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The Ultimate Lip Care Guide for a Nourished Pout

Our favorite look for low-effort glam calls for just a touch of mascara and a swipe of boldly colored lipstick. Focusing on the lips is a known French beauty hack, but for it to work well, our lips have to be in great shape! 


Lipstick can’t glide smoothly over chapped lips, which is why a good lip care routine is so important. Here are our tips for taking good care of your lips on the regular, along with some advice for special care when they get especially dry.

Use a richer lip balm at night

Woman with healthy skin applying Chapstick to her lips 

The lips can get incredibly dry at night, especially if the humidity in your room is low or if you tend to breathe from your mouth as you sleep. That’s why it’s best to apply a thicker lip balm before bed. If your lips are particularly chapped, using a rich balm will help to speed up their healing

Look for occlusive ingredients 

What on earth does occlusive mean, you ask? Occlusives are oily ingredients that are able to seal moisture in place and prevent evaporation. They’re essential for a truly healing lip balm. Our favorite occlusive ingredients for the lips are lanolin, squalane, shea butter, and petrolatum. A balm with these ingredients can create a protective seal over the lips that prevents moisture loss. 

Use lip balm as a barrier

Another important time to apply lip balm is before brushing your teeth or using potentially-drying skincare products like retinoids or acne treatments. The balm will act as a barrier against those products and prevent their drying effects from impacting your lips. 

Layer your lip moisturizers

When the situation is particularly dire, especially in winter, it can be beneficial to build up moisture in the lips with layers. First, start with a light layer of fragrance-free lotion or hydrating serum – once it sinks in, layer a heavy lip balm on top. That first layer will add hydration, while the second layer will lock the moisture in deeply.  

Opt for an SPF balm in the day

Sun protection cosmetic products and beach accessories on sandOur lips are just as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of our skin, so during the daytime, opt for an SPF lip balm. Apply it to your lips at least 20 minutes before going out in the sun, and make sure they’re thoroughly coated. If you’d like to wear lipstick or gloss, just add it over the lip balm, and you’ll actually end up with a smoother finish than if you were to apply it to bare lips. 

Avoid minty fragrances

We love a lip balm with a bit of flavor, but minty lip balms can actually cause some issues. Menthol is the key fragrance compound in mint essential oil, and it’s added to lip balms to give a cooling and stimulating effect. Unfortunately, those stimulating effects can also be drying and irritating, especially to already chapped lips.  


However, when your lips are well taken care of, you can actually benefit from the temporary stimulating effect of menthol because it can make the lips look plump and full. That’s why we do use a bit of menthol in our lip-plumping Polynesie Francaise glosses.  

Use a sulfate-free toothpaste

Gentle whitening toothpaste from tube being applied to soft-bristled toothbrush 

All toothpaste can be a little drying, but toothpaste made with sulfates is the worst by far. Sulfates (usually sodium lauryl sulfate) are the ingredients responsible for your toothpaste foaming up.

Unfortunately, they can also be quite drying and irritating, especially to the lips and gums. If you suffer from chronically dry lips, it’s very possible that your toothpaste is at fault, so switching to a non-foaming, sulfate-free toothpaste can make a big difference. 

Exfoliate your lips

The final aspect of keeping the lips luscious and smooth is exfoliating them regularly. Exfoliation removes the flaky buildup of dead skin over the lips and allows lip moisturizers to do their job more effectively. 


Exfoliation can be done as a dry lip treatment when they’re a little chapped or flakey, but if they’re so chapped that the skin is a little broken, it’s important to wait until they heal.

You also don’t want to over-exfoliate your lips. Once or twice a week is ideal, more often than that, and you risk irritating the skin and making things worse.  

Make a DIY lip scrub

Macro of homemade lip scrub 

While you can certainly purchase a lip scrub at the store, making your own natural blend is safe and easy! 


All you need is half a teaspoon of brown sugar and a few drops of coconut or olive oil. You can mix them up in a little jar or even in the palm of your hand. You can use honey instead of oil if your skin is acne-prone. 


With your finger, rub the blend over your lips for a few seconds until they feel smooth. Finally, wipe it off or rinse it away with some water. The oil will help moisturize your lips, while the sugar will slough away all of the flakiness! 


Just make sure to mix up a small amount every time you want to exfoliate. Unlike commercial products made with preservatives, whatever you make at home is liable to spoil after a few days. 

Always prep before lipstick

No matter which of our lip care tips you choose to adopt, always remember to take a few steps to pamper your lips before applying lipstick. You’ll need to make sure there are no flakey patches or dryness before starting your makeup, or else you’ll end up with patchy-looking lipstick. 


A coat of lip balm will be enough if the rest of your lip care routine is on-point, but sometimes you might need to do a full exfoliation routine to guarantee your lips are in tip-top shape. 

Motus et bouche cousue (our lips are sealed)

Achieving plump, healthy lips isn’t difficult. It’s just a matter of adding lip care to your regular routine, especially before bed. Whether you go all out with exfoliation or just switch out your minty lip balm for a healthier alternative, we know you’ll discover smoother, happier, and more kissable lips.

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The Five-Piece French Wardrobe, Explained
April 20, 2021
The Five-Piece French Wardrobe, Explained

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.

Upgrade Your Daily Massage with a Face Roller
April 13, 2021
Upgrade Your Daily Massage with a Face Roller

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?  

8 Chic Springtime Hats to Add to Your Wardrobe
April 02, 2021
8 Chic Springtime Hats to Add to Your Wardrobe

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!