Bend It Like A Parisienne

"Parisian style is an attitude, a state of mind. Between rocker and ho-hum bourgeois, a Parisian is always first, never second. Her secrets: she breathes the air du temps and puts it to good use, her way..." declared the most Parisian of all in her 'bible', 'Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Inès de la Fressange' (with Sophie Gachet, Flammarion). Indeed, the 'Parisienne' is quite special, especially when it comes to her own look and beauty routine.

For hair stylist John Nollet "she’s an elegant woman with a nonchalant air about her, and she knows how to choose her very special style. She takes responsibility for her choices."

Although nothing is imposed on her and she likes discretion, behind the curtain, the Parisienne assembles regular meetings with her facialist, her coach, and her hairdresser. Her make-up or skincare routine is never an obligation – she insists on retaining her freedom and personality – but rather a game, like the way she dresses; quiet luxury before its time. At ease in the capital of fashion, she crosses the street or takes the metro with ease and grace. In short, the Parisienne cultivates a subtle less is more philosophy, coupled together with a certain art of pleasure.

Trench coat by Burberry, Shirt by Celine, Jeans by Chanel, Loafers by Chloe, Bag and Charms by Balenciaga, Sunglasses by Vintage

In her book of addresses :

• Marie Pelloile, Hotel Bachaumont, 18 rue de Bachaumont 75002 Paris - @mariepeloille
• Sophie Carbonari, 170, galerie de Valois 75001 Paris - www.sophiecarbonarie.com
• Marie Depoulain, 6, rue de Phalsbourg 75017 Paris - www.mariedepoulain.fr
• Delphine Langlois, 17 bis rue La Boétie 75008 Paris - www.delphinelanglois.com
• Françoise Morice, 58 bis rue François 1er, 75008 Paris

And for a taste of luxury :

• L’Institut Guerlain, 68 avenue des Champs Élysées 75008 Paris
• and the Dior Spa, Plaza Athenée, 25 avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris.

Her Skincare Products - The French Pharmacy

Whilst waiting for her children’s prescription, the Parisienne likes to shop for her beauty products in the pharmacies. These pharmacies, which can be found on every street corner, are full of hygiene and care products developed by French pharmaceutical and cosmetics laboratories. The simple, effective formulas have been tested for sensitive skin, approved by dermatologists and come at reasonable prices. Most studio make-up artists use them to prepare and remove makeup from the faces of models and actresses before photo shoots. Clémence Poésy and Vanessa Paradis, for example, have adopted Colosol Eau de Lait for their makeup removal. "Pharmacies offer a dermo-cosmetic range that is unique in the world," says Chloé Arjona, Director of the Beauty Division of the strategy consultancy Nelly Rody. "Parisian women are looking for a very natural beauty result, a healthy glow for their skin and hair, and the same reassuring guarantee of a white shirt."

In her bathroom cabinets :

• Bioderma H2O Micellar Cleansing Water, the first of its kind.
• Avène Thermal Spring Water, spray to soothe irritated or sensitive skin.
• Aderma Biologie Energie C Serum, to revive tired, dull skin.
• Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Redensifying Cashmere Cream, to redensify the skin. Embryolisse Concentrated Creamy Milk, a versatile make-up base, moisturising cream or mask.
• Hyalu B5 Serum, La Roche Posay's, super-moisturising serum, to hydrate summer and winter alike.
• Huile Prodigieuse Nuxe, a multi-purpose face-body-hair oil with a divinely addictive scent.

Blazer Shirt and Belt by Celine. Jeans and Bag by Chanel

A Fresh Look - Mini Cosmetic Procedures

All over the world, people recognise the 'French touch', the unique way in which French cosmetic surgeons and doctors go 'close to natural'. That’s because, in Paris, we don’t want anyone to notice. We insist that the operation is imperceptible, we hate 'Russian lips' and deformed cheekbones, and we are horrified by 'botches'. It's therefore in the professionals' interest to go 'light'. Dr Antoni Calmon, who also works in the UK, confirms that Parisian women "prefer to look wrinkled rather than redone". They are looking for a fresh look, good skin quality (with a few mesotherapy sessions, for example), and the reduction of dark circles or frown lines (with Botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid injections). LED sessions are also very popular. Other treatments in vogue at the moment borrow from dermatology: a retinol treatment at night (to boost collagen and elastin production), alternated with a rich cream (moisturising and comforting) and a vitamin C treatment. With a suntan no longer in fashion, the Parisienne has realised that to limit the appearance of spots or redness, she needs to protect herself from the sun and adopts UV protection with an SPF 50 cream all year round.

Her Make-up - Low Effort

Apparently, and we mean apparently, the Parisienne doesn’t wear much make-up, she 'hasn’t got the time', and because of her upbringing, 'less is more'. She is obsessed with looking 'natural' - or almost natural - in all circumstances.

This 'no-makeup' makeup look hides its game well and actually requires lots of effort. To go from the office to a cocktail party, she colours her lips a bright red, perhaps applies a smoky eye or a line of eyeliner, like Charlotte Gainsbourg or Caroline de Maigret. Like the make-up artist and founder of her own brand Violette_fr or Jeanne Damas, younger women have made bright red lipstick their trademark, a mix of vintage glamour and self-assertion. They have incorporated essential steps into their routine, chosen according to what they want to highlight.

Trenchcoat by Burberry. Shirt by Celine. Sunglasses by Vintage.

For Tom Pêcheux, Global Beauty Director at YSL, "the Parisian style is like a 'kaleidoscope', very minimalist and very precise, with a contained madness inside. I like Carine Roitfeld - one of the world's most famous editors and fashion designers- who represents to me the essence of la Parisienne, with a quirky, slightly irreverent bourgeoise style, wearing a see-through blouse, a skirt with a high slit or a man's suit...". And what if there were only three products in her bag? "A Touche Éclat brush (highlighter and complexion illuminator), a dark mascara, a nude lipstick and a real red like Le Rouge Slim N°21 by YSL, which is universal and appeals to everyone," continues the star make-up artist. "Occasionally, a box of mini clutch eyeshadow for a smoky effect when she goes out."

The Parisienne is well aware of the need to keep a bottle of water and a good moisturiser on hand at all times, 'otherwise, her foundation will be nothing more than a cover-up!'