Which is why Thomas posits spa treatments, like facials, shouldn’t be treated as a luxury. Rather, she views them as a necessary part of a skin care regimen and knows the cumulative benefits of upkeep will only help enhance someone’s beauty (even if you have to DIY in your bathroom!). By no means exclusive to the French, sex should be a regular part of your skin care routine. When in doubt, follow the advice of Thomas’ friend’s Parisian grandmother: “Always coordinate your lingerie. Because you never know what might happen.” “In France we’re about glowing, great-looking skin, so we can have this no-makeup makeup look, and it works,” Thomas says. “In the U.S., I find women looking for quick fixes that leave their skin dry, peeling, or damaged, so they’re buying more makeup, and the difference is that American women find skin care complicated, with many steps, and the French secret is more about simplicity." With an emphasis on fresh produce, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and some dairy and meat, the typical French diet sounds similar to a Mediterranean-type diet, which we all know is a natural anti-ager. There’s no need to go out of your way to get the nutrients your body (and subsequently your skin) needs because eating like this will provide you with everything you need. Own your routine and your beauty, and others will fall in line. The real secret to French beauty? Confidence. Get on it, ma belle!
