makeup misconceptions

After living here for four years, I feel like I've become a keen observer of my native people-- not the French, but the Parisian (or Parisienne, as they call themselves). And more often than not, the Parisian woman shows off her natural elegance, style, that je ne sais quoi, without a proper coiffe nor makeup.

My clients often ask what types of beauty products the French love, what chic secrets they might take back stateside with them, and I'm always reluctant to answer-- because the answer is less is more. The recent NY Times article explains this phenomenon beautifully-- Sans Makeup, S'il Vous Plait. And I noted the same thing last night watching the Festival de Cannes on tv-- it's amazing how much less made-up the French are, compared to the Hollywood starlets. (The exceptions being those actresses who have 'crossed over' into American culture, such as Monica Belluci, etc.)

It seems a bit ironic that the country resposable for giving us Chanel, Guerlain, by Terry, etc. wears less of it than other cultures,but maybe this is how French women keep their mystique....they somehow manage to look sexy without looking perfect....

the may chic beat is here!

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plastic, it's fantasic

The ordinary plastic grocery bag was the inspiration behind contemporary artist Mai Ueda's lastest bag for Celine . Baptized the "Mai Bag for Celine", the bag resembles a plastic bag in shape and weight, but it is made out of an extraordinary material-- laminated kangaroo, in gold, silver, and chocolate leather. The concept was to find the extraordinary in the banal, taking an ordinary sac and making it luxe-- and, I might add, definitely not recycleable. Available for a limited time at Celine shops.

Bastille Antique Fair

This twice yearly Antiquite Brocante (antiques fair) straddles both sides of the river at the Place de la Bastille. Not the biggest bargains, but some goodies are sure to be had. And the plus side is that you don't have to trek all the way up to Clingancourt Puces if you are in the mood for treasure hunting.
May 5-14, 11am to 7pm, Place de la Bastille