In every country, women have their own secrets for how to stay young and beautiful. But French women have the most natural charm in the world because they somehow manage to look 18 at the age of 42, like Audrey Tautou. Of course there are no universal tips that can help everyone, but French women definitely have some useful habits that help them stay charming at any age.
Bright Side has discovered the secrets of the beauty routine that almost all French women follow.
12. They don’t use contouring.
French women don’t like contouring because it hides the natural features of the face and looks unnatural. What they do love is a little bronzer on the cheeks to make themselves look fresh and shiny.
11. They don’t mind imperfection.
If you take a closer look at French women and their style, you will notice that almost all of them prefer a little messiness. It may be about hair, it may be about their accessories, like a scarf, or the way their clothes are sewn. This allows them to look natural and free, as if they don’t do anything special to look beautiful.
10. They prefer red lips.
You can always brighten up your appearance by using red lipstick. Women from Paris are completely convinced of this: it does not matter what your style is, you could be wearing torn jeans and a T-shirt or a dress with a huge hat. But adding red lipstick will immediately elevate any look.
9. They don’t get French manicures.
True French women never have “the perfect manicure” that took several hours to apply. Because this would send the message that you actually had to spend an immense amount of time, and money, on something so small.
Parisian women think that it is unnecessary, because they were already born beautiful and they are not going to spend hours on something so trivial. So, the most popular nail style among French women is short nails with clear polish or no polish at all. The same goes for their pedicure.
8. They have a hair styling secret.
French women prefer to not damage their hair and they don’t use a hair dryer or a flat iron every day. They mostly use expensive products — all of them have their favorite hair masks, and oil for their hair, and also a good hairbrush made of natural materials.
This is what they do to hair in France: they wash it and let it dry without a hair dryer, and the next day, when it becomes smooth, they style it.
7. Their makeup bag is not full of products.
French women have only 2 lipsticks: one natural color, and a red one for a great mood or an evening out.
They choose a light powder and a foundation to make their skin shine. But they don’t reapply it every hour, mostly so they don’t look like a wall with plaster on it. Healthy skin is supposed to shine just a little. They consider this is beautiful and natural.
Eye makeup only means mascara on the eyelashes. In the evening, they might add a messy, smoky eye effect. But it is supposed to be imperfect with that French element of messiness.
So, the 6 products in a French woman’s bag include: a good foundation, a powder with a shine, a mascara, an eyeliner, and 2 lipsticks. Now that’s an idea everyone should try!
6. They spend good money on haircuts.
Women in France are sure of one thing: you can wear €10 clothes and nobody will ever know that they are cheap, but get a cheap haircut once and your appearance will be completely ruined. This is why they are ready to pay a fortune to a good hairstylist and they go back to the same person for many years.
Also, a good haircut doesn’t need any fixing, so you don’t have to style your hair every day, only on very special occasions.
5. They have a simple beauty routine.
If there is one thing a French woman really needs it’s expensive cosmetics like a good face cleanser, a sunscreen, and a moisturizer. They will often add different oils for body and hair to this list.
In France, women live according to “the less is more” principle. They use just a few cosmetic products, but the ones they use are expensive.
So, when it comes to peels that are used all over the world, French women don’t really use them. They prefer masks, they use them really often, and they use a lot of different kinds — because good masks restore and rejuvenate the skin.
4. They believe in natural eyebrows.
You will never see a real French woman who has very heavy eyebrows that are an unnaturally dark color. Instead, they take good care of their eyebrows, making sure that they stay healthy, big, and thick.
They may put a little makeup on their eyebrows, but most of the time they don’t even do that. They just use some gel for styling.
3. They don’t diet.
Not a single French women in her right mind would ever start a diet. They are completely sure: the short-term effect of a calorie deficit is not only not worth the effort, but will also damage the skin because of the lack of vitamins.
For them, the main secret to having a beautiful body is eating a little. They eat anything they want, but not a lot of it. And when they feel that they are full, they just stop eating, not feeling forced to finish the meal.
However, French women do try to avoid an excess of sugar in their diet because it damages the skin. But they are not afraid of foods with a lot of fat.
2. They believe in the power of cold showers.
French women know about the importance of having a cold shower after a hot bath. This stimulates the blood circulation and helps to keep the skin toned. As a result, they always look fresh and cool.
1. They accept themselves as they are, flaws and all.
French women rarely need the services of plastic surgeons. It is very unlikely that you will meet an actress, a model, or a fashion blogger in Paris who has a fake nose, cheekbones, or lips that have fillers.
French women learn to accept themselves as they are, flaws and all. This is what makes them so different and alive. This is why French women are always able to highlight their advantages and their uniqueness.
Do you have your own tricks for how to stay beautiful that have been passed on from generation to generation? Share them with us!
Please note: This article was updated in April 2022 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.
Preview photo credit kyliejenner / Instagram, East News
My Stepmother Secretly Gave Me a Towel – My Dad’s Reaction When He Saw It in My Bathroom Flabbergasted Me
My stepmother and I never got along for some reason. But when she gave me an unexpected gift, I thought our relationship was changing. Then I discovered the truth about the present and had to confront her! Little did I know that the innocent gift would lead to a new life!
A happy woman looking at herself in the mirror while wearing a towel to dry her hair | Source: Pexels
My tale is about learning to understand each other, even if it’s someone you don’t quite click with. But before we get to that lesson, buckle up as I give you all the juicy details of how I got here.
My stepmother, Judy, and I had always had a rocky relationship. We were too different and never really saw eye to eye. Our connection never felt genuine, so we were never close. Despite our differences, I couldn’t deny that she made my father, Steve, happy after my mother’s passing.
A happy man embracing a woman from behind | Source: Pexels
His contentment was something I valued deeply. Here’s where my story starts getting interesting. One afternoon, while I was visiting my dad and stepmom, the latter did something unexpected. While Judy and I were alone in the house, she surprised me by handing me a towel.
It was a simple gesture, but it caught me off guard. The towel was soft, with delicate embroidery of daisies, which I had always loved. I accepted it politely, hoping it was a step toward bridging the gap between us.
An uncertain-looking woman holding a towel | Source: Pexels
“Thanks, Judy,” I said, trying to sound sincere. “It’s really nice.” My stepmother smiled awkwardly. “I thought you might like it. Just a little something.” I nodded and placed the towel in my bathroom later that day, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
I wanted to believe Judy was making an effort to connect with me, but a part of me remained skeptical. Yet, I brushed the feeling off, wanting to build a healthier and happier relationship with the woman my father loved.
A happy middle-aged man wearing a toolbelt and holding tools | Source: Freepik
A week later, my father came over to my place to fix a leaky faucet. He had always been the go-to handyman in my life, and I appreciated his willingness to help. As he walked into the bathroom, he spotted the towel hanging there.
His expression instantly shifted from neutral to one of intense disgust! Without saying a word, he grabbed the towel, marched to the kitchen, and threw it into the trash can with force!
An upset middle-aged man covering his face with his hands | Source: Pexels
“Dad, what’s going on? Why did you do that?” I asked, completely taken aback and confused by his reaction. “Sweetheart, I hope you haven’t used that towel yet because it…” He paused struggling to find the right words.
“Because it belonged to our old dog!” he finally blurted out, his voice a mix of anger and revulsion. I stared at him, trying to process what he had said. “Wait, what? OUR old dog? You mean Buster, the one that passed away years ago?” I asked, feeling a wave of confusion and a bit of disgust.
A confused and upset woman gesturing with her hands | Source: Pexels
“Yes,” my father confirmed, looking at me with concern and seriousness. “But Judy gave it to me as a gift!?” I exclaimed in confusion. “Judy must have found it while cleaning out the attic,” he speculated.
“I guess she didn’t realize what it was, but it’s not something you want to be using.” A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt a surge of nausea. The thought of using a towel that had been used on our old dog was REVOLTING!
A woman after giving a dog a bath | Source: Pexels
Now it made sense why I was uneasy and a bit skeptical about the sudden gift. Later that day, I decided to confront Judy about the towel. I needed to understand her reasoning. “Judy, why did you give me that towel?” I asked, my voice steady but curious.
She sighed, looking a bit embarrassed. “When I found that towel in the attic, it looked almost new,” she started explaining. “I thought it would be a nice gesture to give it to you, to save money and maybe try to bond with you.”
A remorseful-looking woman facing down | Source: Pexels
She continued, “I didn’t tell your father because I didn’t want him to think I was being cheap again.” I nodded, recalling how my dad often complained about her thriftiness. It was a habit she developed from growing up in poverty.
“You know how he ALWAYS gets upset about my frugality.” It was true, I’d seen how my stepmother rarely bought anything new. This was a woman who’d wear her clothes until they were threadbare before she could even THINK about buying something new!
A guilty-looking woman seated | Source: Pexels
“I had no idea it was Buster’s,” she continued, her voice tinged with genuine regret. “It looked like it had only been used a few times, so I thought it would be fine.” Looking at the floor she said, “I’m REALLY sorry for the mistake.”
I could see the sincerity in her eyes, but I still felt a mix of emotions. The truth was I was still disturbed by the idea of using a dog towel. But, I also understood her intentions and the challenges she faced due to her upbringing.
A seated woman thinking | Source: Pexels
“It’s fine,” I said, brushing her arm, trying to reassure her. “I appreciate that you were trying to connect with me. Maybe next time, we should find a DIFFERENT way to bond?” I replied, trying to lighten the mood.
She smiled, relieved by my positive response. “Yes, of course! I promise to be more careful in the future.” Leaving my dad’s home, I felt a deeper understanding of my stepmom and her past.
A remorseful-looking woman | Source: Pexels
The incident, though awkward and unsettling, brought a new layer of connection between us. It catalyzed healing, and our relationship began to improve after that. We started spending time together, finding common ground in activities we both enjoyed.
One evening, Judy invited me over for dinner. She had cooked all my favorite dishes: chicken Alfredo, garlic bread, and even a homemade chocolate cake. “Wow, Judy, this looks AMAZING,” I said, touched by the effort she had put into the meal.
Homemade garlic bread | Source: Pixabay
It was obvious that she’d spoken to my dad, wanting to know what my favorite food was. “I just wanted to do something special for you,” she replied with a shy smile. “After the towel incident, I realized we never spent much time together.”
As we sat down to eat, we started talking about our lives. My stepmother shared stories from her childhood. She explained how her mother had instilled in her the value of frugality. Judy told me about her dreams and the obstacles she faced in her upbringing.
A happy younger woman and an older one working in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
“I know your father judges my behavior,” she said. “But it’s hard to shake off those habits. They were INGRAINED in me from a young age.” I nodded, understanding her perspective better. “I get it, Judy. We all have things from our past that shape who we are. It’s not always easy to change.”
Our conversation flowed naturally, and for the first time, I felt like I was getting to know Judy. She wasn’t just my stepmother; she was a person with her own history and challenges. After that dinner, Judy and I started spending even more time together.
Two women walking down a beach | Source: Pexels
We went shopping, cooked meals, and even took a few day trips to explore nearby towns! Each time we hung out, I learned something new about her, and our relationship slowly began to shift.
My father was THRILLED, to say the least! One sunny Saturday, we decided to tackle a DIY project together. My dad had mentioned wanting to build a small garden in the backyard. Judy thought it would be a great way for us to bond further.
A middle-aged woman harvesting carrots in a garden | Source: Freepik
As we worked on the garden, planting flowers and setting up a small fountain, we chatted about EVERYTHING. We tackled favorite movies to life goals. I discovered that my stepmother had ALWAYS dreamed of traveling! But had never had the opportunity.
“Maybe we can plan a trip together,” I suggested, wiping sweat from my forehead. “I’d love to see the Grand Canyon or even go to Europe someday!” Judy’s eyes lit up with excitement. “That sounds AMAZING, Sarah. I’d LOVE that.”
Two happy women embracing on a beachfront | Source: Pexels
The more time we spent together, the more I realized how much we were alike! Perhaps that’s why we clashed so much in the past. We both loved nature, cooking, and exploring new places. It was like discovering a new friend in someone I had known for years!
One evening, as we all sat down for dinner, my father looked at Judy and me with a content smile. “I’m glad to see you two getting along so well,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “It’s something I’ve always hoped for.”
A man standing in the background watching his wife and daughter bond | Source: Freepik
Judy and I exchanged a knowing glance. We both knew that our relationship had come a long way since the towel incident. “I’m glad we finally understand each other and gave one another a chance,” I shared, holding my stepmom’s hand.
A happy couple and woman having a toast while enjoying a meal | Source: Freepik
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