Queen’s Gambit Makeup and Fashion

Have you heard of the 5-Piece French wardrobe?  This is not just any wardrobe. It’s the secret to attaining that effortlessly chic Paris style we all swoon over. Plus, it’s the best way to build a capsule wardrobe that is both fun and functional, and helps you get the most out of every piece you purchase.  Have you ever woken up in the morning, stared at a huge closet packed with clothes, and thought, “I’ve got nothing to wear?!” Do you keep buying more stuff each season, and need a way to curb those bank-draining spending habits? If you find yourself nodding your head, this French wardrobe philosophy might be a match made in heaven for you.  Don’t panic over the whole “five-piece” scenario. It’s not a wardrobe built of just five pieces—that would be crazy.    All will be revealed in this article. The ins and outs of a five-piece French wardrobe Minimalist French style is all about investing in fewer pieces that are higher in quality, and will hopefully last you a long time. It’s focused on longevity rather than trends. And this is exactly where this French wardrobe philosophy stems from.  There isn’t a set number of pieces or a timetable to follow.  To start, you build a solid collection of basic pieces. Things like plain t-shirts, black tailored pants, and a classic white shirt—simple items that can be mixed and matched with everything in your wardrobe. If you find any gaps, fill these in with new staples.  Each season (four times per year), you’re allowed to purchase 5 new investment pieces to help you build your collection. These should be non-basic pieces. You can take as much time as you like choosing these—there’s no rush! The point of this is to refresh your look with each passing season, but to also focus on investing in pieces you truly love and will wear for years to come.  Five might not sound like much, but trust us on this one; coupled with your trusty basics, this will give you endless outfit combos that will embody that French I-just-woke-up-like-this look. The rules: The 5-piece French wardrobe can be a little tricky to understand at first. So, here are some of the rules you need to know before you get started. Basics don’t count towards your five pieces, and can always be replaced. Makeup doesn’t count. Accessories, socks, and underwear don’t count (unless they’re particularly pricey purchases.) Shoes do count. And everything else that’s not mentioned above counts.  How to get started creating your 5-piece French wardrobe The secret to rolling out of bed and looking like one of those impeccably dressed French women you see on Instagram is focusing on fit.  The reason these women look so good in simple clothing like jeans and a plain white tee is because of the fit. They wear flattering cuts and silhouettes. Instead of following the trends, they stick to what works for their unique shape.  So the message is, it’s not what you buy, it’s how it fits you. Remember, you’ll only be purchasing 20 new non-basic items each year, so choose wisely.  Out with the old Get started by clearing out your wardrobe. Donate anything that no longer fits you, or that you haven’t worn in the past year. Chances are if you haven’t worn it by now, you never will! Hold on to any basics that fit you well, and part ways with the rest. Be ruthless through this process.  If you notice any gaps, make a list of what you need and start shopping. Don’t rush to buy everything at once. Take your time, be considerate, and choose quality items that feel good against your skin. Because when you feel good, you will look good.   Back to basics We touched on basic pieces a little earlier, but what exactly is a “basic” item of clothing?  Generally, it’s a functional piece of clothing that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on. Basics will generally be plain or block colored, practical, and go with those fancier, statement pieces in your wardrobe.  French outfit essentials: Items every woman should have in her wardrobe Here are some of the pieces you should think about stocking up on to make sure your wardrobe game is on fire.  Tops: block colored t-shirts, button-up white shirts, silk camis. Pants: well-fitting straight-leg jeans, tailored pants Skirts: pencil skirt, white linen skirt, block colored mini skirts Dresses: a little black dress Shorts: jean shorts, linen shorts Sweaters: cashmere sweaters, oversized wool sweaters, cozy cardigans Outerwear: a trench coat, a classic blazer, a leather jacket Shoes: ballet pumps, brown/black heeled boots, sandals, court shoes. Make your shopping list for this season. The great thing about the 5-piece French wardrobe is that each season you get to make a wish list of things you want to add to your collection. What have you had your eye on for a while? What are you noticeably missing right now that would take your wardrobe to the next level? Set yourself a reasonable budget each season for your 5 pieces. It’s okay to spend more on these items than you usually would, because the focus is on quality pieces that last longer. So don’t scrimp, but don’t blow more than you can afford. And that’s how to create a 5-piece French wardrobe! The only other rule is to have fun creating your capsule collection. It won’t be long before you have a beautifully sustainable and ethical wardrobe that makes getting dressed each morning a joy. Why not use these principles and apply them to your other purchases too?  For example, focus on investing in good makeup: a quality mascara, a classic red lipstick, and the perfect shade and texture of foundation for your skin.  Follow these steps, and you’ll be Paris-ready in no time.

In French beauty, the skin is always the star. French women rarely cover their faces with more than a sheer tinted moisturizer. Instead, they focus on achieving healthy skin with great skincare and an invigorating daily facial massage.   While the hands are the traditional tool of French aestheticians, facial rollers have been a welcomed addition to French women’s daily skin care routines. If you’d like to add a face roller to your beauty routine, as well, keep reading! We’ll help you learn everything you need to know about how to use a face roller for maximum effects.    The benefits of face roller massage  Using a face roller on a regular basis has immense wellness benefits. It goes beyond just the skin — the effects of a facial massage have physical impacts below the epidermis. The rolling motion of a facial roller exerts less pressure on the skin than a traditional face massage, so it yields results quicker and is more gentle. Face rollers are inherently cool, so they have a soothing effect on the skin. You can boost this effect by keeping your face roller in the fridge. They tone the face and eliminate puffiness by moving and draining lymphatic fluid. They give facial muscles a relaxing massage that helps to drive away tension, especially from the jaw and temples.  The massage improves blood circulation to the skin, which gives a youthful glow and may have long-term anti-sagging effects. The gentle massage helps skincare products penetrate into the skin more quickly and deeply.   How to choose the best face roller When selecting the best face roller for you, consider what kind of features you’re especially interested in. Some stones do a better job of staying cold, while others have a smoother surface that’s more gentle on the skin.  In general, we recommend purchasing a double-sided roller, with a large side for rolling over the face and a smaller one for around the eyes.  Jade rollers are the classic choice, as they were the first facial rollers available on the market, and they’re quite affordable. They’re lightweight compared to other stones, but they’re also a hint quicker to lose their smoothness.  Rose quartz facial rollers have become more popular in recent years. They’re a little heavier than jade rollers so they can exert more pressure on the skin, but they also stay cold for longer and are generally more durable. Amethyst rollers are the new thing in the facial roller scene. They’re structurally similar to rose quartz, but they’re quite expensive. The companies producing them often put more effort into manufacturing, so they’re usually smoother and less likely to make noise. Finally, there are ice rollers. They have a liquid core that turns to ice if you put them in the freezer. Using one is like getting an ice facial that rapidly cools the skin. They soothe irritation and reduce puffiness, but the cold shock can be too intense for daily use.  How to use a face roller   When not in use, keep your facial roller in the fridge, especially in the summer when the cold can be very refreshing. Always start with clean skin. The face roller will glide more easily if it’s also covered in a thin layer of moisturizer or face oil. If you’re a fan of sheet masks, you can use your facial roller on top of the sheet mask to allow the essence to soak in more thoroughly. Once you’re ready to roll over the face, remember this basic principle: Always start in the middle and work outwards and upwards, mirroring your motions on both sides of your face. You can roll along each area as many times as you like. Start at the neck, rolling upwards towards the jawline. Next, starting at the point of your chin, roll outwards following the curve of your jawline.  Bring the roller up a bit, and roll in the same way over the chin and above the curve of the jawline. Then, roll along the cheeks, starting near the nose and going outwards. Roll over the forehead in upward lines, from above the brows up to the hairline. Flip your roller over to use the smaller side above the upper lip, along the sides, and up the bridge of the nose. To roll around the eyes, start below the eye’s inner corner and move outwards in a circular motion following the orbital bone.  How to take care of your face roller As with anything that comes in contact with your skin, you should thoroughly clean your face roller after each use. Since it’s a non-invasive tool, you can simply wash it in warm water with a bit of soap or detergent. Then, towel-dry gently or place it somewhere safe to air-dry.  How often should you use a facial roller?  A massage with a face roller is a safe daily habit that’s incredibly gentle on the skin. Some women swear by using their jade roller twice a day, but once a day or week will also give you satisfying results. Even if you don’t have the time to use it every day, keep it around for the days when you feel like your skin needs that extra cooling, firming touch.  Savoring the ritual  French beauty practices are steeped in history, but we love updating them with new tools. A jade roller’s relaxing touch is the perfect upgrade, boosting your skin care practice and soothing the skin. That daily French ritual of facial massage becomes quicker and easier, and amidst your long, busy days, what more could we want?  

This article is dedicated to women’s spring hats, and we’ve got some beautiful types of hats for you to try out this spring! Hats can be challenging to coordinate, but not when you know what you’re doing. By the end of this article, you’ll be a pro on the types and names of hats and ready to find the perfect one to add to your spring wardrobe.  Whether you’re soaking up the sun in your garden, taking a sunset walk on the beach, spending a weekend on a yacht, or jetting off for a summer vacation, a stylish hat is a must. Not only will it complete your look, but it’ll also protect your skin from those damaging rays.  No matter what your personal style is, we have a hat on this list to suit you. Here are our favorite springtime hats for women.  Brimmed Classics To kick things off on our list of women’s spring hats, we’ve got brimmed classics. Think fedoras, boaters, and Panama styles. Anything with a classic, structured, brimmed silhouette. This shape is timeless and will instantly get you feeling like you’re on vacation! This is the perfect hat to invest in if you’re new to hats and looking for something simple yet elegant that will work with multiple outfits. How to Style It:  A classic wide-brimmed hat can be paired with pretty much anything. If you’re heading on a trip somewhere and only have space for one hat, make it this one.  It’ll look effortlessly chic paired with a white suit, a floral wrap dress, or even a pair of tailored Bermuda shorts.  For a vacation look, pair with swimwear and coverups as you please, and some lace-up leather sandals or embellished mules. Throw on some oversized shades and a woven handbag on your shoulder, and you’re ready to go.    The Bucket Hat The bucket hat is a super casual boho-style hat that has an inherently sporty and nostalgic vibe. But don’t let that put you off. High-end fashion houses like Dior and Prada have consistently shown that the bucket hat can be sexy and feminine for a perfect spring/summer look. You’ll find bucket styles in an array of fabrics, including raffia, satin, and embroidered styles. The key here is to keep things simple and minimal.  How to Style It:  To keep this look chic, stick to a neutral color palette when it comes to the rest of your outfit.  And if you want to go all-out ‘90s throwback, add a choker necklace and some platform sandals. Think TLC in their “Waterfalls” video.    Oversized Straw Hat If you’re looking for a springtime hat that makes a statement, opt for an oversized straw hat. You’ll likely have seen this accessory completing many looks of Instagram influencers as they pose by the pool or the beach. The brim is both dramatic, chic, and oh-so-glamorous.  When it comes to the size of the brim, you can go as large as you please. Many will extend past your shoulders, providing welcomed extra protection from the sun. Choose a floppy or woven brim depending on the look you prefer.  How to Style It: The oversized straw hat was made to accompany swimwear. Pair it with a classic black one-piece or high waist bikini, some designer sunnies, and one piece of your favorite gold jewelry.  The Garden Hat The Garden hat can be found in many different shapes and sizes, with wide brims, taller crowns, scalloped edges, and divine neck-tie details. Perfect for lounging in your back yard on a sunny spring day. Go for a classic neutral color or a black/white version for a more modern look.  How to Style It: This hat is perfect for creating a flirty, feminine look. Pair with your most fabulous floral dress or sarong. Add a pair of heeled sandals, and you’re ready for dinner and drinks in a flash! The Garden hat also lends itself well to city-style linen separates for a chic springtime outfit.   The Baseball Cap Baseball caps don’t have to be kept for running and working out. They’re part of every model & influencer’s off-duty look, and we can see why. They’re easy to throw on, work particularly well if you’re having a bad hair day, and add a sporty vibe to any look.  To elevate this look, opt for a designer version or a style that mixes fabrics or embroidery for extra detail.  How to Style It: Baseball caps are so versatile. Wear them on a walk, at the beach, while running errands, or even for lounging in your garden. Pair with your favorite leggings or trainers for an extra sporty vibe.  Grosgrain Band Panama Hat Meghan Markle is renowned for loving the Panama-style hat because it’s both stylish and functional. Not too big, but large enough that it shields you from the sun. Plus, it’s classic and elegant, and simple to throw on to complete your outfit.  How to Style It: Pair with denim shorts or a printed jumpsuit for a chic summer look.  Lamé Papier Hat This chic French straw hat is famous for having a black grosgrain ribbon around the brim and a metal bee detail on the side. It’s one of the trickier hat styles to pull-off, but nothing to be afraid of.  How to Style It: There’s no better time to wear this hat than at a spring or summertime garden party.  Pair with your favorite babydoll dress, a lightweight blazer loosely thrown around your shoulders, your favorite heeled sandals, and you have perfected this look! The Frayed Hat Our final hat on this list is the frayed hat. It has a lovely boho, artisanal feel that will add texture and detail to any look. Go for a floppy style for a laid-back beach look or a structured shape for a downtown vibe.  You’ll find so many variations to choose from with different sizes, shapes, textures, and colors. If you’re looking to add just one hat to your wardrobe, choose something that will go with lots of outfits.  How to Style It: The frayed hat is the perfect companion for any vacation. Wear it with a monochrome swimsuit, some gold sandals, and some delicate jewelry. Looking fabulous! Are you ready to add one of these hats to your spring wardrobe?    Here comes the sun, and we can’t wait!