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The Truth About These 11 French Fashion Clichés

Have you ever wondered if all those French fashion clichés are actually true?

Do French women roam Paris's streets in their Breton striped tops, trench coats, silk scarves, berets, and Chanel handbags? Or is this just one of those Paris stereotypes?

If you research the term "French-style clothing," you'll often be met with a list of must-have items that the writer swears all French women have in their five-piece French wardrobe. 

So, how do you know what French women actually wear, and what's a French fashion cliché? 

French women are renowned worldwide for their effortless, chic, and timeless style. And if you want to perfect French chic, you have to know the difference between a French fashion favorite and a cliché. 

Here are 11 items we're reviewing to give you the lowdown on what to add to your wardrobe and what you can cross off from your list.

Water color painting of a French cafe

The beret

The beret is the number one French fashion cliché out there!

When you think of what French people wear, you might automatically envision them with a navy or red beret atop of their head. 

Sorry to burst this bubble, but the truth is, most French women do not stroll around wearing a beret! You might see a beret on a trend-focused, stylish woman (if berets happen to be in that season) or on the head of an old man playing Pétanque.

Apart from that, this is an age-old French stereotype that simply isn't that common anymore.

The Breton striped top (marinière)

Female summer outfit - navy jeans, striped top, sunglasses, backpack

A Breton striped top is a classic white top with horizontal navy stripes, known as the marinière in France.

Coco Channel popularized the Breton top when she introduced the design in her nautical collection back in 1917. While it's true that most women will own at least one striped top, they're not as popular as you might think.

In fact, tourists tend to wear Breton tops while visiting France more than local French women do! Neutral tees and graphic tees are far more popular today than stripes. 

If you're set on rocking a striped top, pair it with a block-colored blazer, a pair of straight-leg jeans, and some white sneakers for a smart-casual daytime look.

Ballerina flats

The French fashion cliché of ballerina flats was initially started by Brigitte Bardot in the '60s. Most French women will own at least one pair of ballerina flats in a neutral color that works with most other things in their wardrobe. However, they don't wear them all the time!

French women also love wearing white sneakers, loafers, slingbacks, and low block heels. It's all about comfort and style. 

The silk scarf

The silk scarf is such a versatile item and can add a pop of color or pattern to any look. You'll see images of French women wearing them around their necks, tied on their bags, and also in their hair.

But is this a fashion staple for French women or just a cliché?

French women do wear silk scarves, and a lot of them will own at least one. But they tend to be reserved for special occasions and not worn for a day-to-day look. 

Bold red lipstick & voluminous lashes

Model with bold red lipstick in front of red backdrop

Do you imagine the streets of Paris filled with women with flawless skin, perfectly tousled hair, and rocking a bold red lip? 

Some women will wear red lipstick as an everyday look, especially fashion-savvy women. But others will keep their daytime look a little more toned down and opt for a subtler pink lipstick instead. They'll save a bold red lip for special occasions like a girl's night out, a date, or a party. But every woman will own a classic red lipstick in their makeup collection.

Day or night, French women will always give their lashes a coat of mascara for more length and volume. Good makeup is key to achieving that timeless, French chic look.

The vintage cardigan

Do you imagine Parisian women wearing cute vintage cardigans in an array of colors? 

While some women do like the look, many prefer to keep their look more classic. This means sticking to neutral colors and tones and more timeless cardigan shapes. 

One thing to note with vintage cardigans is they can quickly make you look dowdy if not worn the right way. To avoid this, opt for a finer-knit cardigan for a modern, chic look perfect for fall and winter. 

The Birkin basket bag

Yes, French women do love a basket bag, but they don't use it the way you might think they do!

You'll spot basket bags all around the streets of Paris, but they're usually popular for carrying groceries, running errands, shopping, or packing a picnic during the summer. 

Americans have been seen wearing smaller basket styles as handbags, which you'll rarely find French women doing. 

The trench coat

Happy smiling woman wearing straw hat, long trench coat, and holding basket with flowers

The trench coat truly is a French woman's fashion staple. Most women will own a good quality classic style in a neutral color. 

Why?

Because the trench coat is the perfect piece of outerwear for that unpredictable French weather! 

Plus, it's a great lightweight transition to take you from late summer into fall when it's too warm for a pepper winter coat. Traditional French clothing is all about being practical and chic at the same time.

Look for a trench coat in a neutral color like beige, light grey, or navy. And invest in a coat that is made well and will last you for many years—this is what French fashion is built on. 

The floral wrap dress

Floral wrap dresses have become increasingly popular over the past few years and are often associated with French women. But are they a true fashion staple or a cliché?

During the spring/summer season, you will find many French women wearing wrap dresses. They're flattering for all figures, comfortable to wear, and can work well for holidays and weekends.

However, this is a very feminine look, and French women are notorious for mixing and matching feminine and masculine silhouettes. You might want to add a blazer or a pair of sneakers to keep this look fresh and modern. 

The white button-down shirt

You'll always find the white button-down shirt making its way onto French fashion must-have lists! 

But you won't find many French women wearing white shirts around the city. It tends to be kept for work and in business settings rather than day-to-day social life. 

Although it might be a French fashion cliché, it's an incredibly versatile piece that can be dressed up or down and will never go out of style.

The Chanel bag

One of the biggest Paris stereotypes is that all French women own a black Chanel handbag which they never leave the house without. 

While this might be all French women's dream handbag, not everyone can afford such a luxurious brand. If it's within your budget, it's a great, timeless piece to invest in that will make any outfit chic. 

But there are so many great high street versions of the classic black leather handbag that will suit all budgets. Invest in a piece that is well made and looks expensive, but don't worry about the label.  Black handbags collection on white background

 

And that's the truth about French fashion clichés! The number one rule with French style is to keep things classic, timeless, and effortless. Stick to this, and you'll perfect that French girl style in no time.

 

 

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Bad Makeup Habits that You Need to Stop Having
March 12, 2021
Bad Makeup Habits that You Need to Stop Having

You’re getting ready for your day. You look in the bathroom mirror at tired eyes and blemishes near your nose. As you apply your cosmetics, your face transforms into a bright-eyed, flawless masterpiece. Using makeup is a fun way to express yourself. When used correctly, it helps enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. When misused, it can do the opposite. We will be going over some bad makeup habits that may be causing skin damage and why you need to get rid of them today. Here are some makeup habits you need to stop having Pumping mascara wand Chances are, you or someone you know puts on mascara by pumping the wand back and forth in the tube. It makes sense to think you’re getting an even coat to apply to your lashes. But this is one of the worst makeup habits for applying mascara. The problem with pumping the wand in and out is that you’re also pumping in air.  Pumping air into the tube limits the lifespan of your product by making it dry out faster. It can also cause flakiness and clumping, leading to uneven lashes.   Instead of pumping the wand, the best way to use mascara is by gently circling the wand inside the tube. Sleeping with makeup on Makeup covers the skin to make it look beautiful and smooth. But sleeping with makeup on can suffocate your skin, causing clogged pores by trapping dirt and oils into your skin. This can lead to dry, dull-looking skin. Skipping moisturizer Moisturizer is one of the most essential products for your skin. It keeps your skin young and fresh and aids in a flawless makeup application. If you don’t have time to apply makeup, make sure you still moisturize. What happens when you skip this step? If it’s not often, it’s fine. But over time, it can lead to dryness, wrinkling, and premature aging. When you apply foundation and other products, your skin can become flakey, causing the makeup to be less effective. If you want a flawless complexion, you can’t skip moisturizer. Not cleaning your brushes Makeup brushes are great at giving a clean and blended makeup application. But people forget that they need to be cleaned. When you don’t clean your brushes, they can breed bacteria, causing issues like dry skin and itchiness. Brushes should be cleaned at least once a week to avoid the buildup of debris and oils. Wearing too much makeup Wearing cosmetics is a great way to feel beautiful, but it’s best done in moderation. It can be easy to put too much on your face or to apply it too often.   Your face needs to breathe and needs at least one day a week without makeup. Caking on too much foundation or never letting your skin breathe can lead to skin damage. This includes clogged pores, dry and dull-looking skin. When you notice new blemishes, you’re probably tempted to cover them up with foundation. The best thing you can do is let it breathe for a while and make sure your makeup habits aren’t causing them. Wearing makeup isn’t a bad thing. But one just needs to make sure that it is not becoming a habit of hiding the real skin underneath.  - Aakanksha Singh Using expired product Have you ever looked through your makeup bag and noticed a cosmetic that’s a few years old? You might not have used it as much as you thought you would and may be surprised to see it still looks ok. You may be tempted to use it and get your money’s worth. This isn’t a good idea because using makeup products beyond a certain amount of time isn’t always safe.   Old products can breed bacteria, causing acne and clogged pores if used on your skin.  And if it’s been long enough, it may even be dry and flakey or dull in color. It’s best to simply start over with fresh product. One bad habit often spoils a dozen good ones.  - Napoleon Hill What will these bad makeup habits do? Bad beauty habits may seem like no big deal. So you don’t clean your brushes every week, and you sleep with makeup on sometimes. Not a problem, right? The truth is, these makeup habits can lead to serious skin damage. Forgetting once in a while is fine, but more than a few times a week can lead to the problems below. Clogged pores Have you ever had a rough week and then noticed new blemishes on your skin? This is likely the result of clogged pores. Pores are tiny openings where microscopic particles can pass through, allowing products like makeup and lotion to settle in your skin.   Because your skin has pores, it needs to be able to breathe. When bad beauty habits occur, it can suffocate them, causing them to clog up. This will often lead to oily skin, acne, and wrinkles. Wrinkles and premature aging When you think of wrinkles and premature aging, it’s easy to assume that as long as you don’t smoke or stay too long in the sun, you’ll be fine. Unfortunately, bad makeup habits can also cause these issues. Sleeping with your makeup on can cause stress to your skin and particles to get trapped in your pores.  Permanent skin damage Some bad beauty habits can cause permanent skin damage. The good news is that a lot of skin damage can be reversed with the development of good habits. But take care, not all makeup tips are created equally. Make sure to thoroughly research and understand any new practice before adding it to your daily makeup routine.  Shorter lifespan of cosmetics It’s no secret that cosmetics are expensive. Looking your best isn’t cheap, so you don’t want your products going bad before you’ve had a chance to use them.  In order to prevent product from drying up or becoming clumpy, it’s important to treat your cosmetics carefully and use them correctly. Here are some makeup tips to help form good habits Micellar water  Micellar water is a type of facial cleanser made with water and micelles. Micelles are cleansing molecules that can lift impurities, makeup, and dirt off your face.   What makes this product unique is it doesn’t take moisture out of your face, the way a lot of facial cleansers do. It’s also suitable for any skin type, even sensitive skin.   To use Micellar Water, simply apply some with a cotton pad, wiping your face like you would with a towelette. The best part? You don’t need to rinse it off. If you find yourself sleeping with your makeup on because you’re too tired to take it off, this product is a great beauty habit to form. Just apply it and fall asleep. You can even use it to clean your makeup brushes. Just put some in a container and twirl your brushes around to remove any makeup and debris. Then, allow it to air dry.   A change in bad habits leads to a change in life. - Jenny Craig Keep moisturizer and wipes by your bed Some days you are too exhausted to do a deep clean on your face. We get it, many of us lead demanding lives with long days. But bad beauty habits open doors to negative side effects. If you don’t have the energy to do a full facial cleanse, at least take your makeup off. Do you have a nightstand? If so, keep some moisturizer, and makeup removal wipes there. It’ll only take a minute to wipe the makeup off your face and apply a layer of moisturizer before falling asleep. Your skin will thank you.    Rotate cosmetics often It’s not enough to take your makeup off each night so your skin can breathe. It’s important to make sure the products you use are still functional. Expired products can not only cause skin damage by exposing it to bacteria, but it can also look flakey and dull. It’s not worth it. Look up the lifespan of the makeup and skincare products you have to get an idea of what is still good to use. Some products have a two-year shelf life. Others, such as some eye cosmetics, need to be rotated every three months. Make sure you replace your products as needed, and if you find yourself not using it up in time, consider buying a smaller amount. Do you often forget when you bought your products? Next time, get some stickers and label them with the date you purchased the product and how long they’ll be good for.     Makeup plays an important role in helping women feel beautiful. Good makeup habits help ensure clear, smooth, and beautiful skin for a long time.     What bad makeup habits do you need to change?   Share this article, and let us know which one you’re going to change first.

Hot Makeup Trends vs Timeless Beauty
March 05, 2021
Hot Makeup Trends vs Timeless Beauty

One of the best things about makeup is how creative and evolving it can be. While clothing trends force you to buy new products every season, trendy makeup often just requires a change in technique. Experimenting, changing, and playing around with hot new trends from Instagram, TikTok, or the runways can be a ton of fun! However, these makeup trends are usually fleeting. Unlike classic makeup looks, they won’t stick around for longer than a year or two! It’s fun to look back at photos from the ‘80s or ‘90s and admire how differently women used to do their makeup, but it’s a little scary to imagine others doing the same with photos of you.  When you get ready for graduation photos, weddings, and other big events, do your makeup in such a way so that when you look back at the photos, you won’t find yourself thinking, “gosh, I can’t believe we all used to wear our makeup like that!”  In this article, we’ll go through each hot makeup trend whose days are unfortunately numbered, and reflect on the more timeless makeup looks equivalent to the trend.  While trends are fun for a night out or a creative Instagram story, classic makeup looks are the ideal choice for the most important occasions, so they’re utterly essential to master!   Hot trend: soap brows Brushed up brows are the go-to look for a ton of influencers these days, who usually achieve them with soap, brow gel, or even a semi-permanent lamination. They make the eyebrows look bushy, fluffy, and more symmetrical, and they’re very reminiscent of the styling for model brows in the ‘80s.  Soap brows give a youthful look and they’re a lot of fun, but like other brow trends before them, we think a new look will replace them shortly.  Classic look: groomed brows Soap brows are great fun—we think they’re going to be a major marker of the end of the 2010s. However, keeping your brows classically groomed has the benefit of looking good today as well as in the future.  Eyebrow pencils tipped with a grooming wand, like the Brow Arcade, are incredibly helpful for this technique since you can fill in your brows and then brush the hairs so they go to the side instead of upwards, to lay down in a more natural way.  Hot trend: fox eyes The fox eye makeup trend has absolutely taken over social media and the red carpet, especially by the likes of US-based celebs Bella Fox and Kendall Jenner. It’s a gorgeous look that gives the face an angular, elven appearance through pointed eyeliner and brows that are shaved off at the arch and filled in on an upward angle.  Classic look: classic eyeliner View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivienne Sabó Paris (@viviennesabo.paris) Fox eyes may be sultry and sexy, but we predict that in the long term, eyeliner that makes the eyes look a little larger will continue to endure. After all, we’ve been doing our eyeliner this way since the ‘40s, and looking back on photos from that era, it still looks stunning.  The trick to keeping your natural eye makeup looking classy is to keep the liner away from the inner corner of the eye, and then to create the wing by following the natural angle of your lower lash line. We have a few more tips and tricks for this look here! Hot trend: baking or strobed skin We live in an era of extremes, with two ultra-popular foundation trends that directly contradict each other. You either bake your makeup under a thick layer of powder for 5-10 minutes, to guarantee an impenetrable finish, or you pack on the glowy serums and highlighters for a strobed, reflective skin finish. It can be great fun to experiment with both of these trends! Classic look: natural skin View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivienne Sabó Paris (@viviennesabo.paris) In the long term, however, we think natural-looking skin with a satin finish will always be the classiest choice. It’s exactly in the middle between very dewy and matte skin, with the same level of reflectiveness that the skin has when it’s happy and moisturized.  To achieve such an easy natural makeup look, all you need is a light coverage foundation and maybe a touch of concealer. Then, a light dusting of powder with a fluffy brush will help to lock things into place and control excess sheen without making your skin look flat and dry.  Oh, and there’s one more way to achieve this look that’s even easier. Skip the foundation altogether, for the natural, no-makeup look!  Hot trend: flattened Cupid’s bow We first noticed ultra-pouty lips with a flattened Cupid’s bow on the gorgeous Ariana Grande. Then, before you knew it, everyone was applying their lip liner with a continuous, rounded line. It essentially changes the lips’ natural shape, transforming them into elongated ovals. While we love the look right now, it might seem odd in just a few short years.   Classic look: slightly overdrawn lips  While you don’t need to go overboard with it, overdrawing the lip line is actually a very timeless makeup look that goes at least as far back as the ‘30s. The key to achieving lush and full lips without looking cartoonish is to follow the vermillion border, which is the skin-colored line of demarcation surrounding the lips.  The best part? You can create both the classic and trendy lips with our Le Grand Volume lip pencils.  Time and place for every makeup look Every style and technique, from the easiest natural makeup look to the most outrageous hot trend, has its time and place. We don’t want you to forsake makeup trends, because they add spice to life, but it’s just as important to master the classic makeup look so you can look chic for the coming decades. 

Step-by-Step Winged Eyeliner
February 24, 2021
Step-by-Step Winged Eyeliner

Perfect winged liner is one of the most challenging makeup techniques to master. At first swipe, you end up with an overly subtle winged eyeliner, so you decide to add just a touch more, and next thing you know, you’ve overdone it… Don’t even get us started on getting both eyes to match!  The only thing that might be tougher than winged eye makeup is a vivid red pout, so it’s funny how one of our favorite go-to looks in French beauty is a combination of these two. Through years of practice, we've refined our skills and uncovered some of the best winged eyeliner hacks that make achieving that subtle wing a little easier. Today, we’ll be sharing all of our tips with you!  What kind of winged eyeliner look do you want?  Are you aiming for a natural winged eyeliner look, or would you prefer a dramatic cat eye? Winged eyeliner comes at a few different intensity levels, and the angle of your wing will have a big impact on your look.  These days, the sharp “fox” winged eyeliner look has become especially popular, but we’re still enamored with the subtle winged eyeliner of the ‘40s and the sultry winged eye makeup of the ‘70s. While you do need to decide on the kind of look you want, our tips will help you achieve the perfect winged eyeliner every time.  Winged eyeliner for different eye shapes Taking your eye shape into account will help you figure out how to master the wing since when you draw on a liquid liner, you’re effectively changing the borders of your eye.  The more sharply angled your eyeliner, the more upturned your eyes will look, while if you go horizontal, they’ll look a little sleepy and sultry.  As for the lash line, a rounded shape will make the eyes look doll-like, while progressing from thin to thick towards the outer corner will make the eyes look almond-shaped.  What about the inner corner?  In classic French beauty, we like to stop the eyeliner before the inner corner, and sometimes even at the eye’s center; this opens the eyes and gives the face a very fresh look.  However, in recent years, it’s become trendy to aim for a sultry look by bringing the eyeliner all the way down to the inner corner in its own little wing. Feel free to experiment and see what style you like best! Choose the right eyeliner  Liquid and gel eyeliners are the ideal choice for a winged look, but some are easier to work with than others. Gels usually come in a pot, so they require a separate brush, which can be inconvenient at times.  As for liquids, many come with ultra-thin brush applicators that are difficult to control. Felt-tipped pens, like the Feutre Fin, are ideal. With a tapered, sturdy felt tip, a pen eyeliner offers a precise wing but can still cover a lot of space when necessary.  Keep your distance from the mirror  This is one of our most useful winged eyeliner tips, so read closely.  Instead of holding your mirror close to the face as you draw on your eyeliner, take a step back. This will allow you to see both of your eyes simultaneously, which is essential for achieving perfectly symmetrical eyeliner wings. Otherwise, working too close to the mirror can easily result in two gorgeous eyeliner wings that look nothing like the other – giving you a lopsided look.  Steps to a perfect wing Now, for the actual application! If you start with the hard part first, the rest of your winged eye makeup will be a breeze. It just so happens that the most challenging part of winged eyeliner is the wing itself.  Start with the eye you usually struggle with, and draw the lower line of the wing by following your lower lash line.  Do the same thing on your other eye while checking for symmetry in the mirror. Then, draw on each wing’s top line, creating a little triangle at the outer corner.  Once again, do the same on the other eye and check that everything lines up. If your wing is a little more dramatic, you may need to fill it in a little as well.  Small lines from outer corner to inner corner Now it’s time to draw your liner over the lash line. To avoid gaps between the liner and your lash line, pull your lid upwards (gently!) as you apply. Then, working from the outer corner inwards, draw the eyeliner on in short strokes.  Don’t worry too much about achieving a perfect line yet — once you let go of your lid, you’ll be surprised to see how even and delicate your winged eyeliner looks. You can then correct or thicken up the line after you have that base layer down.  Keep the eye open to fit a hooded lid   One common struggle many makeup lovers face is how to apply winged eyeliner to hooded eyes. The secret is to draw the top line of your eyeliner wing while your eyes are totally open so that your eyeliner sort of “skips” over the crease. It’ll look like there’s a little step or divet in your eyeliner when your eyes are closed, but when they’re open, it will look incredibly flattering.  No more winging it  Using liquid eyeliner might seem daunting at first, but with our winged eyeliner hacks and suggestions, we know that not only will you master the wing, but you’ll also refine it to suit your flare.