10 Things We Can Learn From French Women

Ah, the mythical French woman. Beautiful, slim, stylish, self-possessed, sexy. She is admired the world around. Let’s take a look at 10 things we can learn from French women.

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10 Things We Can Learn From French Women

 

1. Take care of your skin.

From a very early age the French girl learns how to care for her skin. She is taken to an aesthetician and receives careful instruction regarding proper skin care. Throughout her life the French woman devotes special care to her skin with a daily skin care regimen and regular facials. This attention to her skin allows the French woman to skip heavy foundation because her skin doesn’t need much coverage to look good.

2. Enjoy your meals.

You won’t see the French woman rushing through meals, eating while walking or driving, or resorting to a steady diet of fast food. Mealtime is sacred to the French and they take the time to enjoy their food. The French woman purchases fresh, in season foods, prepares them in simple yet delicious ways, and then takes time to sit at a properly set table to enjoy her meals.

3. Less is more and quality over quantity.

This concept applies to all aspects of the French woman’s life from makeup to clothing to household goods to food and more. Natural looking makeup with perhaps one feature emphasized is preferred to a heavily made-up look with lots of contouring. A small but carefully chosen wardrobe of quality clothing pieces will serve the French woman better than a closet full of bargain buys that wear out in one season. A few bites of a decadent dessert satisfies better than a whole package of cheap, store-bought cookies.

4. Create daily rituals.

The French woman will linger over her morning cup of coffee, enjoying it with all her senses. She creates a daily beauty routine that not only maintains her natural good looks but offers her a few moments morning and evening to focus on herself. The French woman looks for ways to elevate ordinary parts of her day by turning them into lovely rituals.

5. Improve your mind.

A large part of the French woman’s appeal is her intelligence. She isn’t just another pretty face without much substance. No, the French woman knows that a keen mind and an interest in many subjects makes her more interesting…and sexy. Keep up with current events, read the classics, study the philosophers, learn a new skill.

6. Cultivate some mystery.

In these times where people share the most intimate details of their lives on social media the notion of cultivating an aura of mystery might seem impossible. But do we really need to tell everyone on Facebook that we just started a diet, had too much to drink last night or that we had an argument with our significant other? Consider keeping some things to yourself and people are likely to find you more interesting.

7. Wear nice underthings.

Even if you’re the only person who will see them, toss those worn out, unattractive underthings and invest in items that fit correctly and make you feel sexy.

8. Select a signature scent.

France is renowned for its perfumes and some of the world’s most famous fragrances are produced there. Take the time to explore the world of fragrance and select one as your signature scent. I fell in love with Shalimar in high school and have worn it ever since.

9. Pay attention to details.

Polished shoes, manicured nails, carefully pressed clothing, an artfully tied scarf…it’s the details that matter.

10. Be comfortable in your own skin.

It is often said the the French woman is “bien dans sa peau”, or comfortable in her skin. Developing that sense of confidence isn’t easy, especially in a culture that worships unrealistic images of beauty. However, it’s worth working toward because nothing is more attractive than confidence and self assurance.

 

These 10 things may be easier for the French woman because of the culture in which she lives but there’s no reason we can’t, with some effort and practice, implement them in our own lives.